Can Dogs Eat Pecans?

Humans love pecans; you often find them in pies, cakes and other delicious pastries. But can dogs eat pecans?

Despite the healthy, unsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals pecans provide to humans; dogs don't benefit from having these nuts in their diet. 

If your dog has accidentally eaten a pecan, you don't need to worry. A small amount isn't going to hurt, but you do need to be careful that your dog hasn't got access to more. It's dangerous for dogs to eat nuts regularly. 

Too many pecans can cause various side effects. They can be a result of the toxins, mould, an allergic reaction, the high salt and fat content or the size/shape of the nuts.

can dogs eat pecan pastries

Symptoms:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Bladder stones
  • Bloody stool
  • Choking 
  • Damage to the neurological system
  • Diarrhoea
  • Digestive blockage/obstruction
  • Gastrointestinal upset
  • Liver failure
  • Pancreatitis
  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Vomiting 

Are pecans the worst type of nut to give your dog? Most nuts are dangerous for dogs and definitely pose several risks to their health. 

Some problems with pecans include:

  • Contains the toxins called juglone and aflatoxin
  • Susceptible to mould - which contains tremorgenic mycotoxins
  • High salt and fat content 
  • Flavoured/additives 
  • Size, shape and texture 
can dogs eat pecans

Top Tips:

  • Pecans aren't good for dogs; they're not worth the choking hazard, the high-fat content or the risk of poisoning. 
  • You should limit human food like nuts, fruit and vegetables to 10% of your dog's diet. Any more than that isn't safe for your dog.
  • If you want to feed your dog nuts, avoid letting them eat almonds, pecans, walnuts or macadamia nuts. These are all toxic to dogs; peanut butter is a much safer option.

Treatment Plan

Milder symptoms like vomiting and diarrhoea might only last a few hours, however, if they become more intense, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. 

If your dog has eaten a mouldy pecan or a large amount of these nuts, e.g. a handful, these symptoms might appear immediately. You need to be careful with nuts because the toxins in pecans can cause severe problems for your dog. 

Your vet might decide on IV fluids, medication and blood work.

If your dog is experiencing intestinal blockages from the pecans, surgery is often required. It's a bigger problem in small dog breeds, so whenever you are eating pecans/nuts, make sure you always keep them away from your pet.