Is your dog going nuts over nuts? You better hide all the macadamia nuts. Why? In this article, you will find all your answers to the question, “can dogs eat macadamia nuts?”
But we won’t make you wait for long! In short – NO! Dogs should NEVER eat macadamia nuts. They are one of the most poisonous nuts for dogs, which can be fatal even if consumed in small amounts. Below, we have discussed everything you need to know about macadamia nuts and dogs.
Are Macadamia Nuts Bad For Dogs?
Well yes! Here are the three major reasons why you should never feed your macadamia nuts (even if it is the last thing on earth!):
1. Juglone
This toxic compound is what primarily makes this crunchy snack a BIG red flag for dogs! Juglone is the same toxin that is also found in black walnuts and pecans, which can even be deadly to dogs (study). You should never risk your dog’s life when it comes to human food that are a strict no-no for dogs.
2. Choking hazards
Being nuts, be it almonds or walnuts, choking hazards are one of the common problems that dogs face. Especially if you have a small dog, you should be extra careful as dogs can eat a lot of nuts at once, which can get stuck in their throat. So not only will your dog be eating a deadly toxin, but also can choke.
3. Nutritional value
Macadamia nuts do not have any nutritional value for dogs that can compensate for the harm they can bring. So even if this nut gives humans quite a few health benefits, to dogs- there are far better options like cashews, coconut, peanut butter, or even pistachios in small amounts.
Signs and Treatment of Macadamia Nuts Toxicity in Dogs
If your dog ate macadamia nuts, the first thing you should do is contact your veterinarian or take your dog to the nearest hospital for dogs. Meanwhile, you must monitor your dog for signs and symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning so you can tell them to your veterinarian (study). Here are the signs to look out for:
- Weakness or lethargy
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Hyperthermia
- Abdominal pain
- Pale couscous
- Paralysis
- Lameness or stiffness
Moreover, please do not wait for your dog to show symptoms. If you know that your dog ate macadamia nuts, get in touch with your veterinarian immediately. The symptoms can hit within 12 hours, but waiting for that long can put your dog at risk.
For the treatment, unfortunately, there is not much that you can do at home except for observation (study). Please do not try to force your dog to vomit or drink alot of water- UNTIL AND UNLESS your veterinarian guides you for it. Taking matters into your own hands can worsen the situation, so do not give your dog any unprescribed medicines. Not panicking and calling for medical help as soon as possible is the only reliable plan you can and should follow.
Conclusion
Our final thoughts on “can dogs eat macadamia nuts?” is a BIG NO! You should not keep macadamia nuts anywhere near or in the radius of your dog’s sniffy nose. These nuts are poisonous to dogs, so even one macadamia nut can make your dog sick.
But hey, there is nothing to be sad about! You can always find other dog-friendly training treats or simply crunchy snacks that are safe and healthy for your pooch!
Frequently Asked Questions
YES! Even one or a few macadamia nuts can be toxic or deadly to dogs. This nut contains high levels of poisonous content, and small amounts of it are enough to make your dog super sick. Especially if you have a small-sized dog, you should be extremely careful as the level of tolerance also affects the impact of the poison.
Nope! Just like macadamia is toxic to dogs, the butter is too. It can cause the same harm to your dog as eating the nut would. If you want to feed your dog any butter, you should feed them peanut butter or cashew butter, which are safe and healthy in small amounts.
You should never feed your dog macadamia nut shells or shells of any food whatsoever. They might not be toxic, but they can cause severe choking hazards to your dog. If your dog ingested macadamia nut shells or walnut shells, be sure to get in touch with your veterinarian immediately.
Feeding your dog macadamia nut oil is a HUGE NO! You should keep your dog away from any macadamia by-products or foods that include it. Be it the nuts or its oil, macadamia is poisonous to dogs and can even be fatal if not given immediate medical help.
