Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Nuts? What Are The Risks?

Pistachio nuts are not toxic to dogs. However, pistachios and many other nontoxic nuts, such as peanuts, have a very high fat content, which can cause medical problems if consumed in large quantities in the long term.

In case your dog has medical problems or you’re still in doubt about their safety please contact your veterinarian for more details. In my opinion, dogs can eat pistachio nuts and you can be sure they will love these treats, but in moderation.

There is no serious harm if dogs eat pistachios, but they are not very recommended as a frequent snack. Although these popular nuts contain a good amount of protein and fiber which can help dogs in different ways, there is also a high level of fat in pistachios.

You might also like my articles on whether dogs can eat quesadillas, yellow rice, or oatmeal cream pies.

Any kind of human snack should be offered only as an occasional treat because your dog’s normal diet will provide all the nutrients they need. That being said, in general, pistachios can be offered, but take into account that there are many other “treatments” that do not pose the same health risks when consumed in excess.

Especially in the case of pistachios, the smell is extremely attractive to dogs, who will probably try to snatch them if left on a table. Also, once the dog has an affinity toward pistachios, it can be hard to discourage them from eating in the future, which could be dangerous!

Salted pistachios can cause toxicity in salt if consumed in large quantities without adequate hydration. Pistachios eaten by a dog with health problems can cause convulsions or can even become fatal.

The health benefits of pistachios in dogs

If your dog receives some occasional pistachios, they shouldn’t be too dangerous, but the negative impact on your dog will be greater than any benefit it can get from the dietary fiber content or fat content of these popular nuts. One of the main reasons why pistachios are popular is due to the high content of omega-3 fatty acids, but in dogs, this can quickly lead to obesity. In essence, your dog’s fat intake must be closely monitored and the consumption of pistachios is not a good way to do this!

Furthermore, it is well known that when dogs regularly eat pistachios or a large quantity in a single session, they can often suffer from severe gastrointestinal problems. This is partially due to the fat content as well as the dog’s inability to digest certain proteins found in these nuts. This risk is added to the dangers of your dog consuming high levels of salt or other chemicals often added to these nuts in order to flavor them.

Are Pistachios poisonous for dogs?

Pistachios are not inherently toxic to dogs, but nuts are not a frequent treat recommended for our furry friends. They are rich in fat and may contain mold that exposes your dog to the risk of liver damage. Nuts can also give your dog a stomach problem or cause an intestinal obstruction that leads to even more serious digestive issues.

Should dogs eat shelled pistachio nuts?

Dogs should eat only shelled pistachios because these are less likely to cause gastrointestinal problems and pancreatitis, as they are much easier to digest.

Should dogs eat pistachio pudding?

You can give your dog a spoon or two of pistachio pudding if you happen to eat around it. There is nothing risky about it, just pay attention to the amount it eats.

Anyway, you shouldn’t let your dog eat too much pistachio pudding as it may contain a higher amount of pistachio plus the added sugar. On the other hand, these ingredients won’t cause serious problems as long as they are fed as treats from time to time.

Should dogs eat pistachio shells?

Pistachios are responsible for causing inflammation of the pancreas due to their high fat content. Pistachios and pistachio shells are a choking threat as well and may cause intestinal obstruction.

Dogs will try to eat pistachio shells because they smell the same as pistachios, which makes them think that they are edible. So, dogs should never be allowed to eat them.

The texture of shells is very hard and they are very dangerous as they get stuck in the digestive tract and can’t be digested by your dog. This leads to intestinal blockage or in some cases it can even be fatal.

When you choose to buy commercial pistachios and want to share them with your dog, make sure they are free from chemicals or flavorings.

Should puppies eat pistachio nuts?

You should never give your puppies pistachios because their young bodies digest any type of amount of pistachios and obviously they can’t handle the side effects.

If a pregnant or lactating dog eats pistachio nuts, then this may lead to health problems for both her and her puppies.

Make note that the side effects of eating pistachios can be transmitted to puppies from the pregnant mom or from the lactating mother.

When eating pistachios, puppies may suffer from stomach pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea, so it’s best to avoid them.

Should pregnant dogs eat pistachio nuts?

Pistachios shouldn’t be offered to pregnant dogs as they are too fatty and may cause complications in pregnancy. During pregnancy, their bodies go through many changes, and one more is not welcomed.

As I mentioned above, if the pregnant mother eats pistachios leading to health problems, these will affect the babies too.

Should lactating dogs eat pistachio nuts?

Lactating dogs should follow a healthy diet as their body must produce milk for the puppies. Eating pistachios is not a good idea at all, as they are rich in fat and the mothers are already adding some pounds.

There is also a high chance of them getting sick because of the pistachios and this will directly affect the puppies.

Should elderly dogs eat pistachio nuts?

As in the case of puppies, elder dogs can’t digest this type of food, as it is rich in fat content and could cause them real health problems.

In case they eat pistachios, you should observe if there are any side effects like vomiting or diarrhea. If there are, you should immediately call your current veterinarian, because this might be an early sign of pancreatitis.

So, elderly dogs should never eat pistachios.

Although dogs love eating it in large quantities, pistachio is a real problem for dogs due to the potential presence of Aspergillus mold in these nuts. This mold produces a certain type of aflatoxin that is extremely dangerous for dogs and can increase the risk of pancreatitis, jaundice, liver failure, vomiting, and loss of appetite. While not all pistachios will contain this mold or toxin, as I mentioned earlier, it is best for your dog to avoid eating these nuts.