Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!

Give The Goodest Pup The Goodest Box

Discover what’s really in your dog’s treats and why thousands of pet parents are switching to the all-natural, small-batch Goodest Box. Each Goodest Box is filled with locally-sourced treats and durable toys — made by real makers, not big factories.

Subscribe and save 36% today with FREE SHIPPING

Picture this: A crisp autumn afternoon, golden leaves crunching underfoot, and your furry best friend frolicking in the yard. They spot something intriguing—a round, gnarly sphere that has fallen from a towering tree. It looks like a fun new toy or maybe a delicious treat. But what seems like harmless playtime could be a silent, serious threat.

That "toy" is a black walnut, and it's a hidden danger to our beloved canine companions. While many nuts are not a good idea for dogs, black walnuts are in a league of their own. Understanding why they are so dangerous is the first step in keeping our pups safe.

Black walnuts aren't toxic in the way that, say, chocolate is. Their danger comes from a combination of factors that can lead to severe and even life-threatening conditions.

1. The Moldy Menace: One of the biggest threats comes from a mold that commonly grows on the outer husk of the black walnut as it decays. This mold, Penicillium, produces a neurotoxin called tremorgenic mycotoxins. Ingesting even a small amount of this mold can cause a cascade of frightening symptoms. Dogs might experience tremors, seizures, vomiting, and a lack of coordination. It’s a terrifying sight for any pet owner, and it can be a medical emergency.

2. A Choking Hazard: Even if the nuts are fresh, their hard, round shape and large size make them a perfect choking hazard. A dog trying to swallow a whole black walnut could easily get it lodged in their throat, leading to a blocked airway. This is an immediate and critical situation.

3. Intestinal Blockage: Beyond the choking risk, a dog that manages to swallow a whole or large piece of a black walnut could suffer from a gastrointestinal blockage. The nuts are not digestible, and their solid nature can cause them to become stuck in the stomach or intestines, requiring emergency surgery to remove.

If you suspect your dog has ingested a black walnut, it’s crucial to act quickly. Watch for these symptoms, which can indicate poisoning or a blockage:

If you see any of these signs, don't hesitate. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Be prepared to describe what your dog may have ingested and the symptoms they are showing.

Fortunately, preventing this danger is a straightforward and proactive process.

Know Your Trees: The first step is to identify if you have a black walnut tree in your yard or in a park where you often walk your dog. Black walnut trees (Juglans nigra) are tall, with bark that is dark and deeply furrowed, and their leaves have a distinctive compound structure.

Regular Yard Patrol: If you have a black walnut tree, make it a habit to regularly check your yard, especially in late summer and fall when the nuts are dropping. Rake up and dispose of the nuts promptly.

Leash Up: When walking in areas where black walnuts might be present, keep your dog on a leash. This prevents them from wandering off and investigating fallen nuts.

Teach "Leave It": Training your dog the "leave it" command is a powerful tool for preventing them from eating things they shouldn't. Practice this command with various objects so they are well-prepared for real-world situations.

Secure Disposal: When you collect the nuts, place them in a sealed bag and dispose of them in a bin that is inaccessible to pets and other wildlife.

Our dogs bring so much joy into our lives, and their safety is our top priority. By being aware of the hidden dangers of black walnuts and taking a few simple precautions, we can ensure that our autumn adventures remain full of fun, not fear. Your watchful eye is the best tool for protecting your four-legged family member, so they can continue to run and play safely for many years to come.

Here are the recent recalls and advisories: