Yellow: with caution
Best avoided, although a single hazelnut is no cause for alarm. The ASPCA, the U.S. animal welfare organisation with a poison control service, lists nuts among the foods pets should avoid. It does not name hazelnuts specifically, but its explanation applies to nuts in general.
Why hazelnuts get a yellow rating
According to the ASPCA, nuts contain a lot of oil and fat. This can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and pancreatitis in some animals. The American Kennel Club (AKC) takes a similar view: almost all nuts are very high in fat, salted nuts add further risks, and hard kernels can become lodged in small dogs. Neither source describes hazelnuts as having a toxic effect of their own. That is why the rating is yellow rather than red.
What to keep in mind
- Autumn in the garden: Whole nuts in their shells gather under hazel bushes. Chewed shells have sharp edges, and a whole nut is a large mouthful for a small dog.
- Mould: Aflatoxins can develop on nuts stored in damp conditions. According to the MSD Veterinary Manual, these mould toxins damage the liver, and fatal cases have been reported in dogs.
- Nougat and nut spreads: These usually contain chocolate, which is toxic.
- Cookies: During Advent, nuts often share a plate with raisins and chocolate.
What if your dog has eaten hazelnuts?
Most dogs can cope with a few nuts. Over the next one to two days, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain, and check that your dog eats and passes stools normally. Call your vet if your dog ate a larger amount, swallowed whole nuts in their shells, or ate nuts that were old and musty. If the food was a nut spread containing chocolate, call immediately.
If you suspect poisoning, contact your vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately.
Our free feeding calculator shows you how much food your dog needs each day and how to account for snacks. You can find more on meal plans and treats in our book “Dog Nutrition and Meal Plans” (book in German), and our free Puppy Starter Pack helps you get ready for a puppy. To give your dog a place on your wall, explore our dog portraits from your own photo or choose an individual portrait.
Further reading
- Christmas with your dog: what to arrange in advance
- How to calculate how much food your dog really needs
- Is my dog overweight? How to assess body condition and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (Nuts); American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Nuts?; MSD Veterinary Manual, Aflatoxicosis in Animals.
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