Can dogs eat cashews? Maybe you’ve found yourself wondering if you could share some with your pup while opening up a bag of cashews to enjoy as a healthy snack. If humans can eat cashews, can dogs safely eat them too?
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat cashews. Along with providing an amount of protein, cashews are packed with a number of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can have a positive impact on your dog’s health.
You just need to be aware that cashews are also high in fat, so your dog should only snack on them in moderation.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your dog, including snacks like nuts. Here’s what you need to know about cashews and dogs.
How Are Cashews Good For Dogs?
Cashews can provide your dog with a nice protein boost, along with lots of Omega 6 fatty acids. Additionally, they contain a good amount of vitamin K, plus the minerals iron, magnesium, and zinc.
These nutritional benefits can help to keep your dog’s coat in great condition and also help out with any inflammation issues your dog might be experiencing.
How Can I Safely Give Cashews To My Dog?
When it comes to safely serving cashews to your dog, there are a few considerations that you need to keep in mind.
First of all, cashews are high in fat — and feeding your dog too many fatty foods can lead to canine obesity. Additionally, the fat content in cashews means that eating too many of them could also contribute to bringing on pancreatitis.
Secondly, it’s important to make sure that you only feed your dog unsalted cashews. Many bags of cashews that you can buy in the supermarket will have salt added to them, so avoid serving those to your dog.
Thirdly, make sure any cashews you buy for your dog are not packed with other nuts that might be toxic to dogs, such as macadamia nuts.
In terms of serving sizes, it’s best to use cashews as an occasional healthy snack for your dog rather than a daily treat. Your vet can help advise you on exactly how many in a serving are appropriate for your pooch.
Does your dog love cashews? Do you ever give them to your dog as a treat? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!