Is Walnuts safe for dogs?

Walnuts are best kept away from dogs. Old, damp or mouldy walnuts — and black walnuts in particular — can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, mould-produced toxins that can cause tremors, seizures and neurological signs. Even fresh walnuts are problematic: they are very high in fat, which can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis, and whole nuts (or their hard shells) pose a real choking and intestinal-obstruction risk, especially for smaller dogs. Given the seizure risk from mould, treat any walnut ingestion seriously rather than as a harmless snack, and never offer them as a treat.

Symptoms to watch for

• Tremors, muscle twitching or seizures (from mycotoxins — a medical emergency)
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Lethargy, wobbliness or loss of coordination
• Signs of obstruction: repeated vomiting, straining, abdominal pain, or choking

What to do immediately

1. 1Stop any further access and note how many, and what type, were eaten
2. 2If your dog shows tremors, twitching or seizures, treat it as an emergency and go to a vet immediately
3. 3Contact your vet or a poison line even without symptoms, especially for black or mouldy walnuts
4. 4Keep your dog calm and monitor closely

When to call your vet

Your dog shows any tremors, twitching, wobbliness or seizures, ate black or mouldy walnuts, or shows repeated vomiting or abdominal pain — seek urgent veterinary care.