Food safety · Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts?
The short answer · Macadamia Nuts for dogs
No. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Within about 12 hours they can cause weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, tremors and overheating. Signs are usually mild and pass within 12–48 hours, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual, but call your vet — especially if the nuts were in chocolate.
Written by VetExpenses Editorial TeamFact-checked against cited sources · Veterinary review pendingLast reviewed
Educational information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or ate something worrying, call your veterinarian or a pet poison line now. Emergency steps.
Macadamia Nuts and dogs: quick facts
| Verdict | Toxic — do not feed |
|---|---|
| Toxic compound | Unknown; dogs are the only species in which signs have been reported (Merck). |
| Unsafe parts | Macadamia nuts, raw or roasted; Cookies and chocolates containing them |
| Signs to watch for | weakness (often in the back legs), depression, vomiting, wobbliness, tremors, overheating |
| When signs start | Within 12 hours of eating; usually resolves within 12–48 hours (Merck). |
| Risk by amount | Merck: dogs have shown signs after eating 2.4 g/kg of macadamia nuts. |
My dog ate macadamia nuts. What do I do?
- Stay calm and move your dog away from any remaining nuts. Keep the packaging if there is one.
- Call your veterinarian, an emergency vet, or a pet poison line right away — before signs appear. ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661. A consultation fee may apply.
- Have ready: your dog's weight, roughly how much was eaten, and when.
- Do not make your pet vomit unless a veterinarian or poison control tells you to.
- Follow the vet's instructions. Early care by the veterinary team can make poisoning less severe.
What to know about macadamia nuts and dogs
Key points
- Chocolate-covered macadamias add chocolate toxicity on top — check both.
- Merck notes most affected dogs recover without specific treatment, but your vet should decide.
Risks
- Weakness and tremors
- Overheating
- Combined risk with chocolate
What it could cost
Treating macadamia nuts poisoning in dogs
Poisoning care usually means an urgent exam, decontamination by the vet team, and sometimes days of monitoring. We publish a price range only after it is checked against named sources — our poisoning treatment and emergency vet visit guide is in verification. A vet bill for this kind of visit is usually built from these line items:
- Exam or emergency consultation fee
- Tests: bloodwork, urine tests or imaging
- Treatment, such as decontamination or medication
- Hospital stay and monitoring, if needed
- Follow-up visits and recheck tests
Other foods dogs ask about
Frequently asked questions
How many macadamia nuts are toxic to a dog?
Merck reports signs in dogs after about 2.4 g of macadamia nuts per kg of body weight. That's a small handful for a small dog.
Will my dog recover?
Merck describes the signs as usually mild and self-limiting, generally resolving within 12–48 hours, with supportive care for more severe cases.
Sources
- People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Accessed November 7, 2026.
- Macadamia Nut Toxicosis in Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed November 7, 2026.
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