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Veterinarian Beth Turner has worked in the field for more than 20 years. After completing her studies at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, she started her career as an associate veterinarian and collaborated closely with the neighborhood shelter.
She designed and built her own clinic in 2007, realizing her dream of being her own boss. Serving as the county’s shelter veterinarian while running her clinic was another fulfilling responsibility. This gave her the chance to work with the rescue she adored while also helping many animals in her community. To relocate across the country in 2019, she sold her practice.
They Are High in Calories and Can Cause Weight Gain
There are much lower calorie human foods like green beans or air-popped popcorn without butter or salt that could be given as treats in place of nuts for dogs that are overweight or prone to weight gain.
For example, if you do give your dog peanut butter to swallow pills, you shouldn’t let the calories from all of the treats combined (including the peanut butter) exceed 10% of their daily caloric intake. This helps prevent treats from unbalancing your dog’s diet.
The approximate caloric content (kcal/100g)* of various edible nut varieties without the shell or hull is shown in the following table:
| Nut Type | Calories (kcal*/100g) |
|---|---|
| Almonds, blanched | 590 |
| Almonds, dry roasted, unsalted | 598 |
| Cashews, dry roasted, unsalted | 574 |
| Cashews, raw | 553 |
| Peanuts, dry roasted, unsalted | 587 |
| Peanuts, raw | 567 |
| Pecans, dry roasted, unsalted | 710 |
| Pecans, raw | 691 |
| Pistachios, dry roasted, unsalted | 572 |
| Pistachios, raw | 560 |
| Walnuts, English raw | 654 |
*Reference: U.S. Department of Agriculture FoodData Central database, standard references
So, Are Nuts Safe for Dogs?
Nuts may not be the best option for your canine companion in general. Although not all nuts are harmful to dogs, frequent consumption of nuts can cause obesity and serious health problems like pancreatitis in dogs. It’s preferable to spoil your dog with specialty dog treats that are lower in fat and calories than nuts.
Nuts shouldn’t be a staple in your dog’s diet because they are high in fat and frequently contain sodium and phosphorus as well. In addition to pepper, onions, and garlic, nuts may also be coated in cocoa, sugar, chocolate, or simply too much salt. Salt is notorious for making heart or kidney conditions in dogs worse or relapsing, as well as causing the development of urinary stones and high blood pressure.
Additionally, there is a constant danger of fungus contamination, which could endanger the health of your dog. So, keep an eye on your dogs’ behavior if they happen to steal a few nuts from your stash. To prevent any potential health issues, consult a veterinarian if the nuts your dog consumed were among those you shouldn’t give to your dog.
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