Home / Can Dogs Eat / Cashews
Yes, in small amounts. Cashews are the friendliest tree nut for dogs: not toxic, and fine as an occasional treat. They are high in fat and calories, so a few plain, unsalted cashews at a time is the whole serving.
Standards checked
Both of the American Kennel Club's nut relevant guides treat cashews gently. Its human foods list says cashews are OK for dogs, just as an occasional treat, because the seeds are high in fat and calories, so only a few plain, unsalted cashews should be offered at a time. Its tree nut guide agrees they are not toxic, adding that eating too many can lead to gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis and obesity. That pairing, allowed but rationed, is exactly what our moderation badge exists for.
Plain, shelled and unsalted, full stop. Salted, roasted in oil, honey glazed or spice dusted cashews leave the category entirely, and the salted kind runs into the problems in our salt guide. Count them: two or three for a medium dog is a serving, one for a small dog, and they come out of the day's treat allowance like any other rich food. Because cashews are soft for a nut, choking risk is lower than with almonds, but a gulping dog should still get them one at a time, not from a scattered handful.
Quantity and company. Quantity, because the fat that makes a few cashews a treat makes a bowl of them a pancreatitis gamble, particularly for dogs already prone to it. Company, because cashews travel in mixed nuts and trail mixes alongside macadamia nuts, which are toxic, and raisins, which can cause kidney failure. A mixed tin is never a cashew serving. Check any mix nut by nut, or better, keep a small separate bag of plain cashews if they are your dog's chosen treat.
Plain cashew butter without xylitol follows the same rule as the nut: a thin smear is a treat, a spoonful is a fat load. Cashew based desserts and ice creams add sugar and leave the category. Dogs on weight management plans should skip cashews entirely; the calories per gram are among the highest of any treat on this site. For a lower calorie crunch, carrots and apple slices are the everyday answer.
This page is general information drawn from the published guidance of the organisations listed under Sources below. It is not veterinary advice, and it does not replace your own veterinarian, who knows your dog. If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 straight away. A consultation fee may apply on the helplines.
Last updated: November 2026. Every verdict on this page was checked against at least two of the sources listed below. How we work: our methodology.
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