Dogs and Nuts
CAN DOGS EAT ALMONDS?
Some nuts are safer than others for your dogs to eat. If your dog gets into your almonds, there's no need to panic; your dog should be OK. The almonds aren't deadly. That said, almonds can be difficult for dogs to digest, and therefore may cause gastrointestinal distress, i.e., an upset tummy. So, it's not a good idea to intentionally feed almonds to your dog as a snack.
MORE: 10 'People Foods' Dogs Can Eat Too
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CAN DOGS EAT MACADAMIA NUTS?
Of all the nuts on this list, macadamia nuts represent the greatest threat to dogs. If consumed in even small amounts, these nuts can cause severe neurological symptoms, including weakness, vomiting, walking "drunk," tremoring, lameness (especially in the rear legs) or even a complete (but temporary) inability to walk. It is unknown exactly what toxin macadamia nuts contain that causes this reaction in dogs.
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CAN DOGS EAT PISTACHIOS?
Pistachios are generally safe for dogs, but be cautious about moldy nuts. These may contain aflatoxins, which can lead to a variety of health troubles for your dog, including liver failure. Always use caution, or just pick a better treat to give your pet.
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CAN DOGS EAT PECANS?
As with other tree nuts, moldy pecans may become contaminated with low levels of aflatoxins. This can be dangerous for dogs. Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, orange-colored urine and jaundice, liver failure, blood-tinged vomit and bloody or blackened stools.
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CAN DOGS EAT WALNUTS?
VPI Pet Insurance says that walnut poisoning is one of the most common claims for toxic ingestion. The company's reports that the average cost to treat it is $315.74. Walnuts can cause upset tummies in dogs, or even bowel obstructions. Moldy walnuts are a particular hazard and especially prone to tremorgenic mycotoxins, which are toxic chemicals produced by fungi. Ingesting these toxins can cause seizures or other neurological symptoms in dogs.
MORE: 10 Surprising People Foods Dogs Can Eat
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CAN DOGS EAT CASHEWS?
Cashews may be OK to feed dogs occasionally and in moderation, but if you're erring on the side of caution, you might want to avoid these nuts altogether. Cashews are very high in fat, and it doesn't take too many before your dog will have eaten too many. Too much fat from cashews can lead not only to weight gain, but may cause pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas.
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