dogs are one of the most social and friendly pets to have around. They like to stay by their owner’s side, and these smart birds also try to copy their owner’s behavior. Their actions are super cute until it comes to food. dogs will try whatever way possible to sneak in a bite of human food, and their owners will have to go around protecting their food and prevent their dogs from being successful in their quest.
Now you’re probably wondering, why go through all that effort? Especially if you’re eating something healthy, might as well give your dog a bite here and there to keep them satisfied. How we wish that was possible!
The problem with doing that comes down to the simple fact that birds and humans are very different beings, and so their food tolerances are very different too. What might be a lightweight snack for us can be extremely heavy on their digestive system. One bite of our food can be a months’ worth of harmful element ingestion! And so we have to be extremely careful of what we need from our feathered friends.
With winters coming soon, our favorite snack is usually nuts. While yes, nuts are safe to be given to our dog, that is a very general statement to make. There are so many different kinds of nuts available, and not all of them are good for your dog’s health.
Let’s talk about one nut in particular: pecans. A popular nut that most of us enjoy eating. But is it safe for our birds? Read on to find all the answers to your questions.
Can dogs Eat Pecans and Pecans is safe for dogs?
Among the list of safe bird nuts, pecans are included in the list. These nuts are safe and healthy and thus would prove beneficial if included in your dog’s diet.
However, there are certain things to keep in mind when feeding your dog this nut. To start with, you must remember that pecans and nuts, in general, for that matter, don’t make up a large portion of your dog’s diet. These nuts serve as a snack and that too as an occasional snack for your bird and should not replace their staple food. If you replace their staple food with pecans, you’ll be paving the way for a very unhealthy life more than your dog, which will be plagued with several health problems, which will essentially cut their life short.
Secondly, you should be aware of the fact that pecans are the second fattiest nuts out there. Macadamias, which are the fattiest nuts, have 21.5 grams of fat per ounce, and pecans have 20.4 grams. Too much fat for your dog is dangerous and can lead to a series of health problems such as obesity, which is also linked to heart problems and can also lead to liver problems. These conditions will cause a lot of discomfort and pain to your dogs, and that is something you don’t want to put them through. This is why moderation is key. Make sure you only feed pecans as a rare and occasional treat. You can give them to your dog if they have been especially good!
Thirdly, whenever you give your dog’s pecan, you have to ensure that there is no seasoning on them and that they are not salted. Although seasoning such as salt and sugar aren’t toxic to your dog, too much of it can cause a serious upset in their health. And thus, all such seasonings should be avoided.
However, the effect of fat also depends on what kind of bird you have. Most dogs need to steer clear of high-fat diets and foods. However, some dogs such as Macaws strive for these fatty foods. So it is always a good idea to research your dog’s breed in specific.
Pecans are rich in nutrients that your dog needs to live a healthy life. These nutrients include:
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin E
- Potassium
- Iron
- Calcium
- Manganese
Can we give shelled pecans to our dogs?
dogs love a challenge, and if you want to keep them occupied or distracted, one of the best activities you can engage them in deshelling their nuts. It is also a great exercise for their beaks, and it keeps them strong.
However, pecan shells are a bit too difficult for your dogs to deshell on their own, and it isn’t recommended that you give them the nut with the shell. If you want to give them pecans with the shell on, we would recommend partially opening the shell to make things easier on your birds.
Is pecan pie safe for our dogs?
Since it is the holiday season, a favorite dessert found around our tables is pecan pie, and obviously, our dogs have their eye set on getting a piece of our pie. Can we let them have a taste?
While a nibble won’t harm your dog, it should be avoided nonetheless. Pecan pie is made of all the ingredients we generally want to keep out of dog’s diets. Butter used in the recipe is high fat and added to the nuts’ high-fat content; it isn’t healthy for our birds. Sugar is also used in the baking process, and that too isn’t a good food addition to your dog’s diet.
Thus we would suggest avoiding offering your bird even a bit of the pie. However, if it does sneak in a taste, you won’t have to rush them to the vet!
Conclusion:
To sum things up, yes, you can offer your dog pecans as long as you ensure to do so as an occasional treat. Even if your dog seems to enjoy them, don’t take that as an indication that they can have more than the recommended dose. Your dog relies on you to make the decisions about what is good for them and what is not. When your dog’s health is concerned, stay safe than sorry!