A loving and caring pet parent always worries about their pup’s health. They would want to feed everything they consume, especially the ones they consider healthy. However, one must realize that some human food may be unsafe for dogs and afflict them with different illnesses or discomfort. Hence, it’s crucial to know what your furry friend can or cannot eat before giving him anything. Maintaining the right proportion is critical even if something makes a good diet. Otherwise, healthy food can also cause trouble for your pup. So, what’s it that you want to feed your dog today?
Can my dog eat that? Nuts – Is this what you have been thinking about? Undoubtedly, nuts look like a great treat option for dogs. However, determining which nut is safe or unsafe for your canine requires some probing because every nut is unique, and how you feed them can affect their wellness positively or negatively. While small quantities of some nuts and nut butter can be given, others can be incredibly toxic for your dogs. Plus, feeding any rotten nuts can be dangerous. However, toxicity is just one part. Nuts are generally fat and calorie-rich. Due to this, even a small treat or snack can be too much for them. The risk of choking or blockage should also be considered.
Risks of nut diet for pet dogs
Pet experts suggest that nuts can be avoided for some pups, replaced with safe treats low in calories, salt, and fat, and have minimal toxicity and choking concerns. Of course, this doesn’t imply that no dog can have nuts ever. However, knowing the risks and choosing something with full awareness for your pet is essential. So, let’s delve into the dangers of giving nuts to your dogs first before exploring safe and unsafe options.
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High calories – > Weight gain
Some dogs gain weight quickly because of their propensity to be overweight. They need lower-calorie human food as treats. Think of air-popped popcorn, apples, and green beans. Popcorn should be without salt and butter. Suppose you lure your pup with peanut butter so it takes pills. In that case, you must observe that your furry friend’s overall daily calorie intake is 10% or less. It will enable you to keep your pet’s diet balanced. 100gm of blanched or dry roasted unsalted almonds contains 590-598 calories. Raw cashews’ calorie content can be 553 compared to dry roasted unsalted cashews, which include 574 calories. The calorie count of 100 gm of raw peanuts can be 567. However, dry-roasted and unsalted peanuts can have 587 calories. Dry roasted pecans without salt are estimated to have 710 calories per 100 gms.
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High fat – > Pancreatitis
Due to too much fat, nuts can cause gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in dogs with weak stomachs or those predisposed to having pancreatitis. Pancreatitis refers to inflammation or irritation of the pancreas and needs medical intervention. The disease reveals itself through specific symptoms, such as appetite loss, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. What breeds of dogs do you have? If you own Schnauzers, you must be extremely careful. High fat can be toxic for them.
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Nut coatings
Nuts come with different types of coatings, including garlic and cocoa. All these can be dangerous for your puppy. Even anything with flavorful or salty outer layers can also upset their tummy.
Safe vs. unsafe nuts for dogs
The vitamin and mineral richness of the nuts can be the reason behind your interest in this diet for your four-legged friend. While that’s a good thought, you must remember that nuts can harm your pup’s health. If your friend stealthily gets away with one or two nuts, you may still not worry. However, some varieties are highly toxic and pose severe health risks. Hence, knowing about them is necessary.
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Peanuts (Safe)
The most common pick can be peanuts because almost every dog finds peanut butter too appealing. Do you know peanuts are legumes and not nuts so much? That’s why they are safe for your canines. Still, their fatty content can be a problem for your dog’s gastrointestinal system. As a precaution, you can give him a piece or two of boiled or unseasoned roasted peanuts. Large quantities should be avoided.
Furthermore, peanuts can create blockage or choking issues. Dogs usually gobble or gulp their food. Due to this, nuts can get stuck in the windpipe, esophagus, or intestine. Small breeds are more susceptible to this. To avoid this situation, serve smaller pieces of these nuts to your puppy instead of the whole nut.
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Peanut butter (Safe)
Many dog snacks contain peanut flavor. You don’t need to stress if you buy readymade dog food from stores. Most dog food companies formulate their offerings carefully, maintaining a healthy portion of nuts. However, it would help if you heeded the proportion of the nuts when preparing a homemade treat for your doggy. Generally, pet parents use one spoonful of peanut butter as bait to administer necessary medications to their dogs. Giving peanut butter in a smaller quantity is all right. Otherwise, the dog can develop pancreatitis or upset tummy due to fatty content. Also, read all the butter ingredients, whether peanut or something else, to ensure no sugar, salt, or seasoning is incorporated. All these are bad for your dog’s stomach.
Are you aware of the artificial sweetener Xylitol found in some peanut butter? Please steer clear of this. It can make your dog sick in just about 10 to 60 minutes. The toxicity may manifest as staggering, weakness, vomiting, low sugar levels, and seizures in your furry friend.
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Roasted cashews (Safe)
Raw cashews can be toxic to your canine friend. However, roasted ones are safe. Still, cashews are also known for their high calorie and fat content. That’s why one should give a small amount occasionally. It will protect your pup from tummy aches, pancreatitis, urinary tract disorders, and other potential risks. Problems in the urinary tract can be faced due to cashews’ high potassium levels. Also, small pieces should be given to dogs, particularly to smaller breeds, to safeguard them from possible intestinal blockage or choking hazards.
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Other safe nuts
Roasted chestnuts, pine nuts, and Brazil nuts are also safe to feed your dog. Pine nuts can be fatty and contain higher amounts of phosphorus, which can cause urinary tract problems. Brazil nuts are the fattiest of all. Giving just one piece is alright. But avoid it for a small dog because even a single Brazil nut can be unsafe. In chestnut, only the American chestnut variety is suitable. But the large piece should be broken into smaller bits for easy digestion. Ensure you give only roasted chestnuts.
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Almonds (Unsafe)
Almonds are not toxic, but they can be hard to digest for your dog and pose gastrointestinal problems. The choking risk cannot be overlooked. Almonds can quickly get stuck in your pup’s esophagus, intestines, or windpipe due to their shape and size.
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Walnuts (Unsafe)
Whether English or black, walnuts are unsuitable for your four-legged friend. Choking and blockage risks are there. But feeding walnuts can be dangerous for many other reasons. Black walnuts and others comprise a poisonous substance called juglone, a type of secretion of the walnut tree roots. Juglone can trigger seizures and convulsions in dogs. This nut type also contains mycotoxins, the byproduct of fungus and mold. If consumed, the dog can suffer from damaged liver, convulsions, and seizures. Please keep your pup away from the walnut tree in your backyard. It can end up eating the fallen moldy walnuts.
English walnuts are not toxic due to their comparatively minor juglone levels. However, they are calorie- and fat-rich. That’s why you can occasionally give only a tiny piece of the whole nut. Remember, you must be sure you are feeding English walnuts. If you are doubtful, drop the idea of giving walnuts for your dog’s safety.
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Macadamia nuts (Unsafe)
It doesn’t matter whether you have raw or roasted macadamia nuts in the kitchen. Your pup cannot have them because they are toxic. Consumption of macadamia can lead to various health issues, manifesting through weakness in the back leg, diarrhea, vomiting, and others.
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Pistachios (Unsafe)
Humans find pistachios nutritious and delicious. But dogs should never have them, as pistachios can damage their liver because they might contain aspergillus mold, mycotoxins, and juglone. The risk of choking or blockage is also there, especially with the shells.
Other unsafe nuts
Hickory, pecan, and hazelnuts are not meant for your furry friend because they contain mycotoxins, molds, or juglone. You already know what these substances can do to your Fido’s health.
Nevertheless, pet parents like to feed their dogs what they eat. However, taking a practical and reasonable approach is vital over emotional decisions. As you gather, some nuts are safe to give to your dog, but quantity should be watched. Dogs’ gastrointestinal systems cannot digest fat as well as humans. Since nuts are fatty and calorie-rich, you should give these treats only occasionally and in smaller amounts. If your pup eats a toxic nut accidentally and shows symptoms, you must visit your vet with him. Timely treatment can minimize the effects or save their health from unwanted consequences.
