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My 4 kg domestic shorthair just nibbled three small bites of a commercial walnut-flavoured cat treat — could the mould toxins in walnuts harm her?

Cats · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Watch for vomiting within 2–4 hours, muscle tremors and an unsteady gait, seizures in the evening, drooling, and signs of intestinal blockage such as straining to defecate or not passing stool for over 24 hours. Check the treat packaging for a full ingredient list — "walnut flour" or "walnut meal" means the nuts are present even if finely ground. Stop feeding this product immediately and discard any remaining treats. Call your vet right away to discuss whether she needs to be examined for mould toxin exposure or possible blockage.

Walnuts — Food safety facts

Do not feed · Cats · full breakdown on the linked food page

Risk of mould tremorgenic toxins and blockage; the shell can splinter. Avoid entirely.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Do not feed), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Walnuts should not be given to cats at all. Even a small amount can do harm, so there is no portion small enough to be safe.

Do not induce vomiting and do not give milk or oil to “dilute” it. Note the food and roughly how much was eaten, then call your vet or a pet poison hotline and follow their advice on whether to bring the pet in straight away.

Why these cautions matter

Mouldy food can carry tremorgenic mycotoxins, which produce uncontrollable tremors and seizures rather than a simple stomach upset.

Walnuts has no place in everyday feeding: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged after this and watch the litter box and how quickly they finish the next meal.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Walnuts food facts page.

Open the full food page: Walnuts food facts →