Imagine your doggo coming to you, wagging their tails, and asking you to toss some nutmegs to them. What would you do? Well, the first thing you did right was to search for “can dogs eat nutmeg?” because the answer is NO!

Dogs cannot eat nutmeg, and it should be avoided at all costs. In this article, we will tell you the risks and what can be the possible symptoms if your dog accidentally ate some. So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

Is Nutmeg Safe For Dogs?

As mentioned in the introduction, nutmeg is not safe for dogs and should not be fed in any amount whatsoever. Besides being a nut and obviously packed with fat content, nutmeg is bad for dogs for several reasons, such as:

1. Toxic compounds

You will be surprised to know that nutmeg is actually poisonous to dogs. It contains myristicin (article), which is a compound that can be toxic to dogs. It impacts their gastrointestinal and neurological health drastically.

2. Digestive issues

Consuming nutmeg, nutmeg powder, or nutmeg oil can lead to gastrointestinal and digestive problems in dogs. You might observe your dog struggling from dehydration, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc. In such cases, please contact your veterinarian immediately. 

3. Liver damage

Another reason why nutmeg is terrible for dogs is because myristicin can have hepatoxic effects on dogs. Over time, if your dog consumes even tiny amounts of nutmeg, it can lead to liver damage. 

4. Allergic reactions

Last but not least, every dog has different tolerance levels. To a small dog, it can be possible that even the littlest amount of nutmeg in dog food affects them and causes allergic reactions. Meanwhile, for medium to large dogs, it might not react so much in tiny amounts. 

a dog looks on with nutmeg placed in front of him on a table

Symptoms of Nutmeg Poisoning in Dogs

Now that you know this popular human food/nut is toxic to dogs, it’s time to understand what happens if your dog gobbles down some. Well, there is a high chance that nutmeg will lead to toxicity (if consumed in high amounts) or make your dog sick. Below are the signs and symptoms to observe and look out for:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Disorientation
  • Hallucinations
  • Coma
  • Liver damage
  • Allergic reactions

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, we can say that dogs cannot and should not eat nutmeg at any cost. It is not only poisonous to dogs but can also make your dog sick if consumed in the smallest amounts. Whether you want to mix it in their meals, or any dog food has it, or your dog just wants to “have a taste”—the answer remains the same! A big no! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat nutmeg spice?

No, you should not feed your dog nutmeg spice as it contains toxic compounds that can be toxic to your dog’s health. Even though tiny amounts in a cookie will not make your dog sick, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

Can dogs eat nutmeg and ginger?

You should not feed your dog nutmeg and ginger together. They are both harmful to dogs’ health if fed in large quantities, especially nutmeg, which should be avoided at all costs. As for ginger alone, small amounts won’t harm.

Will a little nutmeg hurt a dog?

Yes, even a small amount of nutmeg can potentially harm a dog and cause various adverse effects. Especially if you have a small dog with low tolerance, even a few grams of nutmeg can make them sick or trigger allergies.

Can dogs have cinnamon or nutmeg?

While cinnamon alone is safe for dogs in small amounts, nutmeg is terrible, even in tiny quantities. So, if you want to add some flavor to your dog’s food, add cinnamon in moderation only.

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