Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Cashews? A Few Plain Ones, Never Mixed Nuts
Yes, dogs can eat a few cashews, as long as they are plain, unsalted and roasted. Cashews are not toxic to dogs, but they are high in fat, and the AKC advises against making nuts a regular snack. The bigger danger is what comes with them: salted and flavored cashews, and mixed nut cans that can include macadamia nuts, which do poison dogs. One or two plain cashews is a treat; a handful is too much.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why cashews are safe but not ideal
Cashews contain no toxin that affects dogs, and a plain roasted cashew is soft enough to chew easily. They bring protein, magnesium and healthy fats. The issue is quantity: nuts are calorie-dense, and a sudden load of fat is a known trigger for vomiting, diarrhea and inflammation of the pancreas in dogs.
The ASPCA lists nuts in general among foods to keep away from pets for exactly this reason. A dog that eats one or two cashews will usually be fine. A dog that steals a jar is a different story, especially a small dog or one that has had pancreas trouble before.
If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.
The real risks: salt, seasoning and mixed nuts
Most cashews are sold salted, honey-roasted, chocolate-covered or spiced. Salt in large amounts makes dogs thirsty and can disturb their electrolytes, and some flavorings include garlic or onion powder. Only plain, unsalted cashews are worth sharing.
Mixed nuts are the main hazard. Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, wobbliness, tremors, vomiting and high body temperature in dogs, usually within 12 hours. If your dog ate mixed nuts with macadamias, or chocolate-covered nuts, call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. A fee may apply.
Raw cashews and cashew products
Cashews are never sold truly raw in shells to shoppers, because the shell contains an irritating oil related to poison ivy. Raw cashews in stores have been steamed to remove it. Even so, stick to roasted, unsalted nuts for your dog, and never let them chew cashew shells if you come across them.
Cashew butter is fine in a thin smear if it is unsalted and free of xylitol, but it is just as fatty as the nuts. Cashew milk and vegan cashew cheese often contain sweeteners, garlic or nutritional yeast blends that are better kept off your dog's menu.
How many cashews by dog size
Under 20 lb: one cashew, broken in half. Between 20 and 50 lb: two or three. Over 50 lb: up to four or five. Offer these as an occasional treat, not daily, and skip them entirely for dogs that are overweight or on a low-fat diet.
Break cashews into pieces for small dogs. A whole nut can be a choking risk for toy breeds and for dogs that gulp. If your dog has never had nuts before, start with a single piece and watch for itching, swelling or an upset stomach, since nut allergies do occur in dogs.
Puppies and cashews
Puppies do not need nuts, and their stomachs react more strongly to fat. If a puppy finds a dropped cashew, it is unlikely to cause harm, but do not offer them as treats.
Use soft, low-fat rewards for puppy training instead, such as small pieces of plain cooked chicken or a commercial puppy treat. Keep nut bowls and trail mix well out of reach during parties. If your puppy does swallow several nuts, watch for vomiting or a sore belly and call your vet if it does not settle.
Signs of trouble and what to give instead
Too many cashews usually show up as vomiting, diarrhea or a sore belly within a day. Call your vet the same day if vomiting repeats, your dog hunches over in pain, refuses food or seems very tired, as these can be signs of pancreas inflammation that needs treatment.
For a crunchy, low-fat snack, try carrot sticks, green beans or apple slices without the core. Peanuts are also safe when plain and unsalted, but skip walnuts, pecans and macadamias.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Are cashews toxic to dogs?
No. Plain cashews are not toxic to dogs. They are high in fat, so eating many can cause stomach upset, and salted or flavored cashews add salt and seasonings that dogs should not have.
What if my dog ate a whole bag of cashews?
Call your vet, especially if your dog is small, the nuts were salted, or the bag was a mix that might include macadamias. A large fatty meal can cause vomiting and pancreas inflammation.
Can dogs eat salted cashews?
One salted cashew is unlikely to harm a healthy dog, but salted nuts are not a good treat. Too much salt causes thirst and, in larger amounts, can be dangerous. Choose unsalted nuts.
Can dogs eat cashew butter?
A thin smear of unsalted cashew butter with no xylitol is fine as an occasional treat. Check the label carefully, because some nut butters contain xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Which nuts are toxic to dogs?
Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs, and moldy walnuts and pecans can also cause problems. Any nut covered in chocolate or flavored with garlic or onion should be kept away from dogs.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
