Before you start giving your dog cashews as a snack, you should ask yourself, “Does she need extra fat in her diet?” Cashews are a great source of healthy fats and also contain vitamins E and K, as well as the minerals zinc and iron, that are beneficial to a dog’s well-being. Cashews, on the other hand, have roughly 48% fat, 17% protein, and 30% carbs. Roughly speaking, each whole cashew nut has about one gram of fat.
It is recommended that 10–15% of a highly active 20-pound dog’s daily calorie intake come from fat. About 30–40% of the dog’s daily calorie needs can be met by feeding it one ounce of cashews (about 18 whole nuts).
Nut allergies are another consideration when considering feeding cashews to your dog. Canine food allergies are just as common as human ones. Although food allergies in dogs are uncommon, they do occur, so be on the lookout whenever you introduce a new food to your dog. Here are some of the signs and symptoms:
- Licking their paws
- Itchy ears
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Vomiting
In general, cashews that have been salted should be avoided. A diet high in salt can cause dehydration and stomach upset in our canine companions because their digestive systems weren’t evolved to process so much sodium. So if you’re going to feed them cashews, stick to plain ones and don’t give them any flavored cashews at all.
If you must give your dog cashews, do it cautiously and only in small amounts. All that fat, even though it’s good for the dog’s heart, can be dangerous if he or she is already overweight. Pancreatitis is a dangerous condition that can develop from feeding your dog a diet high in fat.
How to Feed Cashews to Dogs
Curious as to whether or not your dog will enjoy cashews? Stick to the preceding recommendations and pick a pre-packaged, unsalted raw or roasted kind. You shouldn’t give your dog cashews from a variety pack since some nuts can be quite hazardous to dogs. Humans can have severe reactions to even trace amounts of nuts, so this is something we need to keep in mind.
You should avoid buying cashew butter from the supermarket because most of them have unhealthy additives such excessive salt, sugar, or oil. One cup of unsalted cashews and a pinch of honey blended in a food processor until smooth would make a tasty and healthy homemade cashew butter for your dog. Keep in mind that you should serve it in moderation.
Nuts That Are Dangerous to Dogs
In moderation, cashews may be good for your furry friend, but certain nuts should be avoided at all costs because of their toxicity to dogs. Make sure you’re not giving your dog any of the following kind of nuts if you want to test whether or not he like them.
- Pecans
- Walnuts
- Hickory nuts
- Macadamia nuts
I recommend trying cashews. They have the potential to become your dog’s new favorite occasional treat.
How Many Cashews Can My Dog Eat?
Treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. With nearly 10 calories per nut, cashews are one of the highest calorie nuts you can eat. If your dog is overweight or not very active, this is even more important. You should probably stick to dog-friendly diets that aren’t quite as rich if your dog has any sort of previous gastrointestinal difficulties or food allergies.
Cashew Recipes for Dogs
Cashews can be substituted for peanuts and peanut butter in several of our dog-friendly recipes, including the No-Bake Peanut Butter Flax Seed Treats and the Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream.
Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cups
- Category: Special occasion
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter or cashew butter (unsalted)
- 2 Tbsp plain yogurt (use a non-fat or non-dairy alternative, like coconut milk, if you prefer)
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Instructions
- Dice up a ripe banana and freeze for at least 4 hours.
- In a food processor, place the frozen banana, peanut butter, and yogurt in the bowl and blitz until smooth.
- Serve with a sprinkle of cookies as pictured, a dollop of fruit (can you say PB&J?), or just as it is.
Healthy alternatives to cashews for dogs
While it’s fine to treat your dog occasionally with cashews, there are plenty of other healthy options that won’t compromise on flavor.
- Dogs who are eager to try new things often like carrots as a tasty snack. They are not only delicious, but also highly nourishing.
- While peaches and bananas are nutritious, they also have a high level of sugar and should be consumed in moderation.
- Whole wheat flour, eggs, peanut butter, and pumpkin puree from a can are all you need to make a batch of healthy dog biscuits that will satisfy your pup’s sweet need without putting him at risk.
- Feeding your dog some juicy watermelon during the hot summer months is a great way to help him stay cool and hydrated. Make sure the pulp and pith are taken out of the fruit before serving.
How To Safely Feed Your Dog Cashews
It’s best to keep your dog’s diet as human-like as possible, and that includes giving them basic foods like cashews.
You shouldn’t feed your pet more than a few cashews at a time, and you definitely shouldn’t salt, season, or mix them with any other nuts.
Too much salt or spice might be poisonous or at least uncomfortable for your dog’s digestive system. Because not all nuts are good for canines, cashews should not be combined with other nuts.
Keep an eye out for cashew-related side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and choking if you decide to offer them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Cashew Butter or Milk?
Many of us now regularly use cashew milk and cashew butter in place of cow’s milk and butter because they are dairy-free and vegan-friendly alternatives. You may also be asking if your dog is OK to give a lick of cashew butter or cashew milk, given that dogs can consume cashews.
Similar to cashews they are both acceptable in limited doses . However, you should read the label to make sure there aren’t too many extra ingredients. In particular, look out for xylitol, a sugar alcohol that can be fatal to dogs. As an additional precaution, be sure that no macadamia nuts or other types of nuts that are toxic to dogs have been added.”
For this reason, you shouldn’t give your dog any cashew milk or butter that has been sweetened. When deciding whether or not to introduce a new food to your dog, it’s always a good idea to get your doctor’s opinion. Your vet will have valuable information about your dog’s health and wellbeing that will help you make a well-informed decision.
CHECK OUT CAN DOGS EAT CINNAMON