My Dog Ate Nuts – What Should I Do Now?

Dogs love to eat things that they shouldn’t, like shoes, socks, and of course, nuts.  

But if your dog has just eaten some nuts, it could experience some very serious side effects. 

In nut-sensitive dogs, the protein in nuts will trigger a negative reaction that can include vomiting, lethargy, and even seizures or death.

Keep reading to learn more about what to do in case your dog is nuts about nuts.

Is It OK For Dogs To Eat Nuts?

Most nuts and seeds are perfectly fine for dogs to eat. 

However, with some types of nuts, like macadamia or walnuts, your dog could have a very negative reaction that includes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and even seizures.

Keeping your dog nut-free is best advised. 

In the case that your dog does consume any type of nut or seed then you should seek veterinary advice immediately.

Why Are Nuts Bad For Dogs?

Dogs have a hypersensitive digestive tract and any foods that they aren’t used to will very likely cause an obstruction. Nuts are most likely to lead to these kinds of issues.

Nuts are extremely dangerous for your dog if it hasn’t been properly trained to eat them. 

The best way to train your dog is by mixing a small amount of the nut with their regular food and repeating this process gradually until they get used to eating nuts, seeds, and even other unusual foods. 

Both you and your vet should be aware of any allergies that your dog has.

Can Dogs Overdose On Nuts?

Yes, if your dog eats too many nuts then it could overdose on them. Your dog’s stomach could become obstructed and it would stop being able to nourish its body properly which may lead to harm.

Can Dogs Eat Walnuts?

Walnuts are considered a toxic nut for dogs and should be avoided at all costs. 

Like other nuts, walnuts can cause gastrointestinal issues like vomiting or diarrhea. In severe cases of walnut ingestion, it could lead to seizures or even death.

Can Cats Eat Macadamia Nuts?

Macadamia nuts are a known toxic nut for dogs. So too are cashews, pecans, and brazil nuts – all of which contain the same toxin as macadamia nuts called urushiol that can cause mild to moderate health problems in dogs if ingested. 

Can Dogs Eat Cashew Nuts?

Cashews are toxic for dogs and can cause a number of health problems, the most common being gastrointestinal issues. The cashew nutshell contains urushiol which is a toxin that can affect your dog’s skin and mucous membranes.

If your dog does eat a cashew nut then they should be taken to the vet immediately. 

You could also try giving them some milk as it will help try to break down the protein in the nuts and get rid of any remaining toxins.

Can Dogs Eat Almonds?

Almonds, like other nuts and seeds that contain urushiol, are considered toxic to dogs. 

Many types of almonds are sold already skinned, but if you do buy some that still have their skin on then it’s best not to give them to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?

Peanuts and peanut butter can be very dangerous for dogs to ingest due to the presence of a toxin called aflatoxin. This toxin is produced by molds that grow naturally on almost all types of nuts including hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, cashews, pecans, and more.

Can Dogs Eat Pistachios?

Pistachios can also be very harmful to dogs. The nuts contain a chemical called urushiol which is found in the shell of the nut and can lead to hypersensitivity reactions if ingested by your dog. 

Allergic dogs are most likely to have problems with pistachios.

Can Dogs Eat Pecans?

Pecans, like all nuts, contain a toxin called urushiol that causes an allergic reaction in most dogs. Pecan trees naturally produce this toxin so it’s best to avoid giving your dog any type of pecan nut product.

Keeping your dog away from nuts is essential for their health and safety. 

If you do suspect or know that they have ingested some then take them to a vet before it’s too late and they experience any serious side effects.

What Nuts Are Toxic To Dogs?

Walnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts are the known toxic nuts for dogs. The exact chemical makeup of each toxic nut is different, but they all contain a toxin called tryptophan that could be harmful to your dog.

You are better off keeping your dog nut-free by steering clear of walnuts, pecans, and macadamia nuts, or any other unknown type of nuts for that matter. 

In case you have reason to believe that your dog has eaten any type of nut then it is best to call your vet as soon as possible so they can give you the best advice on what to do next.

What Nuts Can Dog Eat?

Even though your dog can’t have all nuts, they can still eat some seeds and snack on things like unsalted popcorn. 

Sunflower, pumpkin, soybeans, pine nuts, peanuts (some dogs could be allergic to these), and sesame are all good options for your dog’s snacking pleasure.

How Could My Dog Become Poisoned From Eating Nuts?

If you suspect that your dog has eaten any type of nut then it’s important to contact your vet immediately.  

The most common signs in dogs include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination: all typical reactions for ingestion of a toxin like what is found in nuts.  

Other signs may include diarrhea, depression, and dehydration.  

If your dog seems OK for now but you suspect that they had eaten a nut, contact your vet anyway to see what advice they have about how to go forward.

How Long After Eating Nuts Will Symptoms Occur?

In some cases, it can take hours before any symptoms are present in dogs who have eaten nuts. 

If your dog has just gotten into the trash or raided the pantry then it’s best to keep them with you; restricting their activity is helpful too. 

Some dogs need only one small nut or seed in order to become very ill.  If your dog eats a piece of cheese that contains onion powder then this could also trigger vomiting and diarrhea as well as weakness and lethargy.  

If you are not sure what your dog has eaten then contact your vet for advice; they will be able to steer you in the right direction.

How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Die From Eating Nuts?

Thankfully, death from nut ingestion is rare, however, if left untreated some dogs may experience seizures or collapse and even develop kidney failure. 

In the event of a nut-related emergency then it’s important to call your vet immediately so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.  

As soon as you have determined that there is a problem with your dog related to their ingestion of any type of nut then tell your veterinarian everything that you know about their symptoms. 

Remember, time is critical when it comes to nut-related problems; if your dog has eaten a type of nut that can cause kidney damage then they could begin to exhibit signs of this within 24 hours.  

If you know or suspect that your dog has eaten a peanut, almond, or any other nut then be sure to call your vet right away so you can get the best advice on what to do next.

What If My Dog Has Eaten A Nut?

If you know or suspect that your dog has consumed any type of nut then it is important to contact your vet as soon as possible with all information so that they can give you the best advice for what to do next! 

Your veterinarian will want to know: What kind of nuts did your dog eat, how much did they eat, and when the meal happened. 

They will evaluate a few vital signs such as their heart rate and breathing to make sure that there are no negative, immediate side effects. 

The veterinarian might also take a blood sample or do an X-ray of your dog’s stomach if he suspects any internal bleeding or obstruction from the nut consumption.

In most cases, if your dog is otherwise healthy then vets might try to pass off the nuts through their system without attempting anything else. 

However, in severe cases where dogs have consumed large quantities of nuts within a short period of time, been sick before coming to the vet clinic, or had any other kind of reaction like vomiting multiple times or seizures then vets may need to induce vomiting. 

They may also decide to perform surgery on your dog in order to get the nuts out of your dog’s body.

It is important for you to understand that even though the reaction is generally quite serious, and can be fatal if not administered right away, this doesn’t mean that it will necessarily lead to a negative outcome for your pup. 

In fact, with quick treatment from vets and plenty of love at home, it could just be something that passes quickly with no lasting effects!

How To Prevent Your Dog From Eating Nuts

Most cases of dogs getting into nuts or seeds can be prevented with the proper storage solution. 

If you keep any kind of nut, seed, or whole-grain flour in your pantry then it’s important to either lock it up. 

Also, keeping your trash tightly sealed away from your home will also prevent the problem because no pet is going to eat what they can’t reach! 

If you have been feeding your dog an all-natural diet without processed foods and additives then rest assured that there are many healthy options available to you when selecting dog food; just make sure that whatever option you choose does not contain any notable nut ingredients.

Some breeds of dogs, especially those with short snouts and long muzzles, are at increased risk for nut-related issues because they have difficulty chewing properly. This can lead to an early nut consumption if your furry friend is looking for an easy snack!  

If you know that your dog has a difficult time chewing then it’s important to provide them with a softer type of food. 

Also, “nibbling” on items from the countertop or table can become a habit over time so it’s critical that you stay diligent about keeping everything out of reach in order to prevent this from occurring.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article you feel comfortable talking with your veterinarian if your dog has consumed any type of nut and need to know what the next steps are.  

If you have a dog that is at risk for nut consumption then it’s important to talk with your vet about ways you can try to prevent issues from occurring. 

Also, always be conscious of the items in your home that could make for easy snacks!

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