In the middle of eating a handful of cashews, you may wonder if it’s okay to give one to your dog. Can dogs eat cashews?
For more information on whether or not you can feed these nuts to your dog, we spoke with Dr. Sara Ochoa of Whitehouse Veterinary Hospital in Texas and the creator of Senior Tail Waggers.
Are cashews healthy for dogs?
Your dog can safely eat cashews, unlike macadamia nuts, which are toxic. Cashews are packed with nutrients, like:
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Protein
- Fiber
- Zinc
- Healthy fats
- Magnesium
- Copper
If cashews are consumed in moderation, they can be beneficial to dogs (more on that later).
Can dogs eat cashew butter?
Cashew butter, like nuts, is safe for dogs to eat. However, due to the high-fat content, you should only feed a small amount to your dog.
You can give your dog a small amount of cashew butter each day, but it should be limited to a few teaspoons,” Dr. Ochoa said, as quoted.
Are cashews ever unhealthy for dogs?
Despite the fact that cashews are perfectly safe for your dog to eat, you should proceed with caution because many cashews are salted, and this can lead to dehydration and even salt poisoning in some dogs.
Garlic and onion-seasoned cashews should be avoided because they are poisonous to dogs.
The fat content of these nuts, even when plain and unsalted, can be problematic for your pup’s digestive system. If your dog eats too many cashews, he or she may end up gaining weight or developing pancreatitis (a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed).
“Dogs with pancreatitis will vomit and often have diarrhea,” Dr. Ochoa said.
Dog pancreatitis treatment
If your dog develops pancreatitis, you can’t treat it at home.
“Your vet may recommend that your dog stays in the hospital on IV fluids to help keep them hydrated,” Dr. Ochoa said. “They will also give your dog medications to stop their vomiting and diarrhea.”
Can dogs eat cashews every day?
Dr. Ochoa advises against giving your dog cashews on a daily basis due to the risk of pancreatitis, weight gain, and other gastrointestinal problems.
Dr. Ochoa said, “This is a safe treatment that has many health benefits that you can give to your dog occasionally.” It’s best to only serve these as a special treat once in a while, not every day.
How can you give dogs cashews safely?
As a first step, if you decide to give your dog a few cashews, you should only give him ones that are completely plain—meaning no salt and no seasoning—because you don’t want to accidentally give him something toxic. And Dr. Ochoa recommends that you give your dog no more than three to five cashews at a time to avoid any possible complications.
This can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs who consume a lot of cashews, according to Dr. Ochoa. “They may be in pain in the abdomen and appear uneasy.”
To be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to chop up any nuts you give your dog.
What to do if your dog eats too many cashews
The best thing you can do for your dog if he’s been eating too many cashews is to calm him down. A bland diet, such as chicken and rice, would be best for them, according to Dr. Ochoa.
As a result, while cashews are safe for dogs to eat, you still need to exercise caution and avoid overfeeding your pet because of the high-fat content. It’s fine if you just give your dog a few unseasoned and unsalted cashews from time to time.
