Can Dogs Eat Nuts?

Nuts are healthy because they contain many vitamins and important fats. However, there is no general answer to the question of whether dogs are allowed to eat nuts.

Some types of nuts are allowed for dogs, other nuts are very harmful to the dog.

What Nuts Can Dogs Not Eat?

Basically, dogs are allowed to eat nuts. Dogs can be allergic to some types of nuts. There is a risk of allergy similar to that in humans. Therefore, only feed nuts in small amounts, even if your dog tolerates nuts well. Because nuts contain a lot of fat and calories.

Dogs should never eat macadamia nuts because they are poisonous.

On the other hand, you can safely feed these nuts:

• hazelnuts
• cashew nuts
• brazil nuts
• walnuts
• peanuts

You should test peanuts with very small amounts to see if your dog is allergic to them.

What Nuts Can Dogs Eat?

If you want to give your dog nuts, then you should pay attention to organic quality. In addition, the nuts must be shelled, unsalted, untreated, and unseasoned. Nuts for dogs may not be more than roasted. Consider the high-calorie content and only feed all types of nuts in small amounts. Because the high-fat content quickly leads to obesity.

• Note that nuts are high in fat and also high in phosphorus.
• The fat is very high in calories and promotes obesity.

In addition to calcium, phosphorus is an important mineral in dog nutrition and important for bones and teeth. However, an excess of phosphorus can significantly increase the risk of kidney disease in dogs.

Therefore, only feed nuts in very small amounts, even if they are well tolerated by the dog.
In the following we take a detailed look at the advantages and special features of these types of nuts:

• cashew nuts
• coconut
• chestnuts
• brazil nuts
• pecans
• pine nuts
• pistachios
• walnuts
• peanuts
• hazelnuts
• almonds
• black walnut
• acorns
• macadamia nuts

Are Cashew Nuts Good for Dogs?

You can feed cashews occasionally. They are high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids but are very high in fat and phosphorus. They can cause allergies in some dogs.

Under no circumstances should your dog eat salted cashew nuts. Above that, she would absorb too much salt, which can be very harmful.

Can dogs eat cashew nuts?

Almost every dog owner knows the situation: You nibble a few cashews from the large bowl with nuts. Your dog sits next to it and waits for a small bite with longing dog eyes.

In principle, dogs are allowed to eat cashew nuts. If your four-legged friend suffers from food allergies, cashews should be consumed with caution.

At first, feed only a few nuts. Observe the reaction and how your dog tolerates the nuts. This clears the first hurdle.

Cashew nuts contain many vital minerals that are good for the dog’s organism. The high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids can quickly lead to obesity in small dog breeds.

That’s why I wouldn’t feed cashews more often than every few weeks. And here you can find more information about cashew nuts for dogs.

Acorns

This page is about nuts after all. Are you wondering why all of a sudden there are acorns in the headline? After all, acorns have nothing in common with hazelnuts or peanuts.

In this classification, I have based myself on the botanical classes. And botanically, acorns really are nuts.

Many four-legged friends even find it particularly amusing to play with the small, oval fruits. You should be careful that your dog does not eat any acorns. Because acorns can sometimes even be dangerous for the dog.

Here you can read in the article “Dog eats acorns” that tannins such as tannin are toxic for dogs. Because not every dog is put off by the bitter taste.

How many peanuts can a dog eat?

Peanuts contain around 25 percent protein and are among the foods richest in magnesium. Dogs should be careful when eating peanuts.

Just like in humans, peanuts are also allergy triggers in dogs. Peanuts can be dangerous for dogs with heart or kidney problems and are suspected of triggering epileptic seizures.

Here is more information on whether dogs can eat peanuts.

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are generally very well tolerated by dogs. However, they contain around 60 percent fat. They also consist of 14 percent protein and contain a lot of calcium, potassium, and vitamins.

However, there are three health risks to watch out for with hazelnuts:

• Hazelnuts are a problematic size. Actually, the round nuts are too small to be chewed. Therefore, many dogs swallow the nut whole without chewing. Whole hazelnuts can get stuck in the esophagus, especially in small dogs. Even in medium-sized and larger dogs, unchewed hazelnuts can cause problems in the gastrointestinal tract.
• The high-fat content means that hazelnuts are 60 percent calories. If you want your dog to lose weight, hazelnuts are not suitable.
• The third risk is that hazelnuts can cause allergies. Dogs react very differently to hazelnuts. Allergy symptoms range from loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting to rashes and swelling, hair loss, and inflammation.

For dogs that are not allergic to hazelnuts, the nuts are considered to be well tolerated. Due to the high-fat content and the size, it is advisable to only feed hazelnuts in small quantities and in chopped form. Mix ground hazelnuts into the feed or chop the nuts into small pieces.

Coconut

The coconut is not a nut in the botanical sense but is a stone fruit. The flesh of coconut contains significantly less fat than nuts and is rich in vitamins from the B group. Coconut also contains vitamin E, biotin, and folic acid.

Coconut oil and coconut flakes are considered natural remedies for worms in dogs.

Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs

For many people, the macadamia nut is considered the king of nuts. For the dog, it is pure poison.

In dogs, macadamia nuts cause symptoms such as general weakness, muscle twitching, joint pain, vomiting and fever, and paralysis can occur. Most of the time, these states appear about twelve hours after eating the macadamia nuts.

It is still unknown to this day which poison works exactly in the macadamia nut. For a dog weighing 15 kilograms, four nuts are enough to trigger symptoms of poisoning.

Chestnuts for dogs

Chestnuts, also called sweet chestnuts, are among the foods that dogs are allowed to eat. Chestnuts contain a lot of vitamin B and thus strengthen the nervous system. In addition, chestnuts are rich in minerals and trace elements.

They are low in fat and gluten-free. This means that chestnuts are even suitable for dogs that are very sensitive to food. So dogs are welcome to nibble on the delicacies.

However, do not confuse edible chestnuts with autumn chestnuts. No dog will eat this hard fruit with the prickly skin voluntarily. Chestnuts can be dangerous for dogs, especially as toys.

You can feed chestnuts whole or chopped up. You can use chestnut flour to bake dog biscuits.

Your dog could choke on large nuts. For this reason, you should not throw chestnuts to your dog as a toy.

Otherwise, nothing speaks against occasional chestnuts in autumn. Chopped up, they make a good dietary supplement. They refine the food with a crunchy effect that many dogs like. Here you will find recipes and more information about chestnuts for dogs.

Can dogs eat almonds?

Almonds are rich in folic acid and contain vitamins B, E, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. However, you should be careful with the almonds because dogs are only allowed to eat sweet almonds.

Can dogs eat almonds?

Almonds contain 53 g of fat, 5.6 g of carbohydrates, and 24 g of protein per 100 g. The fats consist mainly of unsaturated fatty acids, namely oleic acid, and palmitoleic acid.

Minerals contain 676 mg of potassium, plus 347 mg of phosphorus and 218 mg of magnesium. 150 mg sulfur, 40 mg chloride, and 85 mg calcium complete the cocktail. Almonds are also rich in vitamin E and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and A.

The ingredients sound very good. In general, it’s not a problem if you give your dog a few almonds every now and then. However, almonds are often salted as snack nuts. Dogs would absorb far too much salt from it.

Therefore only feed unsalted almonds. Under no circumstances should you feed them spiced, candied, or roasted almonds. Almonds in a dough crust are also taboo.

However, bitter almonds are always hidden in the snack packs with edible almonds. Visually, you cannot distinguish these bitter almonds from sweet almonds.

People notice the bitter, somewhat unpleasant taste of these nuts. dogs don’t. The taste is triggered by amygdalin, which releases hydrocyanic acid in the intestine during digestion.

However, hydrocyanic acid is toxic. Therefore, bitter almonds can quickly be life-threatening, especially for a small dog.

I make sure my dog gets only sweet almonds by biting off a piece of the almond and tasting it before giving it to my dog.

Brazil nuts for dogs

Brazil nuts are rich in vitamin B and selenium. However, they are among the fattiest nuts and contain a high proportion of saturated fatty acids.

Saturated fats increase appetite and are also harder to digest. If your four-legged friend tends to be overweight, you should avoid high-calorie Brazil nuts. All other dogs are allowed to snack on it from time to time.

Brazil nuts are not toxic to dogs. However, if left unchewed, the large nuts can lead to digestive problems. Some of the nuts are up to five centimeters long.

Brazil nuts are not toxic to dogs, but they do contain a lot of calories.

Due to the high content of the trace element selenium, Brazil nuts can make a valuable contribution to your dog’s health. Selenium is required for the normal functioning of the immune system and thyroid.

Did you know that dogs that are fed a low-meat diet can have a lower supply of selenium? Because apart from Brazil nuts, animal foods, in particular, provide the trace element.

Dose selenium carefully. Dogs weighing more than 20 kg can be fed half a crushed or ground Brazil nut per day. This recommendation applies to medium and large dog breeds such as dogs such as golden retrievers, bull terriers, or German shepherds. Small dogs like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, or Pomeranians should not be given more than one crushed Brazil nut per week.

That way you avoid selenium poisoning and your dog doesn’t take in too many calories either.

Pecans for Dogs

Pecans are related to walnuts and are edible for dogs.

Are pine nuts toxic to dogs?

Pine nuts are not nuts in the traditional sense, but the fruit of the pine cone. Therefore pine nuts are completely harmless for the dog and can be nibbled.

However, due to the high price, they are not suitable as an everyday meal. So it’s better to roast the kernels yourself and spoil yourself with homemade pesto.

Can dogs eat pine nuts?

Pistachios

Your dog is welcome to eat fresh pistachios occasionally. However, the pistachios should always be fresh, properly stored, and never salted.

However, since pistachios are high in fat, I would advise you to use caution. It is better to feed a little less so that your dog does not gain weight.

Pistachios do not contain any toxins. However, mold can develop if stored poorly. And dogs are more sensitive to mold than humans. You should spare your dog these health risks.

Incidentally, the real pistachio is actually not a nut at all, but a stone fruit, like the coconut.

Black walnut

The black walnut is a relative of the walnut and can be infested with a poisonous fungus. Therefore it is not suitable for the dog.

Walnuts

Feed only ripe, shelled walnuts in very small amounts or simply do without them altogether. Due to the high-fat content, overweight dogs should not eat walnuts.

Thanks to the unsaturated fatty acids, walnuts would even be very healthy for dogs. However, only give your dog ripe and shelled walnuts to eat. A hidden danger can lie dormant in walnuts.

Walnuts are often infested with a fungus that can even kill dogs. As a dog owner, you have to be particularly careful with unripe, unpeeled nuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want to feed your dog nuts, you should always use natural nuts – without salt, sugar and, above all, shelled. The amount also makes the difference: Nuts should only be fed to dogs in moderation. Because most varieties are very high in calories and can promote obesity.

Which nuts are harmful to dogs?

• macadamia nuts.
• bitter almonds.
• nutmeg.
• acorns
• beechnuts.

Are Nuts Good For Dogs?

Nuts are generally very healthy, but they also contain a lot of fat. They should therefore always be a rare snack and not be fed in large quantities. Otherwise, obesity can quickly become a problem. Dogs can best use nuts when they are crushed or even ground.

What happens if a dog eats nuts?

Nuts can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms like tremors in dogs. While these signs are usually temporary and go away on their own, it’s always a good idea to see a vet if your pet is showing these symptoms.

Why are walnuts bad for dogs?

Fresh and unripe walnuts can be infected with the fungus Penicillium crustosum, which produces a toxin called roquefortin C. This is similarly toxic to strychnine and can lead to severe seizures with convulsions and vomiting in dogs. In the worst case, the poisoning can be fatal.

What to do if your dog ate walnuts?

Visit a veterinarian as soon as possible and tell them that your dog may have eaten macadamia nuts or walnuts (e.g. in the kitchen, in the garden or in a meadow). This is important because your dog’s bloodwork could be normal despite the poisoning.

How many walnuts can a dog eat?

Walnuts are generally a safe treat for your dog and can occasionally be fed to the dog. Walnuts are high in polyunsaturated fat, 47g per 100g. In addition, the popular nuts provide dogs with potassium and many different vitamins.

Can a dog eat walnuts?

When looking for variety in your dog’s diet, you will eventually come across walnuts. These contain a lot of fat, but also many healthy, unsaturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, walnuts are not suitable for dogs either as a snack or as a supplement in their food. They can even cause dangerous poisoning.

Can walnuts be poisonous?

The walnut is non-toxic to humans, but people with sensitive stomachs can react to the leaves with nausea and vomiting (tea), or theoretically get poisoned from the shells, see next section. Toxic to Animals: The heartwood of the walnut is poisonous to horses and can cause laminitis.

What is the healthiest nut?

Walnuts are considered one of the healthiest types of nuts, as no other nut can have such a high proportion of omega-3 fatty acids. They also provide you with a considerable amount of potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin E.

Are peanuts dangerous for dogs?

Can dogs eat peanuts? Be careful with peanuts and hazelnuts: In principle, they are not poisonous and are well tolerated by dogs. However, these nuts can cause potential allergies. They contain a lot of protein and magnesium.

Which nut is poisonous?

Bitter almonds contain, among other things, amygdalin, which is converted in the body to toxic hydrocyanic acid. They are therefore not suitable for consumption raw. Be careful with small children, because five to six bitter almonds can be deadly for them!

Are almonds dangerous for dogs?

Under no circumstances should you feed them spiced, salted, candied, or roasted almonds. They are not suitable for dogs because your four-legged friend would absorb too much salt or sugar. Therefore only feed unsalted almonds. Almonds in a dough crust are also taboo.

Are walnut shells toxic to dogs?

But what many do not know – the shells can be deadly! The mold Penicillium crustosum can infest the walnut’s exterior and produce neurotoxins that are highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning are vomiting, tremors, and nerve spasms.

What Nuts Should Dogs Eat?

Overweight dogs should eat very few walnuts. Because walnuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and have a very high nutritional value. The fats it contains can make your overweight dog even more overweight. As a dog owner, you have to be particularly careful with unripe, unpeeled nuts.

How many walnuts can dogs eat?

Basically, dogs are allowed to eat walnuts. However, you should pay attention to a few details: Overweight dogs should eat very few walnuts. Because walnuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and have a very high nutritional value. The fats it contains can make your overweight dog even more overweight.

What Are the Health Benefits of Nuts for Dogs?

Nuts are generally considered healthy and are a popular snack that even most dogs don’t shy away from. If there is even a bowl of kibble left unobserved on the coffee table, some dogs will not hesitate to help themselves. But are nuts actually good for dogs or maybe even harmful in the end?

What nuts do dogs feed?

You can safely feed these nuts: 1 hazelnut 2 cashew nuts 3 Brazil nuts 4 walnuts 5 peanuts. You should test peanuts with very small amounts to see whether your dog is allergic to them.