Full of protein and healthy fats, nuts are amazing snacks for people. They are part of most healthy diets. Yet, the same cannot be said for dogs. Sadly, for our canine friends, most nuts are unhealthy and even toxic. Today, however, we will talk about some nuts that you can give to your pet.

Why Are Nuts Bad for Dogs?
Most nuts are extremely high in fat. And while we love healthy fats, that high-fat content can lead to obesity and pancreatic issues in dogs. Feeding your dog salted nuts can result in water retention and more complications.
Some nuts are safe for puppies, but you still have to consider factors like calories. Nut allergies are less common in canines, but they do exist. Due to their shapes and size, some nuts can be a choking hazard for puppies.
Benefits and Downsides of Nuts for Dogs
Pros
- Nuts are a good source of protein
- Nuts provide important amino acids for blood circulation
- Peanuts can help reduce high blood pressure
- Nuts are a good source of fiber, helping with constipation
- Nuts provide a healthy amount of vitamins B1 and B2 that help with fatigue
Contras
- Too dense in calories, contributing to obesity
- High in fat, causing pancreatitis
- Some nuts are toxic for pets
- Nuts can present a choking hazard
- Smaller nuts can cause intestinal blockages
- High in fiber, making them hard to digest for some dogs
- Coating on nuts can cause gastric irritation
- Shells of nuts can cause trauma to the gastrointestinal lining
Safe Nuts For Dogs
While most nuts are harmful and even toxic to dogs, your furry friend can still enjoy some. Let’s take a closer look at safe nuts for dogs.
Peanuts
Great and small treats, you might say peanuts are technically legumes. Nevertheless, they are among the safest nuts for canines.
Even with peanuts, you have to be careful about the amount you give to your puppy. They also contain high-fat content. It is best that you give your dog unseasoned roasted or boiled peanuts. You cannot do any harm with a few peanuts, but in large quantities, these tasty treats become a problem.
While peanuts are safe, do not feed your dog peanut butter with added sugar or artificial sweeteners like xylitol.

Roasted Cashews
When roasted, cashews are safe for dogs. Do not feed them raw and be mindful of how you serve them to your puppy. Like all nuts, even roasted cashews have a higher fat and calorie content. Offer them sparingly and your dog will love them.
Roasted Chestnuts
Be careful with chestnuts, as not all are safe for dogs. For example, the American chestnut is a safe treat, but the horse chestnut is toxic. Even with safe nuts, you have to be mindful. The American chestnut is rather large and presents choking or blockage challenges for your puppy. Give him only small portions of roasted chestnuts.
Avoid Coated and Processed Nuts
Even with safe nuts, you should avoid packaged nuts. Most of them are salted, and you do not want to give too much salt to your puppy. Salt causes dehydration and a few salted nuts can harm your furry friend. Packaged nuts also contain coatings, including toxic ingredients like garlic or onion powder.
Harmful Nuts for Dogs
Almonds
While popular as snacks among people, almonds are harmful to your pet. Your dog’s digestive system cannot process almonds properly, so avoid them. Consuming almonds can cause gastrointestinal problems in your puppy. Due to its large size and shape, this nut can get stuck in the esophagus, intestines, or windpipe.
Walnuts
Black walnuts can contain juglone, a poisonous substance that causes convulsions or seizures in dogs. English walnuts, those often used for cooking, are safe and not toxic. But they do contain a high amount of fat and calories. Do not give them whole, and it is better if you avoid them.
Pecans
Similar to walnuts, pecans contain mycotoxins and juglone, two poisonous substances that can cause liver damage. Keep them away from your pup.
Pistachios
These delicious and nutritious snacks can cause liver damage in dogs. They also present a choking or blockage hazard. If your dog grabs and gobbles them with the shells still on, you might need to visit a veterinarian.
Macadamia Nuts
Whether raw or roasted, macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Consuming macadamia nuts may cause your dog to show symptoms like back leg weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, or similar gastrointestinal issues.

Brazil Nuts – The Grey Zone
Brazil nuts are safe for your dog to consume, but they contain the highest amount of fats. For small dogs, even one Brazil nut can be harmful. Because they are large, small dogs risk choking on them. Large dogs can survive with one or two, but it is best to avoid them.
Tips For Giving Nuts
Now that we talked about can dogs eat nuts, and which nuts are safe, let’s talk about how to properly feed them to your puppy. Even when feeding “safe nuts”, it is important to keep in mind some practices.
- Limit portion sizes
- Look out for mold and fungus
- Skip the seasonings like salt, spices, and sweeteners
- Avoid nutshells, they are not digestible

Final Words
While not all nuts are toxic to dogs, there are plenty of other tasty treats out there that are healthier and safer. Keep the nuts for yourself and consider tasty and vet-approved treats. You can give your dog fruits and vegetables in limited amounts. Check which fruits and veggies are good for your dog, and remember the 90/10 rule. Only 10% of your dog’s calories should come from treats.
If you notice any signs of gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, back leg issues, lethargy, or diarrhea, call your veterinarian.
Yes, we all want to spoil our dogs. But spoiling your dog means cooking homemade and vet-approved tasty treats. There are plenty of tasty foods you can give to your dog, just do proper research before. And as always, the best way to spoil your dog is to give him affection and attention.