Can dogs eat hazelnuts? This is one of the common questions asked by pet parents. Although hazelnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and proteins, the dangers of feeding them to your dog outweigh the benefits. If you see hazelnut dogs in a pet store, it’s probably just a quirky product name, likely inspired by their color or shape—actual hazelnuts aren’t good for dogs!
In this article, we explore the risks of feeding your dog hazelnuts.
Are Hazelnuts Safe for Dogs?
Hazelnuts and dogs make an unlikely combination for a treat. Some of the health benefits of feeding your dog small amounts of hazelnuts are:
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Hazelnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids for your dog's heart health. Also, it boosts their immunity.
Other Nutrients
Hazelnuts contain minerals and vitamins like magnesium, folic acid, iron, and vitamin E. These nutrients are good for your dog's overall wellness.
Although you shouldn't be alarmed if your dog eats one or two hazelnuts, the safest bet is to completely avoid them.
Potential Risks of Feeding Hazelnuts to Dogs
Are hazelnuts bad for dogs? Yes, for the following reasons:
Choking Hazards and Digestive Blockages
The outer shell of hazelnuts is a potential choking hazard, especially for small dogs. If your dog swallows a whole hazelnut, the thickness of the shell makes it impossible to digest. This can lead to digestive blockages in the digestive tract. This can result in other health complications like constipation.
High Fat Content and Pancreatitis Risk
Hazelnuts have a high fat content that can lead to obesity if consumed in large quantities. Feeding your dog hazelnuts also increases pancreatitis risk. Pancreatitis is a condition caused by excessive fat intake leading to pancreas inflammation.
Symptoms of pancreatitis are diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
If you notice these symptoms after your dog has eaten hazelnuts, take them to the vet immediately. Left untreated, pancreatitis can be life-threatening.
Mold Contamination (Aflatoxins)
Hazelnut shells contain mycotoxins and juglone which can cause serious harm to your dog if consumed. Juglone causes serious gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms of gastrointestinal upset are diarrhea, panting, increased heart rate, tremors, and vomiting.
If your dog eats contaminated hazelnuts, take them to the vet immediately. This kind of contamination is a matter of life and death.
Allergic Reaction in Dogs
Hazelnuts can cause allergic reactions in dogs. Signs of allergic reactions are itchiness, vomiting, diarrhea, and swelling.
How to Safely Feed Hazelnuts to Dogs
Hazelnut could be called a safe treat for your dog if served in moderation. To safely feed hazelnuts to dogs, follow these guidelines.
Raw, Roasted, and Unsalted Hazelnuts
The safest hazelnuts for your dog are plain, roasted, and unsalted hazelnuts. Avoid hazelnuts that are coated in chocolate, xylitol, and other additives like garlic and onion powder. These ingredients are harmful to your dog. Consumption of chocolate will result in kidney failure while xylitol will lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Raw hazelnuts shouldn't be given to dogs. They have a high risk of mold contamination and toxicity. If your dog eats contaminated raw hazelnuts, it will lead to tremors, neurological issues, and even death.
Proper Portion Sizes
To avoid the risk of choking and digestive blockages, cut hazelnuts into small portions before serving your dog. Feed these small portions in moderation as you look out for allergic reactions and digestive issues.
Signs of Overfeeding Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts and dogs form a dangerous combination if your dog eats them in excess. Signs of overfeeding hazelnuts are abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
When to Avoid Hazelnuts for Dogs
You should consult your veterinarian immediately if your dog eats hazelnuts in these scenarios:
Dogs with Health Conditions
Dogs with obesity, kidney issues, or pancreatitis shouldn't eat hazelnuts. The high fat content will compromise their fragile immune systems and complicate their health. If your dog has any of these conditions and eats hazelnuts by accident, take them to the vet for professional observation and guidance.
Symptoms of Hazelnut Intolerance and Toxicity
Some dogs will have digestive issues because of their intolerance to hazelnuts. Symptoms of hazelnut intolerance include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting.
Raw hazelnuts have a high risk of mold contamination that results in toxicity if consumed. The symptoms of this toxicity are lethargy, excessive panting, difficulty in breathing, swelling, and itchy skin.
Toxicity can also result from the consumption of hazelnuts that are coated in chocolate, xylitol, garlic, and onion powder. This type of toxicity will result in low blood sugar and kidney failure. The symptoms of this kind of toxicity are:
Lethargy
Seizures
Loss of balance
Increased heart rate
Vomiting
Diarrhea
The Dangers of Mixed Nuts
If your dog is nuts about nuts, you should avoid giving them mixed nuts. Mixed nuts are dangerous for dogs as they're too salty. Too much salt can damage your dog's kidney. Also, mixed nuts may contain nuts that are dangerous to dogs. Toxic nuts that dogs shouldn't eat are walnuts, macadamia nuts, and pistachios.
Alternatives to Hazelnuts for Dogs
Safe nut alternatives for dogs are:
Almonds
Peanuts
Cashews
Conclusion
Can dogs eat hazelnuts? While hazelnuts aren't toxic to dogs, the dangers of feeding them outweigh the benefits. The safest bet is to avoid serving them to your dog.
Some treats with hazelnuts dogs love can be found in pet stores. The health benefits of serving hazelnuts to dogs are omega-3 fatty acids that help with their heart health. Other nutrients like iron and vitamin E boost their overall health. The danger of feeding hazelnuts to dogs is that their high fat content increases your dog's chances of pancreatitis and obesity. It's also a choking hazard, especially for small dogs.
You should consult your veterinarian if your dog eats contaminated hazelnuts or mixed nuts. Also, if your dog has medical conditions like pancreatitis and eats hazelnuts, consult your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat nuts butters like peanut butter or hazelnut spread (like Nutella)?
Dogs can eat peanut butter if it's unsalted and xylitol-free. On the other hand, dogs shouldn't eat hazelnut spread like Nutella because of the high sugar content.
