No. Nutmeg contains myristicin, a compound that is toxic to cats in larger amounts and can affect the nervous system. Baked goods usually hold only a trace, but the spice itself is worth keeping away, and a cat gains nothing from it. Skip nutmeg.
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Danger — the compound myristicin is toxicTreat it as a poisoning risk
Can cats eat nutmeg? 🌰
No. Nutmeg contains myristicin, a compound that is toxic to cats in larger amounts and can affect the nervous system. Baked goods usually hold only a trace, but the spice itself is worth keeping away, and a cat gains nothing from it. Skip nutmeg.
Source-linked record · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Not veterinary advice
Why this answer
Nutmeg's toxic compound is myristicin, which in meaningful amounts can cause hallucinogenic and nervous-system effects, a racing heart, and disorientation in animals. The trace used in a slice of pie is a low risk, but concentrated spice — a spilled jar or heavy dusting — is where a cat can get into trouble.
Watch for
Disorientation or unsteadiness
Rapid heart rate
Agitation or restlessness from raised blood pressure
Dry mouth or increased thirst
Tremors in a significant exposure
How much is okay
None — do not season a cat's food with nutmeg, and keep the ground or whole spice out of reach.
Keep it away
Store nutmeg with other spices in a closed cabinet, not on an open rack a cat brushes past.
Wipe up spilled ground nutmeg promptly.
Keep nutmeg-heavy foods like eggnog and spiced batter away from cats.
Sources and evidence notes (2)
Poison List
Pet Poison Helpline — Veterinarian-maintained toxin database for dogs and cats, reachable at (855) 764-7661, with per-substance toxicity levels, signs, and species notes.
People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Multi-species veterinary toxicology list covering alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, coconut, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, milk and dairy, nuts, onions, garlic and chives, raw meat and eggs, salty snacks, xylitol, and yeast dough.
Answer card
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Remove access. Take the food away and move your cat to another room.
Note the facts. What was it, roughly how much is missing, and when? Keep the packaging.
Call before symptoms. For chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, alcohol, or anything sugar-free (xylitol), call a hotline or your veterinarian now — early treatment is easier and cheaper.
Never do this
Do not induce vomiting, feed milk, salt, or oil, or wait overnight to "see how it goes". Signs of chocolate or Allium poisoning can take hours to days to appear.
Go to an emergency vet immediately if
Your cat is collapsing, twitching or seizing, struggling to breathe, drooling heavily, vomiting repeatedly, or wobbly on their feet.
Outside the US? Call your local emergency veterinary clinic — keep the number saved in your phone.
Effective: July 17, 2026
Can Cats Eat It? provides general educational information for cat owners. It is not veterinary, diagnostic, treatment, or emergency advice.
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