If your dog is a dedicated beggar, it can be hard to resist sharing your food with them. Pecans and other nuts are popular snacks for humans, but are they okay for dogs? While the nuts aren’t officially toxic, dogs shouldn’t eat pecans because they aren’t safe or healthy.

Pecans pose several risks to your dog; we’ll tell you all about them in this article. We’ll also suggest some human foods that make better snacks for your pup.

The Problem with Pecans

While pecans contain some essential nutrients, including protein, the risks of feeding them to your dog outweigh the benefits. Here are some of the problems with pecans.

Choking Hazard

Because of their size, pecans can be a choking hazard for your dog. Dogs generally don’t chew food very well and will likely eat the nuts whole. Some pups “inhale” their food and could choke on a pecan.

Toxic Mold

Pecans themselves are not toxic to dogs. However, certain nuts—especially pecans and walnuts—become moldy more easily than others. The mold may not be obvious to you when looking at the nut. Some types of molds produce mycotoxins that are dangerous to dogs. Any type of spoiled, rotting food your dog finds in the trash, or a compost pile may contain these toxins.

Mycotoxins can cause neurological effects like tremors, seizures, and trouble walking. These signs are potentially fatal as well. Other mycotoxins cause digestive symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

Intestinal Blockage

If they aren’t digested properly, a whole pecan could cause a blockage in your dog’s intestines. This issue is especially likely if your dog happens to swallow a pecan still in the shell. Intestinal blockages typically require surgery, so it could be a costly snack for your dog in more ways than one!

High in Fat and Calories

Pecans and other nuts are calorie-dense and high in fat. For humans, they can be a good source of healthy fats. Obesity is a common problem in dogs, and high-fat, high-calorie snacks like pecans are part of the problem.

To stay healthy, dogs must eat only the recommended number of calories per day, including treats and their regular diet. Most of those calories should come from their food, so it’s best to stick to low-calorie treat options, and pecans aren’t one of them. We’ll give you some better choices later in this article.

Pancreatitis

For some dogs, eating high-fat foods like pecans can trigger a painful and dangerous medical condition called pancreatitis. In this condition, the pancreas, which normally produces digestive enzymes, becomes inflamed. Digestive enzymes can spill into the dog’s abdominal cavity, causing pain and impacting other organs.

Some breeds, such as Schnauzers, are more prone to developing pancreatitis, but it can occur in any dog. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, belly pain, and fever. Your vet will need to diagnose and treat this condition.

Severe or untreated pancreatitis can be fatal. After recovery, some dogs develop a long-term form of pancreatitis that requires a strict, low-fat diet. Again, feeding high-fat pecans is not worth the risk to your dog.

Safe Human Food Options to Feed Your Dog

Treats should generally make up only about 10% or less of your dog’s daily calories. The majority should come from nutritionally balanced dog food. If you feed your dog treats, avoid the pecans, and try one of these safer options:

In addition to high-fat foods like pecans, avoid feeding your dog the following potentially toxic food items:

Conclusion

Pecans aren’t toxic to dogs but they can contain dangerous mold and are not the healthiest snack choice. Avoid feeding these nuts to your pup, and before offering any human food, check with your veterinarian to ensure it’s safe. Remember, even non-toxic human foods can upset your dog’s stomach, so proceed with caution and call your veterinarian if you are concerned.

Featured Image Credit: matthewsjackie, Pixabay

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