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
Pecans are not known to be as toxic as macadamia nuts, but the ASPCA lists them with other nuts as foods to avoid because they are so high in oils and fat. Rich, fatty food can cause vomiting and diarrhea and can contribute to pancreatitis. The AKC also points to juglone, a compound found in pecans and walnuts, as a cause of stomach upset in dogs.
Pecans can also grow molds that produce mycotoxins, including aflatoxin. Moldy nuts, such as old pecans lying under a tree, can cause tremors and seizures. Whole pecans are a choking hazard for small dogs, and pieces of shell can get stuck in the gut.
Symptoms to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Loss of appetite, belly pain or lethargy, which can be signs of pancreatitis
- Tremors or seizures, especially after eating moldy nuts
- Gagging, repeated vomiting or straining, which can mean a blockage
- Signs of chocolate, raisin or xylitol poisoning if the pecans were in a mix or a dessert
What to do if your dog eats it
- Contact your veterinarian, especially if your dog is small, ate a lot, ate moldy nuts or shells, or the pecans were part of a dessert or a nut mix.
- Tell the vet roughly how many were eaten and what else was in the recipe or bag, such as chocolate or raisins.
- Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a veterinarian tells you to.
- Keep nut bowls and baking supplies out of reach, and rake up fallen nuts if you have a pecan tree.
Pecan pie, pralines and candied pecans
Most pecans that dogs eat around the holidays come in something sweet. Pecan pie is made with butter, sugar and syrup in a pastry crust, so a stolen slice adds a heavy dose of fat and sugar to the nuts themselves. Pralines and candied or glazed pecans are mostly sugar and butter.
Some recipes make things worse. Chocolate pecan pie adds theobromine, bourbon pecan pie can contain alcohol, and sugar-free or "keto" versions may be sweetened with xylitol, which can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs. If your dog ate a dessert, find the recipe or the label before you call the vet, so you can say exactly what was in it.
Fallen pecans and moldy nuts in the yard
If you have a pecan tree, the nuts on the ground are a bigger risk than the bag in the pantry. Nuts that have sat outside in damp weather can grow mold, and the AKC warns that molds on pecans can produce mycotoxins and aflatoxin that affect a dog's nervous system.
Signs of mold poisoning can include trembling, a wobbly walk and seizures. That is an emergency, so go straight to a vet. To prevent it, rake up fallen nuts regularly, keep an eye on your dog under nut trees on walks, and keep compost bins closed.
- Whole pecans in the shell are hard enough to crack a tooth.
- Shell fragments are sharp and do not digest.
- A dog that gulps nuts from the lawn may swallow several shells at once, which raises the risk of a blockage.
Walnuts, mixed nuts and other nuts
Pecans are not the only nut to keep off your dog's menu.
- Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and can cause weakness, tremors and fever. Mixed nut jars and cookies often contain them.
- Walnuts also contain juglone, and old or moldy walnuts carry the same mold risk as pecans.
- Almonds are not considered toxic, but like all nuts they are very fatty and can be a choking hazard.
- Salted, smoked or honey-roasted nuts add salt and sugar on top of the fat.
- Plain peanuts and plain peanut butter without xylitol are the usual exception, in small amounts.
- Dogs with a history of pancreatitis should avoid nuts altogether unless the vet says otherwise.
Common questions
Are pecans good for dogs?
No. Pecans are not known to be as toxic as macadamia nuts, but the ASPCA lists them with other nuts as foods to avoid because they are so high in oils and fat.
Are pecans bad for dogs?
Yes. Signs of poisoning to watch for: vomiting and diarrhea; loss of appetite, belly pain or lethargy, which can be signs of pancreatitis; tremors or seizures, especially after eating moldy nuts.
Are dogs allowed to have pecans?
No, keep them away from your dog. If your dog eats some anyway: contact your veterinarian, especially if your dog is small, ate a lot, ate moldy nuts or shells, or the pecans were part of a dessert or a nut mix.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Toxicology section.
- American Kennel Club (AKC). “Can Dogs Eat…?” article series.