Tree nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, pistachios and Brazil nuts – are often contaminated with very low levels of the poison Aflatoxin, which comes from the Asperigillus mold. Although levels are safe for humans, dogs are acutely sensitive to this poison. Even low levels of Aflatoxin can be extremely toxic and lead to complications such as gastroenteritis.
Other varieties of nuts such as walnuts can cause various other dog illnesses and poisoning. Nuts also have a high phosphorus content which causes the formation of bladder stones in dogs.
Peanut butter (non-salted) appears to be non-toxic to dogs, although peanuts themselves may have ill-effects on your dog.
Symptoms of Aflatoxin poisoning:
Loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, orange-coloured urine and jaundice, liver failure, blood-tinged vomit and bloody or blackened stool.
Possible Outcomes:
Aflatoxin causes severe hepatocellular necrosis (acute liver failure) within 72 hours.
Symptoms of Gastroenteritis:
Persistent vomiting (sometimes bile may be seen in the vomit), dehydration and watery diarrhea. Lethargy, lack of appetite, stomach grumbling and general listlessness.
Symptoms of Bladder Stones:
Difficulty urinating, frequent "dribbling" urination, bloody urine, painful urination. This results in blockage of urinary tract due to bladder stones.
Action: These episodes can be either acute (short lived), or last for several days. Take your dog to the vet for immediate treatment.
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Macadamia Nuts
Generally consumption will not be fatal, but can cause your dog to become extremely ill. The toxin in the nut is not know. Ingestion of just a handful of nuts can cause adverse effects. As few as six macadamia nuts can trigger locomotory difficulties in dogs. Toxicity will typically evince within 6 to 24 hours.
Symptoms:
Vomiting, weakness, depression, lack of energy, drunken walking, joint/muscle pain, joint swelling, tremors, ataxia, hyperthermia and abdominal pain.
Possible Outcomes:
Severely sick. May require hospitalisation.
Action: Take your dog to the vet if symptoms are not abating or large quantity of nuts are consumed. Dogs are typically treated symptomatically and recover uneventfully with 1 to 2 days. In-hospital supportive care may be recommended for dogs that become very sick.