What happens if my dog eats nut shells?

Shells are made of tough, woody material. Pistachio shells split into sharp-edged halves, walnut shells break into jagged fragments, and peanut shells are fibrous. Swallowed in quantity, they can irritate the stomach, scrape the intestines, and gather into a mass that blocks the gut.

Small dogs and dogs that eat a large amount are most at risk.

Shells from fallen or old nuts, particularly walnuts and pecans, may carry moulds that produce toxins. Tremors, twitching or seizures after eating shells or nuts from the ground are an emergency.

Look for gagging, repeated swallowing, drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, a hunched posture, straining to pass stool, or stools containing blood or shell fragments. Many dogs pass small shell pieces in their stool within a day or two.

Large dogs tend to cope better with a few shell fragments than small ones.

Resist the urge to make your dog vomit, as sharp shells can injure the throat on the way back up. Do not give laxatives or oils. Call your vet for advice, especially for a small dog or a large quantity of shells.

Empty shell bowls straight into a closed bin. Sweep under bird feeders, where shells from peanuts and sunflower seeds build up. Keep nutcracker sets and festive nut bowls at table height or higher.

Walnut shells used as garden mulch or in some pet bedding products should also be kept away from dogs who like to chew.