Walnut poisoning is caused when dogs eat moist, old, moldy walnuts, not fresh ones from the ground or the market. Signs of poisoning are uncontrollable shaking from the mold on the meat of the nut. It can resemble the quivering of metaldehyde poisoning from eating snail bait powder or pellets. The treatment is to induce vomiting, administer muscle relaxants, charcoal, and tranquilizers. If your dog is quivering but standing and alert, a couple tablespoons of 2% hydrogen peroxide may cause vomiting of the moldy nuts or snail bait. The sooner you get rid of the toxin, the less absorbed. You don’t want to do this to depressed, sick, recumbent dogs. They could inhale the vomit and die or develop pneumonia.
Fresh walnuts are high in omega oils and protein and good for most dogs. A few dogs may not tolerate nuts very well and can vomit, have diarrhea, or get hives. You can see if your dog tolerates them by feeing a small piece of a peanut, almond, or walnut. Do not feed macadamia nuts, as these can cause partial paralysis or weakness in the hindquarters of dogs. 
My dog Maisy loves nuts, and she has a touchy stomach! Every time I bring a handful of walnuts or almonds to the couch and sit, I feel eyes boring into me. That is her Vulcan mind meld begging technique. It always works, besides walnuts and almonds are a great source of omega fatty acids, usually deficient in most dry dog foods. If you dog has itchy skin or ears…try a nut!!
Find out other good healthy food you can feed your dog in my book, Dog Dish Diet!!
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I am a toy poodle breeder and am looking for a good litter to use with my baby puppies and have come across a walnut litter from Blue and was wondering if this would be safe for my babies?
Moldy walnuts are a problem. They eat the wet moldy meat of the walnuts and can suffer from seizures. The dried crushed shells should be fine.
Check out my veterinary channel at http://youtube.com/drgregdvm on homemade dog food, toy poodles could be fed the best ingredients very economically
Sorry,I do “NOT” mean to offend anyone & I’m sincerely sorry IF I do or have. 1st) I’ve read just about “EVERY” comment posted & NO I’m NOT over exagerating in saying that I’ve read almost Every ones comment! What concerns me the most is Almost every comment giving an answer Ea. person posts a different answer. Even the comments from people who claim they’re Vets use different explanations. Out of the many numerous comments on here I found so far ONLY ONE person NOW TWO Including me who wrote @ the end or anywhere in their comment that this is NOT 100% True, I recomend that you contact a Vet. in yr local or surrounding area & or any Animal Hospital & they WILL Answer ANY ?s that are simple as these unless it’s due to an Emergency & then of course they’d advise U to bring yr animal in to be checked over. Every one who posts a comment should ALWAYS add that they 1st should ALWAYS consult their Vet,or a Vet. Hospital as they’re open 24Hrs or after Hrs on M-Thurs-5:00Pm-7:00Am& Fri-Sun.Starting Fri@5:00Pm- 7:00AmSunday.They will answer any ?s they’re able to over the phone W/out a fee. I’ve called several X’s. In ANY situation NO matter how small 1 might think the ?/answer is ALWAYS ask yr Vet,or Animal Hospital & if yr Vets closed due to family emergency call a different Vet in yr are or surrounding area. It’s Always best to be 100% Rt reassured then to not tk the 2mins. to call & ask the Rt. people & tk advice from some one online you do’nt know,taking the HUGE RISK/LOSS Of yr animal of possibly dying. I mean if it were yr own baby,child,family,loved one,friend would’nt you go directly to the source? A liscensed Physician. As I’ve said you never know if who’s giving you an answers qualified or a vet/vet Tech/Vet Asst. sorry again just tired of so many writing their comments/ replys & 9 out of 10X’s they’re 100% WRONG!!! Last you Should “NEVER” Feed yr Cat, Kittens,Dog,Puppy Anything except Dog,Cat Food/Snacks from yr local Pet Store Meaning PetSmart,PetCo, Any Major Pet Stores. Farm&Home,Buckeyes. Feeding yr dog,cats anything other then food/snacks from a Certified PetStore is NOT in their best interest UNLESS it’s from a Certified PestStore & Certified Quality Brand PetFood Snacks. Again sorry if I’ve offended You. Just tired of every time seeing reading numerous different replys/posts /Comments & NOT letting them know they should ALWAYS ask their Vet or ANY local Vet or Vet Animal Hospital Clinic if it’s after Hrs. Many of the comments replies Posted are Contradictive & False. As W/All situations you should always seek the Rt answer from the Rt source.
Everyone should always check with a trusted expert for their veterinary needs . I have been a vet for thirty years, have successful practice, but offer these blogs and info as a free service for concerned pet owners.
OMG…i was scared that i migth of poisond my two pups ..i went to the park and the valley where i live has a lot of trees that have pecans or walnuts…i took my dogs for a walk and i usually get tired of being in the park for long periods of times but this time it was different there was a tree that has pecants so while my dogs ran and played and snifft and well did there stuff i picked up some pecants in a bag ..i got probably like 3 lbs so once i got tired we head back home, when i was sitting in my couch watching my soap opera y felt like someone was staring at me ..and i laugh cause it was my pups (3 months old) they were curious to see what i was eating so i gave them a piece i never though they would like them but they did..and every time they saw me get the bag they would run and try to take the pecant away …im so relieve cause i love my dogs and i didnt wanna hurt them with something they liked..omg pecants for them is like giving them cooffe they get so hyper…
Dr. Greg: I am glad that I found this website. I would like to read your articles, and are thankful to get free advice. I also Nurse for 30 years, BUT dont know as much as I would like to, in regard to care for my 3 lovely dogs. I always seem to go online to find answers, BUT unfortunately, sometimes, the answers are questionables.
My husband and I always cook everything from scratch for them, ie) different meats, white rice, peas, carrots, green beans, flax seeds and All bran cereal. Once a day, I also add canned pumpkin for their bowels. They love everything. They also have dried on hands that I get at Pet Smart. Any suggestions? You mentionned your book…is it online? What is your main website address? Thanks for everything.
My website is http://dogdishdiet.com and email is drgreg@dogdishdiet.com where you can order the educational book about allergies and nutrition(Dog Dish Diet) or how to slow cook for your dog or cat(Feed Your Pet to Avoid the Vet).
Many clients and readers buy commercial food and add healthful omega oils(sardines, eggs, fish oil ) and high quality protein(eggs, organ meat, fish, meat). I like Natural Balance, Taste of the Wild, and orijen commercial foods salmon, duck, potato, chicken, rice are my favorite hypoallergenic ingredients.
Let me know if that helps
Dr Greg
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