If you’re planning to do some fall baking or prepare homemade Halloween treats, read this first: Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Your pup would only need to eat a small amount of food containing these nuts to experience negative results.

Dogs who eat macadamia nuts most commonly experience weakness in the back legs, vomiting and diarrhea.  Experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) say that in most cases, these negative effects are mild and can be managed at home with a little guidance from a veterinary professional. But in more serious cases, the side effects can require veterinary care.

If your pet eats macadamia nuts, you should contact your local veterinarian or APCC right away. Your dog will need care at a veterinary hospital if he starts shaking constantly, has a high fever or becomes unable to walk. Because macadamia nuts are a very fatty food, dogs in rare cases may experience an inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) after eating them. If you see your dog vomiting, experiencing lack of appetite, stomach pain or a decrease in activity level within three days of eating macadamia nuts, you should contact your vet right away.

APCC is your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.