The custom of giving dogs food from the human diet is widespread in many families. In order to reward them for their good behavior or simply to satisfy the canine desire to try them, they are given some portions of food without knowing exactly what impact it may have on their body or if it is healthy for them, as is the case with chestnuts.
With the arrival of autumn and low temperatures, the consumption of chestnuts increases considerably. You have probably eaten a good handful in front of your dog and, on some occasion, you have given him a piece. Do you know if they really should eat them? To find out if dogs can eat chestnuts , what benefits their intake has for dogs and how to give them to them, at OneHOWTO we recommend that you continue reading this article.
You may also be interested: Can dogs eat nuts? -here the answer!
Index
- Can dogs eat chestnuts or not?
- What are the benefits of chestnuts for dogs?
- How to give chestnuts to my dog
Can dogs eat chestnuts or not?
Chestnuts are not a toxic food for dogs. It is a dry fruit that provides numerous benefits to dogs, so we can say that dogs can eat chestnuts . Even so, the intake of chestnuts by your furry little one should be carried out in compliance with a series of recommendations:
- Small amounts:you should give your dog small doses of chestnuts, since if they eat large amounts they can cause digestive problems, diarrhea or vomiting.
- Small pieces:cut the chestnuts that you give to your furry friend in small pieces to avoid choking while eating them. This is especially important in small dog breeds.
- Occasional consumption:it is essential that your dog’s intake of chestnuts is punctual. Frequent consumption of this dried fruit can cause pancreatitis.
- Raw chestnuts:the healthiest way to give chestnuts to your dog is raw, without salt or anything added and peeled. Another option is to prepare a chestnut puree mixed with the usual feed.
What are the benefits of chestnuts for dogs?
Knowing that you can give your dog chestnuts in a moderate way , it is important that you know all the benefits that this nut brings to your body. And it is that, although it is not one of the most recommended foods for dogs, it has beneficial properties and nutrients for their health, such as the following:
Support dental and bone health
Chestnuts contain calcium . Its intake helps improve the condition of the bones and teeth of dogs. To contribute to this improvement, it is essential to take care of canine dental hygiene and do adequate exercises, since physical activities that are not suitable for dogs, or that are not suitable for a particular dog due to its current state of health, can harm the health of dogs. joints and bones of the animal, among other aspects of its health, despite the consumption of calcium.
They improve heart health
Chestnuts, like other nuts, contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids . These fatty acids help maintain good heart health in dogs and help prevent heart-related diseases. You can learn here some tips on How to know if my dog has heart problems .
Nervous system stimulation
This dried fruit contains different minerals and provides vitamin B , so its consumption helps maintain and function properly the nervous system, stimulating it properly. This aspect translates into a clear improvement in canine health and the prevention of pathologies of neurological origin.
They favor intestinal transit
A responsible consumption of chestnuts by your furry friend will bring benefits to its intestinal flora thanks to the fiber content of the dried fruit. On the other hand, a disproportionate intake would cause the opposite effect, that is, cause intestinal problems instead of improving its transit.
Therefore, it is very important that you respect the amount of chestnuts that your dog can eat so that they do not consume excess fiber and harm their intestinal transit. If your dog suffers from constipation, you may be interested in reading this other article about Laxatives for dogs: medications, food and dosage .
Chestnuts are suitable for diabetic dogs
Dogs with diabetes may also occasionally enjoy chestnuts . As they are a source of carbohydrates, which turn into sugars when digested, these dogs will be able to eat a small amount in a measured way and from time to time, since their glucose levels must be monitored. Even if you detect that it gives him a drop in glucose, you can give him a chestnut to make his levels go up.
We encourage you to learn some tips on how to care for a dog with diabetes by reading this other post.
How to give chestnuts to my dog
Taking into account that dogs can eat chestnuts occasionally and in small quantities , it is important to know how to provide them so that they are not harmful, otherwise they could cause problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, flatulence, discomfort or stomach pain.
The first time you give your furry chestnuts, it should be very carefully: give him a small piece and observe his reaction for several hours . If you have no symptoms of allergy or intolerance, you can continue giving the dried fruit moderately. The chestnuts that you can consume are the same as those that we eat, that is, those produced by the common chestnut, the Japanese, Chinese and American chestnut.
To avoid the risk of choking and perforation in the esophagus, stomach or intestines, remove the skin from the chestnuts before giving them to your dog. Here are some tips on how to peel chestnuts .
Remember that you should give them raw and without added salt: your furry little one can eat lightly roasted chestnuts, but never fully roasted. Nor should you eat them fried or in syrup, as they could cause the intestinal problems mentioned above and provide excess fats and sugars.
Now that you know that dogs can eat chestnuts, we encourage you to discover more about this question: Can dogs eat nuts?
