If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).
Why
The exact toxin in macadamia nuts is not known, but even a small number can make a dog ill. Weakness in the back legs is a typical sign.
Macadamia nuts are often combined with chocolate in cookies and candy, which adds the dangers of chocolate. Nuts are also high in fat, which can upset the stomach or contribute to pancreatitis.
Symptoms to watch for
- Weakness, especially in the back legs
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Fever (overheating)
- Lethargy and depression
- Signs usually appear within 12 hours
What to do if your dog eats it
- Contact your veterinarian and say how many nuts were eaten and whether they contained chocolate.
- Most dogs recover within one to two days with care, but they should be checked by a vet.
- Store nuts and mixed snacks in closed containers.
Is one cookie enough to cause a problem?
Whether one macadamia cookie causes a problem depends on the dog's size and what else is in the cookie. A large dog that eats one white chocolate macadamia cookie may have no signs at all. A small dog that finds a bag of the nuts is much more likely to get sick.
Vets do not work from a single safe number for macadamia nuts. They look at how many nuts the dog ate for its weight, then check the rest of the recipe. Dark or milk chocolate, raisins and xylitol in sugar-free baking can each be more serious than the nuts.
Gift tins, trail mix and nuts still in the shell
Macadamias show up in holiday gift tins, mixed nut jars, trail mix, granola and cookies. Trail mix is a particular worry because it can also contain raisins and chocolate.
Whole macadamias in the shell are very hard and round. A dog that chews on one can break a tooth, and a swallowed shell or large piece can get stuck in the throat or gut. Salted and flavored nuts add salt and extra fat on top. Store open bags in a sealed container on a high shelf, not on the coffee table.
What the vet checks and how dogs usually do
A dog that is suddenly wobbly on its back legs can look alarming. With macadamia nuts alone the outlook is usually good, and serious lasting harm is rare. A vet visit is still worth it, because weakness and tremors have many other causes, some far more serious.
- Making the dog vomit, if it ate the nuts recently and the vet thinks it is safe
- Activated charcoal and IV fluids
- Cooling and a temperature check if the dog has a fever
- Pain relief and rest, plus watching for pancreatitis after a fatty meal
Common questions
Are macadamia nuts good for dogs?
No. The exact toxin in macadamia nuts is not known, but even a small number can make a dog ill.
Are macadamia nuts bad for dogs?
Yes. Signs of poisoning to watch for: weakness, especially in the back legs; vomiting; tremors.
Are dogs allowed to have macadamia nuts?
No, keep them away from your dog. If your dog eats some anyway: contact your veterinarian and say how many nuts were eaten and whether they contained chocolate.