Benefits and risks
Benefits
- Fresh English walnuts are not inherently toxic
- One fresh walnut is unlikely to cause harm to a large dog
- No benefit dogs need
Risks
- Moldy walnuts (often fallen nuts in the yard) can contain toxins that cause tremors and seizures
- Black walnuts and their hulls are particularly risky
- High fat and large size can cause pancreatitis or blockage
If you choose to share
- Do not feed walnuts
- Rake up fallen walnuts from your yard
- Call your vet immediately if your dog ate moldy walnuts or shows tremors
My dog ate walnuts. What should I do?
A small amount is unlikely to cause serious harm in a healthy dog. Remove any remaining food, offer fresh water and watch for vomiting, diarrhea, a painful belly or lethargy over the next 24-48 hours. Call your vet if your dog ate a large amount, is small, young or has health problems (such as pancreatitis), or if the food contained onion, garlic, chocolate or xylitol.
Safer treats to give instead
These are safe for dogs in treat-size amounts:
Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.
Walnuts and dogs: FAQ
Can dogs have walnuts?
Avoid walnuts. Moldy walnuts can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that cause tremors and seizures in dogs, and black walnuts are especially risky. Even fresh walnuts are high in fat and can cause choking or stomach upset.
Are walnuts poisonous to dogs?
Fresh walnuts are not highly toxic, but moldy walnuts can contain tremor-causing toxins. Because you cannot always tell, it is safest to avoid them.
What are signs of moldy nut poisoning?
Vomiting, tremors, wobbliness, high temperature and seizures. This is an emergency.
Can dogs eat banana bread with walnuts?
It is best not to; baked goods are fatty and sugary, and nuts add risk.
Can puppies eat walnuts?
No. Puppies are smaller and more vulnerable than adults, so it is best avoided entirely.
More "can dogs eat" guides
Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat
Sources
This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.