Nuts contain plenty of healthy fatty acids and are a rich source of minerals and vitamins, as well as electrolytes and other nutrients, including potassium, sodium, phosphorus and magnesium. Since they are a natural product, it can be assumed that nuts perfectly fit into our pet's diet. But is it really true? The answer largely depends on the type of nuts and the health of the dog. Particular caution should be exercised in the case of four-legged friends struggling with food allergies, food intolerances or being overweight.
Nuts are at the top of healthy snacks. They contain omega 3 acids, vitamins, especially those from groups B and E, proteins and valuable ingredients such as magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium and potassium. However, it is best to eat them raw and fresh, and avoid fried, salted or breaded. The winners in the TOP 5 ranking are: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts and pecan nuts. Unfortunately, although some nuts are a healthy delicacy for humans, they pose a threat to your pet's health. Other nuts, although not poisonous, can cause indigestion if eaten by a dog in large quantities. In small amounts, healthy dogs can be given:
peanuts and hazelnuts, constituting an important source of magnesium, manganese, copper and vitamin E;
Italian nuts rich in vitamin B, folic acid, manganese, copper, zinc and fiber;
almonds with high fiber, calcium and magnesium content;
pistachios and cashews being a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (mainly omega 3)
How to give nuts to your dog?
Enriching the diet of a healthy adult dog with a small amount of well-tolerated nuts (several pieces per week) may have a beneficial effect on the dog's skin, fur and cardiovascular system. In order for nuts to maintain their status as a healthy snack, you should remember a few rules. First of all, do not give your pet old, moldy or damp nuts. Rotten nuts may contain dangerous mycotoxins produced by certain species of fungi that grow on poorly stored nuts. We should absolutely avoid giving nuts to older, sick dogs and puppies. They can be effectively replaced with some other plant delicacy, including ground pumpkin seeds.
In addition, it is worth remembering that too much nuts in the diet of a four-legged companion may cause obesity and pancreatitis (nuts are high in calories and contain a significant amount of fat), so it is best to exclude them from the diet of a pet that tends to be overweight or is overweight.
We do not feed our four-legged friend nut snacks containing spices, i.e. salt, pepper, spicy additives, or breadcrumbs. All these additives can cause serious digestive disorders. Although dogs like to crack unshelled nuts, e.g. walnuts and hazelnuts, they should not be allowed to do so because the hard shells may injure the animal's gums, and a swallowed piece of sharp shell may cause damage to the digestive tract.
Which nuts are safe for dogs and which should be avoided?
The group of nuts that are toxic to dogs include:
Macadamia nuts – are exotic nuts with a round shape, considered a very healthy delicacy for people. However, they are toxic to dogs and should not be given to your pets under any circumstances. They can cause weakness, problems with walking, abdominal pain and vomiting, trembling limbs, and even hypothermia. These symptoms usually appear 12 hours after ingestion.
Black nuts – these nuts, similar to walnuts, also belong to the list of very poisonous nuts for dogs. They may cause vomiting and neurological symptoms.
The group of nuts that should not be given to dogs in large quantities include:
Cashew nuts – containing compounds that are more difficult to digest than roasted or cooked nuts, which may result in stomach upset in dogs.
Pistachios – high in fat, they can cause pancreatitis and stomach upset. Due to their small size and the fact that they often have a shell, they can cause choking or intestinal blockage in dogs.
Pecans – although they are not directly toxic, but, like walnuts, they tend to mold. These molds, even in small amounts, can cause seizures and nerve damage, as well as gastrointestinal disorders.
Almonds – although they are not directly toxic, it is not recommended to give them to dogs because they can cause obstruction, especially if they are not cracked and chewed well. Small breed dogs can even inhale such pieces of almonds into their trachea. Almonds are often heavily salted, which can cause your pet to retain water. This is dangerous for animals suffering from heart disease.
Brazil nuts – they are not poisonous, but difficult to digest because they are one of the most fatty delicacies. This may be especially dangerous for pets with a history of pancreatitis.
Nut poisoning – how to help your dog?
The most common symptoms of poisoning after eating nuts include:
If we realize that our four-legged friend has eaten harmful nuts, the best idea is usually to induce vomiting as quickly as possible, which can prevent the digestion of the toxic substance or limit its absorption. Apart from the type, the most important thing in this case will be the amount of nuts eaten in connection with the dog's body weight and general health condition. You should carefully observe your pet and if any disturbing symptoms occur, immediately consult a veterinarian who will determine further action.
Beware of food allergies!
Sometimes it happens that dogs do not tolerate certain ingredients in the diet. We then talk about a food allergy or food intolerance. Both cause similar symptoms: skin lesions (hives, swelling, itchy rash), gastrointestinal problems (diarrhea, vomiting, reflux), ear inflammation. In the case of food intolerance, symptoms to a specific dietary ingredient appear immediately after the first contact with the allergen. In this case, the most important factor is the amount of the intolerable ingredient. However, food allergy develops because the four-legged friend's body has produced antibodies after contact with the allergenic food ingredient. Re-contact with this allergen causes your pet's immune system to defend itself, causing an excessive allergic reaction. The difference is also revealed in the fact that a food allergy manifests itself regardless of the amount of the allergenic ingredient in the food.
When it comes to food allergies, there is only one way to get to the bottom of it: by following a consistent elimination diet for several weeks. Then, appropriate therapy is introduced, in particular a diet in which hypoallergenic food supported by antihistamines may be helpful. If an elimination diet or the reaction of the dog's body immediately after eating nuts indicates intolerance to this ingredient, the key way to combat the symptoms is to avoid the allergen, i.e. completely exclude nuts from the diet.
Can a dog eat nuts? Summary
Some nuts, fed in moderation and following certain rules, are safe for a healthy dog. However, others contain substances that may be harmful to your pet. They should definitely be avoided. It is worth introducing the remaining ones into your pet's diet very carefully, observing the reaction to a new item on the menu. However, it is best to consult a veterinarian first to be sure that nuts will become a healthy treat for your four-legged friend.
The coexistence of humans and dogs should always be seen as a partnership. Without a doubt, for this relationship to be as harmonious as possible, both partners must follow the accepted rules. However, since each person in a human-dog team lives differently, has different needs and experiences, it is the guardian's responsibility to teach the four-legged friend to refrain from certain behaviors and respect boundaries. The best way to achieve this goal is to positively reinforce the desired actions and teach the dog the "no" command.
Nausea and vomiting are common health problems in dogs. Each case of a four-legged friend vomiting is different and should be approached individually. The range of causes of this disorder is wide. The most common ones include: food intolerance, foreign body ingestion, indigestion or other gastrointestinal disorders. In most cases, the symptoms are short-lived and are nothing to worry about. However, there are a number of serious diseases that cause symptoms such as vomiting. Frequent and persistent vomiting may indicate a condition that requires immediate treatment. For this reason, if your dog's vomiting continues, accompanying symptoms appear or your pet's condition worsens, an immediate visit to the vet is necessary.
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