What Nuts Are Safe for Dogs to Eat
March is National Peanut Month! Can dogs eat peanut butter? Can dogs eat peanuts? Can dogs eat nuts? Some of the questions we're most frequently asked is what nuts are safe for dogs to eat. So are peanuts bad for dogs? No, but it turns out that most nuts are not good to feed your canine. Find out if dogs can eat nuts, and what kind, in the following gallery.
Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts?
Of all the nuts on this list, macadamia nuts represent the greatest threat to dogs. If consumed in even small amounts, these nuts can cause severe neurological symptoms, including weakness, vomiting, walking "drunk," tremoring, lameness (especially in the rear legs) or even a complete (but temporary) inability to walk. It is unknown exactly what toxin macadamia nuts contain that causes this reaction in dogs. (PetMD)
Can Dogs Eat Almonds?
Some nuts are safer than others for your dogs to eat. If your dog gets into your almonds, there's no need to panic; your dog should be OK. The almonds won't kill him. That said, almonds can be difficult for dogs to digest, and therefore may cause gastrointestinal distress, i.e., an upset tummy. So, it's not a good idea to intentionally feed almonds to your dog as a snack. (VPI Pet Insurance)
RELATED: 10 Human Foods Dogs Can Eat
Can Dogs Eat Pistachios?
Pistachios are generally safe for dogs, but be cautious about moldy nuts. These may contain aflatoxins, which can lead to a variety of health troubles for your dog, including liver failure. Always use caution, or just pick a better treat to give your pet. (DogHeirs)
Can Dogs Eat Walnuts?
VPI Pet Insurance says that walnut poisoning is one of the most common claims for toxic ingestion. Their average cost to treat it is $315.74. Walnuts can cause upset tummies in dogs, or even bowel obstructions. And, as with other nuts, moldy walnuts are a particular hazard, possibly causing seizures or other neurological symptoms. (VPI Pet Insurance)
Can Dogs Eat Black Walnuts
Black walnuts contain a substance called juglone which, while toxic to some animals, is mostly non-toxic to dogs. Still, eating black walnuts is a bad idea for dogs, so don't offer them as a snack. They can still cause severe digestive upset if eaten. (Garden Guides)
Can Dogs Eat Pecans?
As with other tree nuts, moldy pecans may become contaminated with low levels of aflatoxins. This can be dangerous for dogs. Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, orange-colored urine and jaundice, liver failure, blood-tinged vomit and bloody or blackened stools. (DogHeirs)
Can Dogs Eat Cashews?
Cashews may be OK to feed dogs occasionally and in moderation, but if you're erring on the side of caution, you might want to avoid these nuts altogether. Cashews are very high in fat, and it doesn't take too many before your dog will have eaten too many. Too much fat from cashews can lead not only to weight gain, but may cause pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. (The Daily Puppy)
Can Dogs Eat Brazil Nuts?
Brazil nuts are among the fattiest of all nuts, and contain a particularly high amount of saturated fat compared to other nuts. Even eating a small of amount of these nuts can equal too much fat for your dog, which can cause gastrointestinal upset and/or other digestive difficulties. You may therefore want to avoid feeding Brazil nuts to your dog altogether. (FitDay)
