Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts? Symptoms of Macadamia Nut Poisoning in Dogs

Can dogs eat macadamia nuts? Although most human foods won’t hurt your dog, macadamia nuts are one of a few exceptions. ASPCA (Animal Poison Control Center) warns about macadamia nuts toxicity at every occasion. The consequences of dog eating these nuts can include vomiting, tremors, ataxia and high fever. Scientists don’t know exactly why they are so dangerous to dogs, but one thing is sure – your dog should keep away from them!

What If Your Dog Ate a Macadamia Nut?

Don’t panic if your dog has eaten macadamia nuts. It’s time to act calmly and quickly. First thing to remember is to not induce vomiting if you don’t know how exactly to do that. You can call a nearby veterinary clinic and ask them what to do. Remember that the toxicity of macadamia nuts can make your dog sick very quickly, so don’t delay helping them. Here are the symptoms to watch for after noticing that your dog ate macadamia nuts:

• vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• weakness in the legs;
• lethargy;
• tremors;
• ataxia;
• fever.

If your pet starts showing any of the signs, get them to the nearest clinic right away. Unfortunately, there is no antidote for macadamia nut poisoning in dogs, so treatment focuses on supportive care like giving the dog activated charcoal to help absorb the toxins in their system.

Here you can read more about nut poisoning in dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts and Be Okay?

You may wonder: Can dogs eat macadamia nuts and not suffer from it? In some cases, the symptoms are mild, and the dog gets better after a few days at home. Other dogs may experience seizures, or even go into a coma.

If the symptoms are serious enough, your pup will need to stay at a veterinary hospital. They will receive IV fluids to keep them hydrated, and soon the toxins will be out of their system. Given proper care, dogs are able to completely recover from the poisoning in a few weeks. So in theory, yes, your dog can be okay after ingesting macadamia nuts. But the price he would pay is just too high.

Editor’s Note

A year ago, I left an unattended bowl of mixed nuts on the table. My sweet Nala ate only a little, but that was enough to cause her an awful diarrhea. We took her to the vet the same day. Luckily, Nala was just dehydrated and after a few hours of IV was allowed to come back home. She made a quick recovery, but the nuts have scared me and her forever.

Keep Your Dog Away from Nuts at All Costs

Prevention is key, so the best thing you can do is keep the nuts out of reach of your pup. Even if they never jump on tables or break into the trash, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Pets can be very creative when it comes to reaching places they’re not supposed to!

Keep any nuts up on a high shelf or in a locked cupboard. And be extra careful when cooking with them – it’s easy to drop one on the floor without realizing it. When hosting a party, tell everyone to keep all nuts away from your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Roasted Macadamia Nuts?

You may have heard that cooking neutralizes the toxins in food, so can dogs eat macadamia nuts roasted? Unfortunately, they aren’t safe for dogs either. While we don’t know the exact compound responsible for macadamia nut toxicity, it’s certain that it doesn’t go away with processing. Raw or roasted, never leave them in a place your pet might reach.

Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Oil?

What about the oil? Can something happen to your dog if they lick it? Yes, it can be toxic too. The same goes for any products that contain macadamia oil, like cookies or cakes. It’s even found in cosmetics such as lotions, so you may want to double-check if you aren’t carrying any macadamia oil on your skin.

Are Macadamia Shells Dangerous to Dogs?

If you got your hands on some whole nuts and crack them yourself in the kitchen, the shells can be dangerous to dogs, too. They can choke on them or swallow them, which may cause intestinal blockages. So always make sure to sweep up any shells from the floors and tables.

What Other Nuts Are Toxic to Dogs?

A few other types of nuts can be harmful to dogs. For example, pecans and black walnuts contain a toxin called juglone, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness.

Other nuts, including almonds, cashews, Brazilian nuts and pistachios, aren’t exactly poisonous, but contain high amounts of fat. For this reason, eating nuts can cause pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, in dogs.

So it’s best to keep all nuts and nut butters away from your furry friend. Always be sure to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new food.

Never Feed Your Dog Macadamia Nuts

As you can see, these nuts are poisonous to dogs. You shouldn’t give them any other type of nut, either, for various reasons. And if someone ever asks you: “Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?” the answer is a resounding “no!”

If you think your dog has eaten one, don’t wait to see if they show symptoms. Take them to the vet right away.

Do you have any questions about what foods are safe for your dog? Leave a comment below! And to cheer you up, we’ve got for you the only macadamia your dog can come in contact with!

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