What should I do if my dog ate Black Walnut?

Remove any remaining nuts, hulls, or shells your dog can reach (especially anything moldy) and call your veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for first-aid advice. Don't induce vomiting on your own — shell fragments and seizing dogs both make that risky. Call immediately if you see tremors, seizures, severe agitation, or a high body temperature — those signs can develop within 30 minutes of eating moldy material per Pet Poison Helpline. Also call if your dog ate whole nuts or shells and is vomiting, retching, or showing belly pain (possible obstruction). Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661.

Black Walnut — (c) SalamiRaptor, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by SalamiRaptor — Photo by (c) SalamiRaptor, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by SalamiRaptoriNaturalistCC BY-SA

Photo by (c) SalamiRaptor, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by SalamiRaptoriNaturalistCC BY-SA

Pet safety reference

Black Walnut

Q: Is Black Walnut safe for cats?

Black Walnut is generally considered safe for cats. ASPCA lists Black Walnut as non-toxic to cats, while dogs and horses have separate toxicity concerns. Monitor any unusual signs and contact a veterinarian if symptoms persist.

Q: Is Black Walnut safe for dogs?

Black Walnut is potentially toxic to dogs. Ingestion of moldy nuts or large quantities of plant material can be dangerous. If your dog has ingested any part of a Black Walnut, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance.

Juglans nigra

The Black Walnut is a large deciduous tree native to North America, widely recognized for its edible nuts and distinctively dark, hard wood. While generally considered safe for cats, the plant material and nuts can pose specific health risks to dogs.

Check a list

American WalnutBlack WalnutEastern Black WalnutJuglans nigra

Light: Full sun
Habit: Large tree
Care: Low

Safety status

Cats

Generally safe

Consulted references do not classify the plant as toxic for that pet type, while still allowing for mild GI upset if large amounts are chewed.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Black Walnut

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Black Walnut

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Cats — concern notes

Common signs

None expected for cats from the plant toxicity profile; eating large amounts of plant material may still cause mild stomach upset.

Escalation note

ASPCA lists Black Walnut as non-toxic to cats, while dogs and horses have separate toxicity concerns. Monitor any unusual signs and contact a veterinarian if symptoms persist.

Dogs — concern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, lethargy, tremors, and potential for gastrointestinal obstruction from nut shells.

Escalation note

Ingestion of moldy nuts or large quantities of plant material can be dangerous. If your dog has ingested any part of a Black Walnut, contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Black Walnut

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

ASPCA lists Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) as non-toxic to cats, while the same page lists toxicity concerns for dogs and horses.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Juglans nigra

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Detailed botanical profile and horticultural information for Juglans nigra.

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