Nuts, Seeds, and Butters Dogs Can and Can't Eat

Nuts, seeds, and nut butters need checks for fat, salt, shells, choking risk, xylitol, chocolate, and toxic nuts.

Quick safety groups

Use the groups to identify plain small portions versus high-fat, salted, shelled, or toxic choices.

Macadamia nuts and xylitol are serious concerns

Keep macadamia nuts away from dogs, and check nut butter labels for xylitol or birch sugar before offering any amount.

Review toxic foods

Nut and seed risk notes

Avoid shells, salted nuts, candy-coated nuts, chocolate mixes, and large fatty handfuls.

Check peanut butter and other nut butters for xylitol, birch sugar, chocolate, and added sweeteners.

Small dogs can choke on whole nuts and large seeds.

High-fat nuts can be a poor choice for dogs with pancreatitis risk.

Usually OK in small amounts

Plain, appropriate portions are the main rule.

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Peanuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Peanuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Cashews

SMALL AMOUNT Use only a few plain cashews on an occasional basis, never a handful. Skip cashews altogether for dogs with pancreatitis, obesity, or a fat-restricted diet unless their veterinarian has advised otherwise.

Peanut Butter

SMALL AMOUNT For a small dog, use a pea-sized smear; for a large dog, a teaspoon-sized amount is a conservative occasional treat. Do not feed big spoonfuls, daily stuffed toys, cookies, protein bars, or sweetened products because peanut butter is calorie-dense and fatty.

Walnuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Walnuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Pumpkin Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Pumpkin Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Pecans

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Pecans to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Nuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Nuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Sunflower Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Sunflower Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Chia Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Chia Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Sesame Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Sesame Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Acorns

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Acorns to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Almond Butter

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Almond Butter to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Pomegranate Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Pomegranate Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Pistachio Nuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Pistachio Nuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Nuts Almonds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Nuts Almonds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Poppy Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Poppy Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Chestnuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Chestnuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Watermelon Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Watermelon Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Cashew Nuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Cashew Nuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Flax Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Flax Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Hazelnuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Hazelnuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Sesame

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Sesame to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Pecan Nuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Pecan Nuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Pistachio

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Pistachio to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Boiled Peanuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Boiled Peanuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Brazil Nuts

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Brazil Nuts to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Nuts And Seeds

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Nuts And Seeds to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Peanut Shells

SMALL AMOUNT Keep Peanut Shells to a small occasional amount, adjusted for your dog's size and normal diet.

Avoid

These are poor routine choices or have avoidable risk.

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