Can dogs eat cashews? A few plain cashews are generally safe for dogs. They aren’t toxic like macadamias, but they’re rich in fat and calories, and most store-bought cashews are salted or seasoned. Treat them as a rare, tiny extra: one or two unsalted, roasted cashews, never a handful and never from a mixed-nut bag.
Moderation, plain and unsalted only. One cashew has about 9 calories and 0.7 g of fat, so small dogs reach their limit fast. Skip salted, honey-roasted, spiced and chocolate-covered cashews, and keep dogs with a history of pancreatitis away from nuts entirely.
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Are Cashews Safe for Dogs?
Plain cashews are non-toxic, and both the AKC and PetMD say a few are fine for most dogs. The concerns are about amount and preparation:
- Fat: cashews are about 44% fat; rich snacks can trigger stomach upset or pancreatitis.
- Calories: a small handful can match a small dog’s whole treat budget.
- Salt and coatings: sodium, sugar, honey, garlic or onion seasoning.
- Choking: whole nuts can lodge in small dogs’ throats.
- Allergy: uncommon, but tree-nut reactions can cause itching, swelling or hives.
Do Cashews Offer Dogs Any Benefits?
Cashews do contain useful nutrients: protein, magnesium, copper, zinc and mostly unsaturated fats. The problem is the package they come in. To get any meaningful amount of those nutrients, a dog would have to eat far more fat and calories than is wise. A complete dog food already supplies these minerals in balanced amounts, so cashews add flavor and fun rather than real nutrition.
If you’re looking for a healthy fat source, talk to your vet about options like fish oil, which is easier to dose. For a protein-rich reward, small pieces of plain cooked chicken or turkey are leaner choices than any nut.
Cashew Products: Which Are OK?
| Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Plain roasted, unsalted | A few, rarely | Lowest-risk option |
| Store “raw” cashews | A few, rarely | Already heat-treated to remove shell toxins |
| Cashews in the shell | Never | Shell contains an irritant related to poison ivy |
| Salted, spiced, honey-roasted | No | Sodium, sugar, seasonings |
| Chocolate-covered | No; call your vet | Chocolate toxicity |
| Mixed nuts | No | May include toxic macadamias |
| Plain cashew butter | A tiny lick | Check for xylitol and salt |
| Cashew milk | Not needed | Additives, sweeteners |
Compare with other nuts: peanuts are similar, almonds are harder to digest, and macadamia nuts and pecans are ones to avoid.
How Many Cashews Can a Dog Eat?
We kept these limits well below the treat allowance the WSAVA describes, because of the fat.
| Dog’s weight | Plain cashews (max, occasional) | Approx. calories | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 1, chopped | ~9 kcal | ~0.7 g |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | 2 | ~18 kcal | ~1.4 g |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | 3 | ~27 kcal | ~2 g |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | 4 | ~36 kcal | ~3 g |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | 4 to 5 | ~36-45 kcal | ~3-3.5 g |
Our estimates from USDA FoodData Central values for dry-roasted cashews (about 1.6 g each). A treat for once in a while, not daily.
My dog ate a bag of cashews. Check the label first: chocolate, xylitol, macadamias, garlic or onion seasoning, or heavy salt mean you should call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 right away. For plain cashews, watch over the next 1 to 4 days for vomiting, diarrhea, a hunched back or painful belly, lethargy or not eating, which can be signs of pancreatitis. Excess thirst, wobbliness or tremors after salty nuts also need a vet.
How to Offer Cashews Safely
- Choose plain, unsalted, roasted cashews.
- Chop or break them for small and medium dogs.
- Give one first and wait a day to check for upset or itching.
- Keep the rest sealed and out of reach.
For a regular crunchy reward, a low-fat option like a carrot stick is a better everyday choice.
Who Should Skip Cashews
- Dogs with past pancreatitis: no nuts; see low-fat foods for dogs with pancreatitis.
- Overweight dogs: calories add up fast.
- Heart or kidney disease: avoid salted nuts; ask your vet.
- Puppies and toy breeds: choking risk; skip.
- Dogs with food allergies: introduce only with your vet’s okay.
Are mixed nuts OK? No. Mixes often include macadamia nuts, which are toxic to dogs, and they are usually salted.
My dog has had pancreatitis. Can he have cashews? Skip them. The fat in cashews can trigger a flare-up.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Cashews for Dogs: Quick Serving Guide
✓ Do
- Pick plain, unsalted cashews
- Share only one or two
- Break them up for small dogs
- Keep nut bowls out of reach
✕ Don't
- Share salted or flavored cashews
- Give mixed nuts
- Offer chocolate-covered cashews
- Feed them to dogs with pancreatitis
Dogs with pancreatitis or weight issues should skip nuts. Ask your vet if unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat cashews safely every day?
Not recommended. Their fat and calories make them an occasional treat only.
Can dogs eat salted cashews?
Avoid them. One or two won’t usually cause harm, but salt adds up and can be a problem for dogs with heart or kidney disease.
Are cashews or almonds better for dogs?
Plain cashews are softer and easier to chew, so they’re slightly lower risk, but neither is a needed treat.
Can dogs eat cashew butter?
A small lick of plain, unsalted cashew butter without xylitol is fine for most dogs.
Can puppies eat cashews?
It’s best to wait. Puppies have small airways and sensitive stomachs, and the fat can cause upset. Puppy-safe chews are a better reward.
Checking another food? See our What Can Dogs Eat? A-Z list of safe and unsafe foods.
The Bottom Line
Can dogs eat cashews? One or two plain, unsalted cashews now and then is fine for most healthy dogs. Skip seasoned and mixed nuts, and choose a low-fat treat for everyday rewards. See more in our Can Dogs Eat…? library, our list of foods that are toxic to dogs, or Start Here. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- American Kennel Club (AKC) — Can dogs eat cashews
- PetMD — Can dogs eat cashews
- WSAVA — WSAVA guidetotreats dogs 251107
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central