Yes, dogs can eat chestnuts in moderation and following a series of recommendations, such as removing the shell, not offering too many blow chestnuts or avoid giving chestnuts that are too green. With the arrival of autumn and winter we have at our disposal different seasonal foods, such as pumpkin and the aforementioned chestnuts. Therefore, it is not surprising that we wonder if we can share these little delicacies with our furry best friends. Well, in this article on our site we will focus on this food that is so popular in our kitchen to explain how to give chestnuts to a dog and what benefits they provide, keep going! Reading!
Nutritional composition of chestnuts
According to the United States Department of Agriculture[1], 100 grams of raw chestnutsown:
- Water: 43.95 g
- Energy: 224 kcal
- Protein: 4.20 g
- Carbohydrates: 49.07 g
- Calcium: 18 mg
- Iron: 1.41 mg
- Magnesium: 84 mg
- Phosphorus: 96 mg
- Potassium: 447 mg
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Zinc: 0.87 mg
- Vitamin C: 36 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.41 mg
- Vitamin A: 10 μg
- Saturated fatty acids: 0.164 g
- Monounsaturated fatty acids: 0.581 g
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 0.288 g
Although at first glance the figures for certain elements are high, it should be remembered that we are talking about 100 grams of chestnuts, an amount that we should not give the animal at once, and later we will see why.
Benefits of chestnuts for dogs
Now that we know that dogs can eat chestnuts in a controlled and moderate way, what benefits do they bring them? Although it is true that it is not one of the most recommended nuts for dogs, it is also true that it has an interesting nutritional composition, as we have already seen, which translates into multiple beneficial properties for the dog's body:
Promote bone and dental he alth
Due to the quantity of calcium they contain, chestnuts are good for improving the condition of your dog's teeth and bones. To do this, it is essential to follow proper dental hygiene and perform adequate exercise, since carrying out physical activities that are not recommended for the animal can harm the he alth of bones and joints despite consuming calcium in its diet.
They are suitable for dogs with diabetes
If your dog suffers from diabetes, you should know that you can also enjoy this delicious fruit from time to time as a prize or reward. This is so because of the carbohydrates found in the composition of chestnuts. To learn more about the natural diet for dogs with this condition, check out our article "Diets for dogs with diabetes".
Stimulates the nervous system
Due to the set of minerals and vitamins from group B, chestnuts help keep the nervous system functioning well stimulated. This fact not only translates into improved he alth, but also prevents neurological pathologies.
They are good for the heart
As is the case with all nuts, chestnuts have omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, so they help maintain he alth and prevent the onset of diseases related to this organ.
Improve intestinal transit
Properly offered, they favor the dog's intestinal flora thanks to their amount of fiber However, in excess it can have the opposite effect, causing intestinal problems instead of improving transit. That is why respecting the consumption doses is essential. To do this, we recommend you consult this other article on Fiber for dogs.
How to give chestnuts to a dog?
As we have pointed out in the previous sections, dogs can eat chestnuts from time to time and in small quantities, ideally not offering more than one in a row. Likewise, it is not advisable to offer this nut every day, since excess consumption can cause the following he alth problems:
- Flatulence
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Discomfort
- Stomachache
On the other hand, if you have never offered this food to your dog before, we recommend try first with a piece of chestnut and observe its reaction. If you do not have allergy symptoms, you can continue to provide the fruit as a reward or treat. Likewise, if your dog tends not to chew his food, keep in mind that chestnuts are rather hard in consistency and could get stuck in his throat and even cause choking if you don't chop them up first.
What kind of chestnuts can a dog eat?
The same types of human consumption, that is, the chestnuts produced by the common chestnut, the American chestnut, the Japanese chestnut and Chinese chestnut. All those chestnuts not suitable for human consumption, we also do not recommend offering them to the dog.
And can dogs eat cashews? Cashew nuts, also known as cashews, are not chestnuts per se, they are another type of dried fruit from the cashew tree, also called merey or acajú. However, they are still a suitable food for these animals, so dogs can eat cashews following the same recommendations: controlling the amount.
Can I give my dog chestnuts in the shell?
NO, it is preferable that you remove the shell to avoid the above problems. To do this, many choose to toast them, since the task of peeling them is much easier. However, when it comes to dogs, it is best to offer the fruit raw and without added s alt.
Can dogs eat roasted chestnuts?
Lightly roasted yes, toasted as we would cook them for human consumption, fried or in syrup NO. As we have already mentioned, the most appropriate thing is to offer the fruit peeled and raw, since the added s alt or cooking the fried chestnut can harm the animal and encourage the development of the aforementioned intestinal problems. Of course, if your dog has eaten a roasted chestnut or a piece of roasted chestnut, he does not have to present negative symptoms. Now, if this is not the case and the question is whether or not you can offer roasted chestnuts to your dog, you can do so as long as you don't add s alt and don't add them over-roast.
