The custom of giving food from the human diet to dogs 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 can 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 occasion, you have given him a piece. Do you know if they should really eat them? To find out if dogs can eat chestnuts, what benefits their intake has in dogs and how to give them, in we recommend that you continue reading this article.

Can dogs eat chestnuts or not?

Chestnuts are not a toxic food for dogs. It is a nut that provides numerous benefits to dogs, so we can say that dogs can eat chestnuts. Even so, the intake of chestnuts of your little furry should be done complying with a series of recommendations:

• Small amounts: you should give small doses of chestnuts to your dog, because if he eats large amounts they can cause digestive problems, diarrhea or vomiting.
• Small pieces: Cut the chestnuts you give your furry friend into small pieces to prevent him from choking while eating them. This is especially important in small dog breeds.
• Occasional consumption: it is essential that your dog’s chestnut intake is punctual. Frequent consumption of this nut 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 benefits do chestnuts have for dogs

Knowing that you can give chestnuts to your dog in moderation, it is important that you know all the benefits that this nut brings to your body. And, 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 to 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 not suitable for dogs, or that do not suit a specific dog due to its current state of health, can harm the health of the joints and bones of the animal, among more aspects of its health, despite calcium consumption.

Improve heart health

Chestnuts, like other nuts, contain omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. These fatty acids contribute to maintaining good heart health in dogs and promote the prevention of heart-related diseases. You can learn here some tips on how to tell if my dog has heart problems.

Stimulation of the nervous system

This nut contains different minerals and provides vitamin B, so its consumption helps the proper maintenance and functioning of the nervous system by stimulating it properly. This aspect translates into a clear improvement in canine health and the prevention of pathologies of neurological origin.

Promote intestinal transit

A responsible consumption of chestnuts by your furry will bring benefits in their intestinal flora thanks to the fiber content of the nut. On the other hand, a disproportionate intake would cause the opposite effect, that is, cause intestinal problems instead of improving their transit.

Therefore, it is very important that you respect the number of chestnuts that your dog can eat so that he does not consume an excess of fiber and harm his intestinal transit. If your dog suffers from constipation, you may be interested in reading this other article about Laxatives for dogs: medications, food and dosages.

Chestnuts are suitable for diabetic dogs

Dogs with diabetes may also occasionally enjoy chestnuts. As they are a source of carbohydrates, which are converted into sugars when digested, these dogs will be able to eat a small amount in a measured way and from time to time, since you have to watch their glucose levels. Even if you detect that it gives a drop in glucose, you can give it a chestnut so that its levels rise.

We encourage you to know 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 in a timely manner and in small quantities, it is important to know how to provide them so that it is not harmful, otherwise they could cause problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, discomfort or stomach pain.

The first time you give chestnuts to your furry should be very carefully: give him a small piece and observe his reaction for several hours. If he has no symptoms of allergy or intolerance, you can continue to give him the nut 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 chestnut, the Chinese and the American.

To avoid choking risks and perforations in the esophagus, stomach or intestines, remove the shell from the chestnuts well before giving them to your dog. Here are some tips on how to peel chestnuts.

Remember to give them raw and without added salt: your little furry can eat lightly roasted chestnuts, but never completely roasted. Nor should you eat them fried or in syrup, as they could lead to the intestinal problems exposed 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?

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