Did you know that pistachios are one of the top 10 nuts grown in the US? That is actually great news because pistachios also are one of the nuts Americans can-nut live without.
What’s great about this piece of shelled nut is that it goes great with ice cream, pudding, cake and of course, terrific just on its own!
If you happen to be eating pistachios, is it also advisable to feed it to your dogs?
Can Dogs Safely Eat Pistachios?
Pistachios are not toxic for your dogs to eat especially in small quantities but it is not a food that is recommended, either. Yes, a nut or two once in a while should not pose much of a problem but it also should not be part of their regular diet.
The problem with pistachios is that it is very fatty for dogs especially when eaten in large amounts plus with its size and shell, it can also pose a choking hazard.
So it must be given with caution.
Pistachio 101
Before you throw a nut to your dog, check out these cool facts about pistachio:
Did you know that February 26 is National Pistachio Day in the US?
If you read the Bible, there are only two nuts mentioned and the other one is pistachio in the book of Genesis.
Pistachio grows mostly in hot climates and Iran is the largest exporter of it. In the US, 98% of pistachio production is produced in California. Where did the other 2% go? Other states producing relatively small amounts of pistachios are Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Utah.
It is interesting to note that in China, pistachios are known as the “happy nut”; while in Iran, it is called “the smiling nut”. Since it has been given names, it must not also be missed that pistachios are also known as the “green almond”.
Benefits of Pistachio for Dogs
Pistachios are a great source of the following vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin B1- important for brain function
- Vitamin B6- helps synthesize protein and is important in fat and protein absorption.
- Vitamin K- helps clot blood
- Manganese- helps extract and digest protein and carbohydrates
Other beneficial vitamin and mineral it provides are also:
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Folate
- Protein
- Potassium
- Zinc
Pistachios are also high in antioxidants which wards off the harmful free radicals are vital for long-term health.
Are There Risks in Eating Pistachios for Dogs?
Pistachios are healthy, especially for humans. And below are some of the reasons why despite it being healthy, it is not a recommended snack for your canine:
Very high in fat – did you know that pistachios contain 56 grams of fat per cup? This is four times as high as the recommended daily allowance for a 33-pound dog at 14 grams only! When dogs eat pretty high amounts of fat, it becomes detrimental to their health. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA, high-fat content in a dog’s diet like in pistachios can cause vomiting and diarrhea to dogs. In the long run, it can also cause pancreatitis where the pancreas becomes inflamed and irritated. If your dog is a Schnauzer, they are more prone to this condition.
Too salty – Salt, and too much of it, is also bad for dogs as it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors and excessive thirst. Since salt affects water retention in their body, they are also more prone to kidney failure.
Pistachio poisoning – pistachios that have sat out for a while can have molds containing tremorgenic mycotoxins or the Aspergillus mold which can cause neurological issues. Also called aflatoxins, it is capable of causing disease and even death both in humans and animals. Apart from pistachios, it is also present in agricultural crops such as corn, peanuts, cottonseed and tree nuts. Symptoms of pistachio poisoning are:
- Jaundice○ Lethargy
- Liver failure
- Loss of appetite
- Orange-colored urine
- Vomiting
Phosphorus and urushiol – another danger of pistachios are the two natural chemicals present in it, phosphorus and urushiol. The former can cause bladder stones in dogs and the latter is like a poison ivy reaction in their faces and mouths.
Too much pistachio is bad – in small amounts, pistachios are not harmful, but in large amounts, it can lead to weight gain, gastrointestinal upset and pose serious health problems. If your dog has munched on significant amounts of pistachio, your canine may experience the following:
- Agitation
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Greasy stools
- General weakness
- Tremors
- Vomiting
Choking hazard – with the size and shape of pistachio and the eagerness of dogs sometimes to just pounce on anything, it is easy to choke on this nut. It is extremely dangerous when the shell is still on.
Dangerous Nuts for Dogs
As a pet owner, it is also good for you to take note of these nuts that are way worse than pistachios because they have toxic components.
Macadamia nuts – if you love this nut, never feed it to your dog since it is the grapes and raisins of the nut family. It can cause severe weakness, muscle tremors, stiffness in joints, increased body temp, vomiting and inability to walk; it’s almost like your dog is paralyzed.
Pecan – no, never give some to your furry best friend. This nut contains a toxin called juglone that causes stomach upset in canines. At the same time, it is too fatty for your dogs to eat.
Walnuts (English, Japanese and black) – nope, they are also not great to be shared with your dog. Just like pistachios, moldy walnuts also contain tremorgenic mycotoxins that can cause seizures and other neurological complications.
Cashew – when raw, it has a poison ivy effect; it also has high levels of potassium that can cause urinary problems.
If you think that your dog has eaten any of these bad nuts, contact your vet immediately.
Safer Nuts for Dogs
There are also some nuts that are just alright for your dogs to eat. They are okay for as long as they are unsalted and unseasoned:
Almonds – according to PetMD, almonds have a green light for dogs. Just make sure that they eat it properly or they can choke on it.
Peanuts – good thing this common nut is also okay for dogs to eat.
Sunflower – yes, sunflower are okay for as long as its hard shell is removed.
Chestnuts – enjoy it roasting on an open fire with your dog especially on holidays.
Nut butter – yes, spreads from nuts such as peanut butter and almond butter are also a good choice for your dogs. The natural form is the best but when you just buy it from the grocery, make sure it does not have artificial sweeteners like xylitol because this is toxic for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Salted Pistachio?
This one is pretty obvious, dogs should not eat pistachios that are salted because it is bad for their health. Avoid salted pistachios and other salted treats for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Shells?
Obviously, and as mentioned already, shells should be taken out before your dog eats it. It should not be eaten by your dog because of possible choking. Worse, it can cause intestinal obstruction and even tearing and perforation of their tissues.
If your dog accidentally ate pistachio with shells still on, contact your vet immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachio-Related Products?
Pistachios are often used as a garnish and a great ingredient for ice cream. Of course, be careful with pistachio products with chocolate or an artificial sweetener like xylitol.
Should I Give My Dog Pistachios?
It is not recommended to feed your dogs pistachio. There are other great alternatives to pistachio if you want it as a treat. There are lots of fruits and veggies that are perfect treats your dogs will enjoy.
How Many Pistachios Can Dogs Eat?
If you really wish to let your dog taste the goodness of pistachio, try giving them just one to two nuts and that’s it. Do not give more as there are dangers also in feeding your dogs with pistachio.
How Can I Feed My Dogs Pistachios?
To be safe, feed your dog with unsalted and unseasoned pistachios. Since there are risks of airway obstruction because of its size, it is better to chop it off and mix it into your dog’s normal food.
Again, nuts should not be part of your dog’s regular diet.
Conclusion: Nut Pistachio, Please!
There are way healthier foods that do not have risks for your dog so better go for them than pistachios. While it is healthy for humans, it has dangers and better off avoided. Go for fruits and veggies as treats like cucumber and zucchini.
In the end, it is always better safe than sorry.
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