Spices
Can dogs and cats eat nutmeg?
Compare the dog and cat answers together, then open the full guide for the pet you are asking about.
If your pet ate this, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.
Call ASPCA: (888) 426-4435One food, two pets
What changes between dogs and cats?
Dogs and cats both have a toxic verdict.
The label matches, but the two answers are not interchangeable. Compare the bottom line below, then use the full guide for your pet.
- Bottom line differs
Nutmeg safety for dogs
A large ingestion of nutmeg can cause toxicity in dogs, though the small amount used in a typical recipe is unlikely to cause more than an upset stomach.
Toxic principle: myristicin
Watch for
- disorientation
- hallucination-like behavior
- elevated heart rate
- high blood pressure
- dry mouth
- abdominal pain
- tremors
- seizures in severe cases
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-12
Nutmeg safety for cats
Cats can develop the same myristicin toxicity from a large nutmeg ingestion as dogs, with signs that can take days to fully resolve.
Toxic principle: myristicin
Watch for
- disorientation
- hallucination-like behavior
- elevated heart rate
- high blood pressure
- dry mouth
- abdominal pain
- tremors
- seizures in severe cases
Sources
Reviewed 2026-07-12
This page is for informational purposes only and is not veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your pet's diet and health.
Read our methodology for how every verdict is sourced and reviewed.