Can dogs eat pistachios?

Updated 29/04/2024

A popular nut that's often salt-packed and satisfies that need for something crunchy, pistachios are a pretty healthy snack for us humans if consumed in small quantities - not to mention the pride of place they have in desserts around the world. So with their popularity and health benefits for us humans, we wouldn't blame you for wondering whether they're safe for dogs. So can dogs eat pistachios or are they just as dangerous for dogs as macadamia nuts? Unfortunately, we'd advise against feeding your dog pistachios. While a plain, de-shelled pistachio won't generally be toxic to your furry friend, there's a pretty good case for keeping them out of paw's reach - take a look below to find out more.

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Are pistachios poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat pistachios and get any toxic reactions from them? Well most of the time, your pup is seriously unlikely to experience any nasty symptoms if they nibble on one (shelled) pistachio, but the risks are more than worth knowing. So, what are they? Well pistachios contain urushiol - a mixture of compounds that are also found in poison ivy. If your pup is suffering from a reaction to this, then they're likely to experience allergy-like symptoms. Then there's aflatoxin - a mold that grows on nuts not kept in ideal conditions. Ingesting this can cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

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Why are pistachios bad for dogs?

So can dogs eat pistachios safely in any way? Well as we've mentioned, one pistachio shouldn't do any harm to your pup (as long as it was shelled and had no mold on it), but there are much better options for dog snacks to choose from.

One of the key risks of feeding dogs pistachios is choking - the nuts are small and hard, and could easily lodge themselves in your dog's throat. Plus, if you were wondering - can dogs eat pistachio shells - well they pose an even greater choking risk as they're almost impossible to chew through, so never discard these into your dog's bowl.

Another problem when it comes to dogs and pistachios is their high fat and salt content. Too much of these can cause pancreatitis in dogs - a quickly developing condition that involves inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis causes symptoms like vomiting, dehydration, fever, and abdominal pain. If you notice any of these symptoms in your doggo, you should contact your vet immediately.

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What to do if your dog eats pistachios

If your curious pup pal manages to nab one or two pistachios from the bowl, there’s nothing to worry about - as long as they were shelled. If your dog somehow ingests a pistachio with the shell on or an entire bowl for that matter, we advise contacting your vet immediately. The shells can easily lodge themselves in your poor pup’s digestive tract which calls for emergency intervention. The moral of the story? Keep your pistachios well out of paw’s reach.

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Symptoms of urushiol and aflatoxin toxicity in dogs

So as we’ve mentioned, there are a couple of hazards when it comes to dogs eating pistachios, including ingestion of the compound urushiol and the toxin aflatoxin. Ingestion of these may cause a variety of symptoms in your furry friend, all of which should be met with advice or intervention from your vet. So without any further ado, let’s get clued-up on the pistachio poisoning symptoms in dogs.

Urushiol toxicity symptoms

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Red, swollen and itchy skin.
• Blisters and scabs.

Aflatoxin toxicity symptoms

• Lack of energy.
• Loss of appetite.
• Jaundice (yellowing of the gums and skin).
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.

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Other pistachio products

And can dogs eat pistachio nuts in any other form, or are pistachios unsafe for dogs, full stop? Let’s take a look.

Can dogs eat pistachio ice cream?

A small lick probably won't do your pup any harm, but we don't advise making a habit of feeding your dog ice cream. It's packed with fat and sugar, and sometimes contains xylitol which is toxic to dogs.

Can dogs have pistachio baklava?

We really don't recommend feeding your dog baklava. It's full to the brim with sugar which is unhealthy for dogs.

Can dogs eat pistachio pesto?

While delicious for us humans, pesto is bad news for dogs as it contains garlic, which is poisonous to dogs in high quantities.

So, it's pretty clear that dogs and pistachios aren't exactly the best mix. That's why we advise completely avoiding any products that contain the nut. Not only are pistachios a risk for dogs but the dishes and products they're commonly prepared with are often less than ideal for good canine health or are straight-up toxic to dogs.

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Other foods that are not safe for dogs

So, now we've settled the question - can dogs eat pistachios - get yourself clued-up on the other foods dogs can't eat.

• Almonds
• Tuna
• Lemons