There are dozens of different types of nuts, each offering unique flavors and nutritional benefits. Peanuts, for example, are safe for dogs if roasted, unseasoned, and unsalted. However, since there are several varieties of nuts, not all of them are safe for your dog. In this article, we seek to answer the question, “Can dogs eat nuts?”
Safe Nuts for Dogs
Your dog can safely enjoy the following varieties of nuts:
Peanuts
Can dogs eat peanuts? Yes, if they're unseasoned and unsalted. Peanuts are rich in proteins and other minerals like manganese, folate, thiamin, and biotin. These nutrients are good for your dog's overall health. Also, peanuts boost your dog's coat and skin health, brain health, blood flow, heart health, and healthy digestion.
Cashew
Cashew nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and antioxidants. To safely feed them to your dog, serve them roasted, unflavored, and unsalted.
Also, feed in moderation. The excess amount of sodium in cashew nuts can lead to urinary tract health issues if served in excess.
Hazelnuts
Before serving your dog hazelnuts, look out for fungus and molds in the shells. Molds contain mycotoxins which are dangerous for dogs. Don't add spices, salt, or sweeteners. These can lead to stomach problems for your dog.
Chestnuts
The American chestnut is dog-friendly while the horse chestnut is dangerous for dogs.
Chestnuts have a low-fat content compared to other nuts. This makes them a preferred nut option as you can feed your dog without feeling guilty about extra calories. Due to their low-fat content, chestnuts are a good snack option for dogs trying to lose weight.
Nuts That Are Dangerous for Dogs
Are nuts bad for dogs? While some nuts are safe for your dog, others aren't. Never serve your dog the following harmful nuts. They're toxic and if your dog eats them, the consequences can be a matter of life and death.
Macadamia Nuts
Of all unsafe nuts, macadamia nuts, both raw and roasted, are listed as highly toxic. The component responsible for toxicity in macadamia nuts is still unknown.
However, your dog's ingestion of macadamia nuts will lead to macadamia nut poisoning. The symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning are loss of coordination, tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, and muscle weakness especially in the hind legs.
Walnuts
Both black and English walnuts are dangerous for your dog. Walnuts tend to be moldy. The mold contains mycotoxins which cause tremors. If your dog eats walnuts with molds or fungus, the results are fatal. Black walnuts also contain juglone, a toxic substance that causes seizures in dogs.
Symptoms of walnut poisoning are tremors, abdominal pain, seizures, fatigue, jaundice, fever, vomiting, excess salivation, and liver damage. If your dog eats walnuts, take them to the vet immediately. If you have walnut trees, ensure your dog doesn't access or eat the nuts that fall.
Pecans
Like walnuts, pecans also contain juglone and mycotoxins that cause gastrointestinal upset and liver damage.
Almonds
Can dogs eat almonds? No. Almonds aren't dangerous to dogs but they can lead to digestive issues if consumed. A dog's digestive system isn't designed to process almonds well like the human digestive system. Signs of digestive issues caused by eating almonds are loss of appetite, gas, abdominal pain and discomfort, vomiting, and lethargy.
Almonds from stores contain flavors and excess salt that are toxic to dogs. Consuming then will lead to an upset digestive system. Also, due to their large size, almonds are a choking hazard for dogs. Eating them can lead to blockage of vital organs.
Pistachios
Pistachios have a high fat and calorie content that's unhealthy for dogs. Consuming them can lead to obesity, pancreatitis, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Pistachios also contain Aspergillus mold which contains aflatoxin which is harmful to dogs. If your dog eats them, it will lead to pistachio poisoning. Symptoms of pistachio poisoning are vomiting, jaundice, lethargy, loss of appetite, and liver damage.
Common Nut Products to Avoid
What can dogs not eat? Some of the common nut products are dangerous to dogs and should be avoided. These include:
Peanut Butter
Some dogs are nuts about peanut butter. While peanut butter itself isn't harmful to dogs, always check and read the labels. Avoid peanut butter that contains Xylitol, a toxic ingredient to dogs that causes liver damage.
Seasoned Nuts
Avoid processed and seasoned nuts made with spices like onion powder. These are dangerous to dogs. Nuts coated in ingredients like chocolate should also be avoided as they're harmful to your dog.
Nut Shells
Nut shells should never be fed to dogs. They're indigestible and will cause digestive issues for your dog. Also, they're a choking hazard. Shells may also contain fungus and molds with mycotoxins.
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Harmful Nuts
If your dog eats harmful nuts and you notice severe symptoms like seizures, lack of coordination, and tremors, take them to the vet immediately. Nut poisoning often happens 12 hours after ingestion.
In cases of vomiting and diarrhea, look out for the persistence of the symptoms. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea is a sign of pancreatitis. If you observe this in your dog, take them to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
With harmful nuts, the results are often fatal. Your dog will need immediate medical attention. You can't monitor the symptoms at home and wait for them to go away on their own. Doing so may be too costly for your dog.
Nut Alternatives for Dogs
Although some nuts are safe for your dog, you must proceed with caution. You can choose to avoid all nuts completely and go for other alternatives.
This includes fruits and vegetables like bananas, watermelon, broccoli, and pumpkin. Also, you can go for healthy and safe seeds like sesame, chia, and pumpkin seeds.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat nuts? It depends. Not all nuts are safe for your dog's consumption. Some, like walnuts, are toxic for your dog, and eating them can lead to fatal results.
