Spices
Can dogs and cats eat nutmeg?
Short answer on nutmeg: toxic for both dogs and cats. See what to watch for and the veterinary sources behind each answer.
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. Check the bottom line for your pet below.
- 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
Questions owners ask about nutmeg
Can dogs eat nutmeg?
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.
What should I do if my dog ate nutmeg?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with nutmeg and dogs?
disorientation, hallucination-like behavior, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, tremors, seizures in severe cases. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
Can cats eat nutmeg?
Cats can develop the same myristicin toxicity from a large nutmeg ingestion as dogs, with signs that can take days to fully resolve.
What should I do if my cat ate nutmeg?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear before calling.
What symptoms should I watch for with nutmeg and cats?
disorientation, hallucination-like behavior, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, dry mouth, abdominal pain, tremors, seizures in severe cases. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian.
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.