My 10 kg dog ate two whole cardamom pods that were old and mouldy from the back of the spice

Short answer

Yes, the mould is the main worry, not the cardamom itself. Fresh cardamom in tiny amounts is safe, but mould can produce mycotoxins that cause vomiting, tremors, or even seizures. The hard pods themselves might also cause mild stomach upset or pose a slight choking risk. Watch for any vomiting, diarrhoea, or unusual lethargy over the next 12 hours. Offer plain water and a bland meal like boiled chicken and rice if he seems hungry. Call your own vet if you see shaking, loss of coordination, or if he refuses food — they can advise whether he needs to be seen for potential mycotoxin exposure.

Cardamom — Food safety facts

Safe to share · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Safe in the small amounts used in baking and cooking.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Safe to share), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Cardamom is not toxic to dogs. The real limit is calories, fat and salt, so treat it as a small extra alongside the normal ration rather than a meal in itself.

There is no poisoning risk here, and the usual problem is simply eating too much at once: a heavy fat or salt load can bring on loose stools or a single vomit. Offer water, keep an eye on the pet for 24 hours, and do not induce vomiting.

Cardamom can stay on the rotation, but only as an extra mouthful: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

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

Open the full food page: Cardamom food facts →

My 10 kg dog ate two whole cardamom pods that were old and mouldy from the back of the spice drawer — is the mould the main worry?

Cardamom — Food safety facts

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