Can Dogs Eat Cashews? 4 Bad Downsides Of Cashews For Dogs

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Dr.Alkhawaldeh

While enjoying an episode of my favorite TV show yesterday, I looked at my puppy’s eyes and asked myself, can dogs eat cashews? Is that what you were thinking of while searching whether your dog can eat cashews or not?

The funny thing about dog-human relationship is that although they could be our best friends, the list of what we can comfortably share with them is so tight that it may only include catching the ball and walking.

I mean seriously, why would you have to go through a one-hour extended web search just to know if your dog deserves a piece of cashew or not.

Today we will discuss the answer to the question, can dogs eat cashews? And we will discuss important information about cashews for dogs! Therefore, without any further delay, let’s begin with a few words about cashews.

can-dogs-eat-cashews
can-dogs-eat-cashews

Facts & Statistics About Cashews

Brazil is the home of cashews, but the southern American fruit grows in India, Nigeria, and Vietnam as well. According to a recent survey, 720 thousand tons of cashews were consumed in 2018 globally, which shows evident popularity towards the US snack.

There are generally more than 33 different cashews, and they are graded by size (wholes and pieces) and color (white or scorched). W-180 and W-220 are the most popular types of cashews.

Although it’s outstanding to consume cashews as a snack on their own, the fruit’s full benefit appears when mixed with other products, it gives us butter, cheese, milk, and many of our essential daily nutrients, which makes a great option to add to your dog’s dietWell, maybe!

The following is the nutritional value per 100-gram cashews:

  • Calories: 550 Kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fat: 43 g
  • Potassium: 660 mg
  • Magnesium: 292 mg
  • Calcium: 37 mg
  • Sodium: 12 mg
can-dogs-eat-cashews

But, Can Dogs Eat Cashews? The Answer!

The short answer to the question, can dogs eat cashews? It Is, Yes, And No. Here Is Why!

Due to their many benefits, cashews’ obsession, unlike other types of food craving, could be good for your health, but it doesn’t necessarily apply to your puppy’s health.

It’s hard to tell whether dogs can eat cashews or not without knowing some in-depth details about your dog’s nutritional need, and the way you are supposed to feed your dog.

Raw cashews are typically considered harmful to eat for your dog, and they contain a deadly substance called Urushiol. When shelled and roasted, the oil eliminates the toxic elements. Thus it makes cashews good to eat for your doggy. However, cashews with high salt and oil levels are bad cashews, and unsalted dry cashews are good ones.

Nevertheless, It’s safe to feed your dog cashews. But the thing you need to know that it won’t be more than a treat for your dogs. Cashews represent one example of the many healthy human foods that lose their touch ones served to pets. It won’t do good to your dog as it will to you, nor that your dog needs it as an essential source of nutrition.

In other words, it is fine to feed your dog cashews after eliminating the harmful elements but in moderation and after consulting your vet about it as some dogs have specific health issues that prevent them from eating a particular food and stick with some healthy diet plan for them.

can-dogs-eat-cashews
can-dogs-eat-cashews

How Much Cashews Should You Give Your Dog?

Two hundred fifty calories should cover your puppy’s daily needs. Experts recommend that 10% of these calories come from fats, so you shouldn’t aim to give your dog more than two to three cashews a day. If you have a bigger, more active dog, five cashews a day should cover your dog’s needs.

My Dog Is Overeating Cashews, Should I Be Concerned?

Yes, indeed, while it would make an excellent treat for your dog when eaten moderately. Still, overeating of cashews would raise many health problems in dogs.

  • Weight Gain

It’s not about what nutrients they had, but rather how they are served is what makes cashews a fast lane for a puffy dog. Like popcorn, chips, and other snacks, your dog won’t need much to become addicted to cashews, especially if your dog was eating it in the wrong way (eating directly from his plate).

  • High Levels Of Sodium 

Although it’s not a significant component in cashews, sodium exists as a lead component in many of your dog’s daily foods like meat. Add that to the 12mg sodium per cashew, and the results would be high enough. 

High sodium levels are linked to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, paying more attention to your dog’s diet and nutritional value is essential for your dog’s health.

can-dogs-eat-cashews
  • Unbalanced Diet For Your Dog

As we stated earlier, the gratification your dog gets from eating cashews exceeds it’s actual health benefits. That’s why it’s not recommended to make it the main meal for your dog. You should serve it to your dog just as a treat. That way, you will ensure your dog has an empty room for healthier food.

  • Possible Choking Hazards

Cashews might obstruct your dog’s breath. However, the possibility of your dog choking by cashews depends mainly on two factors.

  1. Your Dog’s Size: Large dogs could handle eating cashews at once (not that we recommend it though. At least, choking won’t be on your trouble list). On the other hand, small dogs are more susceptible to the danger of a choking hazard even by eating a few cashews. 
  2. How Your Dog Eats: If you are handling your dog’s food personally, you could serve him cashews in a healthy way (piece by piece). However, if you just throw cashews at his plate and left it there, you lose such control. Will, your dog, behave the way you taught him, or would he change his eating habits?
can-dogs-eat-cashews
can-dogs-eat-cashews

Cashews’ Allergy In Dogs – Everything You Need To Know To Keep Your Puppy Safe

While the first encounter with cashews might be enough to cause allergy to specific breeds of dogs, overeating will almost certainly increase the chances of developing allergic reactions towards the fruit. Symptoms linked to cashews allergy range from slight signs, to severe, and even fatal ones.

Slight symptoms are mostly intestinal issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Severe problems come in the form of trouble in swallowing, itchy around the face area, especially the nose and mouth, and shortness of breath.

Anaphylaxis is the most dangerous symptom; it’s a hypersensitive, life-threatening shock resulting from exposure to certain types of chemicals that present in specific foods, including cashews.

can-dogs-eat-cashews

The Good & The Bad Cashews

After we discussed and explained everything related to today’s question, can dogs eat cashews? Dogs can eat cashews. However, moderation is essential when it comes to serving your dog human-food. For us, cashews are magic food with many benefits, but not so much for your dog!

My thought and personal answer to the same question is I wouldn’t say I like risking my pets just because they are giving me this irresistible cute eye contact. I would just buy some treats that have been made, particularly for dogs. They will enjoy it as much!

Finally, I hope you found this article to the question, can dogs eat cashews informative and helpful.

If you have more information about cashews for dogs, please write them down below in the comment section. So, every cat owner benefits from that.

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