Your Frenchie is an inseparable companion, sharing everything with no boundaries.
You love nutty cookies, and the sad eyes of your fur friend staring at you eating them are heart-wrenching.
You are on the verge of giving in to their unspoken request. But can Frenchies eat macadamia nuts safely? Read on to find out.
Are macadamia nuts good for Frenchies?
Macadamia nuts are poisonous for Frenchies, and their effects can be life-threatening.
They are a frequent ingredient in most snacks and baked foods, including cookies and butter.
There is no scientific evidence on what makes the nuts toxic to dogs. But its high-fat content seems to be the main culprit.
Macadamia Nut Information
Macadamia nuts originated from Australia and are also called Australian nuts.
The nuts also grow in America and Hawaii. They are the main contributor to Hawaii‘s income generation and are used for commercial purposes.
The scientific name for the nut is Macadamia Integrifolia. Macadamia nuts have a high-fat content.
Macadamia Nut Toxicity
They add flavor to our daily food, but they have adverse effects on dogs.
Your French bulldog can experience the symptoms of macadamia nuts consumption even from eating an ounce of the nut.
Mild symptoms are associated with small amounts of macadamia nuts. Your Frenchie will show little or no interest in physical activity and appear weaker than usual.
Symptoms of Macadamia Nut Poisoning in Dogs
Vomiting: Macadamia nuts affect the gastrointestinal tract making the dog unable to retain anything in the stomach. Although vomiting aids in ejecting the poison from the body, it can lead to dehydration.
Weakness: The dog will have difficulty moving the hind legs. In severe cases, they will not be able to walk.
Lethargy: The poison in the macadamia nuts makes dogs restless and sickly, with less interest in taking the regular evening walk.
Fever: Your dog’s body temperature will be higher than usual, and in more severe cases, the dog will shiver uncontrollably.
Diarrhea or constipation: Macadamia nuts make a dog either have frequent watery stools or harden the stool.
Causes of Macadamia Nuts Poisoning in Dogs
High-fat content: The high proportion of fats in macadamia nuts is the main reason for macadamia nut toxicity.
The fats can cause gastrointestinal problems, especially in Frenchies with sensitive stomachs.
The high-fat content also leads to weight gain, which is not healthy for your dog.
Obesity is harmful to Frenchies due to their constricted breathing passages and shorter skulls compared to other dogs.
Giving your dog a lot of fats can lead to more serious life-threatening conditions like Pancreatitis.
Diagnosis of Macadamia Nuts Poisoning in Dogs
So how do you identify macadamia nut poisoning?
Your vet will carry out a thorough clinical analysis on your dog and ask you questions to determine the history and level of exposure.
Macadamia nuts can also be physically seen in both the vomit and stool. In some cases, the proteins responsible for the dog’s chemical reactions may temporarily rise.
Treatment of Macadamia Nuts Poisoning in Dogs
Your Frenchie is showing the symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning. What should you do next?
The following are the three main ways of treating your four-legged companion.
Use activated charcoal
Activated charcoal will help in ensuring that the nuts move quickly through the dog’s digestive system.
This reduces the chances of them being kept for long in the stomach and lowers the probability of constipation. It binds the toxins, preventing further absorption.
Home management
In milder cases, you can observe your dog at home but with proper guidance from the vet.
Many dog experts do not encourage this, as the dog can get worse over time.
Consult the vet
You should take your pup to the vet for examination. This is the best action to take since you might not know the severity of the poison.
The vet will observe and examine the dog and induce vomiting to ensure that all the poison is out of your Frenchie’s system.
Treatment includes the administration of antiemetics which stops nausea and vomiting. For a dehydrated dog, intravenous fluids help replace the lost nutrients.
The vet will also give your dog some analgesics for pain relief, and antipyretics will bring your dog’s body temperature back to the required range.
Admission may be necessary for a severely affected dog, and you will not take your Frenchie home until he fully recovers.
What if my Frenchie eats macadamia nuts?
Ingestion of an ounce of macadamia nuts can be life-threatening to Frenchies.
Those cheeky fur human companions may dip their paws into the nutty jar, especially when no one is watching.
What should you do when your Frenchie accidentally ingests those toxins?
If your Frenchie is not showing the symptoms, but you suspect consumption of nuts, you can observe your dog at home.
For extreme signs like high temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea, it is best to go to the vet immediately.
Stomach discomfort, withdrawal, and reduced desire for food for more than two days can be a sign of an inflamed pancreas which can be fatal.
What nuts can Frenchies eat?
Should you avoid nuts entirely on your dog’s menu? Definitely not, but you should do it with caution due to the high percentage of calories.
You should not give nuts to your dog daily. The following are some of the nuts which might not harm your Frenchie.
Chestnuts
Chestnuts are a good source of iron and aids in digestion. Proper digestion lowers the probability of constipation in your dog.
Peanuts
Amino acids in peanuts are good for proper blood circulation. This lowers the chances of cardiac problems and high blood pressure.
Peanuts are also rich in vitamin E and fats, which are not harmful to your Frenchie.
Although the nuts are healthy, dogs should consume them sparingly as frequent consumption can cause unhealthy weight gain.
Read our article on Can Frenchies Eat Peanuts Safely?
Hazelnuts
You should give these nuts in moderation as they have the potential of choking your dogs.
Dogs swallow their food fast, and hazelnuts can easily block their airway.
What nuts are bad for Frenchies?
We associate nuts with snack time and enjoy snacking with our dogs. Some nuts are not recommended for your Frenchie as they cause more harm than good. They include:
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts contain a high proportion of fats which can cause pancreatitis. The long-term effects of pancreatitis are deadly as they can affect the functioning of other significant organs.
Pistachios
These nuts are also full of calories and cause gastrointestinal problems. Frequent use can damage your Frenchie’s liver.
Pecans
These nuts may taste heavenly for you, but it is a no-go zone for your four-legged companion.
The nuts can make your dog feel nauseous and pass watery stools. Pecans with molds are toxic and can cause seizures.
Almonds
These nuts are mouth-watering, but your Frenchie’s digestive system may not fully digest them, leading to stomach upsets.
How many macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs?
You should avoid Macadamia at all costs. Ingestion of one gram per pound of the dog’s body weight is harmful. The higher the accounts, the higher the severity.
Can dogs eat macadamia nut cookies?
Cookies that contain macadamia are toxic to canines. Though they are safe for humans, You should avoid them in dogs. Consumption causes the symptoms associated with macadamia nut poisoning.
Can dogs have macadamia nut oil?
You can safely use macadamia nut oil to moisturize and brighten the dog’s coat, but they should not ingest it as it contains traces of macadamia nuts, which are harmful.
Will one macadamia nut hurt my dog?
A single macadamia nut can make your dog sick. The symptoms associated with the ingestion of macadamia nuts can present themselves even from consuming an ounce of the nut.
Can dogs have macadamia nut milk?
Macadamia nut milk results from the combination of water and raw macadamia nuts. Macadamia nuts are poisonous to dogs, and this mixture is a no-go zone for the canines.
The Bottom Line
We all enjoy and crave those long leisure evening walks with our dogs. We love seeing them wagging their tails delightfully as the breezy wind blows.
Your pleasure-filled routine can be interrupted unexpectedly if you become too lazy to monitor what your Frenchie eats.
Have well-defined boundaries when it comes to sharing food with your companion. Avoid macadamia nuts at all costs.
Be alert and look out for any symptoms of macadamia nut poisoning. Consult your vet when you suspect ingestion. Now you have it at your fingertips. Macadamia nuts are a no-go zone for your Frenchie. They cause more harm than good.
