Can dogs and cats eat Walnuts (especially mouldy)?
Fresh walnuts are fatty and hard to digest, but the bigger danger is mouldy walnuts (common under garden trees), which can contain tremor-causing mycotoxins.
Why
Tremorgenic mycotoxins (e.g. penitrem A) on mouldy nuts; fat; shells can obstruct
Signs to watch for
- vomiting
- tremors
- wobbliness
- seizures
- high temperature
Good to know
Mould toxins act within hours — contact your vet if your dog eats fallen, blackened walnuts. Very common in autumn in Slovak gardens. Avoid walnuts as treats.
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
- AKC – Can dogs eat nuts?
- ASPCA – People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- PDSA – Poisons and hazards for your pets
Checked against these sources in October 2026.