No matter how responsible a pet owner you claim you are, it comes naturally to give human food to your four-legged furry friend. Do not even try to deny it – you are guilty as charged. Even though we do not want to harm our puppies, sometimes we cannot resist and let our dogs snack on pecans.
But that brings us to our question: can dogs eat pecans safely?
We enjoy these healthy snacks, and some people even grow pecan trees in their backyards. However, no matter how healthy, nutritious, and delicious pecans are – they are some things you should know before you feed your puppy with pecans.
Let’s dig deeper and discuss what to do if dogs eat pecans.
Are Pecans Safe? Can My Dog Eat Pecans?
The ultimate dilemma: can dogs eat pecans? The answer to this question is both yes and no.
While some nuts are safe for dogs, there are some concerns we should keep in mind before treating our puppies with nuts.
It is known that nuts like pecans are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats. However, the pecan tree contains natural poison and unique toxins that can cause dangerous side effects.
Most dogs are okay with a couple of pecans. However, they would have to eat a lot of pecans to affect the pet’s general well-being.
Since nuts have high-calorie content, they should be avoided in overweight dogs. Dogs eat everything given to them but bear in mind that each delicious human food should be less than 10% of their daily meal calories.
Therefore, prefer giving snacks to your puppy only as a help to take some pills; for example, cover the pill in a pecan butter or pecan pie. Many dogs gobble the food without chewing, so this trick will help you a lot. Although, try to avoid almond butter when practicing this trick.
Another risk is that pecans have a coating that often contains many additives that can be toxic for dogs or harmful, including garlic, pepper, cocoa, onion, or high salt content. We advise carefully reading the label before unintentionally feeding your puppy with toxins. Even if the coating is thin, it can still lead to digestive issues like GI distress.
Salt is also an ingredient you should avoid. We are all aware that salt causes high blood pressure and urinary stones, even in humans. So, be careful with dogs that are prone to develop urinary stones or have heart or kidney disease.
Negative Effects of Eating Pecans: Why Should They Be Avoided?
Pecans carry certain toxins that have no significant effect on humans but can be potentially deadly to dogs. One of those toxins is called juglone. This is a natural compound in this type of nuts.
The second thing every dog owner should be aware of is the natural poison called Aspergillus. It is a mold known to grow on pecans and can cause severe toxic reactions in your pet. This type of mold is more frequent for pecans that have fallen off or picked up directly from the tree, or it can also be caused by exposure to moisture.
These effects are not significant to humans, but on the other hand, they can be highly toxic or even deadly to human-best-friend.
The most usual negative reaction to pecans can include:
- Vomiting
- Tremors
- Seizure
- Fever
- Blood in the stool
If you notice these reactions, you should reach out to your vet immediately.
Moreover, giving pecans to your puppy can cause digestive problems since they naturally cannot fully digest the nuts. Eating too many pecans over a long period can run the risk of inflaming the pancreas, also known as pancreatitis.
One hidden danger with feeding nuts to dogs is that they often come with additives like chocolate, raisins, sweeteners, or salt, which can be very bad for dogs if eaten in higher amounts.
Size does matter: if they are a small–breed dog, if the nut is larger, it can upset their little stomach more.
First things first, nuts are not a part of the pet’s diet since their digestive system cannot absorb the nutrients. Even though the nutritional content passes through the gastrointestinal tract, all the beneficial nutrients cannot be absorbed.
If your dog has eaten pecans, firstly check the number of eaten pecans before you panic. A few pecans are no problem, but when given in large quantities – the dog’s digestive system gets upset, and you should seek veterinary advice.
Serious side effects may occur if dogs eat pecans. So, before you feed your dog with any human food, ask yourself: can dogs eat pecans safely?
Number one side effect is the already mentioned toxin called juglone that is part of the stems, leaves, and the pecan tree. So, if your dog eats pecans, be aware of this risk. The second severe risk is the moldy pecan that contains the mycotoxin called Aspergillus. These pecans can seriously affect the pet’s health.
Aspergillus is a huge concern in human and veterinary medicine since both humans and dogs can get intoxicated from Aspergillus. Pecans fall into the tremorogenic mycotoxin family and can cause life-threatening conditions in dogs. There is not much to do to avoid mold because mold can be found in store-bought pecans and not-storaged pecans.
The only way to avoid mold and mycotoxin is to be very experienced in this field and recognize mold yourself.
The wisest thing might be not to share them with your puppy.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Eaten Pecans?
Now that we answered the first question: can dogs eat pecans? There are high chances that you might have other concerns.
A couple of pecans from time to time are unlikely to cause a significant problem, but if eaten every day or in large quantities can cause gastrointestinal distress, obesity, and pancreatitis in your pet.
If your dog manages to find a few pecans or a larger amount of pecans, be on the lookout for any symptoms and call your vet immediately if you notice anything. In case your dog ate a lot of pecans, dry roasted pecans, pecan pie, or moldy pecan, be prepared for aggressive symptoms after a few hours.
There is no need to stress out if your dog occasionally eats one pecan; it’s just what our “kitchen-helpers” do, but try to avoid giving your dog pecans volunteerly.
As soon as you arrive at the clinic, your vet will ask for the pet’s previous medical records, about the feeding, and “the accident with pecans”. Then, he will perform a physical examination and perform blood work, and then he will suggest the following treatment.
Be aware that if this condition is left untreated, it could significantly impact the dog’s well-being.
How Many Pecans Can a Dog Eat?
Pecans can be heavy on the stomach because they are harder to digest. Unlike squirrels, who can digest nuts without any problem, dogs don’t mix well with them, and it’s best to avoid them as much as possible.
If your dog eats pecans occasionally, there is no need to worry, but if it gets into a feeding habit, you cannot share pecans with your puppy anymore.
Are Other Nuts Safe for Dogs?
What veterinarians worry about dogs eating pecans is the toxin presence and ability to cause GI disrupt and intestinal blockages. Too many pecans don’t contribute to the dog’s diet in any way, so be aware of it.
Some nuts are considered less harmful, such as peanuts, black walnuts, cashews, and almonds, but it’s generally not recommended to treat your pooch with nuts. Instead, you may provide healthier snacks with more nutrition and benefit the furballs’ health.
If you still want to occasionally feed them nuts, avoid almonds, pecans, walnuts, or macadamia nuts. Peanut butter is a much safer option for dogs since it’s not toxic as the previously mentioned food.
The safest options are peanuts and cashews since they don’t contain toxins. You can give your dog nuts such as peanuts and cashews raw or in a butter form. Side effects are rare, but be careful since these nuts contain a high amount of calories and fat.
On the other hand, be aware of other nuts such as almonds and pistachios since choking hazards can quickly occur due to their shape. If your dog gulps the food, it’s best to keep almonds and pistachios out of reach. Macadamias may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle weakness.
Many dog owners practice using nuts as treats; however, be aware that most nuts lead to potential health risks before you offer them.
First things first, nuts contain a high amount of fat that can cause gastrointestinal upset if your puppy has a sensitive stomach. Unsaturated fats could additionally inflame and aggravate the pancreas, which leads to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis manifests with symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.
If you notice any side effects or symptoms after feeding your puppy, observe and contact your vet immediately for further assessment.
Peanut Butter vs. Pecans
Peanut butter is not that dangerous for dogs; there is a reason why it is commonly used to help give medicine to pets.
However, we cannot deny that it contains many calories that can lead to obesity. Even though it’s not bad for the four-legged friends, it’s recommended to be given occasionally, just like the rest of the nuts.
Also, it is good to practice checking the label! Even the kinds of butter labeled “sugar-free” can contain some artificial sweeteners that can cause liver failure in dogs.
How Can I Prevent My Dog from Eating Pecans?
Whenever dogs have a chance, they will eat any food, and this might include pecan nuts as well. To avoid this terrible habit that our dogs have, we’re going to mention a few tips:
- Inform your household about the foods that your dog can and cannot eat. If nothing else works, keep a handy chart on the fridge.
- Properly store toxic food for dogs on high cabinets out of your dog’s reach. There are even modern solutions like “dog food storage”.
- Create a barrier like a dog gate to keep the puppy out of the kitchen.
F A Q
In a nutshell:
Hopefully, this wordplay will stick in your mind when giving your dogs pecans. While nuts like pecans can be delicious and sweet, they can also cause unnecessary health problems to our cuddle buddies. So instead of upsetting their stomach, double-check your choice of food reward whenever they do a trick or give you their paw.
Always remember: read before you feed, and bear in mind that moderation in feeding is everything.
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*photo by imagebrokermicrostock – depositphotos