Nuts & seeds
Can cats eat macadamia nuts?
Poisoning is reported mainly in dogs, but there is no known safe amount for cats either and the nuts are a choking risk.
Why Unknown compound specific to macadamia nuts
By Maya HartIf your cat 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.
- Most dogs recover within 48 hours with care.
Signs to watch for
- Weakness, especially in the back legs
- Wobbliness
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Raised temperature
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs Toxic
No. Macadamia nuts cause weakness, wobbliness, fever and tremors in dogs. Signs are rarely fatal but can be very distressing, and chocolate-coated nuts are worse.
Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?Cats Toxic
No. Poisoning is reported mainly in dogs, but there is no known safe amount for cats either and the nuts are a choking risk.
The details
As few as 2 grams per kilogram of body weight — around five nuts for a 10 kg dog — can cause signs within 12 hours. Cookies, cereal bars and nut mixes are common sources. If the nuts were chocolate-coated, use our chocolate calculator too.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat macadamia nuts?
No. Poisoning is reported mainly in dogs, but there is no known safe amount for cats either and the nuts are a choking risk.
What makes macadamia nuts risky for cats?
Unknown compound specific to macadamia nuts.
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
weakness, especially in the back legs, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors, raised temperature.
What should I do if my cat ate macadamia nuts?
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. Most dogs recover within 48 hours with care.
Is macadamia nuts safe for dogs too?
No. Macadamia nuts cause weakness, wobbliness, fever and tremors in dogs. Signs are rarely fatal but can be very distressing, and chocolate-coated nuts are worse.
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
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