Most of the time, a taste of human’s food isn’t going to kill your canine companion. When it comes to nuts, however, it’s usually better to be on the safe side and keep their paws and salivating mouth away from them as they can cause different risks to the health of your pet. The list below shows a few of those that pose a specific threat when consumed.
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts are very high in fat and can cause stomach discomfort and pancreatitis in your dog. Additionally , these nuts have been documented to contain an unknown toxic mechanism that may result in neurological disorders. Macadamia nuts are from the part of the family of grapes.
Pecans
Pecan’s shells, leaves, stems and branches include a toxin known as Juglone, which is slightly poisonous to dogs, and may cause gastrointestinal upset if your dog chews on them. However, when the pecan nuts itself are moldy, they produce aflatoxins that cause unpleasant symptoms and may be deadly for your dog to consume them.
Old and moldy walnuts
The shell of a moldy walnut has a neurotoxin called penitrem A, which can cause tremors and seizures. Black walnuts are also highly harmful to dogs, causing neurological problems and vomiting.
Hickory Nuts
Hickory nuts can cause stomach disturbance or obstruction. And, similarly like walnuts, moldy hickory nuts can include tremorgenic mycotoxin, which may cause seizures or neurological issues.
Almonds
Almonds aren’t suitable for dogs. The digestive tract of a dog cannot digest them well. So, while they’re not harmful to your dog, they may cause a digestive issue.
They even bear a choking hazard or a problem of congestion if they are swallowed down fast. The large shape and size of this nut could be stuck in the esophagus, the windpipe, or the intestines. Many of the almonds we eat contain salts, seasonings, or chocolate coatings. These additives can cause problems with glucose levels or salt toxicity. In brief, feeding almonds to your dog is not a healthy choice.
How Are Nuts Bad for Dogs?
The most common issues caused by nuts that are harmful for dogs are:
Digestive disorders
In several cases, this can be seen in the form of vomiting, stomach pain, and/or diarrhea. The seriousness of the problem can differ, but if you observe any of the signs, immediately eliminate the nuts. If the condition doesn’t go away, please contact your veterinarian.
Allergies
Dogs may have a much lower incidence of peanut allergies than people, but they also experience allergic reactions of other forms. Walnuts, in general, can cause serious symptoms.
Keep in mind that a lot of various symptoms can cause nut allergies in dogs. The most popular are bald spots, inflammation of the skin, and excessive scratching. However, often nut allergies cause coughing, excessive licking, skin problems, and even severe ear infections.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a chronic inflammation that causes significant harm to the inside of your pet and reduces their lifespan. It’s often induced by eating too many unhealthy foods. If your dog is still dealing with an unhealthful weight, no nut is healthy for them.
Wrapping It Up
Nuts are not a major part of the dog’s diet and should usually be discouraged. However, if your dog eats a few peanuts or pecans, don’t stress it—just monitor their fat intake and ensure they don’t over-eat them! If you think that your dog might have an allergy, call your veterinarian. The veterinarian would be able to determine the allergen through a blood test.