Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
The answer to this question isn’t quite simple. Dogs can eat peanuts, but it depends on the method of preparation of the peanuts. And since there are a lot of different types of peanuts in the market, you might be confused as to which ones are safe for your pet. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered! Keep reading to learn about whether or not dogs can eat peanuts.
What Type Of Peanuts Is Safe For Dogs To Eat?
The only type of peanut that is safe for your dog to eat would be unsalted dry-roasted ones. The good thing about dry-roasted peanuts is they don’t have any added fats or oils which means your dog will get all of the nutrients he/she needs without having to worry about fat or calorie overloads. While dogs could eat one or two pieces of salted peanuts, we recommend you don’t give your dog any number of salted peanuts.
The reason why dogs shouldn’t eat salted peanuts is that salt is harmful to them. In addition to adding extra calories, most salts are made from sodium which can cause heart problems in dogs. In fact, one of the most common causes of death in dogs is a heart attack brought by the consumption of too much sodium from salty treats.
Boiled peanuts might be fine for your pooch to eat if they’re plain and unsalted, but they usually contain lots of seasoning so it’s best to avoid giving them to your dog. You can try boiling your own peanuts at home without any salt or seasoning for your dog. Just make sure the water is boiled thoroughly so that no botulinum spores are present in it.
As for raw peanuts, don’t give your pet any of them. Raw peanuts can lead to severe health problems in dogs so it’s best to steer clear of them. Peanuts grow in hot, humid environments. This environment is perfect for mold spores to thrive and produce a toxic substance called aflatoxin. So there is the risk of aflatoxin ingestion while eating raw peanuts. Aflatoxin is capable of causing liver failure.
Liver failure symptoms usually manifest after 24 hours so symptoms will start appearing after your dog has consumed a substantial amount of raw peanuts. Inflammation of the pancreas is also possible with the ingestion of raw peanuts. This inflammation can be fatal, especially if it involves the exocrine cells within the pancreas.
Some Other Symptoms Of Aflatoxin Toxicity/Aflatoxicosis
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Yellowing of the skin, eyes, and gums
Does Eating Peanuts Have Any Health Benefits for Dogs?
Peanuts can be healthy for your canine if consumed in moderation. These legumes are high in vitamins B6 and E, niacin, protein, and healthy fats. Peanuts are also high in iron. All of these nutrients are great for your dog to have in his diet. So, if you want to feed your pet peanuts, just don’t overdo it. Make sure to give them only one or two pieces of unsalted dry-roasted peanuts per day.
How Often Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
When considering feeding your pet peanuts, feeding them in moderation is vital. Make sure to only feed unsalted dry-roasted peanuts to your pooch. Peanuts are high in fat content. So limit feeding your dog to only a few peanuts a day. Eating too many peanuts regularly could lead to obesity and even pancreatitis. Symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea, a lack of appetite, dehydration, and severe stomach pain. So, you don’t want your pet to suffer from this condition.
What About Peanut Butter?
As long as the peanut butter doesn’t contain any xylitol, it should be fine for your dog to have occasional licks of peanut butter off the spoon. Make sure you only give your pet a little bit at a time as the spread is high in fat and sugar. And remember to check the label of the peanut butter tub to make sure it doesn’t contain any xylitol. Also, if your dog has some underlying health conditions, it would be wise to ask the vet before letting him/her have peanut butter.
You can check out our in-depth response to this question here in “Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter?”
Xylitol Poisoning in Dogs
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that some peanut butter brands use in their product. Xylitol helps make the spread taste sweeter while reducing calories. Unfortunately, xylitol is highly toxic to pets, especially dogs. Many peanut butter companies are using this ingredient in their products now, so you need to keep an eye on what type of peanut butter tubs your dog is eating.
Xylitol poisoning occurs when your dog ingests too much xylitol after getting into products that contain it or if they accidentally eat some of the product themselves. As little as 10 grams of xylitol can result in symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs. This quantity can be found in a 20-gram serving size of peanut butter which isn’t much at all for a dog, especially one who is a big peanut butter fan.
The symptoms of canine xylitol poisoning include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased activity level
- Weakness
- Lack of coordination
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Coma
- Death
Since your dog is unlikely to ingest enough xylitol in a few peanut butter servings to cause any serious harm, the only thing you need to do if your pooch ingested this sweetener is wait and see. If you see your pooch with any of these symptoms, call the vet ASAP.
Conclusion
It’s really up to you if you’re going to feed your dog peanuts or peanut butter. It’s not a good idea to let your pet have too much of either of these unless they are unsalted dry-roasted peanuts. But dogs can enjoy peanuts in moderation without any risks. Peanuts aren’t harmful in and of themselves. Giving your dog just a few pieces in moderation is fine and there isn’t any evidence that suggests they will cause your pet any adverse health effects. Just make sure to avoid giving them salted peanuts and don’t overfeed them either. As for peanut butter, again only give your canine a bit on occasion with unsalted dry-roasted peanut butter.
For more information on different nuts that your dog can or cannot eat, check similar articles here.
Has your dog ever eaten peanuts? What was their reaction like? If you have any experience with dogs eating grapes, please share it in the comments section below.