Conditions apply

Can dogs eat nuts (general)?

Most nuts are not poisonous, but they are fatty, salty and a choking and obstruction risk. Macadamias and walnuts are the two to avoid outright.

If your dog reacts badly

Call a vet for macadamias, mouldy nuts, or any nut causing tremors.

Signs to watch for

vomiting
diarrhoea
abdominal pain
tremors and twitching (mouldy nuts)
choking or gagging

When: Mycotoxin tremors within 30 minutes to a few hours.

What makes it harmful

Tremorgenic mycotoxins in mouldy walnuts and pecans

The generic risks are pancreatitis from fat and obstruction from whole nuts, which dogs swallow without chewing. Walnuts and pecans additionally grow Penicillium moulds that produce tremorgenic mycotoxins, and windfall nuts left on the ground are the usual source. Macadamias have their own distinct syndrome and are covered separately.

How much matters

No toxic dose for the common nuts; the problem is fat load and physical size. Mouldy nuts can cause tremors from small quantities.

How to prepare it

If offered at all: plain, unsalted, shelled, and in tiny amounts.

Never in this form

Macadamias, mouldy walnuts and pecans, salted or coated nuts, and nuts in the shell.

Also check for

mould
salt
chocolate coating
windfall nuts in the garden

How confident is this

established

Well established in the veterinary literature and consistent across sources.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
Pet Poison Helpline

Check another food

Informational only, and not a substitute for veterinary advice. Individual dogs vary, and this page cannot account for your dog's age, size, health conditions or medication. If you are worried, phone a vet — that call is always the right call.