Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts? Risks and What to Do

The Short Answer

Do not offer hazelnuts as a dog treat. Plain hazelnuts are not considered toxic, but their hard shells can cause choking or blockages, and large amounts of nuts can cause digestive problems. If your dog ate hazelnuts, check for shells, chocolate, or mold and note the amount. Call your vet promptly if any of those risks apply or your dog has symptoms.

The American Kennel Club identifies the shell as the main hazelnut hazard. A shelled, plain nut is a different exposure from nuts in hard shells, moldy nuts outdoors, or a chocolate hazelnut spread.

Why Hazelnuts Are a Problem

Three separate risks stack up here, even though plain hazelnuts are not considered toxic.

The shell. The AKC warns that hard hazelnut shells can cause choking and blockages. Do not assume a swallowed shell will break down safely.

The size and shape. A dog can swallow a whole nut without chewing. Choking risk depends on the dog's size and how the nut was swallowed; ask your vet if you are concerned about a small dog or a nut that may be stuck.

The fat. Tree nuts are rich in fat. A larger serving can cause digestive upset and may trigger pancreatitis in some dogs, especially those with a history of the condition.

Mold on fallen nuts

If your dog is finding hazelnuts in the yard rather than the pantry, there is a fourth risk. The AKC warns that fallen nuts "may become moist and develop a type of mold that can be toxic to dogs."

Some molds on fallen nuts can be toxic to dogs. If your dog ate damp or visibly moldy nuts from outside, call your vet for advice rather than treating them like clean, shelled nuts from the pantry.

How Hazelnuts Compare to Other Nuts

Not all nuts sit in the same category, and the distinction is worth knowing.

Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, causing signs that can include vomiting, weakness, loss of coordination, and elevated temperature. Our guide to macadamia nuts covers what to do if that happens.

Our guide to cashews covers another non-toxic but fatty nut, while the broader nuts for dogs guide compares the different risks.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Hazelnuts

Work through this in order.

1. Figure out how many, and whether they were shelled. A single shelled nut is a very different situation from six in the shell.
2. Consider your dog's size. A whole nut or shell may be more concerning for a small dog.
3. Rule out chocolate. If the hazelnuts came coated, or as a spread, the chocolate is now the main problem — call your vet.
4. Do not induce vomiting unless your veterinarian or an animal poison control service tells you to.
5. Watch for symptoms and call your vet if you are unsure what was eaten or how much.

If your dog ate a small amount of plain, shelled hazelnuts and is acting normally, ask your vet if monitoring at home is appropriate for your dog's size and health.

Signs of Trouble to Watch For

Two different pictures to keep an eye on.

Choking or obstruction — act immediately:

• Gagging, retching, or repeated swallowing
• Drooling or pawing at the mouth
• Vomiting that keeps coming back, especially without producing much
• Straining to defecate, or no stool for over a day
• A hard, tender, or bloated belly

Digestive upset after eating nuts — signs can include:

• Soft stool or diarrhea
• One-off vomiting
• Gas and gurgling
• Low appetite for a meal

Repeated vomiting together with abdominal pain or refusing food needs prompt veterinary advice; pancreatitis is one possible cause.

When to Call Your Vet

Call right away if your dog is gagging, choking, retching without bringing anything up, or drooling heavily; these may be signs that something is stuck.

Call promptly if your dog ate a large quantity, ate nuts in the shell, is small, has a history of pancreatitis, or shows repeated vomiting and belly pain. The AKC also advises calling a vet when a dog gets into a large container of nuts because of the pancreatic risk.

Call immediately for anything chocolate-coated, and mention the amount and your dog's weight.

The Bottom Line

• Plain hazelnuts are not considered toxic to dogs, unlike macadamia nuts
• Hazelnut shells are extremely hard and can cause choking or blockages
• The high fat content risks digestive upset and, in quantity, pancreatitis
• Whole nuts may be a choking risk, especially for small dogs
• Nuts found outdoors may carry toxic mold — those are worse than nuts from a jar
• Chocolate hazelnut spreads are a separate, more urgent problem
• There is no nutritional reason to offer hazelnuts, so simply do not

For the wider view on what is worth sharing from your plate, see our guides to toxic foods for dogs and what human food dogs can eat.

Sources: AKC — Can Dogs Eat Acorns and Other Tree Nuts? · ASPCA — What to Do If Your Pet Gets into Chocolate · Pet Poison Helpline — Before Inducing Vomiting