Pistachio Poisoning in Dogs

Pistachio nuts make a great snack for us humans. They’re tasty, crunchy, salty and — like all the best types of snacks — so, so moreish! But, while we might like to work our way through a bowl of pistachios while watching a movie at home, can dogs eat pistachios, too? If we share a few of these delicious nuts with our pet, is that okay? Or, are pistachios bad for dogs?

The answer is — pistachios might be fine to share with your dog. Unlike some other types of nuts, such as macadamia nuts, pistachios aren’t toxic to dogs. But, that doesn’t mean you can start dishing out big helpings of pistachios to your pup. Let’s learn more about feeding pistachios to your dog.

You can find our guide to feeding dogs nuts here.

Are pistachios poisonous to dogs?

The all-important question. Are pistachios poisonous to dogs? There are many foods that humans can consume safely that are unsafe for our canine companions — including onions and garlic. What, then, of pistachio nuts? Are pistachios bad for dogs?

Thankfully, no. Not in the same way as onions and garlic, anyway. Pistachios aren’t directly toxic to dogs but you should still be careful about how often you give these nuts to your pet — and how much your dog eats, too. Why? Because pistachios can cause your dog some issues if you’re not careful.

The canine digestive system isn’t designed to process nuts; it can’t properly digest the proteins in nuts. Ultimately, if pistachios are eaten in large quantities, they can cause gastrointestinal distress, obesity and pancreatitis.

Pistachios are high in fat, and a poor diet is one of the main causes of pancreatitis, so these nuts should only be given to your dog as an occasional treat. Giving your dog too many pistachio nuts can lead to health problems — your pup will hardly say no to food, so it’s your job to be responsible when sharing snacks.

Pancreatitis is a serious condition. Eating a lot of high-fat food can cause it to come on suddenly, so it’s important to know common symptoms. These include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, abdominal pain and a decrease in appetite.

In any case, dogs that are overweight — or even worse, obese — are at a higher risk of a range of health problems. So, go easy on those pistachios!

Are pistachios bad for dogs?

Aside from the risk of eating too many of these nuts, are pistachios bad for dogs? We’ve established that they’re not toxic, but there is a risk of poisoning with them. Confused? We can explain.

Pistachios have the potential to contain two substances that can cause your dog harm. These are:

Aflatoxin
Aflatoxin is caused by a type of mold (Aspergillus) that can grow on certain foods. There are often trace amounts of this mold on pistachios and other types of tree nuts, including almonds and brazil nuts. Aflatoxin poisoning can cause damage to the liver and digestive system — if your dog eats large quantities of pistachios with mold present, you may need to seek medical advice.

Urushiol
Pistachio nuts also contain urushiol, which is an oil that’s also present in poison ivy. As poison ivy poisoning can provoke an allergic reaction — including a rash, and potentially vomiting and diarrhea — again, you should avoid letting your dog eat too many pistachios in one serving.

What happens if my dog eats pistachios with the shells on?

Who eats pistachios with the shells on? Exactly — no-one. But, while us humans know we need to crack the shell open and remove it before eating the nut inside, your dog won’t be as subtle. Dogs usually eat first and think later (or don’t even think at all) as their bellies rule their minds.

How can you identify a potential intestinal issue? Watch your dog’s behavior. Symptoms can include excessive drooling, refusing to lie down, abdominal bloating and straining during bowel movements. Your dog may also lose their appetite and interest in food (always a sign that something’s not right).

We know that pistachios aren’t directly toxic to dogs, but there remains the risk of secondary issues. These include the onset of pancreatitis, Aflatoxin poisoning from Aspergillus mold, and something more basic — your dog simply overindulging and eating too much.

If your dog has eaten too many pistachios, look out for these common symptoms and bad reactions:

• Abdominal pain
• Dehydration
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Increased heart rate
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Swollen abdomen
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Pistachio nuts aren’t toxic to dogs — not directly, at least. But, if your dog suffers a reaction after eating pistachios — especially in large quantities — these could be the potential causes:

• Pancreatitis
• Aflatoxin poisoning
• Urushiol poisoning
• Overeating
• Swallowing nuts with the shells on

If you think your dog is suffering with pistachio poisoning, and is exhibiting some of the symptoms associated with this condition, a visit to the veterinarian is urgently needed.

Your veterinarian will want to understand your dog’s recent history, taking particular note of what foods your pet has had access to recently. Typically, a general physical examination will be given and a chemistry profile and complete blood count will be completed as well.

Urine, stools, and vomitus will also be tested and may expose underlying diseases (or toxins such as aflatoxin). A preliminary diagnosis based on the physical exam and history may prompt treatment even before the final diagnosis is completed.

Ultrasounds can be used to image the abdominal area and may reveal enlargement of the pancreas or fluid accumulation in this area.

Further testing will depend on the symptoms that are being exhibited. If your dog is showing signs of damage to the esophagus or of dehydration an x-ray or ultrasound of the throat and chest area may be recommended to check for tearing of the esophagus or enlargement of the heart.

Treatment will depend on how the pistachios have affected your pet. Supportive treatment will be given for any immediate concerns including IV fluids for dehydration. Medications may be prescribed to alleviate certain signs. These medications could include antibiotics, anti-nausea, or pain management medications which can be given either intravenously or by an intramuscular injection. 

Aflatoxin poisoning carries with it a serious risk of damage to the liver so hepatoprotectives and vitamin K treatments are often recommended. The supportive treatment is vital to the chances of recovery from aflatoxin as there is no antidote.

In the event that your pet is vomiting persistently or severely, your veterinarian may recommend a period of withholding food by mouth sometimes for several days. These signs are sometimes seen with pancreatitis.

The idea behind this treatment is to allow the pancreas to heal enough for the swelling to go down. If the dog is willing and able to eat on its own, several low-protein, low-fat, high-fiber meals are generally recommended per day to speed healing. Supplements of pancreatic enzymes can be given to relieve abdominal pain, but it usually does not alter the course of the disease itself.

Keeping the recovering patient in a calm and quiet environment and making sure that your pet completes the full measure of their medications will help speed recovery. Medications such as antibiotics, stomach and liver protectants, and antacids may be prescribed to combat the symptoms.

Dogs diagnosed with aflatoxin poisoning will likely need follow-up appointments to check their liver function. Dogs with pancreatitis will most often be placed on a diet restricted to low-fat, high-fiber foods for the remainder of their lives. Pancreatic enzyme supplementation, while unlikely to change the overall course of the disease, may provide some relief from the severe abdominal pain.