Can dogs eat pistachios? This question comes up a lot, as many tasty human foods contain pistachios as an extra ingredient. Whether in ice-cream, or on top of a particularly delicious baked cookie – it is all too tempting to allow our dogs a little taste.
Well I hate to be the deliverer of bad news, however dogs should not eat pistachios. While pistachios are not immediately toxic to canines, as we explain below, they do contain a high concentration of fats that can cause issues.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachios – Any Benefits
For humans, pistachios are certainly beneficial. Not only do they taste great, they are also a strong source of protein and fiber. Nutritionally they pack more punch than you would think, with vitamins aplenty, (Vitamin B6, Thiamin, Folate and Biotin all to be found within a single pistachio nut).
Unfortunately, this goodness does not translate so well for doggie consumption. While the protein and fiber can be absorbed by your dog the other elements and the aforementioned fat content, take away any real benefit that your dog could hope to get from eating pistachios.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachios – Any Precautions?
So what about that high fat count? What exactly does this do to dogs? Well the fact is if your dog has too much fat in his diet, they are susceptible to gastrointestinal upset. Too many pistachios in one sitting can bring about symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Over an extended period of time, a dog with a high fat diet may suffer from an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. This needs to be treated surgically and is extremely painful for dogs.
Pistachios are also heavily salted. Salt is another ingredient that needs to be moderated in a dog’s diet. Too large a quantity and you may give your dog sodium ion toxicosis. This can lead directly to heart issues.
Also, pistachios have a high level of phosphorus which can cause bladder stones in dogs.
In some cases the pistachios may contain poisonous aflatoxin (which is a fungus or mold – humans are able to consume this without issue, a dog’s digestive system is less able to combat the bacteria however.)
As you can see – lots of reasons why your dog should not eat pistachios.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachios – Keeping Your Dog Safe
You are advised not to feed your dog pistachios at all. If you have bags of nuts in the cupboard, ensure that they are out of the way of your sniffing pet. The scent is distinctive and very alluring to dogs, given half a chance they would easily munch through a bag of pistachios if the opportunity is there.
Do not be tempted to offer cookies or ice-cream or any other food that has pistachios as an ingredient.
If you have done so in the past, a small amount will do no harm. However, with the knowledge you now have, it is clear that pistachios are just one of those foods best avoided.