Can Dogs Eat Hazelnuts?

Most nuts aren’t good for dogs for a plethora of reasons, but some people find this confusing–especially due to the popularity of peanut butter for dogs! 

You might be thinking of letting your dog try a hazelnut from your trail mix or even offering them hazelnut spread as an alternative to peanut butter. Unfortunately, this isn’t a good idea.

Hazelnuts aren’t toxic to dogs on their own, but they are dangerous. They may contain toxic mold, present a choking hazard, and can cause bowel obstruction or pancreatitis. Foods containing hazelnuts may also contain toxic ingredients like raisins, chocolate, or toxic seasonings.

In this article, we’ll talk about why dogs shouldn’t eat hazelnuts, the risks, and more.

Are Hazelnuts Toxic to Dogs?

Hazelnuts aren’t toxic to dogs, but they can be dangerous for dogs to eat. They present a choking hazard, and the hard shell can cause bowel obstructions. Sometimes, hazelnuts contain mold that is highly toxic to dogs.

In addition, hazelnuts are often coated with unhealthy ingredients including sugar, salt, chocolate, or toxic seasonings. Foods that contain hazelnuts like baked goods or trail mix may also contain unhealthy or toxic ingredients, including chocolate, raisins, and other nuts that are toxic to dogs.

Nuts are also high in fat, and hazelnuts can cause pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, when eaten in large amounts. 

Risks of Hazelnuts for Dogs

They May Contain Toxic Mold

Hazelnuts, along with other nuts like walnuts and pecans, can easily mold. This mold can produce juglone and mycotoxins, both of which are toxic to dogs.

You might not notice the mold, but even small amounts can hurt your dog. Symptoms of poisoning may include liver damage, convulsions, or seizures.

They Present a Choking Hazard

Hazelnuts are just the right size and shape for your dog to choke on. Whole nuts in particular should be avoided, especially those containing the shell.

It may be difficult for your dog to chew a hazelnut, or they might swallow the entire thing without trying. This can result in the nut getting stuck in their airway and making them unable to breathe.

Foods May Contain Unhealthy or Toxic Ingredients

If you feed your dog a food that contains hazelnuts, whether it’s a dessert or a trail mix, chances are that it contains other unhealthy or even toxic ingredients.

Some examples of ingredients to watch for include other toxic nuts, chocolate, raisins, salt, sugar, butter, oils, and toxic seasonings.

Dogs are better off given plain, whole foods as treats. This way, you know what they contain and that they’re healthy for your pup to eat.

The Shell is Difficult to Digest

If your dog eats a hazelnut with the shell, it can be difficult for them to swallow and digest. It can create a bowel obstruction, which in the worst cases will require surgery to remove.

It’s better for you, your pup, and your wallet not to risk it!

Symptoms of bowel obstruction include repetitive vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, bloating, abdominal pain, and hunching over or whining.

Large Amounts can Cause Pancreatitis

Lastly, large amounts of hazelnuts can cause pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. This is because nuts contain high amounts of fat, and fatty foods are one cause of pancreatitis in dogs.

Of course, a couple of nuts aren’t likely to harm your dog in this way. It’s more risky if they eat many nuts, though exactly how many will depend on your dog’s size and health.

Pancreatitis is an emergent, life-threatening disease. If you notice symptoms like repeat vomiting, large amounts of diarrhea, intense abdominal pain, depression, lethargy, excess thirst, and lack of appetite, bring your dog to the emergency vet right away.

Can Dogs Eat Nutella?

Nutella is a hazelnut spread that has gained great popularity. But unfortunately, it’s toxic to dogs.

This is because nutella also contains cocoa. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, restlessness, increased thirst and urination, increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, and heart failure.

In extreme cases, dogs can die of chocolate poisoning. This is especially likely if it goes untreated by a veterinarian.

Nutella is also high in fat and sugar. Fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, as we discussed above. While dogs need sugar in their diet, they don’t need excess sugars. Their dog food contains all that they need, and it’s best that sugar in their diet comes from natural sources like fruit.

If your dog eats a large amount of Nutella, please contact a pet poison hotline or veterinarian for professional advice. They may need to be seen to prevent severe poisoning symptoms, or you might be advised to monitor them at home.

If you notice symptoms of pancreatitis after your dog eats Nutella, bring them to the veterinarian right away. You might need to go to an emergency clinic if your primary vet is unavailable, as pancreatitis is an emergent and life-threatening condition.

Up Next

• Can Dogs Eat Cashews Safely? What You Should Know
• What Nuts Can Dogs Eat? Which Are Safe or Dangerous?
• Why Can’t Dogs Eat Almonds? What Are The Unsafe Toxins?

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Svetlana_Smirnova/Shutterstock.com