Can dogs eat cashews?
Nuts and dogs are not enemies, but this does not mean that they can eat them frequently, especially some toxic ones such as nuts, specifically macadamia nuts. Cashews, on the other hand, are a dry fruit suitable for dogs due to their content of unsaturated fatty acids, proteins, slowly absorbed carbohydrates and their large amount of vitamins and minerals. However, it is important to know that they are not recommended in some cases, as we will see, and that they should always be offered in moderation.
So,can dogs eat cashews or not? If so, how? If you want to know more about the consumption of cashew nuts in dogs, continue reading this AnimalWised article.
Are cashews good for dogs?
Dogs can eat nuts like cashews, but they definitely it is not the best food for them. Therefore, we can say that dogs can eat cashews occasionally, but not daily.
Our canine companions are facultative carnivorous animals, which means that their diet should be based mainly on protein of animal origin and, to a lesser extent, vegetables, fruits or foods rich in carbohydrates. For this reason, it is sometimes said that they are omnivorous due to their ability to adapt due to the domestication process, however, they continue to be carnivorous with the advantage of being able to tolerate other foods typical of omnivores as well.
Cashews, despite the fact that they are foods consumed by omnivorous animals because they are very rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, also They contain a lot of fat and are very caloricso they are not the best for dogs.
Can they eat salty cashews?
Can dogs eat salty cashews? And the answer is yes, but it is not appropriate. It is better to give them raw cashews, without any added salt or any other additives or seasonings.
Benefits of cashews for dogs
Cashews are nuts that are very beneficial for health, because although they contain abundant fats, these are mainly monounsaturated or polyunsaturated and are less than those of other nuts such as walnuts or almonds. They’re a source of vitamins such as those of the B complex (vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B9 or folic acid) and vitamin E. They are also a source of minerals such as copper, essential for maintaining the structures of bones, nerves, blood vessels, hair and skin, as well as magnesium, extremely important for the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Other minerals that it contains in good quantity are iron and zinc.
Cashews are also a source of proteins with amino acids that promote tissue regeneration and the development of physiological processes. This dried fruit is also a source of tryptophan, a precursor amino acid for serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter associated with well-being, rest, and anxiety control.
For all these nutrients, cashews can offer health benefits for dogs, promoting their good cardiovascular system, their immune system, their bone system, and preventing premature cellular aging and anemia.
Dosage of cashews for dogs
How many cashews can I give my dog? The answer will depend on the size and weight of the animal, but in all cases, snacks such as cashew nuts or other foods that are not its main food, which must be specially designed for the canine species to ensure that it enjoys all the nutrients in the proportions ideal for maintenance and development, should not exceed 10% of your daily dietwhich is more or less equivalent to 3-4 cashews per 9 kg of dog weight.
How to give cashews to my dog?
Cashews should be offered with caution and moderation. You should start by offering the cashew nut without any type of additive and without skin or shell because they contain toxic compounds. You can add cashews directly to their main food, if it is homemade, or offer them separately, especially suitable if it is the first time your dog is going to try cashews or if their diet is based on feed. In this article we explain why it is not good to mix feed with homemade food.
If this is the first time you give your dog cashews, you should stay close, observing his reaction and the appearance of possible allergies or sensitivities to cashews, such as:
- Swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat.
- respiratory distress.
- vomiting
- Diarrhea.
- Skin signs such as itching.
If everything goes well and your dog does not present any type of problem, remember that the ideal dose is 3-4 cashews in dogs weighing 9 kg. you can offer them as a prize or natural snack.
Side effects of cashews for dogs
Cashews present a major disadvantage for dogs with overweightobesity or prone to it, and it is their caloric and fat content, which can worsen these problems while increasing the risk of dogs suffering from pancreatitiswhich is a very painful inflammation of the pancreas that affects the quality of life of our dogs.
In addition, it is important to highlight that cashews should not be mixed with other nuts. Special care should be taken with macadamia nuts, as they are toxic as they contain more oxalic acid than other nuts, a compound that is irritating to the gastroesophageal mucosa and can increase the risk of calcium oxalate stone formation, as well as mobility problems, dizziness, paralysis, weakness, tremors, abdominal pain and vomiting. We talk about it in this other article: “Can dogs eat nuts?”
Contraindications of cashews for dogs
We have already seen that dogs can eat cashews, but in moderation and taking into account a series of precautions. Cashews, despite being a very good, healthy and recommended food for health, also present a series of contraindications when offering them to dogs. For example, they should not be offered to dogs that are overweight or obese for its caloric and fatty potential.
It is also not recommended to give salted cashews or seasoned with spices or any other additive, and better roasted or raw than fried. Under no circumstances should you give cashews mixed with other nuts, as you can often find in supermarket packages, especially if they also contain macadamia nuts due to their toxic potential that we have discussed in the previous section. You must be careful not to offer moldy cashews.
Finally, if your dog has ever presented allergy to other nuts or has Gastrointestinal disordersdo not offer cashews.
In case you have any doubts, in this video we talk about how a dog should be fed:
If you want to read more articles similar to Can dogs eat cashews?we recommend that you enter our Home Diets section.