One type of nut found in trees throughout the eastern United States is the hickory nut. Hickory nuts are not harmful to humans, but consuming too many of them can be fatal for dogs.
Hickory nut toxicity in dogs manifests with gastrointestinal distress, weakness, and listlessness. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has eaten hickory nuts.
Can Dogs Eat Hickory Nuts and What Are They Actually?
There are about 18 different kinds of hickory trees; about half of these are native to Asia (primarily India, China, and Indochina), while the other half are found only in the United States.
Although some varieties of this nut are more appetizing than others, they are all technically edible. The name is a clue that the interior is less substantial than the exterior.
The shadbark variety of hickory has the best flavor, while the pignut and bitternut varieties are less well-liked but not unpleasant.
As a result of its widespread popularity, pecan is regularly put to extensive use.
Hickory nuts are edible, but the chemical juglone is found in the nuts’ shells. For dogs, juglone can be fatal.
So Can Dogs Eat Hickory Nuts? What is So Dangerous About It?
While hickory nuts won’t hurt your dog, you probably shouldn’t feed them to him/her.
Consuming too many hickory nuts has been linked to weight gain, stomach pain, and even pancreatitis.
Salt
The salt content of hickory nuts is high, and consuming too much salt can be harmful to a dog’s kidneys.
To add insult to injury, salt is extremely harmful to dogs with heart conditions.
Juglone
The hickory tree produces a chemical called juglone, which is toxic to dogs.
Choking
One issue is that canines tend to wolf down their meals without giving their teeth a chance to rest. Because of this, hickory nuts can be extremely harmful to dogs because they can cause choking.
Pancreatitis
Hickory nuts contain an unhealthy amount of fat, which has been linked to diseases like pancreatitis.
Tremorgenic mycotoxins
Hickory nuts and other foods contain tremorgenic mycotoxins. As a result, your dog will experience neurological symptoms or even have a seizure, landing him or her in the vet’s office.
It’s no longer a question of “can dogs eat hickory nuts?” because doing so is highly discouraged.
So, what kind of nuts are safe for your dog to eat if hickory nuts are off-limits?
However beneficial nuts may be to humans, their effect on canine health remains largely unknown.
Because of their high calorie content, nuts should be included in your pet’s diet only occasionally.
However, a small amount of nuts on occasion is fine for your pet, provided they are the right kind of nuts.
First, we’ll cover which nuts are safe for dogs to eat.
Peanuts
Keep in mind that peanut allergy is one of the most common in both adults and kids.
Today’s dogs are increasingly sensitive to food ingredients, especially the peanuts that are often hidden in human food products.
While they do contain some cholesterol, peanuts are a healthy choice as a snack because of their high protein, mineral, zinc, vitamin E and K, fiber, and iron content.
Dogs can safely consume peanuts if you limit their intake to tiny amounts and remove any seasonings.
Nuts to Avoid
Pine nuts
Pine nuts aren’t specifically mentioned as something you shouldn’t give to a dog, but doing so is probably a bad idea.
Pine nuts are bad for your pet’s digestive system because they contain too much fat and phosphorus.
While pine nuts may seem like a great choice because of their mineral content (they contain calcium, iron, and magnesium), this does not make them a healthy snack because of their incredibly high calorie content.
Pine nuts are high in calories (600 per 100g), so just a few won’t do.
Almonds
Do you know if feeding your dog almonds is a bad idea? Not only are almonds not toxic, but they can also cause stomach cramps in dogs.
In addition, unsalted almonds are permitted.
Today, you can buy almonds salted, roasted, and flavored in a wide variety of ways.
A dog’s diet should never include excessive amounts of human food, particularly salt and sugar. Some producers use xylitol as a sugar substitute in their almonds. Remember that xylitol is poisonous to dogs.
Ingesting too much sodium can cause your dog to become dehydrated or, in the worst case scenario, suffer from sodium ion poisoning.
Now let’s discuss which kinds of nuts are off-limits to canines.
Hazelnuts
If your dog eats a few unsalted hazelnuts, he won’t have any problems, but there is another issue.
For a small dog, a hazelnut’s diameter is about the same as its trachea, making it a potential choking hazard.
When ingested by a dog, hazelnuts can quickly lead to a fatal intestinal blockage.
Cashew
Cashews, unlike other walnuts, shouldn’t be given to the dog raw but rather roasted or fried. High levels of potassium and a potentially lethal toxin can be found in raw cashews.
Dogs with urinary issues should avoid consuming excessive amounts of potassium.
Macadamia nut
Both cooked and uncooked macadamias are harmful to your dog. Nuts and raisins contain a substance that is toxic to dogs.
Canines who consumed these nuts experienced limb weakness, shivering, fever, and vomiting.
Brazilian walnuts
Brazil nuts are unhealthy because of their high fat content, but they are not toxic to pets. They can cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs.
Hickory nuts
Raw pecans are an excellent source of protein and fiber. But your dog won’t care that they are rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
If the topic of can dogs eat hickory nuts comes up, we must repeat that they should not.
You don’t want to experience symptoms like pancreatitis, weight gain, or stomach issues.
Symptoms of Nut Allergies in Dogs
Researchers have pinpointed many of the allergens that can cause food reactions in dogs since the condition was first described in 1967.
When a dog has an allergy to nuts, what should you look for?
Symptoms of a dog with a nut allergy include itchy skin and gastrointestinal distress.
The ear skin turns red, little pimples form, and the paws start to itch.
Scratching an itchy spot is a breeze for the dog, providing the perfect environment for bacteria to flourish.
A persistent allergic reaction indicates that the dog has developed a hypersensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in his regular diet.
Although it’s unlikely to be walnuts themselves, the following symptoms should make you take notice.
- Shaking the head
- Ear infections that persist for an extended period of time
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Rubbing the face
- Regular burping
- Thinning Hair
- Feet that are constantly inflamed
To be sure, food intolerance is not the same thing as having a food allergy.
After being re-exposed to the allergen, a dog will have an allergic reaction the first time he tries a food to which he is sensitive.
When compared to a true food allergy, food intolerance does not involve the immune system.
Stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea are signs that your dog may be allergic to one or more of the ingredients in its food.
An intolerance is a precursor to an actual allergy, making it a crucial indicator.
What are the Symptoms of Hickory Nut Poisoning in Dogs?
Signs your dog overindulged
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
Signs of pancreatitis
- Dehydration
- Poor lung function
- Inability to eat
- Extreme discomfort in the gut
- Weakness
- The Decrease in Body Mass
- Fever
- Arrhythmias of the heart
- Diarrhea
- Reddish-orange voiding
- Abdominal swelling
Bottom Line
After reading this, some pet owners may be understandably concerned about whether or not nuts are lethal to dogs.
Keep an eye on your dog while he enjoys a nut treat, as nut “meat” should be given to pets with caution.
The shell, if it gets stuck in the dog’s digestive tract, can be far more harmful. Call your vet immediately if this is the case.
Although many nuts are not toxic to canines, it is still preferable to give your dog a treat that is both safe and nutritious. Don’t feed your dog nuts; rather, opt for veterinary-recommended treats.
Can dogs eat hickory nuts? The text suggests they shouldn’t.
If you want to incorporate treats like these into your pet’s regular diet, you should do so with caution and after talking to your veterinarian.