Nuts & seeds
Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?
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.
Why Unknown compound specific to macadamia nuts
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.
- 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.
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.
Can cats eat macadamia nuts?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 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 macadamia nuts?
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.
What makes macadamia nuts risky for dogs?
Unknown compound specific to macadamia nuts.
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
weakness, especially in the back legs, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors, raised temperature.
What should I do if my dog 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 cats too?
No. Poisoning is reported mainly in dogs, but there is no known safe amount for cats either and the nuts are a choking risk.
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
Peanut butter
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Almonds
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Pistachios
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation