Every pet owner wants the best for their pets. Making the right food choice could make all the difference for the animal’s well-being. For the question of if your dogs can eat peanuts, there are just a few foods that vets advise pet owners to avoid feeding their dogs, which include peanuts.
Although peanuts are not considered poisonous to dogs, it is important to regulate their consumption moderately and take certain precautions for your pet’s safety.
You will find all you need about your dog’s peanut diet here. Learn from our 2023 food tips.
Table of contents
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts? 2023 Tips
Dogs can eat peanuts that are dry-roasted or raw, unsalted, unsweetened, and flavored or shelled, still in small quantities, as they contain a high level of fat.
Nuts are generally not the best food for puppies and rank high among the most common dog food allergies.
Therefore, not many nuts are safe for your furry friends. Peanuts contain protein, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, niacin, and healthy fats.
This means that peanuts and peanut butter offer your dogs a protein-rich snack they can’t get enough of. However, some risks are associated with peanuts and peanut butter.
While you’re worried about whether your dog can eat peanuts, see what most pet insurance covers in case your dog reacts to peanuts.
You can check out how bread is a good diet for your dog: Can Dogs Eat Bread? Is Bread Good For Dogs?
What Happens If A Dog Eats Peanuts?
Your dog will probably be fine if he gets to eat a few salted peanuts. However, these peanuts contain too much sodium, more than your dog would need, and can be detrimental to his health if ingested in large quantities.
While it is best to avoid feeding salted peanuts to your dogs, dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts, on the other hand, are safe for dogs to eat and eliminate the growing risk of xylitol poisoning.
Also, if your dog eats peanuts regularly or in large quantities, they can cause digestive upset and even pancreatitis because of their high-fat levels.
If you’ve given your dog peanuts, watch for symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, itchiness, or swollen face or tongue.
This could be because of the dog’s unfamiliarity with new foods, the moderate toxicity of certain peanut products, or allergies.
If your dog has peanut allergies, see what pet insurance that covers health allergies.
You can also see: Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Here’s Everything You Need To Know
How Much Peanuts Can Dog Eat?
Moderation is the best solution to how much peanut a dog can eat. Peanuts can be a wonderful treat if eaten in moderation.
The fat in peanuts accounts for a fifth of the calories. As a result, dog owners should only feed peanuts to their pets in moderation and only occasionally.
As a result, it is suggested that you use the rule of thumb. Give your dog only 10% of its daily calories as peanuts.
Peanuts should only be given to your dog as a treat, not a meal. Also, don’t overfeed your dog with peanuts. Peanuts are an “occasional food” and should never form a major part of your dog’s diet.
Generally, 4 to 5 peanuts are safe to feed your furry friend twice a week. Make sure you remove the shells before serving peanuts up to your dog and introduce them to your dog gradually in case they have a negative reaction to it.
The amount of food you give your dog depends on its breed, size, and health. As a result, it is best to consult your veterinarian about the feeding amount because he is familiar with your dog’s health and nutrition.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Cheese? Is Cheese Good For Dogs?
How About Dogs Eating Peanuts In The Shell?
While there’s a debate on whether dogs can eat peanuts in the shell, we would advise you should avoid giving your dogs peanuts with the shell. The shells can be a choking hazard and irritate when swallowed.
Although peanut shells are not poisonous to dogs, their gritty texture might be difficult to digest. Your dog may be alright if she has eaten peanut shells, but keep monitoring her for any signs of distress to be on the safe side.
Small dogs, such as Toy Poodles and Chihuahuas, may be more at risk from peanut shells since they have a harder time digesting them. Peanut shells are high in fiber, making them difficult to swallow.
They frequently coat peanut shells with salt, which can cause irregular urination, seizures, thirst, involuntary shivering, and other problems.
Even if the nuts aren’t high in salt, the shells are. It’s advisable to avoid the shells entirely for these reasons.
Also, Checkout: Can Dogs Eat Cornbread? Is Cornbread Good for Dogs?
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts And Cashews?
Some nuts, like macadamia, are toxic for dogs and should be avoided. Fortunately, cashew and peanuts are not such nuts.
Your dog can eat cashews but just as much as peanuts. Cashews are sweet and rich in both flavor and nutrients and undoubtedly have their health benefits, like promoting brain health, heart health, bone health, and immunity.
Yet, the number of calories and fat in cashews is a glorious reminder that they should stay an occasional treat. Like peanuts, they have a high-fat content and are technically safe for dogs in tiny quantities.
This means that even though your dog will be fine with a few peanuts or cashew nuts, feeding your dog nuts regularly is not a good idea. If the dog eats a large quantity of cashew or peanuts, contact your vet immediately to curb the negative effects.
How To Feed Peanuts To My Dog
Feeding peanuts to your dog should not be done regularly. Vets recommend dogs’ limited intake of peanuts and peanut products to reduce the risks associated with excess consumption of peanuts.
It’s important to know because there are a lot of peanuts out there, and not all of them are safe for dogs. So, before giving this high-fat nut to your pets, consider the following;
- First, consult your veterinarian about how many peanuts you should give your dog per dish.
- Choose to boil either, roast, or give raw peanuts to your dog
- Ensure you read labels when buying peanuts and avoid ones with extra sugar or salt.
- Before giving your dog peanuts, remember to remove the shell.
- Start with a few pieces of peanuts for your dog, as too many might harm his health.
- Be sure the dog chews them fully to avoid intestinal blockage.
- Peanuts can also be given to the dog as a reward during training.
FAQs
When interacting with new or experienced pet parents, veterinarians frequently get the question, “Can dogs eat peanut butter?” The good news is that giving your dog regular peanut butter as a treat is safe. Just watch out for peanut butter containing Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in goods with reduced or no added sugar.
A shell-on peanut poses a choking risk and may cause stomach upset. Your dog might find the peanut shell challenging to chew and not very digestible. Although peanut shells are not toxic to dogs, their digestive system may struggle with their rough texture. Your dog might be fine if she ate some peanut shells. But keep peanut shells out of your dog’s reach in the future.
The abundance of protein in natural peanut butter makes it a crucial component of your dog’s diet. Dogs are drawn to it naturally because protein is beneficial to them. Since dogs have taste buds that can distinguish the flavor of fat, they appear to enjoy peanut butter’s rich, fatty flavor just as much as people do. However, these taste buds appear to only apply to fats derived from meat and not from vegetables or legumes (such as peanuts).
Only dry-roasted (or raw) unsalted peanuts are safe for dogs to consume. The best peanuts for puppies are not the delicious, salted kind that many people eat, though your dog will probably be fine if they pick up a few from the floor.
Generally, feeding your pet 4 to 5 peanuts a couple of times weekly is safe. Remember to remove the shells before giving your dog peanuts and introduce them to them gradually in case they react negatively.
Conclusion
Overall, it can be determined that feeding your dog peanuts poses relatively little risk. But no food, even peanuts, can be presumed to be completely safe. Always be cautious when giving your pet new meals, and start with modest amounts.
Despite the availability of better alternatives, peanuts remain a safe, tasty, and energy-dense treat for most hungry dogs.
References
- vethelpdirect.com– Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
- wagwalking.com– Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
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