Peanuts are one of the most popular snacks amongst families and it is widely sold and eaten during sporting events and various concerts. Dog owners around the world are highly interested in knowing whether they can share their part of this snack with their dogs or not.

In short, are peanuts safe for dogs? Can dogs eat them? And if yes, what are the preventive measures the dog owners need to follow before serving peanuts to their dogs? Keep reading this article as this will be helpful regarding what you should know about the dog and the peanuts. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?

Can dogs eat peanuts Image Source@ dogtime.com

Can dogs eat peanuts?

Yes, dogs can eat peanuts and they are not at all toxic for their health. But the important thing is that they should be fed in moderation and the dog owner should abide by all the safety measures beforehand. So let us learn about the good sides and the bad sides of peanuts, as this will help us to know how far peanuts are healthy for furry pals.

Benefits of feeding your dog with peanuts:

• Peanuts are a pack of essential nutrients like protein, healthy fats, vitamin B6, vitamin E, niacin, potassium, phosphorus, and many micronutrients. Both the taste of peanuts and the healthy elements it contains make peanuts a perfect occasional snack for your dog. 
• Dogs should be much dependent on meat products as they are facultative carnivorous but they should also gain some amount of carbohydrates and other nutrition from plant products too. Peanuts in such cases, make it happen for the dogs. They are rich in carbohydrates and it is a great munching treat for your dog which also boosts their energy level.
• Peanuts also contain calcium, which means they can help dogs to strengthen up their bone density.
• It also contains iron, useful for improving your dog’s muscle health.

Before all, it should be kept in mind that dogs can gain these health benefits only when peanuts are served in moderation and by following all kinds of preventive measures. The moment these measures are ignored, peanuts can become very fatal to your dog. 

Let’s read to find out how peanuts can degrade your dog’s health. Read it before serving it to your dog!

Bad Sides of Peanuts: 

Artificial Added Ingredients:

Many peanuts are either salted or flavored. These types of peanuts are widely loved by humans but it is not a good choice to feed your dogs. Dogs eating salted peanuts have higher chances to suffer from sodium ion poisoning because of the sodium present in the salt. It can also affect their proper kidney functioning and can lead to several dangerous cases.

Flavored peanuts like chocolate-dipped peanuts, caramel, or honey-flavored peanuts contain a high amount of sugar, and that too is artificial sugar. It might be a delicious treat for humans, but again not an ideal choice to include it in your dog’s diet. Dogs are not fit enough to digest and process these chemicals, hence these peanuts are not safe for them.

Peanut is a chief ingredient of peanut butter, and this butter can also be a great treat for your dog but the presence of xylitol, a toxic chemical, makes it harmful. So if you are planning to feed peanut butter to your dog, be aware of the quantity you choose. If not fed in moderation, the high level of xylitol can be the prime reason for the drop in blood sugar level in your dog and can lead to severe health issues.

Choking Hazard:

Peanuts are small in size and thus some dogs prefer them to swallow directly without even chewing them. This is the reason why peanuts can become a chief reason for choking hazards in your dog. Some dogs find the peanuts difficult to chew and therefore it is advisable not to feed them peanuts. Otherwise, they may incur either choking hazards or intestinal blockage and upset stomachs in some cases. Rapid eating or successive eating of peanuts can also cause choking hazards in your dog.

Peanut’s Shell:

The outer covering of peanuts, known as peanut shells, is not at all good for your dog. It should be removed before serving. Else by eating it, your dog can suffer from major digestive issues as these shells are difficult to digest.

Allergic Reaction:

Dogs can get subjected to an allergic reaction by eating peanuts. There have been many cases around where the dog suffers from peanut allergies. The symptoms of which are:

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Trouble in breathing
• Swelling of mouth and face

If you notice any of the above-stated symptoms, straightaway take your dog to the veterinarian and get your dog treated. These allergies can turn from mild to severe within no time. Hence, you need to be very attentive whenever you are feeding them peanuts. 

Different methods to feed peanuts to your dog:

• Offer only unsalted and unflavored peanuts to your dog to avoid any digestive issues.
• Don’t include them as their permanent meal. Use it as an occasional snack, like feeding the few after their meal or after their training and exercise to boost their energy level.
• You can try organic peanut butter as they are also very effective, delicious, and can greatly help to improve their health. But try to have control over the quantity as it is rich in fat. Also, read Can Dogs Eat Corn?

Final Thoughts:

As you have known till now, peanuts are totally safe and healthy for your dog if fed in moderation. They are inexpensive, easily available, and contain so many nutrients, which makes them an easily adjustable treat in your dog’s diet.

Be aware of how many peanuts your dog eats at a time so that they don’t encounter any health issues in the future. Always check for any alarming signs that symbolize peanut allergies in your dog. 

It is a nice addition and you should definitely give it a try feeding your dogs with peanuts and record their reaction after having them.