Pastry Ingredient Safety

Can dogs eat walnuts (including moldy and black walnuts)?

Keep away

Short answer: No. Walnuts are fatty, and moldy walnuts can carry molds that cause tremors and seizures.

Also called or found in: black walnuts, English walnuts, moldy nuts

Why it matters

The ASPCA lists walnuts among fatty nuts that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and possibly pancreatitis.

The Merck Veterinary Manual says molds growing on walnuts, peanuts, dairy and food waste can make toxins that cause tremors and seizures in dogs. Merck describes a dog that got sick after eating walnuts that had been on the ground for months.

What owners may notice

With moldy nuts: vomiting, tremors, wobbling, agitation and seizures. Signs can come on quickly (Merck, Pet Poison Helpline).

This list can't tell you if your dog is OK. Only a veterinarian can.

If your dog ate some

Call your veterinarian or an animal poison line now: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. Have the package, the amount and your dog's weight ready. Don't try home remedies unless your veterinarian or the poison line tells you to.

In the kitchen

Fallen walnuts in the yard, including black walnuts, and old nuts at the back of the pantry are the moldy ones. Toss nuts that smell or look off.

Sources

  1. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Checked October 22, 2026.
  2. Tremorgenic Neuromycotoxicosis in Dogs, Merck Veterinary Manual. Checked October 22, 2026.
  3. Mycotoxins (moldy food), Pet Poison Helpline. Checked October 22, 2026.

Last checked against these sources: October 22, 2026.

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Written by VanillaGoods from the cited sources. Not reviewed by a veterinarian. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.