Should Dogs Eat Macadamia Nuts
Responsible dog owners that want the best for the pet would read pet food labels to make sure that the dog is receiving nutrient-rich food. A complete nutrient-rich food will ensure healthy coat and skin and most importantly high quality dog food will promote the health of the pet. To ensure the health of the pet, dog owners would still give vitamins and supplements to the pet. People have this notion that what is good for them would be good for the pet too. As such food remaining on the plate of the owner will go to the food bowl of the pet. Any food that the family eats would be eaten by the dog as well.
However, not all human foods are safe for the pet. The dog's systems would not tolerate some people food. Nuts are one of the human foods unsafe for dogs. Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, macadamia and other nuts must be kept out of the dog's reach. Dogs can be severely affected by eating even a few macadamia nuts.
The dog's digestive system cannot easily process all kinds of nuts. Dogs that eat nuts would develop an upset stomach. Dogs would suffer from stomach upset after ingesting nuts because these people foods are hard to digest. The high levels of fats and phosphorous in macadamia nuts have harmful effects on dogs. The high phosphorous content of macadamia nuts can cause the development of bladder stones. Dog cannot tolerate fats very well. Aside from obesity concerns, excessively fatty foods can cause the pancreas to swell and when this happens, the enzyme that aids in the digestion of food will leak and affect other organs adjacent to the pancreas.
Seizures and other neurologic disorders can occur in dogs that eat moldy macadamia nuts. These conditions are caused by tremorgenic mycotoxin, a fungi-derivative chemical that is found in moldy foods. Temporary paralysis is another unwanted effects of macadamia nuts in dogs. Macadamia nuts have an unknown substance that when ingested by dogs would affect the skeletal muscles. The hindquarters are most commonly affected. Movement would be very difficult because of the pain caused by the swollen limbs. The depressed dog would pant and yelp in pain when the swollen limbs are manipulated.
The paralysis is not permanent thus the dog will be seen back to its usual active self after a few days. The effects of the macadamia nuts would diminish until the dog can move again. However, for the safety of the pet, it would be a good idea to keep nuts away from the dog's reach.
However, not all human foods are safe for the pet. The dog's systems would not tolerate some people food. Nuts are one of the human foods unsafe for dogs. Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, macadamia and other nuts must be kept out of the dog's reach. Dogs can be severely affected by eating even a few macadamia nuts.
The dog's digestive system cannot easily process all kinds of nuts. Dogs that eat nuts would develop an upset stomach. Dogs would suffer from stomach upset after ingesting nuts because these people foods are hard to digest. The high levels of fats and phosphorous in macadamia nuts have harmful effects on dogs. The high phosphorous content of macadamia nuts can cause the development of bladder stones. Dog cannot tolerate fats very well. Aside from obesity concerns, excessively fatty foods can cause the pancreas to swell and when this happens, the enzyme that aids in the digestion of food will leak and affect other organs adjacent to the pancreas.
Seizures and other neurologic disorders can occur in dogs that eat moldy macadamia nuts. These conditions are caused by tremorgenic mycotoxin, a fungi-derivative chemical that is found in moldy foods. Temporary paralysis is another unwanted effects of macadamia nuts in dogs. Macadamia nuts have an unknown substance that when ingested by dogs would affect the skeletal muscles. The hindquarters are most commonly affected. Movement would be very difficult because of the pain caused by the swollen limbs. The depressed dog would pant and yelp in pain when the swollen limbs are manipulated.
The paralysis is not permanent thus the dog will be seen back to its usual active self after a few days. The effects of the macadamia nuts would diminish until the dog can move again. However, for the safety of the pet, it would be a good idea to keep nuts away from the dog's reach.
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Can dogs eat nuts? The answer to this and other food related questions can be found at Sarah's Dogs.
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