Can Yorkies eat tuna?
In small, occasional amounts — a little canned tuna in water (not oil or brine) is fine for Yorkies, but mercury means it shouldn't be regular.
Tuna is high in protein and dogs usually love the smell, but it comes with a real catch: tuna is a large predatory fish that accumulates mercury. For a 5-lb Yorkie, that means tuna should be an occasional treat, not a staple. When you do offer it, use canned tuna packed in water with no added salt — never the versions in oil or brine, which add unnecessary fat and sodium. A small flake mixed into food now and then is the safe approach.
What Yorkie owners need to know
- Use canned tuna in water, not oil or brine — and choose no-added-salt if you can.
- Tuna carries mercury, so keep it occasional, not a regular part of the diet.
- A tiny flake is plenty for a 5-lb dog; drain it well before serving.
How preparation changes the answer
| Preparation | Status | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Canned in water, drained, occasional | Only small amounts | A small flake now and then is fine; mercury means don't make it regular. |
| Tuna in oil or brine | Only small amounts | Extra fat and salt make these unsuitable — use water-packed only. |
Safe preparation
- Choose plain canned tuna packed in water with no added salt.
- Drain it thoroughly to remove excess liquid and sodium.
- Mix a small flake into their normal food as an occasional treat.
Portion for a Yorkie
A small flake — roughly a teaspoon of drained tuna — once in a while is enough for a 4-7 lb Yorkie; keep within about 10% of daily calories.
Nutrition at a glance
Calories
~116 kcal
per 100 g, canned light tuna in water, drained (USDA FoodData Central)
Protein
~26 g
per 100 g, canned light tuna in water, drained (USDA FoodData Central)
Fat
~1 g
per 100 g, canned light tuna in water, drained (USDA FoodData Central)
Possible benefits
- Lean, high-protein and low in fat.
- Provides some omega-3 fatty acids.
- Strong smell makes it a good appetite tempter for picky dogs.
Risks & things to watch
- Mercury builds up in tuna, so frequent feeding isn't advisable.
- Oil-packed or brined tuna adds unwanted fat and salt.
- Too much can crowd out a balanced diet in a tiny dog.
If your Yorkie ate too much
A little extra water-packed tuna once is unlikely to harm, though it may cause soft stools. If your dog ate a large amount, salty brined tuna, or seems unwell, contact your vet.
Frequently asked questions
Can my Yorkie eat tuna every day?
No. Because tuna accumulates mercury, it should be an occasional treat only, not a daily food for such a small dog.
Is tuna in oil okay?
It's best avoided. The oil adds unnecessary fat and brine adds salt. Stick to tuna packed in water and drain it well.
Sources
We cite authoritative veterinary, regulatory, and nutrition sources so you can check the evidence yourself.
- Nutrition dataUSDA FoodData CentralUSDA FoodData Central nutrient database
Supports: Human-food nutrient composition (calories, macronutrients, fibre, sugars). · Accessed 2026-07-01
- Professional bodyWSAVA Global Nutrition CommitteeGlobal Nutrition Guidelines & Toolkit
Supports: Energy requirement calculation, body condition scoring, treat guidance. · Accessed 2026-07-01
The Yorkiefood Editorial Team
We research Yorkshire Terrier feeding from regulatory bodies, veterinary manuals, poison-control centres, and peer-reviewed nutrition literature, then explain it plainly. We are careful researchers, not veterinarians — our pages cite their sources so you can check the evidence yourself, and we always defer to your own vet for your dog.
First published 2026-07-11 · Last reviewed 2026-07-11
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Related foods
Salmon
Yes, when thoroughly cooked and boneless — cooked salmon is a healthy treat, but never raw, because raw salmon can carry a parasite that's dangerous to dogs.
Sardines
Yes, in small amounts — sardines packed in water with no salt are a nutritious omega-3 treat for Yorkies, but they're rich so keep portions tiny.
Cooked Chicken
Yes, when cooked plain, boneless, and skinless — plain cooked chicken is one of the most reliable, gentle treats for a Yorkie.
Baby Food
Use caution, and read the label every time. Plain single-ingredient meat baby food is sometimes used to tempt a sick or picky Yorkie to eat, but many baby foods contain onion or garlic powder — which are toxic to dogs — so the ingredient list is the whole story.
Bacon
Avoid. Bacon is very high in salt and fat and is loaded with grease — for a 5-pound Yorkie that fat and salt combination is a real trigger for stomach upset, pancreatitis, and salt-related illness.
Beef
Yes — lean, plain, fully cooked beef with the fat drained is a protein-rich treat for Yorkies, served in small amounts.
Make serving it easier
A few small things that help at mealtime
Getting the portion right matters most on a tiny dog. These simple bits of kit help you weigh, serve, and store — tap a category to see current options on Amazon.
Wet food for toy breeds
Softer texture for picky or senior Yorkies — check calories per can.
Shop on AmazonMini silicone spatula
Scrapes every bit of wet food or topper from the can with no waste.
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Seal a half-used can so the second half is still fresh tomorrow.
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A spoonful can tempt a fussy eater or settle a delicate tummy.
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