Should dogs be eating Nuts?

We assume that because nuts are all natural that they are safe to eat for our dogs, but that is not the case.

Although there are a few nuts that your dog can eat, there are some that are very toxic. I personally have opted not to give my dog Ginger nuts. Nuts can be very hard on her digestive system and for me it’s just not worth it.

As I searched the internet to get some answers the only real safe nut I came across was the Peanut. Peanuts are technically considered legumes and not a nut which could be the reason why. If you do decide to give your dog peanuts make sure they are un-salted, and give it to them in moderation.

Also be very careful with peanut butter. Dogs love it, but many companies are using Xylitol as a sugar substitute which can be fatal to dogs if ingested. Please read my blog post on the dangers of Xylitol.

Below are nuts that are considered unsafe:

Walnuts – Walnuts are prone to getting moldy.  There is a type of mold that grows on them which is considered to be a fungal neurotoxin. Dogs ingesting these moldy nuts have been known to suffer from seizures.

Pecans – Contain a toxin call Juglone which is very toxic to horses and some dogs have been known to become sick with gastrointestinal problems.

Macadamia Nuts have been known to make dogs sick as well.  There is a substance in the nut that doctors have not been able to determine.  However, eating these can cause weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and even hyperthermia in dogs.

Remember, nuts in general have a high fat content and can still cause an upset stomach even if they are not toxic.  These include cashews, hazel nuts, almonds, pistachios and Brazil nuts.  Again vets recommend that if you are going to give these to your dog do so in moderation.

In my opinion, I would just skip the nuts. There are plenty of other safer treats that you can give your dog.