Last Updated: 18/09/2026
Can Dogs Eat Cashews?
Cashews aren't toxic to dogs, but their size is a choking risk and their fat content raises pancreatitis risk. Here's how to feed them safely, if at all.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 3 minutes - short read
If a cashew's ever rolled off the bench and your dog's hoovered it up before you could stop them, you're not looking at an emergency, but it's worth knowing where the real risks sit.
While cashews aren't toxic to dogs, their size poses a choking risk, and their high fat content increases the risk of gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis, as well as adding significant calories to your dog's diet. For these reasons, cashews are best avoided as a regular treat, and if you do share one, keep it to a rare, plain and unsalted exception.
Can dogs eat cashews?
While cashews aren't toxic to dogs, unlike macadamia nuts, we'd still be cautious about feeding them. Their size is a genuine choking risk, particularly for small dogs and puppies, and their high fat content increases the risk of gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis, as well as adding significant calories to your dog's daily diet.
Cashews are one of the fattier nuts around, sitting at roughly 44g of fat per 100g. That's a meaningful amount of fat and kilojoules for most dogs, so even the occasional cashew adds up more than owners often realise.
Are cashews bad for dogs?
A small handful of cashews looks harmless, but it's genuinely one of the fattiest treats owners hand over without realising. The risk isn't a single cashew, it's repeated feeding over time.
High-fat foods are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis in dogs, an inflammation of the pancreas that can range from mild tummy upset to a serious, painful condition needing veterinary treatment. Dogs that are overweight, older, or have had pancreatitis before are especially sensitive to fatty extras like nuts. Given the fat content and calorie load, we'd suggest skipping cashews altogether for these dogs and reaching for a lower-fat dog treat instead.
Can dogs eat salted cashews?
No, avoid salted, roasted or flavoured cashews altogether. Added salt can cause digestive upset and, in large amounts, contribute to sodium ion poisoning. Sugar coatings and seasonings like onion or garlic powder, common in flavoured nut mixes, bring their own problems for dogs. If you're sharing a cashew with your dog, it should only ever come from the plain, unsalted jar, never the party mix.
How many cashews can I give my dog?
Given the choking risk and how quickly the fat and calories add up, we'd lean towards leaving cashews out of your dog's diet altogether. If you do want to offer one occasionally, keep it to a single plain, unsalted cashew for an average-size dog, and skip them entirely for small breeds, puppies, or dogs prone to pancreatitis or weight gain.
While cashews aren't toxic to dogs, their size poses a choking risk, and their high fat content increases the risk of gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis, as well as adding significant calories to your dog's diet. We'd suggest treating cashews as a rare exception at most, or skipping them altogether in favour of a lower-fat, dog-safe treat. There are plenty of human foods that are safe for pets that make a better everyday treat than nuts, and our broader guide to dangerous foods for dogs is worth a bookmark for the next kitchen mishap.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 17 Sep 2026
Written by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
