Last reviewed: August 2026

Can Dogs Eat Nutmeg?

ToxicToxic in Larger Amounts

The small amount of nutmeg in a typical baked good is unlikely to cause serious harm, but nutmeg contains myristicin, a compound that's toxic to dogs in larger quantities and can cause neurological symptoms.

Why

Myristicin, the compound of concern in nutmeg, can cause disorientation, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, and in significant doses, seizures. The amount needed to cause serious symptoms is fairly high relative to a typical recipe's usage, so the practical risk comes mainly from a dog getting direct access to a container of ground nutmeg or eating a dish very heavily spiced with it, like a whole melktert crust.

Symptoms to watch for

Timing	What to expect
Hours after significant exposure	Disorientation, elevated heart rate, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and in severe cases seizures

What to do if your dog ate this

Keep nutmeg containers well out of reach
A dish lightly spiced with nutmeg (like a small piece of melktert) is a low but non-zero risk — better avoided as a treat
Watch for disorientation, restlessness, or a racing heart rate if significant direct exposure occurs, and contact a vet

🚨 If this happens

Contact your nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic immediately, or your regular vet's after-hours line. Bring packaging if you have it.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control (US, reference only): +1-888-426-4435 — typically charges a consultation fee for non-US callers.

Sources

General veterinary toxicology consensus, cross-referenced against the Merck Veterinary Manual and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center food hazard references. See How We Source This for our methodology.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for veterinary advice.