Can dogs eat hazelnuts? And what should you do if your dog sneaks a few hazelnuts off the counter? Hazelnut risks and health benefits this way!
Hazelnuts are tasty and nutritious snacks that a lot of us enjoy whether roasted or sprinkled on top of cakes.
However, if you have a curious dog, they might try to have a taste of the hazelnuts. This drives you to ask “can dogs eat hazelnuts?” In this article, we’ll provide you with a complete answer to this question. Let’s dig in!
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Hazelnuts?
Technically, there’s nothing wrong with dogs eating a few hazelnuts every now and then, as they are both digestible and metabolized by dogs.
With that said, you should also know that they’re not the ideal type of treat for dogs because they’re very rich in calories and will cause some stomach upsets.
How Many Hazelnuts Can a Dog Eat Per Day?
The fewer hazelnuts that your dog will consume per day, the safer. Ideally, your dog shouldn’t suffer from any serious health conditions if they ate a couple of hazelnuts.
However, you should make sure that your dog isn’t allergic to hazelnuts and that they’re unsalted and unflavored to avoid running into any toxicity issues from the unknown ingredients.
Important Precautions About Hazelnuts for Dogs
Despite their safety, there are some precautions that you need to keep in mind before feeding your dog any hazelnuts. Let’s check them out
Avoid Hazelnuts That Are Sourced from Trail Mixes
Not all nuts are safe for dogs. If the hazelnut is mixed with other toxic nuts, even the nut dust left on hazelnuts can trigger a toxic reaction.
Hazelnuts Can Be a Choking Hazard
Unlike humans, dogs tend to swallow nuts as a whole rather than chewing them. The problem is, hazelnuts are quite hard and can pose a serious choking hazard.
Avoid Chocolate Hazelnut Spreads
While hazelnuts are safe for them, dogs should not eat Nutella!
What Are the Signs of Intestinal Blockage Due to Hazelnuts?
As previously mentioned, while hazelnuts themselves are safe, they can still cause intestinal obstruction, which is a pretty serious condition that needs immediate treatment.
To help you identify it, here’s a list of the common symptoms associated with an intestinal blockage in dogs:
- Noticeable loss of appetite
- Lethargy and general weakness
- Constipation and difficulty of passing the bowel movements
- Retching and vomiting
- Trembling and whimpering due to abdominal pain
- Black diarrhea (also known as melena)
If you notice any of the previous symptoms on your dog, make sure that you contact your vet as soon as possible to give your dog proper medical attention.
Can Dogs Eat Other Types of Nuts?
Some nuts are generally regarded as safe for dogs in small amounts, such as pistachios and almonds. However, other nuts are highly toxic to dogs, including:
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Macadamia nuts
- Hickory nuts
Conclusion
With that said, you now have a brief answer to the popular question “can my dog eat hazelnuts?”. As you can see, hazelnuts on their own are among the nuts that are considered safe for dogs, and there’s no problem if they eat an unflavored one or two.
However, you should make sure that they weren’t previously mixed with other dangerous nuts. Also, you should stay vigilant for any signs of intestinal obstruction after they consume hazelnuts.