Can dogs eat black walnuts?

What to do if your dog ate black walnuts

If she ate black walnuts, fallen or moldy walnuts, or hulls, call your vet, an emergency clinic, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 right away, even if she seems fine. Tremors or seizures are an emergency. If she ate a store-bought walnut or two, watch her for stomach upset and call your vet if she seems unwell or ate more than a handful.

Raw, cooked and other forms of black walnuts

• ToxicBlack walnuts ASPCA lists black walnut as toxic to dogs. AKC calls black walnuts 'extremely toxic' and says they may contain juglone.
• ToxicMoldy walnuts, fallen nuts and hulls ASPCA: moldy nuts or hulls can cause tremors and seizures. AKC: moldy walnuts can carry aflatoxin and penitrem A.
• ToxicBlack walnut wood shavings ASPCA: eating shavings can cause incoordination.
• Skip itEnglish (store-bought) walnuts, plain AKC says they aren't necessarily toxic but advises avoiding them: they're high in fat and can be a choking or blockage risk, especially in the shell or for small dogs.
• ToxicSalted or onion/garlic-seasoned walnuts AKC: salted walnuts or ones seasoned with onion or garlic can be toxic.

Why black walnuts is toxic to dogs

ASPCA lists black walnut's toxic principle as unknown. AKC names juglone. Moldy walnuts can carry mold toxins: aflatoxin and the tremor-causing toxin penitrem A. Walnuts are also high in fat, which can cause stomach upset and pancreatitis.

Signs to watch for after she eats black walnuts

Upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea, which can get worse without treatment. From moldy nuts or hulls: muscle tremors, incoordination and seizures. Mold toxins can also cause drooling, agitation, fever, poor appetite and liver or kidney damage. A large amount of walnuts can cause pancreatitis, with belly pain, weakness, dehydration and diarrhea.