Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts – Safe Foods for Your Dog

Dogs go nuts for nuts. But the question for owners is, should you give your dog nuts? Can dogs eat hazelnuts, for example? What about almonds? Cashews? Today, we will talk about nuts and which ones you can feed your dog.

Some nuts do not pose any risk for your puppy. But others can wreak havoc on the digestive system. Generally speaking, hazelnuts are not toxic to dogs. Yet, we do not recommend them as regular food for your dog. Treats every now and then, maybe. Remember, hazelnuts can pose a choking hazard to smaller dogs.

Before we go, do not worry, you are not the only one asking whether you can feed hazelnuts to your dog. Nuts and dogs are among the top Google search terms in pet topics. Owners want to know which foods pose risk to their canine friend. And of course, which ones are safe.

Hazelnuts Nutrition Facts

Hazelnuts come from the hazel tree. They are native to the Northern Hemisphere of the globe in temperate climates. Humans started eating hazelnuts centuries ago. And they still consume. Turkey leads the world in the production of hazelnuts.

How many calories do hazelnuts have? What about nutrition facts? Here is a quick breakdown per 100g of raw hazelnuts.

  • Protein, 14.9g
  • Total fats, 60.7g
  • Potassium, 680mg
  • Saturated fatty acids, 4.4g
  • Mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, 53.6g
  • 628 calories

Risks of Feeding Hazelnuts to Dogs

Sometimes, hazelnuts can be bad for your dog. And if your puppy somehow eats a large container of nuts, you should call a veterinarian. In large quantities, any nuts, including hazelnuts, can cause serious harm to the pancreas. If that happens, the vet should pump your pooch’s stomach immediately. We have to stress that hazelnuts do not fall into the category of appropriate food for your dog.

One of the big problems lies in calorie consumption. Like most nuts, hazelnuts contain a lot of fats and calories. Yes, they are good fats. But too much of it can cause weight gain and obesity in dogs. And all those extra pounds will affect your dog’s energy levels.

Excess fats can also cause problems with the pancreas. Excessive fat consumption can cause pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas. It can also damage the surrounding organs and tissues. The main symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are:

  • Repeated vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Distention of the abdomen
  • Dehydration
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever
  • Lethargy and weakness

Call your vet if you notice any of the symptoms.

And then we have to take into account intestinal obstruction. The size and toughness of hazelnuts do not make them a good snack choice. Not all dogs chew thoroughly. Some dogs swallow immediately. The result? Nuts can pass through the stomach without the acids breaking them down. This can result in intestinal blockages. Small dogs are more prone to blockages due to the size of their intestines.

Here are symptoms to watch for:

  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Drooling and burping
  • Pain and bloating in the abdomen
  • Straining during bowel movements
  • Loss of appetite

Good Nuts For Dogs

For people, nuts are among the best foods. They carry so many health benefits, we would love to include them in our human diet. But the long-term effect of eating nuts on canine health does not support nuts as a regular diet. Nuts have too many calories and fatty acids for canines. That is why you should not include them in a regular diet.

Speaking for treats and snacks, here are some good nuts for your dog.

Peanuts, raw or roasted, removed from their shells, and unsalted. They are safe for dogs and our canines rarely experience peanut allergies. There is a reason most dogs go crazy for peanut butter. Just make sure you do not feed them salted, coated, candied, or caramelized peanuts to your dog. Peanuts contain a decent amount of protein, making them a healthy snack.

Peanuts also contain arginine, an amino acid that helps with blood circulation. And you can feed your dog peanut butter, as long as there are no artificial preservatives, sodium, or sugar.

Chestnuts, the welcome guest at Thanksgiving feasts, is another nut that dogs love. Roasted chestnuts will not harm your canine. These nuts contain a large amount of fiber that helps with digestion. They are also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, potassium, and copper.

Dogs can also eat cashews occasionally as a treat. But do not feed them too much, as they can cause stomach pain. Make sure you feed cooked or roasted cashews. Raw cashews contain a toxin.

Last, we talked about hazelnuts. They are not toxic to dogs, but do not feed them to a small dog. They can pose a choking risk and hazard.

Bad Nuts For Dogs

Anything else falls into the category of bad nuts for dogs. But let’s talk about them a bit.

While dogs love the taste of almonds, they cannot digest them easily. Almonds cause an upset stomach and gastric intestinal distress.

Walnuts contain a toxin, tremorgenic mycotoxins, and it can cause seizures.

Macadamia nuts are rich in fat, giving your dog upset stomach and pancreatitis.

Pecans contain another toxin that can cause gastric intestinal upset or obstruction.

And pistachios are rich in fat, causing your dog to develop an upset stomach.

As you can see, most nuts cause intestinal and gastric problems in your dogs. Make sure to feed him only good nuts, but as treats, not as a regular diet.

Should you feed hazelnuts to your dog?

Last, but not least, we want to talk about the health benefits of hazelnuts for dogs. You should consider giving hazelnuts to your dog as treats. Eating raw hazelnuts accidentally will not hurt them.

Speaking of the benefits, hazelnuts are a dense, complete protein. They are rich in fatty acids that support joint, skin, and hair health. Packed with potassium, they help with fluid retention, urinary health, and prevent osteoporosis.

But when it comes to dogs, the negatives outweigh the benefits. That is why most people avoid hazelnuts completely. They keep it out of their diet. This way, you do not have to worry if your dog might experience digestive problems or any other issues.

As for puppies, it is never a good idea to give them hazelnuts. Choking and intestinal obstruction can happen easily in small and clumsy puppies.

For growing canines, it is best that you stick to nutritionally sound foods and do not risk anything questionable.

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