Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?

Updated 2026-08-07 · Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database; ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets · Free · No sign-up

No — macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Call your vet or poison control today, even if your dog seems fine.
If your dog may have eaten something harmful, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right now — don't wait for symptoms. A consultation fee may apply to the ASPCA hotline.
Verdict for dogsToxic
Severity4 / 5 — Serious — call your vet or poison control today.
Safe amountNone
CategoryNuts
SourceASPCA Animal Poison Control — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database; ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets · reviewed 2026-08-07 · confidence: high

Why

The ASPCA lists macadamia nuts as toxic to dogs: weakness (especially in the back legs), incoordination, depression, vomiting, tremors and overheating. Signs usually appear within 12 hours and most dogs recover in 24–72 hours with veterinary care. The toxic principle is still unknown, so there is no known safe dose.

Signs to watch for if your dog has eaten macadamia nuts

Signs can lag by a day or more, so no symptoms does not mean your dog is clear — call rather than watch.

What to do now

Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 straight away. Tell them what your dog ate, roughly how much, and when, and take the packaging with you. Don't wait for symptoms — with several poisons the harm is done before a pet looks ill.

Never induce vomiting and never give any medicine unless a vet tells you to — it can do more damage than the poison. What we will and won't tell you.

Safer alternatives for dogs

What about cats?

There is no established finding for cats and macadamia nuts — ask your vet rather than assuming it's the same.

This page is a reference, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. Verdicts are transcribed from the cited source, never inferred, and a finding in one species is never copied onto the other. How we source and decide a verdict.

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FAQ

Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?

No — macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Call your vet or poison control today, even if your dog seems fine. The ASPCA lists macadamia nuts as toxic to dogs: weakness (especially in the back legs), incoordination, depression, vomiting, tremors and overheating. Signs usually appear within 12 hours and most dogs recover in 24–72 hours with veterinary care. The toxic principle is still unknown, so there is no known safe dose.

What happens if a dog eats macadamia nuts?

Watch for: Weakness, especially in the back legs; Wobbliness or inability to stand; Vomiting; Tremors and a raised body temperature — usually within 12 hours. Some signs lag by a day — call, don't wait.

How many macadamia nuts are dangerous for a dog?

More than a taste can cause real illness, and the risk rises with the amount and with a smaller pet. The safe amount is none — if your dog has had more, call your vet.

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