Can Dogs Eat Pistachios? Effects of Pistachio Nuts for Dogs as a Dog Food

Yes, dogs can eat pistachios in moderation. Pistachios have many nutrients, including vitamin B6, to properly absorb fats and proteins. It also has thiamine which is essential for puppies as it supports brain development and ensures healthy overall growth. Pistachios also have vital minerals in your dog’s wellness. They are rich in calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and muscles.
In addition, pistachios have other nutrients, including vitamin E and K, for protection against inflammation and blood clotting. The high-quality fiber, protein, and fat in pistachios are essential for digestive health, muscle wellness, and energy production.
Do not be tempted to serve your dog loads of pistachios with these many benefits. You should exercise caution as pistachios have lots of fats. Fats are the main culprits of obesity, heart problems, joint issues, and pancreatitis. Pistachios also have a lot of salt and phosphorus content and can be a choking hazard.
View Table of Contents
- Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Ice Cream Safely?
- Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Shells Safely?
- Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Muffins Safely?
- Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Pudding Safely?
- Can Dogs Eat Salted Pistachio
- Can Dogs Eat Roasted Pistachio?
- What Else Can Dogs Eat together with Pistachios?
- What are the best Pistachios Dog Food Recipes?
Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Ice Cream Safely?
No dogs cannot eat pistachio ice cream. Pistachio ice cream has ingredients that are harmful to your dog’s wellness.
Is pistachio ice cream healthy for dogs?
No, pistachio ice cream is not healthy for your dog as it contains additives that might cause health problems for your dog.
- Pistachio ice cream has dairy, and dogs cannot digest lactose in dairy. This leads to abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, excessive thirst, vomiting, and weakness
- Pistachio ice cream also contain lots of sugar which is a recipe for dental problems, diabetes, and unhealthy weight gain.
Can old and young dogs eat pistachio ice cream?
Young dogs have lactase; hence they can digest lactose. However, young dogs cannot eat pistachio ice cream as it has lots of fats and sugar that cause dental and obesity problems. Old dogs should avoid pistachio ice cream as it causes diabetes. In addition, old dogs have a compromised immune system and can easily get diseases like pancreatitis.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Shells Safely?
You should keep the pistachio shells away as dogs cannot eat them. They pose more risks than benefits.
Are pistachio shells healthy for dogs?
No, pistachio shells are not healthy for dogs.
- Ingestion of sharp pistachio shells can cause havoc in your dog’s mouth and the digestive tract. They will cause injuries, as it moves through the digestive tract
- Pistachio shells are a choking hazard. They are hard to chew and digest. Consuming large amounts of shells can lead to an obstruction which can be fatal. The main sign of suffocation is difficulty breathing.
- Pistachio shells can cause dental problems. Small pieces of the shells can get stuck in the teeth or below the gums, which are painful and can even make your dog refuse food
Can dogs with diarrhea and other diseases eat pistachio shells?
No, dogs with diarrhea and other diseases should not eat pistachio shells. Pistachio shells are a choking hazard and have lots of fat which is not healthy for sick dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Muffins Safely?
Your dog can have a bite of pistachio muffins once in a while. However, regular feeding is harmful to your dog.
Are pistachio muffins healthy for dogs?
Although your dog can have a taste of pistachio muffins, pistachio muffins are not healthy for them.
- Pistachio muffins have loads of sugar which is harmful. High sugar consumption leads to dental problems, diabetes, and obesity.
- Obesity comes with other health problems, including heart diseases and joint problems
- Pistachio muffins can have artificial sweeteners, including toxic xylitol. Some of the symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, low blood sugar, weakness, seizures, and collapse
Can my Shih Tzu dog puppies eat pistachio muffins?
No, your Shih Tzu dog puppies should not eat pistachio muffins. Pistachio muffins have lots of sugar harmful to your puppy’s teeth. The high sugar content also poses a risk of hyperactivity in Shih Tzu dog puppies.
Can Dogs Eat Pistachio Pudding Safely?
Yes, dogs can eat pistachio pudding moderately.
Is pistachio pudding healthy for dogs?
Pistachio pudding does not contain any harmful ingredients; hence they are healthy for your dog. Be sure to serve sparingly, as pistachio pudding has nuts that can make your dog overindulge.
- Pistachio pudding is an excellent source of proteins for muscle power
- Consuming pistachio pudding moderately prevents oxidative damage by protecting your dog from free radicals as it is packed with antioxidants
- Pistachio pudding has vasodilation properties to regulate your dog’s blood pressure
- Calcium, phosphorus, and iron in pistachio pudding help improve your dog’s bone and muscle wellness and lower the risk of anemia
- Pistachio pudding has copper to promote the production of red blood cells for proper oxygen flow throughout the body
Can pistachio pudding affect my dog’s mood?
Yes, pistachio pudding has niacin and thiamin, which are the “feel-good hormones” that boost your dog’s mood.
Can Dogs Eat Salted Pistachio
No, dogs cannot eat salted pistachios as too much salt is harmful. Consuming salted pistachios in large amounts leads to salt accumulation in your dog’s system, which leads to sodium ion poisoning. The main symptoms of salt toxicity are listed below:
- High fever
- Increased heart rate
- Weakness
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea
- Convulsions
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Muscle spasms
- Confusion
- Coma
Severe cases or ingestion of too much salt can lead to death. Give your dog lots of water and go to the vet for medical care.
How many pistachios can a dog eat?
In small quantities, pistachios are safe for your dog. Large amounts are unhealthy as they contribute to various health problems due to the high-fat content. The amounts to serve mainly depend on your dog’s size. Here’s a table on the daily amounts your dog can consume.
Dog’s size |
Number of pistachios per day |
Large dogs |
1 – 2 |
Medium dogs |
½ 1 |
Small dogs |
¼ – ½ |
Can Dogs Eat Roasted Pistachio?
Roasted pistachios are not good for dogs. This is because a lot of salt is added during the roasting process. So it is best to avoid these crunchy nuts. Consuming lots of salt leads to mild health problems like gastrointestinal upsets, including vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and abdominal pain.
It also leads to other health problems, including excessive urination and thirst. Dehydration can be fatal for dogs as they need water for important organ functions. Water also aids in the removal of toxins from the body, and lack of it causes a pile-up of toxins leading to other severe health issues like kidney problems.
Severe salt toxicity causes neurological problems, including seizures, tremors, collapse, dizziness, coma, and even death as the brain is deficient in water, thus shutting down. You should not wait for your dog to show severe symptoms. Vomiting or diarrhea should prompt you to rush to the vet.
What Else Can Dogs Eat together with Pistachios?
Here are other foods that dogs can or cannot eat with other foods:
1. Almonds: Dogs cannot eat almonds with pistachios. Almonds pose more dangers than benefits.
- Consuming almonds cause gastric problems, including lethargy, lack of appetite, flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting
- Almonds also have lots of fats. Consuming large amounts of almonds is risky as it causes health problems like pancreatitis. Some symptoms of pancreatitis include low energy levels, distention of the abdomen, bouts of vomiting, lack of appetite, dehydration, and diarrhea
- Pancreatitis is a life-threatening condition that calls for emergency medical care
- Another problem with the high-fat content is obesity. Gaining an unhealthy weight exposes your dog to other health risks, including heart and joint problems
- Almonds also present a choking hazard as they are hard to chew and digest. In addition, almonds cause an obstruction which can be deadly as they block the esophagus, windpipe, or the intestines
- Small dogs like Chihuahuas and Beagles are prone to obstruction due to their small muzzles
2. Cashews: Dogs can safely eat cashews with pistachios.
- Cashews have omega fatty acids, which protect against inflammation and give your dog shiny, smooth skin and a shiny coat
- Cashews have lots of antioxidants, including flavonols, to protect your dog from oxidative damage
- The high levels of vitamin K in cashews help with blood coagulation
- Serving cashews moderately boosts your dog’s digestive wellness and muscle health with the high-quality fiber and proteins for your Boxer and Great Dane
- Calcium and phosphorus support bone and muscle power, while iron helps with the formation of red blood cells and lower frequencies of anemia
- Serving cashews moderately lowers the risks of obesity and pancreatitis as cashews have lots of fats
- Be careful with cashews as they are a choking hazard. They can also cause blockage, which is highly risky
- You should serve unsalted cashews to lower the risks of salt toxicity. Introduce cashews gradually, starting with small amounts then increasing them slowly until your dog’s system fully adapts to them
3. Walnut: The safest walnuts for your dog are English walnuts as they have less juglone.
- Although English walnuts are safer, they have lots of fat hence should be given sparingly as too much will harm your dog in the long run
- Walnuts are prone to molds which lead to the growth of toxic compounds called mycotoxins which are carcinogenic and can cause seizures and tremors
- Avoid black walnuts as they are highly toxic. You should also ensure your dog does not consume walnuts from backyard trees as they are prone to molds
- If your dog displays symptoms like vomiting, seizures, and tremors after consuming walnuts, you should consult the vet as it can lead to more health complications
- Shelled walnuts are a choking hazard due to their tough texture
- Consuming English walnuts in small amounts supports smooth digestion and gives your dog a lean muscle mass as it has fiber and proteins
- English walnuts are also rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that work together for the overall wellness of your dog
What are the best Pistachios Dog Food Recipes?
Dog treats with pistachios are made with pistachios as one of the ingredients. Pistachios add to the nutritional value of the recipes as it has lots of minerals and vitamins. Consuming foods with pistachios ensures maximum health benefits for your canine companion. Here are three of the best pistachios dog food recipes that you should give a try:
Pistachio Strawberry Dog Treat:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of mustard with ½ teaspoon fresh basil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ cup vegetable oil
- In another bowl, mix 1 pound strawberries, 6 cups lettuce, ¾ cup cooked quinoa, ¼ cup dried cranberries, ⅓ cup pistachios, and ⅓ cup cheese
- Combine with the mustard mixture as a dressing
- Serve as a salad
Broccoli Pistachio Creamy Soup Dog Treat:
- Boil 2 cups of water and add ¼ cups pistachios to soften, then steam 300 g chopped broccoli for 5 minutes.
- Combine the softened pistachios, steamed broccoli, and 600 ml chicken stock. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Blend until smooth and serve your dog this delicious soup
Pistachio Crusted Chicken Recipe
- Preheat the oven to 400 F. Place 3/ 4 cup pistachios in a blender and pulse until they turn into small crumbs before adding ¾ cups of bread crumbs. Using a paper towel, remove any excess moisture from 4 boneless chicken breasts
- Brush 3 tablespoons of mustard on each side of the chicken breasts. Coat each breast with pistachio and bread crumbs mix
- Spray 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the breasts and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the juices are clear.
What are the best dog foods with Pistachios?
Commercial dog foods use loads of healthy ingredients for their recipes. Foods crafted with pistachios have lots of health, and nutritional benefits for your dog as pistachios combine with other ingredients for more nutrients that boost growth. Combining pistachios with other ingredients lowers the risk of salt toxicity as the sodium content is neutralized. Here’s an example of dog foods with nuts. Pistachios can be used in place of pecans