Can Dogs Eat Pistachios?
It is important to consult your veterinarian before introducing any new foods, particularly “people foods,” to your dog. Depending on a number of variables, including your dog’s age, medical history, current ailments, and diet, what works for one dog might not work for yours. Treats or other foods should not be given to dogs following a prescription diet.
Pistachios are tasty, full, and packed with nutrients. They are an excellent snack to help us stay focused while working or to fuel our hikes on trails. What about our dogs, though? Canines consume pistachios?
Are Dogs At Risk from Pistachios?
When it comes to feeding nuts to our dogs, we need to do our research. While some nuts are safe to eat, others are poisonous, and almost all of them pose a risk of choking hazards and even intestinal blockages to dogs when consumed whole.
If your dog eats a few pistachios, he should be fine because they are not poisonous to dogs. Pistachios actually have a number of health advantages for your dog, such as:
- Protein
- Antioxidants
- Unsaturated fats
- Fiber
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin B6
- Thiamine
- Copper
- Manganese
When your dog consumes a lot of pistachios over an extended period of time, there are reasons to be concerned. Pistachios, like all nuts, are heavy in fat and calories, so if your dog eats too many of them, it may develop diabetes, heart disease, pancreatitis, obesity, or other health issues.
Moreover, pistachios are frequently salted, and dogs should not consume salt on a regular basis.
Another concern about pistachios is aflatoxin poisoning. Aflatoxin-producing mould can grow on maize, grains, and other foods, including pistachios, according to the Federal Drug Administration. Both people and dogs are susceptible to these toxins, which can exist even in the absence of any obvious mould growth.
Pistachio consumption in combination with this mould may result in aflatoxin poisoning. Signs to be aware of consist of:
- Loss of appetite
- Sluggishness
- Tossing
- Jaundice
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- The diarrhoea
Get in touch with your veterinarian if your dog exhibits any of these signs following a pistachio meal.
Pistachio Shells: Can Dogs Eat Them?
Pistachios, like all nuts, can choke hazards, especially the shells. After your dog eats pistachios, watch out for any symptoms of choking, such as:
- Panic
- Pawing at their mouth
- Coughing
- Unresponsiveness
- Becoming unconscious
Check your dog’s mouth and throat for any foreign objects, and call your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog is choking. Your veterinarian can demonstrate how to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre on your pet.
Pistachios, shelled or not, can cause intestinal blockage in addition to choking. Symptoms of this illness include:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Weight loss
Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits any of these signs or you think that it may have swallowed something that could have blocked its intestines.
Is Pistachio Ice Cream Safe for Dogs to Eat?
While pistachios are not poisonous to dogs, giving your pet pistachio ice cream is highly unhealthy.
Any kind of ice cream has a lot of sugar and fat, even if the drop is tiny and just fell to the ground. Certain ice creams may contain ingredients like chocolate or xylitol that are poisonous to dogs. Furthermore, some dogs might not tolerate lactose.
Can Your Dog Eat a Lot of Pistachios?
It is best to limit your dog’s consumption of pistachios to special occasions and avoid giving them large amounts of them on a regular basis as this can lead to health problems. Only ten percent of your dog’s diet should consist of treats, even healthy ones. A diet of dog food that is well-balanced should provide the remaining 90%.
Depending on your dog’s size, you can feed him the following amount of pistachios:
- One pistachio for an extra-small dog (2–20 pounds).
- Among the breeds are Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Pugs.
- Two pistachios for a small dog (21–30 pounds)
- Basenjis, Beagles, and miniature Australian Shepherds are a few examples.
- Three to four pistachios for a medium dog (31 to 50 pounds)
- Australian Cattle Dogs, Border Collies, and Basset Hounds are a few examples.
- Five to six pistachios for a large dog (51-90 pounds)
- Australian Shepherds, German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, and Labrador Retrievers are a few examples.
- Giant dog (91 pounds or more) = tiny handful of pistachios
- Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain Dogs, St. Bernards, and Newfoundlands are a few examples.
How to Give Pistachios to Your Dog Without Risk
To safely prepare and serve your dog pistachios, follow these guidelines:
- Invest in plain and unsalted pistachios.
- Take out the shells.
- To help prevent choking hazards, crush or smash the nuts and sprinkle them over your dog’s food.
One of the biggest concerns with eating a high-fat food like pistachios is the potential for pancreatitis. Your dog might be sensitive to the fats in these nuts, so eating any amount (even just a few) can trigger health issues.
Watch out for these symptoms of acute pancreatitis:
- Severe lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting
- Severe dehydration
- Collapse
- Shock
Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits any of these signs following a pistachio meal.