Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?
Toxic. No. Macadamia nuts cause weakness, tremors and fever in dogs, by a mechanism nobody has identified.
Call a vet or a poison line now.
There is no calculator for macadamia nuts because no reliable dose threshold is published. A vet or poison control line can judge the risk from what was eaten and your dog's weight.
If it has already been eaten
Your own vet, or the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Have ready: your dog's weight, the exact product and how much was eaten, and the time it happened.
How much is dangerous?
Merck reports clinical signs in dogs after ingestion at 2.4 g/kg. Dogs given 20 g/kg experimentally showed signs within 12 hours and recovered within 48 hours without treatment.
Why it does harm
Unknown. Merck states plainly that the mechanism of toxicity is not known, which is unusual for a well-documented toxicosis and worth saying rather than glossing over.
Sources
What to look for
- Weakness, particularly in the hind legs
- Tremors and unsteadiness
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Raised body temperature
Timing. Within 12 hours. Signs generally resolve in 12 to 48 hours.
What to do
- Call your vet. The prognosis is good, but the signs are alarming and other causes need ruling out.
- Watch for anything chocolate-coated, which turns one problem into two.
- Supportive care is usually all that is needed; severely affected dogs may need fluids and antipyretics.
How many macadamia nuts are dangerous?
Merck reports signs in dogs after about 2.4 g of macadamia nuts per kg of body weight.
| Dog weight | Signs reported |
|---|---|
| 10 lb | 11 g (0.4 oz) |
| 25 lb | 27 g (1.0 oz) |
| 50 lb | 54 g (1.9 oz) |
| 75 lb | 82 g (2.9 oz) |
| 100 lb | 109 g (3.8 oz) |
Merck also advises vets to induce vomiting after a recent meal of more than 1 to 2 g per kg, so a dog does not have to reach these amounts to need a call.
Common questions
Will my dog be okay after eating macadamia nuts?
Usually. Merck reports that signs generally resolve within 12 to 48 hours and that most affected dogs recover without specific treatment. Call your vet anyway: the signs resemble more serious poisonings, and chocolate-coated nuts add a second one.
Are other nuts as dangerous as macadamias?
Not in the same way. Macadamias cause weakness, tremors and fever by a mechanism nobody has identified. The ASPCA’s concern with almonds, pecans and walnuts is their fat, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea and potentially pancreatitis.