Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts?
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Feb 3, 2025
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 3, 2025
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Who doesn’t love macadamia nuts?
They are a sweet, coconut-tasting nut with so much flavor that it’s hard to eat just one. Four or five is more like it.
While most of us don’t have macadamia nuts sitting around at home, they are often found in different types of baked goods such as muffins and cookies.
And, sometimes trail mix.
If you are eating something with macadamia nuts, is it OK to share it with your pup?
NO – it isn’t. Ever!
Macadamia nuts are among the most toxic human food for dogs. Who knew?!
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Why Macadamia Nuts Are Not Safe For Dogs
Macadamia nuts should never be given to dogs even in small amounts.
They are so toxic to dogs that all it takes is about 1/10th of an ounce of macadamia nuts to show severe symptoms. And that only equates to about 2 pounds of your dog’s weight.
Just like grapes and raisins, veterinarians have yet to figure out why the nut is so toxic to dogs, but there is no doubt that it is.
The only nut that is safe for dogs (in small amounts) is peanuts. Even almonds are dangerous for dogs.
Humans and even cats can eat macadamia nuts, but dogs just can’t digest them as they should.
Don’t ever feed your dog any type of macadamia nut.
A small dog can eat a morsel of a macadamia nut and have a very bad reaction.
Some of the symptoms or illnesses can be derived from eating even a small amount of macadamia nuts are the following:
- Vomiting
- Depression
- Hyperthermia
- Lethargy
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
Symptoms of Macadamia Nut Toxicity in Dogs
If your dog shows any of the symptoms below, your dog might have macadamia nut toxicity:
- Tremors
- Fever
- Weakness in back legs
- There are some cases where a pup might only show a few symptoms and your dog gets better in a couple of days.
- There are some very serious cases of macadamia nut toxicity.
- The symptoms are the following:
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Unable to walk
If you think your dog ate a macadamia nut, call your vet immediately.
If you can’t get in touch with your vet, call your local Animal Poison Control.
For other human food that you shouldn’t feed your dogs, our ultimate safe food guide for dogs can give you some guidelines.
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Vet Treatment For Macadamia Nut Toxicity
If your dog ate a macadamia nut, your vet might first advise you to watch out for some of the above symptoms.
Otherwise, your vet will usually have you bring your dog to the office.
Your vet will usually try to induce vomiting if your pup ate the macadamia nut in the last few hours.
Vets will sometimes use activated charcoal to help push the nuts through your dogs’ digestive system more quickly.
In more severe cases, your dog might need to be observed overnight.
If your dog happens to eat a chocolate-covered macadamia nut, the treatment will be more aggressive.
Your vet will probably give your dog some medication to pass the nut through your dogs’ digestive tract and observe him for further symptoms.
If treated right away, your dog should be back to normal within a few days.
How To Keep Dogs Away From Macadamia Nuts
If you have macadamia nuts or even baked good with the nuts in them, do your best to keep them in top cupboards away from your dogs.
Chocolate covered macadamia nuts are extremely toxic to dogs and should be eaten with caution around dogs.
Make sure your family members are aware of the toxicity in the macadamia nuts if you have them around your home.
Dogs love to scour the trash can and therefore you need to be careful if you throw some extra away.
Better idea- put the extras or discards down the sink in the garbage disposal.
Other Food That Is Unsafe For Dogs
It’s best to keep the following common fruits and vegetables that you might have at home away from your pup as well:
- Avocados
- Chocolate
- Corn on the Cob
- Mushrooms (Wild)
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Grapes & Raisins
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Safe Fruit & Vegetable Choices For Dogs
The following fruits and vegetables can safely be shared with your dogs in small amounts:
How Pet Insurance Can Help For Macadamia Nut Toxicity
If your dog consumes macadamia nuts, he will need some vet care or even emergency pet care.
While the most important thing on your mind is to get your dog well, the vet bill will not be pretty.
In fact, the bill can become high very quickly if your dog needs to stay overnight in the hospital.
It would not be uncommon for this one-time macadamia nut scenario to cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000.
And that is the moment you realize the true benefit of pet insurance.
You can get your dog the emergency care that he needs and not worry too much about the cost.
We recommend Healthy Paws as the #1 pet health insurance provider!
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The best pet insurance providers, like Healthy Paws, Figo, and even Embrace will pay up to 90% of the hospital stay as well as any treatment that is necessary.
This is when pet insurance is certainly worth the monthly cost.
Don’t Share Macadamia Nuts with Dogs
It’s really simple.
If you have macadamia nuts around the house, be super careful around your dog or dogs!
The good news is that macadamia nuts aren’t included in that many treats.
And, of course, you will know if you have the actual nut in your home.
If your dog eats a tiny bite of a cupcake or brownie that has the nut in them, just watch for the signs and at the very least, give your vet a call.
Other articles you may find helpful:
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The Ultimate Guide to Safe Foods for Dogs
Finding safe alternative foods for your dogs to eat can be tricky. We have a long list of articles about every food you could possibly consider feeding your dog. One thing we recommend is that you consider looking into pet insurance for your pet and you can start by checking out the best rates for dog and puppy insurance.
What to do with a Picky Eating Dog
Can Dogs Eat Grapes and Raisins?
Why You Should NEVER Give Xylitol to Your Dog
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?
No, dogs should never be given macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts are among the most toxic human foods for dogs, causing severe symptoms even in small amounts.
Why are macadamia nuts unsafe for dogs?
Macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs, and even a small amount (about 1/10th of an ounce per 2 pounds of a dog’s weight) can lead to severe symptoms. The reason for their toxicity in dogs is not fully understood, similar to grapes and raisins.
What symptoms indicate macadamia nut toxicity in dogs?
If a dog shows symptoms such as vomiting, tremors, weakness, hyperthermia, or difficulty walking after consuming macadamia nuts, it may be experiencing toxicity. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial.
What should I do if my dog eats macadamia nuts?
If you suspect your dog has ingested macadamia nuts, contact your vet immediately. If unavailable, call Animal Poison Control. Inducing vomiting, using activated charcoal, and observation may be part of the treatment, especially if the nuts were consumed recently.
How can I keep my dog away from macadamia nuts?
Store macadamia nuts and baked goods containing them in secure, high cupboards away from your dog’s reach. Be cautious with chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, which are even more toxic. Make family members aware of the dangers, and dispose of any leftovers carefully.
How can pet insurance help in cases of macadamia nut toxicity?
If a dog consumes macadamia nuts and requires veterinary care, the resulting bills can be substantial. Pet insurance, such as plans from providers like Healthy Paws, can cover up to 90% of vet bills, ensuring your pet gets the necessary care without causing financial strain.
What other human foods should dogs avoid?
Dogs should avoid certain common fruits and vegetables like grapes, raisins, onions, and chocolate. Refer to our ultimate safe food guide for dogs for more information.
What are safe fruit and vegetable choices for dogs?
Dogs can safely consume small amounts of fruits like apples, bananas, and blueberries, as well as vegetables like carrots and broccoli. Refer to our list for more safe options.
Can dogs eat other nuts besides macadamia nuts?
While peanuts are generally considered safe for dogs in small amounts, other nuts, including almonds, should be avoided. Dogs may not digest them properly.
Why is pet insurance recommended for incidents like macadamia nut toxicity?
Emergency vet care for macadamia nut toxicity can be expensive. Pet insurance, such as from reputable providers like Healthy Paws, can cover a significant portion of these costs, ensuring your dog receives prompt and necessary care without financial stress.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.