Can dogs eat walnuts?

Updated 24/04/2024

Great in baking, salads and of course, snacks, heart-healthy walnuts certainly have their place in the world of 'people food'. And as such a versatile morsel great for so many aspects of human health, we aren't surprised that many pet parents out there are wondering - can dogs eat walnuts? Or are they as dangerous to dogs as their Australian cousins - macadamia nuts? Well luckily for your pup (if they've managed to paw a plain walnut from the kitchen countertop), walnuts aren't toxic to dogs. But for many reasons, walnuts are a bad choice when it comes to canine snacking - take a look below to find out why.

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Are walnuts toxic to dogs?

So can dogs eat walnuts, or is there any risk of toxicity? Well walnuts themselves aren't toxic to dogs - they don't contain any compounds that'll poison your pup, luckily. But sadly, walnuts are susceptible to mold growth, which certainly is toxic to our furry friends. Like many other nuts, walnuts can grow mold (called aspergillus flavus) during the harvesting process and in storage. This mold then produces aflatoxin which is poisonous, and can cause a variety of nasty symptoms in your pooch. Ingesting enough of this type of mold (and other molds in walnuts) can result in a decreased appetite, vomiting, muscle tremors, seizures and in the worst cases, death. So, if your pooch somehow managed to scoff down a handful of walnuts while you weren't looking, we advise you speak to your vet immediately for advice. 

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Why are walnuts bad for dogs?

So just why don't dogs and walnuts make for the best match, mold toxicity aside? Well firstly, walnuts are incredibly high in fat, like many other nuts. While this fat can be beneficial for us humans, consuming too much fat for dogs can cause a condition called pancreatitis and in the long term, obesity. And if your pup is snacking on high-fat snacks, they'll easily tip over their recommended daily calorie intake. Not only are walnuts far too calorific for dogs, they also pose a serious choking hazard. With all due respect to our beloved hounds, many are so excited about eating that they often forget to chew before swallowing. While an endearing trait when it’s dog treats on the menu, it’s a different story when it’s awkwardly-shaped, hard nuts like walnuts. And if your pup somehow managed to swallow the walnut without choking, there’s a chance the nut could cause an intestinal blockage, especially in smaller dogs. Plus, walnuts are often sold coated in salt and other seasonings, which is of course bad news for our furry friends. In fact, consuming too much salt can cause our furry friends to experience seizures and even go into a coma. 

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Are black walnuts bad for dogs?

Certainly - black walnuts and dogs are simply not a match. While it's not a widely-eaten variety, it's worth knowing that black walnut toxicity in dogs is a possibility. Black walnuts contain a compound known as juglone, which is highly toxic to dogs and causes GI problems. In fact, it can cause a variety of nasty symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, and in severe cases, death, if consumption is left untreated. 

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What to do if your dog eats walnuts

If it's a plain English walnut your pooch managed to swipe, there's likely no harm done, so long as the walnut wasn’t growing any mold. If, however, your pup managed to eat a significant number of walnuts, then we advise you speak to your vet for advice. Over-consumption of salt and fat can lead to a variety of nasty symptoms in your pup, so it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs

As we’ve mentioned, the mold that walnuts are susceptible to growing can produce aflatoxin, a natural poison. If you think your pup ingested a moldy walnut, we advise you speak to your vet. Otherwise, take a look below to get clued-up on the symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in dogs.

• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Increased thirst
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Muscle tremors
• Bruising/bleeding
• Seizures 
• Death 

Other nuts

When it comes to feeding your pup nuts, you can't be too careful. Not only do nuts pose a serious choking hazard, they're also incredibly high in fat, and some are even toxic to dogs. So instead, pick up a dog-safe peanut butter (with no added salt) and make sure your pooch doesn't exceed their recommended daily energy intake.

Meet our veterinary expert, Holly

This article has been checked by veterinarian Holly Anne Hills BVM BVS BVMedSci. After graduating from the University of Nottingham, Holly spent two years working as a farm animal vet. She then spent some time traveling and volunteering in India, working at neutering clinics and with injured street dogs. Holly now works in small animal practice, and balances this with writing, volunteering with the comms team at Vet Sustain, and she is also a marine mammal medic!

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So, we're all clear on the question - can dogs have walnuts - but what other foods are unsafe for dogs? Take a look below to get clued-up on foods dogs can't eat.

• Lime
• Kale (in some cases)
• Macadamia nuts