How cooking oil changes the equation
Those stir-fry cashews absorbed far more oil than raw ones would - and your 10 kg dog got a double hit of salt from both seasoning and soy sauce. The combination makes this riskier than plain salted nuts. Cooking oils coat the stomach lining, delaying normal digestion and increasing nausea likelihood.
Expect the first signs within 4-6 hours: restless pacing, lip-smacking noises, or your dog suddenly eating grass. These behaviors indicate the salt and oil are irritating the stomach. The cashews themselves are almost irrelevant now - it's their preparation that created the problem.
Why size works against your dog
At 10 kg, your dog is small enough that even a tablespoon of cooking oil matters, but large enough to consume several cashews quickly. This middle-weight range is tricky - tiny dogs stop after one nut, giant breeds distribute the fat across more body mass. Your dog hit the worst combination: meaningful oil volume relative to her size.
Check between her toes for any dampness - dogs this size often drool excessively before vomiting but swallow it back down. Paw licking is another subtle precursor to stomach upset owners often miss until the actual vomiting starts.
The salt danger owners underestimate
Sodium from stir-fry seasoning can trigger excessive thirst leading to water intoxication in small dogs. If your dog gulps a whole bowl of water after the salty nuts, watch for loss of coordination or glassy eyes - these are neurological signs of sodium imbalance.
Normal recovery involves gradual water intake over hours, not chugging. Provide ice cubes instead of free access to water to pace her intake. The salt risk declines after 12 hours if no symptoms appear, but the oil effects may linger another day.
Bland food mistakes to avoid
Boiled chicken helps, but most owners make it wrong for this situation. The skin must be completely removed - even a little fat undermines the bland diet's purpose. Shred the meat finely rather than offering chunks, as the oil may have temporarily reduced stomach acid effectiveness.
Skip the usual rice recommendation - grains ferment in an oil-slowed gut. Pureed cooked pumpkin (not pie filling) helps more by absorbing residual oil without adding starch. Feed tablespoon-sized portions every 3 hours rather than regular meals until her stool consistency improves.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Cashews food facts page.