Updated 2026-08-07 · Source: Pet Poison Helpline; VCA Animal Hospitals — pet health library · Free · No sign-up
No — nutmeg should not be given to dogs. If yours has already eaten some, call your vet.
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 dogs
Don't feed
Severity
3 / 5 — Risky — more than a taste can cause real illness.
Safe amount
None
Category
Human snacks
Source
Pet Poison Helpline; VCA Animal Hospitals — pet health library · reviewed 2026-08-07 · confidence: medium
Why
Nutmeg contains myristicin. A pinch baked into something is unlikely to cause a problem, but larger amounts can cause disorientation, a raised heart rate, belly pain and, at high doses, seizures. Baked goods carrying nutmeg often carry raisins or chocolate too.
Signs to watch for if your dog has eaten nutmeg
Vomiting
Diarrhea or loose stools
Loss of appetite
Belly discomfort or unusual tiredness
Signs vary with the amount and with the individual pet, and some appear only after a day or more. Their absence does not mean your dog is in the clear — call rather than watch.
What to do now
Don't feed it. If your dog has already eaten some, call your vet or poison control with the amount and the timing and follow their advice.
Never induce vomiting and never give any medicine unless a vet tells you to. With some substances it causes more damage than the poison. This page tells you when to get help — it never tells you how to treat at home.
Safer alternatives for dogs
Plain baby carrots or carrot sticks
Plain cooked chicken breast — no skin, no bones, no seasoning
A few blueberries or a slice of apple with the core removed
Verdicts are transcribed from the cited veterinary sources, never inferred. Where a source establishes a finding for one species only, the other species is left null and the page says to ask your vet — a dog finding is never copied onto a cat.
This page is a reference, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. CanMyPetEat is a reference, not veterinary advice or a diagnosis. It tells you when to get help — never how to treat at home. Never induce vomiting or give any medicine unless a vet tells you to. Individual pets vary and toxicity guidance changes; your vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center are the authority.
No — nutmeg should not be given to dogs. If yours has already eaten some, call your vet. Nutmeg contains myristicin. A pinch baked into something is unlikely to cause a problem, but larger amounts can cause disorientation, a raised heart rate, belly pain and, at high doses, seizures. Baked goods carrying nutmeg often carry raisins or chocolate too.
What happens if a dog eats nutmeg?
Watch for: Vomiting; Diarrhea or loose stools; Loss of appetite; Belly discomfort or unusual tiredness. Signs can take hours or, for some poisons, a day or more to appear, so call your vet rather than waiting to see.
How much nutmeg is 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.