Though dogs can eat walnuts, it is generally not recommended. Walnuts’ high-fat content can be harmful to your furry companion’s health and cause ailments like obesity and tummy troubles. However, the biggest danger you should look out for is walnut poisoning caused by consuming moldy walnuts, which can lead to fatal consequences.
Do walnuts have health benefits for dogs?
Walnuts do offer some potential health benefits for dogs due to their nutrient content, such as protein, healthy fats (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids), vitamins, and minerals. However, the risks associated with walnuts outweigh these benefits, making them a less favorable choice as a treat for dogs.
Are walnuts safe for dogs to eat if given in small amounts?
While walnuts are not considered toxic to dogs, they can pose risks if consumed, even in small amounts. There are 3 main concerns when it comes to serving walnuts to dogs:
Moldy Walnuts
One major concern about walnuts is their notorious susceptibility to mold infestation. The fungi from the molds produce toxic compounds called tremorgenic mycotoxins.
Feeding your dog moldy walnuts, even in small amounts, makes him greatly susceptible to poisoning. English walnuts and black walnuts are prohibited for dogs.
A dog that has ingested moldy walnuts will commonly experience diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, and seizures. If your pooch shows these symptoms, take note of the approximate amount of moldy walnuts that he might have ingested.
This will give the vet valuable information on how severely it may affect your dog and what type of treatment is appropriate for him.
Be sure to take him to the vet right away. The sooner your pooch gets treated, the further he will be from harm.
Some suggest that washing, boiling, and cooking walnuts can eliminate tremorgenic mycotoxins. However, it is not fully proven to be effective.
Other moldy walnuts contain toxins that grow deep below the surface. This makes it difficult to assess if they are removed after getting soaked in water or exposed to heat.
Choking Hazard
Walnuts belong to a larger variety of nuts, making them a potential choking hazard. If you have a small dog, you need to be more careful. Toy and small breeds are more prone to choking since they have smaller windpipes than their larger counterparts.
Moreover, it would only take small amounts of walnuts to cause intestinal blockage in small dogs.
This is a severe problem, and the vet may even require him to undergo surgery. Without proper medical treatment, intestinal obstruction can be fatal.
High Fat Content
Most nuts are high in fats, and walnuts are not an exception. A dog that has ingested a large number of walnuts is at risk of experiencing stomach problems. He might suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, upset stomach, and indigestion.
The high fat content of walnuts, when ingested excessively, can also lead to more severe health issues. High-fat human foods often cause unhealthy weight gain, pancreatitis, and gastroenteritis in dogs.
Dogs, especially those with these illnesses, should be kept away from walnuts as they will only aggravate their condition.
Can dogs eat walnut shells?
No, walnut shells are dangerous to dogs. Their hard texture makes them difficult to chew and digest. It can place your pooch at risk of choking and intestinal blockage.
Walnut shells are potentially toxic to dogs as well since they are susceptible to mold growth.
Can dogs eat walnut oil?
Yes. Walnut oil can be given as a supplement to dogs. However, it should be administered in small amounts. Walnut oil has a high fat content and is rich in omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid. It can cause digestive issues and exacerbate inflammation when consumed without moderation.
Can dogs eat walnut cookies?
No. Store-bought walnut cookies are unhealthy for dogs to consume. They are made up of ingredients that can be harmful to their health such as sugar and butter. A better alternative would be to make homemade dog treats for your pooch as you have more control over what ingredients to use.
Read: 8 Easy-to-Make Homemade Dog Cookie Recipes
What kinds of nuts can dogs eat?
Dogs can eat certain types of nuts in moderation, but it’s important to choose carefully and be aware of potential risks.
These nuts include peanuts, hazelnuts, and pine nuts. But note that vets discourage dog owners from including nuts in their dogs’ diets.
Generally, nuts are high in fats, so even if some nuts are not poisonous to dogs, they are still unhealthy treats for them. If you excessively feed your dog nuts, he will likely suffer from stomach issues, including diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.
What about peanut butter? Is it safe for dogs?
Peanut butter is a tasty treat for them too. However, some peanut butter brands contain high levels of sodium. Other brands also use xylitol as a sugar substitute, which is deadly for dogs.
To keep your dog safe, choose a peanut butter that’s free of sugar and salt. You can also make peanut butter from scratch.
When feeding peanut butter to your dog, always observe portion control, only offer it in small amounts. Peanut butter has high fat content too. Allowing him to consume too much peanut butter can result in serious health issues, such as pancreatitis and obesity.
Also, avoid sharing other human foods containing nuts for the same reason.
What kinds of nuts are bad for dogs?
Nuts are generally unsuitable for dogs, but others should be avoided at all costs. Check out other types of nuts that are harmful to your pooch:
Can Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts?
No. Macadamia nuts contain unknown toxins that cause canine neurological problems. Thus, they are not safe for dogs to eat. Symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning include weakness, fever, vomiting, tremors, and depression. These signs take about 12 hours to show after ingestion.
Can Dogs Eat Flavored and Salted Nuts?
No. These nuts are not good for dogs too. They are usually high in salt, sugar, and seasoning, which can irritate your dog’s stomach when ingested in small amounts. Dogs that consume too much of these may end up vomiting, having diarrhea, flatulence, and constipation.
Diabetes, kidney diseases, and obesity may also develop if they frequently eat flavored and salted nuts.
Can Dogs Eat Old Nuts?
No. If you ever let your dog eat nuts, choose fresh ones. Avoid old nuts that have been left in the cupboard for a long time, as they have a higher susceptibility to growing molds.
Nut trees are not good for dogs for the same reason. If you have a nut tree in your garden, make sure that it is properly fenced to keep your dog out.
Also, always supervise your dog when outside the yard to prevent him from chewing on nuts that have fallen on the ground.
