Are nuts toxic for dogs?
For humans, nuts are usually very healthy, as they are rich in healthy fats and protein. However, some varieties are toxic for dogs, and others are at least not well tolerated. For a healthy dog diet, you do not need nuts, because what is important in the first place is a large and high-quality meat content in the dog food.
Nevertheless, there are some nuts that are not toxic for dogs and that, in moderation, can provide variety in the diet. However, even compatible types of nuts do not belong in your dog’s food bowl every day, as they are very high in calories and can promote obesity in the long run.
Nuts are unnecessary for healthy dog nutrition
Therefore, if you want to play it safe, refrain from giving your dog nuts. Some types of nuts, such as Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, coconuts and almonds, do contain valuable vitamins that are also healthy for your dog, but he can get these nutrients from other foods that are better tolerated by him. Vitamin E, for example, is also found in pumpkin, meat is rich in B vitamins, and good sources of folic acid and biotin are offal.
Toxic for dogs: macadamia nuts and walnuts
Macadamia nuts are definitely toxic to dogs because they contain so-called cyanogenic glycosides. The dose at which the nuts start harming your dog depends on its size, but as few as four nuts will cause symptoms of poisoning such as stiffness, problems walking and liver damage in a 15-kilogram dog. If your dog accidentally eats macadamia nuts, take him to the vet immediately.
Ripe walnuts without shells are not necessarily toxic to dogs, but as a precaution, it is better not to try this. Especially on unripe and fresh walnuts as well as on the shell, the fungus Penicillium crustosum can spread, which is not visible from the outside and forms a poison called Roquefortin C, which is comparable to strychnine. Your dog will then show seizures reminiscent of epilepsy, tremors, convulsions and twitches, and also vomits. Poisoning here can even be fatal.
Often incompatible for dogs: peanuts
From a botanical point of view, peanuts are actually not nuts, but legumes. For healthy dogs without allergies, peanuts are usually non-toxic. However, peanut allergies are quite common not only in humans, but also in dogs. If your dog suffers from a heart or kidney condition, peanuts are generally not good for him. Again, to be on the safe side, it’s best to refrain from giving your dog peanuts.
