Can dogs and cats eat Macadamia nuts?
Macadamia nuts cause weakness (especially of the back legs), wobbliness, tremors and fever in dogs. Effects are usually temporary but unpleasant.
Why
Unknown toxin
Signs to watch for
- weakness, especially hind legs
- wobbliness
- tremors
- vomiting
- fever
- lethargy
Good to know
Signs usually appear within 12 hours and often resolve within 1–2 days. Cookies with macadamia and chocolate are a double risk. Effects in cats are not well documented.
If you think your pet has been poisoned
If you suspect your dog or cat has eaten or touched something poisonous, contact your vet or the nearest emergency veterinary clinic immediately, even if your pet seems fine – some poisons take hours or days to show signs, and early treatment works best. Do not try to make your pet vomit unless a vet tells you to, as this can cause more harm. Take the packaging, label or a piece of the plant with you, and note what was eaten, roughly how much, and when.
Sources
Sources
Checked against these sources in October 2026.