Nuts are a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, so it’s only natural that dog owners want to give their pets a taste. However, there are a few things you should know to guarantee their snacking safety.
Is Fido interested in some of your favorite nuts? Though they provide a lot of health benefits, nuts are also known to cause severe allergic reactions in certain people. Do our dogs experience the same thing? Should we be careful while handling nuts around our dogs? Those who have pondered whether or not their canine family member may partake in the nuttiness of the famous snack will find all their questions answered here. Make careful to see your vet before giving your dog any nuts if you have any doubts or worries.
Do dogs have the ability to digest nuts?
So much depends on the situation. Nuts are among the healthiest snack options since they include both protein and fiber but also a lot of calories and fat. They aren’t great for dogs because of the extra salt and flavorings.
Remember that there is a wide range of these crunchy snacks, and some of them may be harmful to your pet. Because of this, it’s crucial to be aware of which nuts are harmless to canines and which are harmful.
It’s OK to sometimes reward with most types of plain, unflavored nuts. Their high fat content, however, makes them dangerous in excessive doses, causing issues including pancreatitis and obesity. It’s best practice to always discard the husk to prevent choking or intestinal blockage.
Nuts may also contain mold toxins (alflatoxins), which may harm the liver if consumed. You should always consume nuts by their “Best Before” date, thus you should always store them properly.
Unlike humans, dogs don’t seem to have to worry about the potentially fatal allergic responses to nuts that some humans may have.
Cashews—can they be fed to dogs?
Most dogs love the occasional treat of cashew nuts. Select raw or roasted cashews that haven’t been salted. Don’t separate them from sacks of mixed nuts, since certain nuts might be harmful to dogs.
Almonds: safe for dogs?
Almonds are OK for dogs to consume, but you should still be careful. Almonds, like the other nuts on this list, are a calorie bomb. That’s why it’s better to see nuts as a special occasion snack rather than a staple of your everyday diet.
Smaller breeds may have difficulty digesting these crunchy treats because to their size and form. If you want to give your dog a nut as a reward, you need either make sure it can chew it without getting stuck or else chop it into tiny pieces to prevent it from choking.
Peanuts: safe for dogs?
In most circumstances, dogs won’t become sick from eating peanuts, but there have been exceptions. Raw, unsalted peanuts are generally harmless, however they may cause some people to have a little stomachache. Rarely, dogs have displayed neurological indications including convulsions and muscular spasms, however this may be due to swallowing significant doses of salt on flavoured peanuts – rather than toxins inside the nuts themselves.
Even more dangerous is peanut butter. The spread can be used to conceal a dog’s medication if the animal has a penchant for gulping down pills. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is acceptable for humans to consume but very hazardous to dogs; as a result, you should never feed your dog nut butter. In addition, dogs shouldn’t eat nut butters since they include sugar and extra fat.
Do pistachios pose a danger to dogs?
Pistachio nuts, without their shells, may be served to your dog on occasion, although they are not the most dog-friendly treat. They pose a choking danger and, like other nuts, are heavy in fat.
Does anybody know whether dogs can safely consume walnuts?
Dogs are typically safe to consume various varieties of walnuts, notably the English walnut. If your dog really loves the flavor of them, save them for special occasions. A word of caution, though: moderation is essential. Walnuts are very big compared to other types of nuts, therefore it’s recommended to give them just tiny, readily digestible portions. Please call your veterinarian immediately if your dog consumes a whole walnut in its shell, since this poses a serious risk of causing an intestinal blockage.
However, owing to their extreme toxicity, black walnuts should never be given to dogs.
Can dogs eat pecans?
Almost everyone enjoys a nice piece of pecan pie now and again. While the pie itself is probably too high in sugar and fat for your dog’s health, you may feel free to give him a few of the nuts from the topping. Keep in mind that even huge dogs may have trouble digesting these nuts because of their size. Furthermore, pecans have a very high fat content. Your dog should be OK with the odd pecan treat as long as they aren’t a regular perk.
Brazil nuts: safe for dogs?
Brazil nuts are not poisonous to canines, however they are known as “the fattiest nuts in the lot” for their high fat content. If your dog got ahold of a piece, they should be OK, but you should keep an eye out for choking hazards. Brazil nuts may be dangerous for dogs, so it’s better to keep them away from Fido. They provide a very high risk of inducing pancreatitis in canines.
What about hazelnuts for dogs?
If your dog is eager to sample your favorite snack, unsalted hazelnuts are a safe choice. A dog may safely consume one or two hazelnuts on rare occasions without any ill effects. Offering these nuts to your dog too regularly or in excessive amounts, however, might have a harmful impact on its health.
The main dangers of eating nuts include nut allergies, obesity, and choking.
Macadamia nuts: safe for dogs?
No! Macadamia nuts are toxic to canines and should never be given to your pet. Because of their high levels of toxicity, macadamia nuts are not a good treat option for dogs. Toxicity from even a little amount of these nuts to your dog is well-documented, but the specific mechanism by which they cause harm remains unknown.
Seek immediate veterinarian attention if your dog ingests any of these nuts by mistake. Fortunately, your dog has a good chance of making a complete recovery with the appropriate care.
The Correct Method of Treating Your Dog with Nuts
There’s also info on whether or not canines may safely consume coconuts. You may be wondering how to best provide nuts to your dog now that you know the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat nuts?” There are many tastier and healthier options for dog treats, but if your dog absolutely must have a nut, here’s what to watch out for:
Portion control is important
Nuts are high in calories and fat which means a dog can easily have too many. It is important to keep packets of nuts out of reach, and make sure you only offer them one or two nuts at a time and on rare occasions
Remember that nuts can pose a risk of choking
Nuts come in various shapes and it’s important to keep this in mind as you offer them to your dog. Pecans and walnuts will usually need to be chopped in smaller pieces to make sure your dog will chew them safely.
Always offer the unsalted versions
No matter how delicious we think salted peanuts are, your dog will thank you for choosing the less-flavoured, plain version instead. Foods with a high salt content do a dog’s system no good, which is why the best thing to do when offering them their prized nutty treat is to go for the unsalted version.
Be mindful of other ingredients
Flavoured, coated, caramelised or served as a nut butter, these treats may be delectable for us, but for a dog these treats can be harmful. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is extremely toxic to dogs and can be found in sweet products, such as peanut butter. Onion and garlic powders used to make nuts extra tasty are harmful to dogs. Remember that dogs and chocolate shouldn’t mix, so make sure you don’t give your pooch chocolate coated nuts. Always read the product labels, before giving any nut-based treats.
Remove the shells
Another important tip is to make sure there are no shells, or shell fragments before giving your dog a nutty treat. These are not only choking hazards, but can also cause intestinal obstruction. For this reason, it’s a good idea to keep the festive nut bowl out of reach of your pooch!
Keep in mind that mouldy nuts are extremely toxic
Remember those aflatoxins? These are harmful toxins which can be present on mouldy nuts and can lead to liver failure and seizures. Always check how fresh the almonds, pecans and other nuts are before letting your dog near them.
Curious about what other human foods can dogs eat? Find out if dogs can eat popcorn, another all-time favourite snack.