Slightly sweet and buttery, pecans make a delicious snack all by themselves. Pecan pie? *Chef’s kiss* It begs the question, however:Â Can dogs eat pecans?
Letting our furry friends partake in family meals and snacks can be fun by slipping them a bit of what you’re having. However, veterinarians say it’s important to understand which foods are on the table and which are better left off of it (figuratively speaking).
“Giving human foods to our dogs can be a fun way to bond with them and reward them during training, so it is important to know which human foods are safe for them and which are to be avoided,” says Dr. Hannah Hart, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy. “Knowing which are safe and which are toxic is also helpful so that we can take extra precautions when working with toxic foods to prevent our dogs from being exposed.”
And if your dog accidentally gets exposed to toxic food, you’ll want to know what experts recommend doing next.
“Knowing which ones are more problematic than others can help us determine when to contact a veterinarian or a pet poison control hotline like Pet Poison Helpline or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center,” Dr. Hart says.
What about pecans, specifically? Are they safe for dogs? Can a dog have a bit of pecan pie on Thanksgiving? It’s a bit complicated. Here’s what Dr. Hart wants pet parents to know before giving a pup pecans.
Are pecans bad for dogs?
“Pecans are not considered toxic,” Dr. Hart says. However, there’s a but. “Pecans contain a lot of fat, and moldy pecans can contact mycotoxins from fungus that can make dogs sick,” she continues. “Too much fat can cause vomiting, diarrhea and inflammation of the pancreas, [known as] pancreatitis, which is a serious condition.”
Unfortunately, the potential health risks for dogs who consume pecans don’t stop there.
“Pecans can also present a choking hazard in smaller dogs and dogs who do not chew them thoroughly before swallowing, and shell material can present a risk of obstruction in the digestive tract,” Dr. Hart adds.
In other words, pecans aren’t toxic but also aren’t the best human food to give a dog as a treat.
Can dogs eat pecan pie?
It’s not the best idea—no matter how irresistible your dog’s pleading eyes may be as you eat this also-irresistible quintessential holiday dessert. “Dogs should not be allowed to eat pecan pie. While the ingredients themselves may not be toxic, too much fat and sugar in the diet can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis, which can potentially be serious and even life-threatening,” Dr. Hart explains.
The calories don’t help.
“Pecan pie is also high in calories, and too many calories per day can predispose dogs to obesity, which in itself can lead to issues like arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes and reduced quality of life,” she says.
Related: 20 Things You Should Never Feed Your Pet, From the Dinner Table and Beyond
What happens if my dog eats pecans?
Try as you might, your dog might get into a bag of pecans or gobble up one you dropped on the floor. The good news is that pecans aren’t typically toxic, and one likely won’t hurt. However, you might notice some not-fun side effects, especially if your dog consumes several pecans. Dr. Hart says these side effects may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Low appetite
- Stomach pain
- Pacing
- Panting
- Drooling
While all of the above can be a flag that your dog has a tummy ache, pay attention to body language and other unexpected behavioral cues.
“Stomach pain can present as an arched back, digging into the floor or repeated bowing to the ‘pray’ posture,” Dr. Hart explains.
Also, you’ll want to be aware of signs that pecan bits got stuck in the throat. Dr. Hart says those symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Hacking
- Labored, fast or shallow breathing
Related: Can Dogs Eat Bananas? Experts Weigh in on Whether This Fruit Is Healthy for Pups
What to do if my dog eats pecans
You may not need to do anything if your dog ate pecans. “If your dog eats just one pecan off the floor, he or she may be OK,” Dr. Hart says. “However, if your dog has eaten a significant number of pecans, it may be best to have him or her seen in person by a veterinarian as soon as possible, especially if the pecans were swallowed whole or with shell pieces.”
Regardless of how many pecans your dog got their paws on, you’ll want to monitor for symptoms the nuts aren’t agreeing with them. These flags include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Gagging
- Coughing
- Drooling
- Stomach pain
- Panting
- Pacing.
“If any of these signs develop, it is best to have them seen in person right away for treatment,” Dr. Hart says.
How many pecans can hurt a dog?
It depends on the dog, especially their size. “A larger dog may be able to safely eat a few pecans and be OK, while one or two pecans swallowed whole may present a risk of obstruction to a small-breed dog like a Chihuahua,” Dr. Hart says.
She adds that just a few chewed and digested pecans may trigger GI discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea in a smaller dog.
That said, food reactions can be really dog-specific (just like with humans), so it’s best to monitor for symptoms of discomfort and distress regardless of a dog’s size.
Can a dog die from eating pecans?
Generally, consuming pecans isn’t deadly, and the nuts aren’t considered toxic. “Most of the time, eating pecans will not be life-threatening to a dog,” Dr. Hart says. “He or she may experience some digestive upset that requires treatment, but he or she should recover in time.”
However, some dogs may experience severe reactions.
“In some extreme cases, such as ingesting many pecans or whole pecans with shells, the dog may develop life-threatening pancreatitis from too much fat or a life-threatening intestinal blockage from the shell material in its digestive tract,” Dr. Hart explains.
If in doubt, call your pup’s vet.
What nuts are toxic to dogs?
Pecans generally aren’t toxic to dogs, but some nuts are, including black walnuts and macadamia nuts.
“People do not commonly eat black walnuts, but they may fall from trees that are growing in residential areas, so they are an important risk to be aware of,” Dr. Hart says. “Ingesting black walnuts and macadamia nuts can cause vomiting, tremors and shaking, muscle weakness, high body temperature and seizures in dogs.”
On the flip side, other nuts aren’t considered toxic to dogs.
“[Pecans], almonds, English walnuts, cashews and pistachios are all nontoxic to dogs,” Dr. Hart explains.
Expert source
- Dr. Hannah Hart, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy
