We all have the urge to share a little bit of our food with our dogs especially when they give us the puppy eyes. But you should be wary of any foods containing nuts.
Although nuts are a great addition to any human diet, for a doggy diet as a general rule of thumb, you should avoid them. Some nuts are toxic to dogs, some are choking hazards and most lead to obesity and pancreas issues.
There are a few nuts that dogs can eat. However, these could still become choking hazards and, if eaten regularly, could cause pancreatic and gastric intestinal issues, so you need to be careful.
Nuts with shells on shouldn’t be digested by dogs as they can tear through internal tissue as they pass through the digestive tract.
All nuts are high in fat and can cause issues with the doggy digestive system such as pancreatic issues and gastric intestinal issues if eaten in high quantities.
If you're looking for if dogs can eat coconut we have a full article on this here.
No. Although not toxic, pistachios can give your pup an upset stomach, and consistent eating can cause pancreatitis. These aren’t recommended and any pistachio with a shell should be avoided.
No, walnuts contain a toxin named tremorgenic mycotoxins which can cause seizures in dogs. They are difficult to digest for dogs too and can obstruct a dog’s bowel movements. They are also high in fat and could cause pancreatic issues if eaten regularly.
Cashews can be eaten by dogs but wouldn’t be recommended as part of a regular diet as they contain a lot of fat and eating these will quickly reach the amount of fat in a balanced doggy diet. Make sure these aren’t raw cashews as these contain a toxin that would be removed when cooked. Too many cashews can lead to weight gain due to their fat levels but also to pancreatitis.
Hazelnuts aren’t toxic to dogs but for small dogs, these could cause intestinal issues or be a choking hazard.
Almonds are a tricky one, dogs love them, but they aren’t easily digested by dogs and could cause an upset tummy or even gastric intestinal distress. Again, these are high in fat and could cause pancreatic issues.
Peanuts are safe for dogs if they are unsalted and removed from their shells. They can be raw or roasted (definitely not chocolate peanuts); dogs tend to not have as bad peanut allergies as humans do, they do exist, just not as violent or as much. Just a reminder, these are full of fat so your dog shouldn’t eat too many of these as it could lead to weight gain or pancreatic issues.
Peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat and can make a great video for social media. Many dogs love peanut butter and licking it straight from the spoon. Look for creamy peanut butter with a low sodium content that doesn’t contain xylitol and don’t feed too much due to the high-fat levels of peanuts.
No, they are high in fat (which could lead to pancreatic issues), difficult to digest and can cause a blockage. You’ll also find that your dog will have an upset stomach after eating a few of these.
Brazil nuts aren’t toxic to dogs, but they are high in fats and are difficult for your dog to digest. Like many other nuts on this list, these could cause digestive issues, pancreatic issues and intestinal obstruction. We wouldn’t recommend feeding brazil nuts to your dog.
Unsalted and removed from their shells, sunflower seeds can be okay for dogs in small amounts. Too many could cause intestinal issues or pancreatic issues due to their high-fat content.
No. Macadamia nuts must be avoided at all costs. These are just as bad as grapes or raisins and are highly toxic to dogs even in small quantities. The specific toxin is unknown at the moment. Macadamia nuts can cause temporary paralysis or tremors when eaten by dogs.
All in all, dogs shouldn't eat nuts, they're not the best for a doggy diet. So, instead, it's best to feed your dog a meal that's packed full of nutrients, goodness and taste, keeping their tummy satisfied and tail wagging. Pure offers all of these things and more, so start your plan today and discover the benefits of healthy dog food.
Written by: Dr Andrew Miller MRCVS
Andy graduated from Bristol University in 2010 and sees nutrition as a foundation for our pet's wellbeing and takes a common-sense approach. We are what we eat, and it shouldn't be any different for our pets.