Nuts are one of the most popular snacks for dogs, but it's important to know what type of nut you can feed your dog so they can enjoy them safely.

 

Nuts are a great source of protein and nutrients, but they can also cause serious allergies in humans so it’s natural to question whether nuts are actually safe for your four-legged friend. Read on to get the lowdown about nuts as a food source for your dog. It goes without saying that if you are worried about your dog eating nuts, contact your vet.

 

Dogs are unquestionably some of the most lovable creatures on the planet, and it's only natural for us to want to give them the best possible care. So when it comes to food, can dogs eat nuts? The answer is both yes and no – it depends on the type of nut. In this blog post, we'll take a look at which nuts are safe for your pup and how much is too much. Let's get started!

 

Can dogs eat nuts?

 

Nuts are high in protein and fibre, but they also contain fat. Many pre-packed nuts have added salt making them less suitable as a doggie treat - most variety pack snacks also have some kind of flavouring that could be potentially harmful to your pet's health, so it’s important you know which nuts are safe for dogs before giving them any. Most plain varieties shouldn't cause problems unless you give them too much, which would lead to conditions such as pancreatitis or obesity. It is necessary to remove the shell or used shelled nuts otherwise you can increase the risk of the nut becoming a choking hazard.

 

1. Cashews - Cashews are a delicious and healthy treat for dogs. Raw or roasted is best. Don't pick out the cashews that are mixed with other types of nuts just in case the other nuts in the mix are toxic to dogs.

 

2. Peanuts - The good news is that dogs have been shown to be largely resistant against the toxic effects of peanuts. The occasional case where dogs experience mild stomach upset or muscle spasms from eating too many unprocessed nuts may simply stem from the nuts being salt-covered or eating too many peanuts in one go, rather than any toxins within these particular types of nuts themselves.

 

3. Walnuts - English walnuts can actually make a delicious treat for dogs on occasion. Walnuts are often large and so it makes sense to break them down in to smaller pieces to avoid the potential of causing an obstruction. A final word on walnuts…steer clear of Black Walnuts. These are extremely toxic to dogs and should never be fed to your canine companion.

 

4. Hazelnuts - Unsalted hazelnuts are a great alternative to other types of nuts for your dog. This type of nut isn’t toxic, and feeding one or two pieces on the odd occasion won't harm your pup. As with any type of nut based treat, if you decide to feed unsalted hazelnuts frequently, your dog could become prone to health problems such as pancreatitis and obesity.

 

5. Macademia Nuts - NO!!!! Stay away from the macademia nuts and never use these nuts as dog treats. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and should not be offered as a treat. Although it remains unclear exactly what the reason behind this toxicity is, we do know that even small quantities can cause serious canine illness. If your dog does accidentally eat a macademia nut, take them to the vet straight away! With timely and correct treatment, your dog has a great chance of making full recovery.

 

6. Pistachios - Pistachios should only be given to your dog when they are unshelled, and even then, only as a sporadic treat. Pistachios are high in fat and also can be a choking hazard.  

 

7. Pecans - Pecan pie...Obviously, we wouldn’t recommend feeding pecan pie to your dog but pinching a pecan off the top of the pie to share with them is safe to do. Be mindful that pecans have are high in fat so pecans should not be used as a daily treat.

 

8. Almonds - Dogs are able to eat almonds, but they should only eat them every so often. As with many nuts, almonds are high in calories. For smaller breeds of dog, the size and shape of an almond can be quite difficult to breakdown and so should be broken into bite-sized pieces before rewarding your dog with one.

 

If all this talk of nuts is worrying, and you would prefer to stick to more mainstream dog rewards (we can help you with our Nature’s Harvest Halo Treat Range!), you will also be relieved to hear that all our Nature’s Harvest dog food range is nut-free. Ain’t nuttin’ bad about that…sorry couldn’t resist!