Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts? What Owners Need to Know

Conditional: plain hazelnuts are not specifically toxic but pose choking, high‑fat, and preparation risks; avoid Nutella and give only tiny amounts.

CONDITIONAL: Plain, unsalted hazelnuts are not a known toxin to dogs and can be given very occasionally in small amounts, but important risks (choking, high fat → pancreatitis, salt/seasoning, and chocolate-containing products like Nutella) mean most owners should avoid them or offer only tiny, well-controlled portions.

Quick Safety Summary

- Hazelnuts themselves are not classified as toxic by leading pet toxicology authorities, but they are high in fat and can cause gastrointestinal upset or pancreatitis if eaten in large amounts. Choking and intestinal blockage are real risks—especially for small dogs. Nutella and other chocolate/hazelnut spreads are unsafe because of cocoa (theobromine), sugar, and fats. If your dog eats a large quantity or a chocolate-containing spread, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435).

Are hazelnuts toxic to dogs?

No established systemic toxin: Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana) are not listed among the common plant-based toxins for dogs (unlike chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes/raisins). The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center does not list hazelnuts as a specific toxic item the way it does for macadamia nuts or chocolate, but absence of specific listing does not mean they are risk-free in all contexts (e.g., moldy nuts, salted/seasoned varieties, or large-fat loads).

Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

Why many veterinarians still recommend avoiding or limiting hazelnuts

Hazelnuts present four practical hazards for dogs:

Choking and intestinal obstruction

Hazelnuts are small and round—size and shape that can lodge in a dog’s throat, especially in small-breed dogs and puppies. Whole nuts can also pass into the gastrointestinal tract and cause partial obstruction, particularly in dogs under ~10 kg (22 lb) or in dogs that swallow without chewing.

If you see signs like gagging, drooling, pawing at the mouth, retching, vomiting, abdominal pain, or lethargy after ingestion, seek veterinary care immediately.

Fat content and pancreatitis risk

Hazelnuts are calorie-dense and fatty: per 100 g, hazelnuts provide approximately 628 kcal, ~61 g fat (predominantly monounsaturated), ~15 g protein, ~17 g carbohydrates, and ~10 g fiber. A single average shelled hazelnut (≈1.2 g) contains roughly 7–8 kcal.

High‑fat meals can trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs. Even one fatty human snack (like a handful of nuts, bacon, or fried food) has precipitated pancreatitis in some dogs, especially those with prior episodes, obesity, or certain medical conditions. Signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite. Pancreatitis is potentially serious and requires prompt veterinary care.

(References: Merck Veterinary Manual on pancreatitis; AVMA client information.)

Hazelnut products: Nutella and other spreads

Nutella and many chocolate‑hazelnut spreads are a different, higher-risk category: they contain cocoa (theobromine and caffeine), a potentially life-threatening toxin for dogs, as well as large amounts of sugar and fat. Even small amounts of chocolate can be dangerous to small dogs. Some spreads may also contain xylitol (rare in Nutella but present in other human confections), a rapidly acting and severe toxin for dogs that causes hypoglycemia and liver failure.

If a dog eats Nutella or another chocolate-containing spread, treat it as a potential chocolate poisoning event and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) with the product name and estimated amount consumed.

Practical serving guidelines (by dog weight)

General rules:

• Offer plain, unsalted, unroasted hazelnuts only very occasionally as a treat.
• Never feed whole nuts to small dogs or puppies—use finely chopped or ground form, or a smear of plain, unsalted nut butter that contains only hazelnut.
• Limit treats to <10% of daily calories; aim for far less when introducing any new human food.

• Dogs <5 kg (11 lb): Avoid whole hazelnuts (choking risk). If you must, give no more than 1/4–1/2 of a shelled, finely ground hazelnut (≈0.5 g) occasionally.
• Dogs 5–10 kg (11–22 lb): 1 shelled hazelnut (≈1–1.5 g) occasionally (not daily).
• Dogs 10–25 kg (22–55 lb): 2–4 hazelnuts occasionally.
• Dogs 25–40 kg (55–88 lb): 4–8 hazelnuts occasionally.
• Dogs >40 kg (88+ lb): Up to 8–12 hazelnuts occasionally.

• “Occasionally” means infrequently (e.g., a few times a month), not as a regular daily treat. These are conservative guide estimates intended to reduce fat load and choking risk.
• If your dog has a history of pancreatitis, obesity, gastrointestinal disease, or is on a special diet, the safest choice is to avoid all nuts unless directed by your veterinarian.

How to safely offer hazelnuts (if you choose to)

• Use plain, unsalted, fresh hazelnuts with no flavorings or coatings.
• Remove shells completely—shells are a choking/obstruction hazard and may cause intestinal irritation.
• For small dogs or picky chewers, finely chop, grind, or mix a tiny amount of hazelnut into food as a treat topper.
• Avoid roasted, honey‑roasted, salted, or chocolate‑coated varieties.
• Store nuts in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator to prevent rancidity and mould growth.

What to do in an emergency

If your dog: chokes, has trouble breathing, is gagging persistently, has swallowed a large number of nuts, or shows signs of severe gastrointestinal upset (persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy), act quickly:

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (emergency hotline): (888) 426-4435 (note: a consultation fee may apply). Your local veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital can also advise on immediate steps.

Frequently asked questions (short answers)

• Is one hazelnut going to hurt my dog? Usually not — a single plain hazelnut is unlikely to cause severe harm in a medium-to-large dog, but small dogs and puppies are at greater risk for choking and fat-related problems. Monitor for vomiting or abdominal pain.

• Can hazelnuts cause pancreatitis? Yes — because they are high in fat, eating a large number of hazelnuts can trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.

• What about Nutella? Don’t feed Nutella to dogs. It contains cocoa (theobromine) and lots of sugar and fat. Chocolate ingestion can be toxic; contact your vet or ASPCA Poison Control if a dog eats Nutella.

• Are hazelnut butters safer? A plain hazelnut butter with only hazelnuts (no xylitol, no chocolate, low salt) is easier to portion but still high in fat—use very sparingly and avoid giving to dogs with pancreatitis risk.

When to call your veterinarian or poison control

• Your dog is choking or having breathing difficulty
• Your dog ate a large quantity of nuts, any chocolate-containing spread (Nutella), or any product listing xylitol
• Your dog shows vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, anorexia, or repeated diarrhea after eating hazelnuts
• You are unsure of the product or amount ingested

Final practical advice

Hazelnuts are not among the classic “toxic” foods for dogs, but they’re calorie-dense, high in fat, and a tangible choking hazard. For most owners, the simplest safe choice is to avoid giving whole hazelnuts and to keep chocolate‑hazelnut spreads like Nutella out of reach. If you want to share the occasional tiny taste of plain hazelnut, do so sparingly, appropriate to your dog’s size, and monitor for any adverse signs.

If in doubt — especially after ingestion of large quantities, chocolate-containing products, or if your dog has a medical condition — call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center right away: (888) 426-4435.

Key Takeaways

• Plain hazelnuts are not a documented canine toxin, but they carry risks: choking, high fat, and possible mould/mycotoxin issues.
• Nutella and other chocolate/hazelnut spreads are unsafe because of theobromine (chocolate), high sugar/fat, and occasional xylitol risk.
• Small dogs and puppies should not be given whole hazelnuts; use ground or tiny amounts if you choose to share.
• If your dog eats a large amount, shows vomiting/abdominal pain, or consumes Nutella/chocolate, call your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions