When it comes to the foods we enjoy, it is natural for us to share them, especially with our furry friends. Because of the convenience of the internet, it is now easier to check what foods we eat are safe to give to our dogs. For instance, we can easily check what fruits we can safely give them.
Besides fruits and vegetables, you probably wonder if you can give them snacks such as nuts. Are nuts bad for dogs? Continue reading to know more.
Can Dogs Eat Nuts?
There is no straight answer to this question. Giving nuts to dogs with the shells intact can have adverse effects on them. That is because some nuts can have toxins, and shells from any kind of nuts can damage their tissue and digestive organs.
Some nuts also have high-fat content that can irritate a dog’s stomach. Nuts bought commercially or from supermarkets have many salt and other harmful ingredients that can cause dehydration, or worse, poisoning to dogs.
It is also not advisable for uncooked nuts to be given to dogs, though these are technically allowed to be consumed moderately. Old nuts could have mold that can cause more serious problems, so it is best not to give them to dogs.
So the question, “can dogs eat any kind of nuts?” still remains. Let us now take a closer look at what nuts dogs can and cannot consume.
What Nuts Can Dogs Eat?
Here are some of the nuts that dogs can eat:
Walnuts
Risk: Medium
The amount of fat in walnuts is not the only hazard of these nuts to dogs. Because of their big size, it can be hard for dogs to eat. This can result in choking or difficulty in moving their bowels.
Almonds
Risk: Low
Almonds are relatively safe for dogs to have. These nuts can be difficult for dogs to chew. Therefore, it can cause damage to the intestines or difficulty in digesting food. Small dogs are at a higher risk for this.
Cashews
Risk: Low
When given in moderation, dogs can eat cashews just fine. You just have to make sure not to give cashews too much because they have a lot of fat content.
Peanuts
Risk: Low
You can give peanut butter to your dogs. However, when you buy peanut butter, make sure that you choose the one that has low sugar and salt content.
What is even more important is to read the label and check that there is no xylitol listed in the ingredients. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that can be deadly to dogs.
Pecans
Risk: Low
Giving a few pecans is not bad for your dogs. You have to keep in mind that they are high in fat. Therefore, they are not generally healthy for dogs to consume.
Pistachios
Risk: Low
When you give pistachios, you need to remove the shells and give them to your dogs moderately.
What Nuts Should Dogs Not Eat?
Here are the type of nuts that you should not give to your dogs at all costs:
Old Nuts
Risk: Very High
Old nuts are dangerous to dogs because there could be mold present. Mold can cause neurological problems, liver diseases, and seizures to dogs. These are commonly seen on dogs who ate black walnuts that have mold.
Mold from any kind of food should not be given and should be disposed of right away.
Macadamia Nuts
Risk: Very High
One of the most dangerous foods to give to dogs is macadamia nuts. Even if these nuts are given in small amounts, the toxin in the nuts can make your dog severely sick.
These can cause swelling of the joints or vomiting. In worse cases, these can cause temporary paralysis, neurological diseases, and tremors.
Flavored Nuts
Risk: High
If you enjoy snacking on honey-roasted cashews, it is a terrible idea to share them with your dogs. Aside from making your dogs dehydrated, the artificial ingredients, oil, and salt in these nuts can cause poisoning.
Final Words
So, are nuts bad for dogs? Not all nuts are completely bad or harmful, but you always have to give nuts as treats in moderation.
It is important to keep in mind that dogs eat voraciously. Because dogs are smaller than humans, their bodies have more difficulty digesting food. Therefore, you should always check carefully before sharing any food you eat with them.