Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts?

Can dogs eat hazelnuts? Nuts are everyone’s love. When it comes to hazelnuts, you cannot refrain from munching on them. Right? Raw, roasted, or covered in chocolate, in all forms, they are just awesome.

But wait! What about dogs? Can dogs eat hazelnuts? Are they even safe? Do they give any benefit to dogs? If you want to know the answers, stick to the blog till the end.

Dogs have different dietary requirements. Hazelnuts do not provide them with the nutrients that regular dog food has. Still, they are not toxic for dogs.

If your canine gets his paw on a few stray hazelnuts, it is OKAY. You do not need to panic. As an occasional treat, your canine can chomp hazelnuts. 

Nutritional Profile Of Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are the fruits of hazel trees. They grow abundantly in Turkey and other northern Hemisphere countries with temperate climates. Do you know what nutrients they hold? No? Let’s dig into it. 

According to USDA, 100 grams of raw hazelnuts contain 4.4 grams of saturated fatty acids, 0.68 grams of potassium, 14.9 grams of proteins, and 53.6 grams of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. They also contain 60.7 grams of total fat. Such a high amount of fats. Right?

So the question arises can dogs eat hazelnuts? Is the fat good for them? Let’s check it out.

The omega-3 fatty acid in hazelnuts is good for your canine. It is good for the pup’s heart.

Another benefit of omega-3 is that it is an immune booster. It strengthens your four-pawed furry friend’s immune system. Still, fats can cause harm if your pup eats too many hazelnuts.

Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts? Why Are They Bad For Dogs?

Many dog owners want to know if dogs can eat hazelnuts. If yes, then how do they negatively affect dogs?

Hazelnuts are non-toxic to dogs. If consumed in large numbers, they can cause many health issues. What are they? It’s time to uncover them. So here we go;

Obesity

As you already know, hazelnuts are enriched with fats. Such a high amount of fat is not good for dogs. They gain a lot of weight and become obese. Such dogs become lazy and inactive. They do not participate in any physical activity.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a disease of the pancreas. Ingestion of fatty foods like hazelnuts is its main driver. Dogs with pancreatitis show symptoms like loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, lethargy, and fever. 

Gastrointestinal upset

If your dog eats too many hazelnuts, he will suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive issues. It is because large amounts of fats cause indigestion in canines.

Constipation

If you canine chomps on the whole nut, the hard outer shell can obstruct bowel movement, leading to constipation and abdominal pain.

Choking hazard

The shell of the hazelnut is hard. Its external coating is also quite thick. If your pup eats many hazelnuts simultaneously along with the shell, they can be a choking hazard. 

Allergic reaction

Some dogs are allergic to nuts like Brazilian nuts, hazelnuts, etc. If your dog is the one, keep the nuts away from him. If he accidentally ingests a few, you will notice itchiness, swelling, and symptoms of gastrointestinal upset.

Due to these reasons, experts do not recommend hazelnuts for dogs. Still, if your dog wants, give only a few nuts.

Which Nuts Are Toxic To Canines?

Here are a few nuts that are potentially toxic to dogs. NEVER EVER give them to your pups. 

Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts cause macadamia nut toxicosis syndrome. Its symptoms include vomiting, hyperthermia, weakness, and central nervous system depression. Dogs with severe toxicosis are administered with IV fluids. 

Hickory nuts

When dogs nibble on hickory nuts, they experience stomach upset. These nuts also contain a toxin that causes seizures and other neurological problems in canines.

Walnuts

Walnuts cause stomach upset in pups. If your dog eats walnuts affected with molds and fungi, the mycotoxins produced by them can cause seizures or tremors.

Pecans

Like all other nuts, pecans also cause gastrointestinal upset or obstruction in dogs. If your dog accidentally consumes moldy pecans, he will experience tremors and seizures. If you buy nuts or anything else containing them, keep them away from your pup’s reach. 

The Bottom Line – Can dogs eat hazelnuts?

Can dogs eat hazelnuts? Well! Yes, Dogs can eat hazelnuts but only a few. They are enriched with fats, and if consumed regularly, they can put your pup in trouble. He will become obese. Some dogs are allergic to hazelnuts. Keep the nuts away from them.