Nuts & seeds
Can dogs eat walnuts?
Mouldy walnuts can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures, black walnuts are toxic, and even fresh walnuts are fatty and hard to digest. Keep them away.
Why Tremorgenic mycotoxins in mouldy walnuts (e.g. penitrem A); juglone in black walnuts
By Maya HartIf your dog ate some
- Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems fine.
- Tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your pet’s weight.
- Do not try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to.
- Tremors can start within hours of eating mouldy walnuts.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting
- Tremors and twitching
- Seizures
- High temperature
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs Toxic
No. Mouldy walnuts can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures, black walnuts are toxic, and even fresh walnuts are fatty and hard to digest. Keep them away.
Cats Toxic
No. The same mould toxins affect cats, and walnuts offer nothing a cat needs.
Can cats eat walnuts?The details
Walnuts that fall in autumn and lie on damp ground are quickly colonised by moulds. Dogs that eat them can develop severe tremors that look frightening and need veterinary treatment, although most dogs recover. If you have a walnut tree, clear fallen nuts regularly.
Safer treats your dog can have instead
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Beef
Bell peppers
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blackberries
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Questions owners ask
Can dogs eat walnuts?
No. Mouldy walnuts can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures, black walnuts are toxic, and even fresh walnuts are fatty and hard to digest. Keep them away.
What makes walnuts risky for dogs?
Tremorgenic mycotoxins in mouldy walnuts (e.g. penitrem A); juglone in black walnuts.
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
vomiting, tremors and twitching, seizures, high temperature.
What should I do if my dog ate walnuts?
Call your vet or a pet poison helpline straight away, even if your pet seems fine. Tell them what was eaten, roughly how much, when, and your pet’s weight. Do not try to make your pet sick unless a vet tells you to. Tremors can start within hours of eating mouldy walnuts.
Is walnuts safe for cats too?
No. The same mould toxins affect cats, and walnuts offer nothing a cat needs.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for dogs
Macadamia nuts
Peanut butter
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Pistachios
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Sunflower seeds
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation