Raw, roasted, or dipped in chocolate, hazelnuts are a tasty treat. Even though your canine companion won’t get sick from eating these nuts, common sense dictates that you shouldn’t give them any.
Reason being, canines shouldn’t eat hazelnuts. In large enough quantities, they can be harmful to your health in the short and long term. However, if a few random hazelnuts are snapped up and chewed on, there is no need to visit the emergency room.
This article will explain why hazelnuts are bad for dogs and provide some background information on the nut.
Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts?
A dog can eat a small amount of hazelnuts without any ill effects, but the risks of giving them to your dog outweigh the benefits.
Although these nuts are a good source of vitamins and minerals, their size and digestibility make them unsafe for older or smaller dogs because of the risk of choking or intestinal blockage.
Hazelnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, which may help improve canine heart health and help boost a dog’s immunity when added to a commercial dog food or as an enhancement to your dog’s diet.
But keep in mind that if your dog eats a lot of hazelnuts, the high fat content could lead to weight gain and related health problems.
Hazelnuts Nutrition and Fun Facts
The hazel tree, which produces hazelnuts, is indigenous to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
As far back as 8,000 years ago, people were eating them. Producing more hazelnuts than any other country, Turkey uses them in a wide variety of culinary and beverage applications.
In addition to being the main component of Frangelico liqueur, hazelnuts are also the main component of the divine confection known as praline.
Nutella’s signature hazelnut spread is a popular example, but the nut is also used in other applications, such as pastes, roasting, and the extraction of a robustly flavored cooking oil.
Key USDA nutrition facts for 100 grams of raw hazelnuts are as follows:
- Amount of Protein: 14. 9g
- Sixty-one milligrams of fat
- Six hundred and eighty milligrams of potassium
- 53.6g of mono- and polyunsaturated fats
- 4.4 grams of saturated fat
Can Hazelnuts Be Bad for Dogs?
The first thing you should do is take your dog to the vet if it eats a whole bag of nuts, whether hazelnuts or another kind. An overindulgence in nuts can be fatal to a dog’s pancreas, necessitating emergency surgery to remove the contents of the stomach.
Dogs should not eat hazelnuts. Just because Fido snatches up a few dropped hazelnuts is no reason to panic. However, they’re not a good option for regular consumption due to several factors.
Risks of Feeding Hazelnuts to Dogs
Although hazelnuts do provide some of the vitamins and minerals a dog needs, the risks associated with feeding them to a dog far outweigh the benefits.
Find out what happens to dogs when they eat hazelnuts and what to do if the symptoms last more than a few days.
Allergic reaction
Dogs can have allergic reactions to anything humans eat, but nuts are especially dangerous. Itchiness, swelling, and tummy trouble are typical reactions to nut allergies.
Constipation
Hazelnuts present a serious choking hazard due to their large shell. The external coating and the thickness of the shells make it difficult for your dog to digest a whole hazelnut if it swallows one.
Hazelnuts, if not digested, can cause an obstruction in your pet’s digestive tract. A dog will usually pass a small intestinal obstruction on its own, but a larger obstruction can cause severe constipation, which can lead to dehydration and other problems.
Gastrointestinal upset
Digestive problems and gastrointestinal upset are common side effects of feeding nuts to your dog. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are all common signs of a stomach upset.
Pancreatitis
Feeding your dog a lot of hazelnuts or other fatty legumes like Brazil nuts will cause him to gain weight. Your dog’s joints and pancreas might feel the strain if your pet becomes overweight.
Obesity
Similar to other types of nuts, hazelnuts contain a high concentration of fats. Consuming an excessive amount of any kind of fat, good or bad, can lead to weight gain and obesity.
Put on too much weight, and your dog may experience decreased energy levels, diabetes, and joint pain.
Pancreatic Issues
The pancreas of your dog can also suffer from the effects of too much fat. Consuming a large amount of fat all at once or over time can lead to pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas that can spread to other organs and tissues and even be fatal.
Pancreatitis is a painful condition that can also lead to other digestive problems. Neglected for too long, it can prove fatal.
Pancreatitis in a dog is characterized primarily by the following signs and symptoms:
- To throw up repeatedly
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal swelling that hurts to the touch
- Dehydration
- A lack of hunger
- Fever
- Lethargy/weakness
Any one of these symptoms is cause for concern, but if your dog is exhibiting multiple, it’s time to make an emergency trip to the vet.
Intestinal Obstruction
Because of their size and toughness, hazelnuts are not a good snack option. When consumed by a dog that doesn’t chew thoroughly, nuts may make it through the digestive tract without being properly digested by the stomach’s digestive acids.
If something gets stuck in your intestines, you could end up with a blockage. Depending on the size of your dog and the amount of hazelnuts it eats, your dog may not have any digestive issues.
Due to the limited capacity of their digestive systems, toy breeds and puppies are at a higher risk of developing intestinal blockages than larger dogs.
Symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
- Vomiting
- The inability to defecate or poop
- Snuffling and belching
- Constipation caused by straining
- Experiencing abdominal discomfort and gas
- Inability to eat
Having an intestinal blockage is just as dangerous as having pancreatic issues, with similar symptoms. If you suspect that your dog has a blockage, don’t hesitate to contact your vet.
Are Nuts Bad for Dogs?
While many other nuts can be dangerous for dogs, hazelnuts are safe. Among the many types of nuts, these are the ones you should never give to your dog.
Keep your dogs away from these nuts:
- Nuts, macadamia
- “hickory nuts”
- Walnuts
- Pecans
Consult your vet immediately if your dog has consumed any of these nuts. Most aren’t instantly fatal, but they can cause problems like nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and even convulsions.
Why You Should Avoid Feeding Nuts and Legumes to Your Dog
Both nuts and legumes present special dangers to canines. Hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, both of which are quite large, pose a choking hazard.
Commonly found on nuts, juglone mold is toxic to dogs due to the presence of tremorgenic mycotoxins that it produces.
Mycotoxins can be released into your pet’s system from even a small amount of black walnuts, hickory nuts, pecans, and other nuts.
To add insult to injury, xylitol, an artificial sweetener commonly found in commercial peanut butter and other nut butters, is extremely toxic to dogs.
Extreme liver damage can occur even with very low doses of xylitol, and toxic conditions can develop with even higher intakes.
Your dog should also avoid eating raw chestnuts, raw cashews, and raw macadamia nuts because of the high levels of toxins they contain.
Health Benefits of Hazelnuts for Dogs
As we’ve established, giving your dog hazelnuts or including them in its diet is not a good idea.
On the other hand, if your dog accidentally consumes a couple hazelnuts, it probably won’t have any ill effects. And it has a few nutritional advantages as a bonus.
The hazelnut is a complete protein source. In addition, they have a high concentration of fatty acids, which are beneficial for the condition of your hair, skin, and joints.
In addition, the tiny morsels are loaded with potassium, a crucial mineral for maintaining a healthy body fluid balance, urinary tract, and bone structure.
Although many human health benefits can be attributed to hazelnuts, when it comes to dogs, the drawbacks far outweigh the advantages. It’s best to limit or eliminate hazelnuts from their diet, but it’s okay if they get some from your snack dish.
Can Puppies Eat Hazelnuts?
While hazelnuts are not toxic to humans, it is not a good idea to feed them to your puppy. An adult dog is much less likely to choke or have an intestinal obstruction than a small, clumsy puppy.
Additionally, it is best to provide a growing dog with foods that are known to be healthy, rather than taking any chances with foods that may or may not be healthy.
The negative effects on a puppy’s developing body and stomach would likely be much more severe.
Final Thoughts on Feeding Hazelnuts to Your Dog
In sum, your dog’s health is not in immediate danger if you occasionally treat him to a hazelnut. When consumed in bulk or on a consistent basis over time, these nuts become extremely harmful.
Are Fang’s puppy dog eyes getting to you every time you try to eat?
The American Kennel Club compiled a list of human-safe produce that can be fed to your dog. Perhaps once he has a taste for himself he will leave you alone.