Warum?

Nutmeg contains myristicin, an organic compound that is metabolized into amphetamine-like substances in the body. In dogs, myristicin causes a toxic syndrome that includes disorientation, sensitivity to touch, seizures, and in severe cases, death.

The danger with nutmeg is that it appears in "dog-safe" holiday treats — pumpkin pie, eggnog, baked goods — where small amounts are present but enough to cause concern. A teaspoon of nutmeg is a potentially lethal dose for a dog.

Welche Menge ist gefährlich?

Toxicity begins at approximately 1–2 teaspoons of ground nutmeg. Trace amounts in baked goods cause milder GI irritation but should still be avoided.

Welche Symptome gibt es?

BEGINN:Signs develop within 1–6 hours and can last 24–48 hours.
  • disorientation or hallucination
  • excessive thirst
  • drooling
  • abdominal pain
  • seizures
  • rapid heart rate
  • high blood pressure
  • sensitivity to touch

Was soll ich tun?

Contact your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (+1 888-426-4435). Treatment is supportive — sedation to prevent seizures, IV fluids, and monitoring.

Häufige Fragen

Is a tiny pinch of nutmeg in pumpkin pie dangerous?

Trace amounts in a slice of pie are unlikely to cause serious toxicity, but pumpkin pie also often contains xylitol in sugar-free versions — check all ingredients.

What about mace?

Mace is derived from the outer covering of the nutmeg seed and contains similar compounds. Treat it with the same caution.