Can Dogs Eat Walnuts?
4-minute read · Loyal Saints Food Safety Library
Quick answer
Avoid — walnuts aren't recommended for dogs. They're high in fat (pancreatitis risk) and a choking/obstruction hazard, and moldy walnuts (especially black walnuts and those fallen outdoors) can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause seizures. Skip walnuts; never let dogs eat fallen or moldy ones.
Walnuts are best avoided for dogs. Fresh English walnuts aren't classically toxic, but they're high in fat (a pancreatitis risk), large and hard (a choking and intestinal-obstruction hazard, especially for small dogs), and not well digested. More seriously, black walnuts and any moldy walnuts — including those that have fallen outdoors and begun to decay — can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause tremors and seizures in dogs.
Because of the mold/mycotoxin risk and the fat and choking concerns, walnuts shouldn't be fed, and dogs should be kept away from walnut trees and fallen nuts. If your dog eats moldy walnuts or black walnuts, or shows tremors, treat it as an emergency.
Key points
Verdict
Avoid — fat, choking, and mold/mycotoxin risks.
Fresh walnuts
High fat (pancreatitis), choking/obstruction hazard.
Black/moldy walnuts
Can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins — tremors/seizures.
If moldy ingested
Emergency — call your vet immediately.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your dog has eaten something potentially harmful, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat walnuts?
No — walnuts aren't recommended. Fresh walnuts are high in fat (pancreatitis risk) and a choking hazard, and black or moldy walnuts can contain mycotoxins that cause tremors and seizures. Keep dogs away from walnuts and fallen nuts.
Are walnuts toxic to dogs?
Fresh English walnuts aren't classically toxic but pose fat and choking risks. The serious danger is black walnuts and moldy walnuts (including fallen ones), which can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause tremors and seizures. Avoid all walnuts to be safe.
What if my dog ate walnuts?
For a few fresh walnuts, watch for stomach upset, choking, or obstruction signs. If your dog ate black walnuts, moldy walnuts, or fallen nuts, or shows tremors, twitching, or seizures, treat it as an emergency and contact your vet or poison control immediately.
Why are moldy nuts dangerous for dogs?
Moldy nuts and other moldy foods can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which cause muscle tremors, twitching, and seizures in dogs, sometimes severe. This is why dogs should never eat moldy food or forage fallen nuts, and why compost and garbage should be secured.
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