Why
Cashews give minerals and protein, but the fat adds up quickly and can lead to weight gain or pancreatitis.
How to serve cashews
- A few plain, unsalted, roasted cashews.
Watch out for
- Never feed mixed nuts: they may include macadamia nuts.
- Avoid salted or flavored cashews.
How much cashews can a dog eat?
Treats of every kind should stay under 10% of a dog's daily calories, says the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Here is that daily treat budget by size, and how much cashews it buys if cashews is the only treat that day. Cashews has about 574 kcal per 100 g; 1 oz (28.4 g) is about 163 kcal.
| Dog size | Daily treat budget | Max cashews a day |
|---|---|---|
| Small (10 lb) | 26 kcal | 5 g (a quarter of oz) |
| Medium (30 lb) | 59 kcal | 10 g (a third of oz) |
| Large (60 lb) | 100 kcal | 17 g (two thirds of oz) |
| Giant (90 lb) | 136 kcal | 24 g (three quarters of oz) |
Less is better for small, overweight or diabetic dogs. Work out your own dog's numbers with the dog food calculator. Calories: USDA FoodData Central, Nuts, cashew nuts, dry roasted, without salt added.
Other nuts and nut butters: quick answers
| Food | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | Avoid | No. Almonds can block the esophagus and are high in fat. |
| Pistachios | Avoid | Best avoided. Pistachios are not toxic, but they are fatty, salty and a choking risk. |
| Peanut butter | Small amounts | Yes, plain and xylitol-free, in small amounts. |
| Peanuts | Small amounts | Yes, a few plain unsalted peanuts. |
| Macadamia nuts | Toxic | No. Macadamia nuts are one of the most poisonous foods for dogs. |
Rules for any new food
- Plain is the rule: no salt, butter, oil, onion, garlic, sugar or sweeteners. Most of the danger in human food comes from what is added to it.
- Keep all treats under 10% of your dog's daily calories (WSAVA). The rest should come from a complete dog food.
- Check labels for xylitol, raisins, chocolate and macadamia nuts, which turn up in baked goods, snacks and spreads.
- If your dog has a health condition, such as diabetes, pancreatitis or kidney disease, ask your vet before adding any new food.
Frequently asked questions
Are cashews safe for dogs?
Yes, a few plain unsalted cashews. They are fatty, so keep it rare.
How much cashews can a dog eat?
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of a dog's daily calories (WSAVA). For a 30 lb dog that is about 59 kcal a day, or roughly 10 g of cashews if it is the only treat that day.
Sources
- American Kennel Club, "Human Foods Dogs Can and Can't Eat" (updated Aug 17, 2026)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, "People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets"
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee, "Feeding treats to your dog"
- USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy (April 2018 release)
Checked October 17, 2026. We are a reference, not a vet: if in doubt, call yours. How we check.