FrançaisCan dogs eat nuts?
It is better not to give them. Nuts such as almonds, pecans and walnuts are high in fat and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis [1]. Moldy nuts are the more serious danger: their mold toxins can cause tremors and seizures within hours [2]. If your dog has eaten nuts that were moldy, salted or flavored, or ate a large amount, call your vet or a pet poison line now. Do not try to make your dog vomit or give any home remedy unless your vet tells you to.
Macadamia nuts act differently and have their own page: macadamia nuts and dogs. For other dangerous foods, see toxic foods for dogs and cats.
Nut by nut: the main risk and what the vet checks
No study has set a safe amount of any nut for dogs. The risk depends less on the type of nut than on how much fat the dog swallowed, whether the nuts were salted, and above all whether they were old or moldy [1, 2, 7].
| Nut | Main risk | What to watch | Tests the vet may use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almonds, pecans | High fat [1] | Vomiting, diarrhea; belly pain, which can point to pancreatitis [1] | Exam; pancreas tests if pancreatitis is suspected |
| Pistachios | Fat, as with other nuts [1]; salt if salted [1]; mold if old [7] | Vomiting, diarrhea; thirst if salty [1] | Exam; sodium if a lot of salt was eaten [11] |
| Walnuts (English walnuts) | Fat [1]; moldy walnuts carry tremor-causing mold toxins [2, 3] | Tremors, wobbling, fever, seizures a few hours after eating [2, 3] | Exam; testing of vomit or stomach contents for mold toxins [2]; blood work often normal or a raised muscle enzyme [2] |
| Black walnuts (nuts and hulls) | Vomiting; sometimes nerve or muscle signs [6] | Vomiting; tremors or weakness [6] | Exam; the checks for moldy nuts if tremors appear [2] |
| Peanuts | Fat; peanuts can carry mold toxins and aflatoxins [2, 7]; xylitol in some peanut butters [12] | Tremors if moldy [2]; low energy, no appetite, yellow gums if aflatoxins [9] | ALT, bilirubin, cholesterol and clotting tests if aflatoxins are suspected [7, 8] |
Fat and salt: stomach upset and pancreatitis
Nuts such as almonds, pecans and walnuts contain high amounts of oils and fats. These fats can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in some dogs [1]. In a study of 198 dogs with pancreatitis and 187 control dogs, eating unusual food items increased the odds of pancreatitis about 4 to 6 times, and getting into the trash about 13 times [10]. See pancreatitis in dogs and lipase and amylase for the tests.
Salted nuts add salt. Too much salt can cause thirst, more urine, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures [1]. In dogs, vomiting comes within several hours, and salt poisoning is unlikely as long as fresh water is available [11]. A blood sodium above 160 mEq/L points to salt poisoning [11].
Flavored or coated nuts can hide other problems. Chocolate-covered nuts bring the risks of chocolate, and some peanut and nut butters are sweetened with xylitol, which can drop blood sugar within 30 minutes [12]. See chocolate and dogs and xylitol poisoning in dogs.
Moldy walnuts and peanuts: tremors and seizures
Molds such as Penicillium crustosum grow on walnuts, peanuts, dairy products and compost. They make tremor-causing toxins, mainly penitrem A, along with roquefortine C [2]. Roquefortine C may matter less: in mice it did not cause tremors [2].
- When signs start: within 1 to 2 hours, or up to several hours after eating [2]. Vomiting can be the first sign [2].
- What you may see: tremors that get worse when the dog is touched or hears a noise, wobbling, drooling, a racing heart, fever and seizures [2].
- A real-life case: a 1-year-old dog ate walnuts that had been on the ground for 5 months. It vomited, then trembled and wobbled, with a temperature of 39.9 °C (103.8 °F). Walnut shell was seen in its vomit, mold toxins were found in walnuts from its yard, and it recovered fully within 18 hours [4].
- How common: a German clinic described 54 dogs poisoned after eating walnuts, seen mostly in winter and spring [3]. In another German study of 313 poisoned dogs treated with lipid therapy, 21 had eaten walnuts linked to penitrem A and roquefortine [5].
- How long: with treatment, signs often settle within a few days, but recovery can take weeks, and some dogs have stayed wobbly for months or years [2]. Among the 54 dogs, 53 were hospitalized, most for 2 days, and 72% had a normal exam when they went home [3].
Black walnuts
The ASPCA poison center reviewed 93 dogs exposed to black walnut tree parts. Of the 65 dogs that ate the nuts or hulls, 48% vomited and 23% had nerve or muscle signs, such as tremors or weakness. Nerve or muscle signs were far more common after eating the wood: 93% of 28 dogs [6].
Aflatoxins: the liver angle
Aflatoxins are made by Aspergillus molds that grow on peanuts, nuts, corn, rice and cottonseed, especially in hot, dry weather or damp storage. The liver is the main target [7]. The dog outbreaks described in the sources came from contaminated commercial dog food [8, 9].
In the 2020 to 2021 Sportmix recall in the US, the FDA was aware of more than 110 pets that died and more than 210 that were sick by January 2021, though not all cases were confirmed. The FDA explained that the mold can grow on corn and other grains used in pet food. Signs included low energy, loss of appetite, vomiting, yellow eyes or gums, and diarrhea; some pets had liver damage without signs. The toxins can be present without visible mold [9].
In a study of 72 dogs that ate contaminated dog food, 46 (64%) died. Signs came in this order: loss of appetite, low energy, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhea with blood, fluid in the belly, then bleeding and brain signs [8].
What the vet checks, and what the blood work shows
There is no single test for nuts. The vet starts with what the dog ate, when, and whether the nuts were moldy or salted. Bring the bag or a sample of the nuts.
- Abbreviation ALT, ALAT or GPT: an enzyme that leaks from injured liver cells. It is fairly specific to the liver in dogs [14], and it rises in aflatoxin poisoning [7].
- Result 320 U/L in this illustrative line. ALT does not say what caused the injury [14], and in aflatoxin poisoning it can still look normal early on [8].
- Unit U/L in most reports; µkat/L in some labs: U/L × 0.0167 = µkat/L [14].
- Laboratory interval The dog interval listed by the Merck Veterinary Manual [15]; each laboratory sets its own.
- Flag H: above the interval. After a sudden liver injury, ALT peaks at about 48 hours, and its half-life in dogs is 59 hours, so a recheck shows the trend [14].
- Moldy nuts and tremors: the blood count and chemistry may be normal, or muscle enzymes may be raised [2]. A diagnostic laboratory can test the nuts, vomit or stomach contents, and sometimes blood or urine, for the toxins [2]. The vet may also rule out other causes of tremors, such as slug bait (metaldehyde), antifreeze, chocolate or drugs [2].
- Aflatoxins: ALT, AST and ALP can rise, with high bilirubin, low cholesterol, low albumin, sometimes a low platelet count, and slow clotting times [7]. In the 72 dogs, ALT and bilirubin were unreliable early signs; low cholesterol and low levels of two clotting-control proteins, protein C and antithrombin, flagged the problem earlier [8]. See high ALT in dogs, bilirubin and GGT in dogs and liver disease in dogs.
- Salt: blood sodium shows how much salt is in play [11].
- Pancreatitis: pancreas tests and an ultrasound, as described in the pancreatitis article linked above.
- Blockage: whole nuts and shells are hard pieces. A blockage of the gut is an emergency; signs are often vomiting and refusal to eat, and the vet confirms it with X-rays or ultrasound [13]. Pits and seeds pose a similar question: see fruit pits and seeds and dogs.
Outlook
With plain nuts, the usual problem is a stomach upset, although pancreatitis is possible [1]. Tremors from moldy walnuts usually have a good outlook with treatment: in the 54 dogs, no lasting problems were recorded [3]. Severe seizures can be fatal, and some dogs recover slowly [2]. Aflatoxin poisoning is much more serious: in the 72 dogs, many severely affected dogs died despite intensive treatment [8].
The best prevention is simple: keep nuts, nut mixes and fallen walnuts out of reach, and keep dogs away from compost and trash [2, 10].
Related articles
Another fruit question: tomatoes and dogs.
En français : fruits à coque et chien.
Questions to ask your veterinarian
- Could the nuts my dog ate have been moldy, and does that change the plan?
- Should my dog be watched for tremors, and for how long?
- Are the liver values, including ALT, bilirubin and cholesterol, normal?
- Do the signs suggest pancreatitis, and which test would confirm it?
- Which signs should make me call back in the next days?
Get your dog’s blood results explained together.
AI DiagAnimals reads ALT, ALP, bilirubin, cholesterol, lipase, sodium and the blood count together with your laboratory’s intervals, and prepares the questions for your vet. The service opens soon: leave your email to be told first.
Frequently asked questions
Which nuts can dogs not eat?
Macadamia nuts are poisonous to dogs and have their own page. Moldy nuts of any kind, especially walnuts, can carry mold toxins that cause tremors and seizures [2]. Almonds, pecans and walnuts are high in fat and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis [1].
What should I do if my dog ate a pistachio?
Call your vet or a pet poison line if your dog ate a lot, ate salted, flavored or old pistachios, or seems unwell. Like other nuts, pistachios are fatty and can upset the stomach [1], and salty snacks add salt [1]. Do not make your dog vomit unless your vet tells you to.
What happens if my dog ate a walnut?
A fresh walnut may cause no signs or a stomach upset, because walnuts are high in fat [1]. Moldy walnuts are different: they can carry penitrem A, which causes tremors, wobbling, fever and seizures within hours [2, 3]. Call your vet now if the walnut was old or picked up from the ground.
Can dogs eat peanuts?
The sources do not list peanuts as a poison the way they list macadamia nuts, but peanuts are fatty, may be salted, and moldy peanuts can carry tremor-causing toxins and aflatoxins that harm the liver [2, 7]. Some peanut butters contain xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs [12]. Check the label and ask your vet before offering any.
How many pistachios can dogs eat?
No safe number has been set for dogs. The risk depends on the dog’s size, the fat and salt in the nuts, and whether they were moldy [1, 2, 11], and none of the sources gives a safe amount. Call your vet or a pet poison line whatever the amount if your dog seems unwell.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
- Mostrom MS. Tremorgenic Neuromycotoxicosis in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2024. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/mycotoxicoses/tremorgenic-neuromycotoxicosis-in-dogs
- Braun V, Kanstinger A, Dahlem D. Mycotoxin intoxication in 54 dogs after ingestion of walnuts (in German). Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2024;52(4):211-219. doi.org/10.1055/a-2344-6146
- Munday JS et al. Presumptive tremorgenic mycotoxicosis in a dog in New Zealand, after eating mouldy walnuts. N Z Vet J. 2008;56(3):145-148. doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2008.36823
- Markert C et al. Intravenous lipid emulsion for the treatment of poisonings in 313 dogs and 100 cats (2016-2020). Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1272705. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1272705
- Coleman AE, Merola V. Clinical signs associated with ingestion of black walnut tree (Juglans nigra) wood, nuts, and hulls in dogs: 93 cases (2001-2012). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2016;248(2):195-200. doi.org/10.2460/javma.248.2.195
- Mostrom MS. Aflatoxicosis in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2025. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/mycotoxicoses/aflatoxicosis-in-animals
- Dereszynski DM et al. Clinical and clinicopathologic features of dogs that consumed foodborne hepatotoxic aflatoxins: 72 cases (2005-2006). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008;232(9):1329-1337. doi.org/10.2460/javma.232.9.1329
- US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin. Updated January 2021. fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-food-recalled-potentially-fatal-levels-aflatoxin
- Lem KY, Fosgate GT, Norby B, Steiner JM. Associations between dietary factors and pancreatitis in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2008;233(9):1425-1431. doi.org/10.2460/javma.233.9.1425
- Thompson LJ. Salt Toxicosis in Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2024. merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/salt-toxicosis/salt-toxicosis-in-animals
- Gwaltney-Brant SM. Food Hazards (pet owner version). Merck Veterinary Manual, updated 2026. merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/poisoning/food-hazards
- Winkler KP. Gastrointestinal Obstruction in Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, 2025. merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-stomach-and-intestines-in-small-animals/gastrointestinal-obstruction-in-small-animals
- eClinPath, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). eclinpath.com/chemistry/liver/liver-injury/alanine-aminotransferase
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Serum biochemical analysis reference ranges. merckvetmanual.com/reference-values-and-conversion-tables/reference-guides/serum-biochemical-analysis-reference-ranges
Laboratory methods and reference intervals vary. This article explains; it does not diagnose. For a decision about your pet, use the original report and talk to your veterinarian. Our editorial policy.