Can dogs eat hazelnuts?

A hazelnut is about 1.5 to 2 cm (under 1 in) across, hard and round. That is just the right size to lodge in the airway or esophagus of a small dog. Crushed or chopped hazelnuts are safer than whole ones if you do share.

Hazelnuts have around 9 calories each and are about 60 percent fat.

Roasted, skinned hazelnuts are slightly softer than raw ones, but they are just as round. For a toy breed under 5 kg (11 lb), even half a hazelnut can be awkward to swallow, so crushing is the safer approach.

Chocolate hazelnut spreads contain sugar, palm oil and cocoa. The amount of cocoa is modest, but dogs can eat a lot of spread quickly. The risk depends on the dog's size and how much was eaten. A dog that has eaten spread from the jar has taken in fat, sugar and some theobromine, the toxin in chocolate, so call your vet for advice.

Hazel grows in hedges and woodland across Europe and drops nuts in early autumn. Squirrels usually get most of them, but dogs sometimes pick them up. Nuts that have been lying on damp ground can be mouldy.

Hazelnut praline, pralines, hazelnut cakes, biscotti and chocolate bars with hazelnuts combine the nut with sugar, butter and chocolate. Hazelnut flour in dog treats is fine.

For a crunchy snack, carrot sticks, apple slices or a dog biscuit are safer choices. Save nuts for people.