Did you know that “dogs and nuts” is one of the most frequently searched topics online? If you have heard of dog owners commonly feeding peanut butter to their dogs as a treat, you may be wondering – can dogs eat peanuts?
In this article, we will look at peanuts in-depth and establish whether or not we should be feeding them to our dogs as treats.
In this article, we will discuss the following:
- Are peanuts safe for dogs to eat?
- When are peanuts bad for dogs?
- What are the benefits of peanuts for dogs?
- How to feed peanuts to your dog
Yes, dogs can eat peanuts.
Although they are not toxic to dogs, peanuts are high in fats are not that healthy for your dog. Peanuts can be added to your dog’s home-made treats or just a few shelled plain peanuts.
Are Peanuts Safe For Dogs To Eat?
There are many types of nuts that are not considered to be safe for consumption by dogs. For example, almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and macadamia nuts are all on this list.
If so many types of nuts are dangerous for dogs, you may be left feeling alarmed, because everybody seems to like to give their dogs peanut butter!
Thankfully peanuts are not on the list of nuts that are dangerous for dogs, so your dog can eat peanuts without it risking their life.
But you still have to be careful when feeding peanuts to your dog, because while they are not toxic for dogs, they are incredibly high in fat, and this is not good for your dog’s health.
There are a few other considerations to make when choosing what kind of peanuts to feed your dog and whether your dog, in particular, should be eating peanuts at all.
When Are Peanuts Bad For Dogs?
Dogs that suffer from pancreatitis will not be able to eat peanuts at all, as the high-fat content can potentially trigger a very painful pancreatic flare-up.
Pancreatitis is a painful condition in which the dog’s pancreas becomes inflamed after consuming high-fat foods. Pancreatitis can be fatal.
Dogs that are obese or suffer from other health issues like diabetes or a susceptible digestive system should steer clear of peanuts too.
Sometimes a dog’s digestive system may not be able to deal with foods that are highly concentrated with fat, and this can cause very unpleasant gastrointestinal issues.
If your dog has an upset stomach from eating high-fat foods like peanuts, they may experience vomiting and/or diarrhea.
There are much healthier snack options for these kinds of dogs that you can choose from, like healthy vegetables and some fruits.
You should also be aware that peanuts are tiny, and if you have a greedy dog that tends to “inhale” their food rather than a crunch or chew it first, they may be likely to swallow peanuts whole, and this may be a choking hazard depending on the dog.
This is also why you should feed peanuts one at a time, as a dog that swallows more than more peanuts at once, or one after the other, is at more risk of choking on them.
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
Don’t forget that peanuts can also contain a lot of salt. We often go for salted varieties of peanuts to keep as snacks in the house, so if you are tossing a few of these to your dogs, then they may end up consuming more salt than their required daily allowance.
The best kind to buy is plain unsalted peanuts or monkey nuts if feeding monkey nuts. You should always remove the kernel before feeding the nuts to your dog.
You should also be careful when choosing peanut butter for your dog. Dogs love peanut butter, and it is fine to use peanut butter as a treat, but not all peanut butter is made equally.
Some contain added salt, sugar, and other chemical ingredients. Peanut butter is notorious for containing an artificial sweetener called xylitol that is toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.
Always check the ingredients label on your peanut butter jars to ensure that you are only offering your dog 100% peanuts and no added palm oil, sugar, or xylitol.
If a peanut butter jar says that it contains “natural sweeteners” this may be a clue that it contains xylitol.
If you want to ensure your dog’s safety, only buy peanut butter from the pet shop, as this has been specially designed and made with your dog in mind, and it will, at least, therefore, be safe for your dog to consume.
Don’t forget, too, that your dog may even be allergic to peanuts. Many people are allergic to nuts, so it goes without saying that the same could be said for dogs.
If you are feeding peanuts to your dog for the first time; therefore, you should only feed a tiny amount and observe your dog for any adverse reactions.
Common signs of an allergic reaction:
- Coughing/sneezing
- Hives/swelling
- Trouble breathing
If you notice any of these signs of allergic reaction in your dog, don’t feed any more of the food, and contact your vet immediately for advice.
Your dog may only be having a mild allergic reaction, in which case an oral antihistamine like Benadryl may be advised.
Still, a more serious allergic reaction will require you to take your dog into the clinic for treatment and monitoring as a matter of emergency.
What Are The Benefits Of Peanuts For Dogs?
Peanuts are full of protein, which makes them a great addition to our diets, but only in moderation, as our bodies do not benefit from the excess fat content either.
If you like to feed peanuts or peanut butter to your dog, you should also do so in moderation.
Just because the fats in peanuts are considered to be “healthy fats” it doesn’t mean that you or your dog can consume infinite quantities without the fear that it is going to impact your health, because it will negatively.
Luckily your dog doesn’t need very much of something yummy to think he has won the lottery, so there is never any need to be over-generous or allow your dog to overindulge.
Peanuts are packed full of healthy vitamins and minerals. They are good sources of vitamin B-6, vitamin E, and niacin.
They are a healthy and natural whole food, which makes them a much better choice than many commercial dog treats on the market that contain all kinds of chemical preservatives, additives, and other nasties.
Putting health benefits to one side, peanuts are quite merely a convenient dog treat because they are small and light enough to fit in a tiny dog treat pouch that can be carried around with you when you take your dog for a walk.
You also have the added benefit of being able to enjoy a few nuts yourself if you are feeling peckish, and you won’t be left with dog treat crumbs all over your fingers that you can’t lick clean.
Peanuts are also cheap and easy to find in any convenience store – be sure to pick the right ones!
How To Feed Peanuts To Your Dog
Peanut butter is one of the most popular methods amongst dog owners to administer medication to an unsuspecting dog.
Cover the pill in peanut butter or crush the pill and mix it in thoroughly, and your dog will never be any wiser.
The peanut butter is so tasty that it completely masks the scent and taste of the medication, and all dogs love it, which takes the stress out of trying to force a pill down your dog’s throat.
Before doing this, you should always check with your veterinarian, though, as some medication shouldn’t be taken with food.
When feeding peanuts to your dog as a yummy treat, you should ensure that you are feeding raw peanuts and not roasted ones.
They should also be plain and unsalted, so save the dry roasted, or honey and cinnamon varieties for you and your partner to nibble on at the weekend with a drink in the garden.
Make sure that the peanuts are small or that they don’t pose a choking or blockage hazard for your dog and remove the shells before feeding them.
For a longer-lasting nutty treat, you can smear the inside of a Kong dog toy with peanut butter for your dog to spend his time licking out. Just make sure that the type of peanut butter is safe for them to eat. You can also smear the peanut butter onto other toys, like licking mats.
Licking mats are a great invention. They are made from silicone and are flat with a textured surface that can hold any spread treat.
Some licking mats can even be mounted onto a vertical surface, making it easier for you to perform fiddly tasks such as washing your dog or trimming the fur around their bum area short because your dog will be engrossed with the peanut buttered licking mat in front of him!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat peanuts?
Yes, dogs can eat peanuts in moderation. Although they are not toxic to dogs, peanuts are high in fats are not that healthy for your dog. Peanuts can be added to your dog’s home-made treats or just a few shelled plain peanuts.
Are dry-roasted peanuts safe for dogs?
Plain dry-roasted peanuts are ok for your dog. Avoid any flavored peanuts as they will either have sugar or salt added which are unhealthy for your dog.
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Natural peanut butter is the safest for your dog. Other types will have excessive salt, sugars, or added unhealthy ingredients.
Summary
Isn’t it great when you find a cheap and easy human food that your dog loves, and that can be used as a dog treat?
It’s even better when you find one that has health benefits, and you can say goodbye to the unhealthy dog biscuits you have been buying.
Dogs often go nuts for nuts, and so as long as you heed all of the advice in this article, your dog will be able to enjoy peanuts safely from now on.
