Can Dogs Have Nutmeg? What You Need To Know

It’s in pumpkin spice and used to flavor pie, but can dogs have nutmeg? Read this guide before you give your dog nutmeg.

This guide will answer all of your questions about how much nutmeg is safe for dogs. This spice is in a lot of human food and large amounts of it could make your furry friend sick. Keep reading to learn more.

For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating nutmeg.

Can Dogs Eat Nutmeg

Without nutmeg, you won’t have pumpkin pie. Even though it’s an iconic fall spice, it could be dangerous for your dog and lead to digestive issues and other serious symptoms.

Even though very small amounts of nutmeg might not hurt your dog right away, you should stay on the safe side and avoid giving your dog nutmeg of any kind. Even those small doses might not hurt your pet. If they accidentally eat large doses, it could cause nutmeg toxicity.

Never give your dog whole nutmeg. Since smaller amounts could be dangerous, you should definitely keep larger amounts away from them.

If you think your pet is showing signs of toxicity, call the pet poison helpline at (800) 213-6680.

dog in front of a bowl of ground nutmeg.

Is Nutmeg Safe For Dogs

Nutmeg is not safe for dogs. It is harmful even in small doses.

As a dog owner, you should know that a tiny bit of nutmeg probably won’t give your dog adverse effects. It’s when you give your pet a lot of nutmeg that they might experience serious toxicity.

There are health benefits of nutmeg, but these benefits are for humans, not dogs. For us humans, the nutmeg seed is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and is good for heart health. This is not the case for canines because nutmeg can cause them to have heart issues.

Is Nutmeg Bad For Dogs

Yes, nutmeg is bad for dogs. Very bad.

In fact, it’s so dangerous for dogs to eat larger amounts of nutmeg that you might as well research pet insurance.

Nutmeg contains the toxin myristicin, which can cause hallucinations and other serious problems, including the following side effects:

Increased Heart Rate
High Blood Pressure
Difficulty Breathing
Dry Mouth
Abdominal Pain
Upset Stomach
Joint Pain

Is Nutmeg Poisonous To Dogs

Yes, nutmeg is very dangerous and poisonous for dogs. It could lead to liver disease and liver toxicity. If you think your dog ate too much nutmeg and is showing any signs of toxic effects, immediately call Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.

How Much Nutmeg Is Toxic To Dogs

This is tough to say because it all depends on their size and what else they ate that day. A toxic dose could be as little as a teaspoon of ground nutmeg (or less) or the equivalent of 2 to 3 whole nutmeg seeds.

This is why even what you think of as a small quantity could be dangerous.

The toxic effects of nutmeg will be seen in your canine friend rapidly.

Food that is made with pumpkin pie spice or a small bit of ground nutmeg might not cause any side effects. You probably don’t have to worry about your dog if they ate one small bite of pumpkin pie. Just watch out if they ate a lot of it and show any signs of being very sick.

Can Dogs Be Around Nutmeg Essential Oil

No, just like cinnamon oils, nutmeg essential oil is too strong to be safe for dogs. Do not diffuse it around them or use it on their skin.

My Dog Ate Nutmeg What Do I Do

Since even a small amount of nutmeg could hurt your dog, if you think your dog ate nutmeg, immediately call the Pet Poison Helpline at (888) 426-4435, your veterinarian, or an animal emergency clinic.

If you aren’t sure whether to call your veterinarian, the helpline is a wonderful place to start. They are really helpful!

Can Dogs Have Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Small amounts of cinnamon powder and cinnamon sticks are safe for dogs and ok to use (in very small amounts) in homemade dog treats.

In fact, a study was published in the Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advance that showed that canines that consume cinnamon had improved heart health.

Yes, dogs can have a small amount of cinnamon. You might notice that the best way to get the attention of your dog is to bake with aromatic cinnamon!

But be careful because too much cinnamon is also dangerous for your pet.

There are lots of different types of cinnamon, including cassia cinnamon and ceylon cinnamon.

Can Dogs Have Nutmeg and Cloves

Pet parents, do not give your dog nutmeg and cloves. A large amount of these two spices together could cause dangerous side effects.

Take your dog to an emergency clinic if you think your dog ate a lot of nutmeg and cloves.

It’s a good idea to keep your spice cabinet away from your dog.

Spices Safe For Dogs

The good news is that there are spices that dogs can eat. I have an entire guide you can read about spices that are good for dogs.

Some of the most popular spices that are good for dogs to eat include:

Anise (Anise seeds, not Star Anise)
Dill
Ginger
Parsley
Peppermint
Rosemary
Sage
Turmeric

Food Dogs Should Not Eat

It’s best to make a baked treat for your dog with dog-safe ingredients. Do not let your dog eat anything with pumpkin spice. You should also keep things made with cocoa powder away from your dog too.

Food made with lots of cinnamon could be dangerous for dogs as well. Do not give your dog cinnamon rolls or cinnamon toast crunch cereal.

Macadamia nuts are unsafe for dogs to eat.

You should also avoid giving your dog garlic or onion powder too.

Final Thoughts

The short answer is that you should avoid canine consumption of nutmeg. Even though a tiny amount might not hurt your pup, moderate amounts could lead to serious health issues. As a general rule, the best thing you can do as a pet owner is to keep nutmeg, and food with nutmeg in it, away from your dog.

More Dog Food Resources

What other human foods are safe for dogs? Here are some more resources about different herbs dogs can and can’t eat:

Find lots of information about human food dogs can eat (and ones they can’t) here on Spoiled Hounds!

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