It’s the holiday season and you have a gigantic bowl of pistachios out for snacking. Uncle Nicky has been over indulging in your famous eggnog. While nailing the punchline of a duck goes into a supermarket joke, Nicky knocks the table and the nuts go flying. Your pup is there trying to reap the benefits. But can he eat pistachios?

Yes and no (but mostly no).

If your dog grabs one or two pistachios (without the shells) it probably will not be a big deal. While they are a tasty treat for adults, dogs should avoid eating them. There are so many reasons for your pup to avoid these nuts. 

Firstly, pistachios with or without the shells are a choking and internal obstruction risk, especially with smaller dogs.

Pistachios are high in fat. One cup of these green nuts has 56g of fat. That alone is 4 times the daily amount of fat that is recommended for a medium sized dog. Obesity in dogs is a serious issue, as it can lead to pancreatitis. 

Nuts are also high in phosphorus which can lead to kidney stones. Salt is another concern as dogs can suffer from salt toxicity. 

Additionally pistachios can grow tremorgenic mycotoxins, a toxic mold. Consumption of  tremorgenic mycotoxins ultimately leads to neurological issues. 

Other toxic concerns include aflatoxins and urushiol. Causing liver failure and allergic reactions respectively.

If you suspect your dog has eaten pistachios, monitor for these symptoms:

• Diarrhea
  
• Vomiting
  
• Tremors
  
• Dehydration
  
• Greasy stools
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Jaundice
  
• Lethargy

Contact a vet if symptoms occur. You can b00k a virtual vet, available 24/7 right here.