Did you want to feed your dog something crunchy and come across Brazil nuts? Well, it’s good that you asked, “can dogs eat Brazil nuts?” because the answer is no!
After this 2-minute read, you will have all the answers for why your veterinarian refused to feed your doggo Brazil nuts. So without going any more nuts, let us tell you everything you need to know about Dogs and Brazil nuts!
Are Brazil Nuts Safe For Dogs?
If we try to explain it as briefly as possible, then the straight-up answer is a BIG NO! This human food is not at all safe for dogs in any quantities because of the consequences they might bring to your pooch. But hey, don’t trust us! Learn about this nut a bit more instead!
If you are worried about Brazil nuts being toxic to your dog, then you can chill out! These nuts are fortunately not toxic to dogs, unlike black walnuts. So if your dog mistakenly gobbles down a piece or two, there is no need to panic as the toxicity is not the reason why these nuts are bad for your pooch. The actual reason is the high-fat content! Compared to other famous nuts like cashews and peanuts, Brazil nuts have much higher cholesterol levels (study).
So are you asking, “How exactly does that make it a problem?” well, the worst thing that can happen is that high-fat meals or snacks can trigger pancreatitis in dogs (study). But there is more studies to support this (1, 2, 3):
- Weight gain or obesity
- Upset stomach
- Decreased nutrient absorption
- Liver disease
- Joint problems
All these health issues are pretty real and tragic when it comes to our doggos! That is why the upcoming section is going to help you with the alternatives.
Alternative Nuts That Are Safe For Dogs
Here is the list of nuts that have pretty manageable fat content, hold nutritional value, and may even serve health benefits to you and your pooch:
- Cashews
- Peanuts or peanut butter
- Pistachios
- Coconut
If you are wondering what other nuts are toxic or not good for dogs, then here is your sign to read about- macadamia nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans.
Final Thoughts
Our final thoughts on “can dogs eat Brazil nuts?” is a big no! Even though these nuts are not toxic to dogs, they are not a good choice! It is because of the high-fat content, which not only risks pancreatitis but digestive blunder! If you feed your dog too much Brazil nuts, or any nut for that matter, they can cause severe diarrhea and digestive issues in dogs.
Hence, if you are going for safe alternatives like coconut, peanuts, and cashews, it would be best to feed them to your dog in moderation only!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Dogs can be allergic to Brazil nuts. However, we recommend keeping your dog away from these nuts because those sneezy furry buddies do not stop at one! In case of allergies, even one nut is enough to trigger, so if your dog ate too many Brazil nuts, you should seek veterinary care.
No! You should never feed your puppies Brazil nuts. These nuts are even terrible for puppies or small dogs because they have tiny tummies and might be less tolerant of high-fat snacks and meals. So, it would be best to keep puppies away from Brazil nuts, as even two pieces can cause harm.
What’s worse than feeding your dog Brazil nuts? Brazil nut butter it is! The butter is a more intensified version of nuts; as we said, high-fat snacks do not do well with dogs. Especially if your dog already suffers from obesity or pancreatitis, Brazil nut butter is no less than a nightmare!
Raw or cooked- you should not feed your dog Brazil nuts! They are incredibly harmful to your dog’s health and can trigger pancreatitis or obesity if fed in large amounts.
