Can dogs eat almonds and pistachios?

Raw, cooked and other forms of almonds and pistachios

• Skip itWhole almonds AKC says no: they're hard to digest and can block the esophagus, intestines or windpipe, especially in small breeds. Blockages can be fatal without treatment.
• Skip itPistachios in the shell Shells are a choking hazard, and pistachios with or without the shell can cause an intestinal blockage (PetMD).
• Skip itPlain, unsalted, shelled pistachios PetMD calls them an occasional treat. AKC says it's best to avoid them because of the fat and the pancreatitis risk.
• Skip itSalted, flavored or smoked nuts Salt can cause water retention, which is dangerous for dogs with heart disease. Spices can irritate the stomach (AKC, PetMD).
• ToxicMoldy nuts Aflatoxins can grow on pistachios even with no visible mold (PetMD). Moldy nuts can carry tremor-causing mold toxins (Pet Poison Helpline).
• A littleAlmond butter PetMD: not toxic, but high in fat. Check the label for xylitol, salt and sugar. Fine for hiding a pill now and then.
• A littleAlmond milk PetMD: a small spill is fine, but don't give it as a treat because of the fat.

Why dogs should skip almonds and pistachios

There's no specific toxin. The risks are physical (choking and blockage from whole nuts and shells), fat (stomach upset and pancreatitis), added salt, and aflatoxin from mold on the nuts.

Signs to watch for after she eats almonds and pistachios

Choking: panic, pawing at the mouth, coughing, gagging. Blockage: vomiting, loss of appetite, belly pain, bloating, weakness, constipation or diarrhea. Pancreatitis: vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, belly pain. Aflatoxin: loss of appetite, sluggishness, vomiting, yellow gums or eyes (jaundice), unexplained bruising or bleeding.

What to do if your dog ate too much almonds and pistachios

If she's choking, check her mouth and throat and call your vet right away. If she ate one or two nuts, don't panic: watch her closely for vomiting, gagging, belly pain or lethargy. If she ate more than a few (especially if she's a small dog), ate shells, or ate salted, flavored or moldy nuts, call your vet or an emergency clinic right away. If it happened within the last 30 minutes, your vet may want to see her quickly.