Peanuts are loaded with minerals and vitamins like phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, niacin, vitamin B, and vitamin E. Since they are a good source of high-quality protein, fats, and nutrients, this means that they can supply your pet with a complete protein-rich snack. However, can dogs eat peanuts in the first place?
The answer is Yes! Dogs breeds like the Shih Tzu, Labrador, and Beagle love peanuts as treats! However, even though dogs can eat them, caution should still be exercised since peanuts are naturally high in fat. Some even say that peanuts are safe while others claim they are toxic to dogs.
If dogs consume too much fat, they can end up with pancreatitis which is an inflammation of the pancreas. This can be very painful, even fatal, to your dog. Aside from that, it may also cause liver disease. Knowing this fact, will you still give you dog peanuts? What amount is safe for him to eat? Which type is considered best? Let’s check it out.
Peanut Butter
While low-fat food is recommended for dogs, especially for the small pups, remember that too little fat can also leave your dog feeling exhausted and hungry. Dogs also need some fat to make their coat and skin healthy. Fortunately, peanut butter is one good source of fat, but can dogs eat peanut butter?
Well, peanut butter is delicious, creamy, and smooth. Therefore, dogs can’t resist when you give this as a treat. In fact, dogs love this treat so much that they won’t hesitate to consume medicine pills when they’re combined with peanut butter. Dogs can also have fun licking peanut butter when put in their favorite toys!
However, before you give some to your dog, make sure to check its ingredient first for the presence of xylitol. This is because even slight amounts of this ingredient could lead to a sudden drop in your dog’s blood sugar level. Xylitol is poisonous to canines, and it can also cause side effects like disorientation and seizures to your dogs.
Also, you want to be careful when giving peanut butter because even if big dogs need more fat than the inactive ones, they only require a maximum of 15% fat in their diet. Peanut butter is already half fat. A tablespoon of peanut butter (16 gram) contains 95 calories and 9 g of fat already. That means if a dog needs 800 calories daily, almost 10% of the calories and fats can be supplied by peanut butter alone.
Small dogs should get no more than 1/2 tablespoon daily while bigger ones should have no more than 1 tablespoon; otherwise, they will have a hard time digesting fat which can cause diarrhea and vomiting.
Boiled Peanuts
Peanuts can have that soft, beany type of flavor when boiled. However, can dogs eat boiled peanuts with that mushy texture?
If you like to feed your dog boiled peanuts, it is best to give them in an unflavored and unsalted form. The peanut shells which become soft after hours of boiling should be removed before giving to dogs to avoid choking. Boiled peanuts are good because they contain even more antioxidants.
Roasted Peanuts
Dry-roasted peanuts are undoubtedly a favorite snack by every pet owner. They’re not exactly a mega-source of vitamins and minerals like mushrooms, tomatoes, or almonds. Nonetheless, they are a good source of iron. So, can dogs eat roasted peanuts?
Well, dry-roasted and unsalted peanuts are best because they contain less fat and are safe for canine consumption. When given to dogs, their iron content will help them feel alert and energized.
Salted Peanuts
Salted peanuts have lots of sodium that can be dangerous for your dog if taken in high volume. In fact, if your dog consumes too much sodium, it might lead to sodium ion poisoning. Artificial sweeteners are just as harmful since their systems are not designed to process such chemicals.
The question is – can dogs eat salted peanuts? Well, dogs can eat them, but you want to limit your dog’s consumption to only a salted peanut or two.
Raw Peanuts
Peanuts are rarely eaten raw, even if they are said to be quite beneficial. And since pet owners rarely eat raw peanuts, dogs very seldom have them. However, can dogs eat raw peanuts?
As long as the shells are removed and the seeds are small enough, your dog won’t have any problem eating them. After all, they are safe and healthy. Raw peanuts are also best consumed with the skin still attached because peanut skins contain antioxidants.
The Rule of Thumb
To wrap it up, dogs can eat peanuts safely. Of the many nuts out there, peanuts are deemed one of the safest for your furry friend. Peanuts are healthy for them for the same reason that they’re healthy for people: they’re filled with valuable vitamins, minerals, protein, niacin, and healthy fats.
However, while peanuts have a number of health benefits for your dog, there are also some risks associated with them. Therefore, you need to feed your dog peanuts moderately and with a few safety precautions. Here’s the rule of thumb to follow when feeding:
- Unsalted and unflavored peanut is the best option for a treat
- When feeding, moderation is the key
- Peanuts should be given only as a treat, not every day but occasionally
- To reduce or eliminate choking hazards, make sure you feed your dog peanuts, with the shells removed, one at a time.
- For any signs of allergies, call a veterinarian and don’t feed peanuts to your dog’s again