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As a dog owner, you love nothing more than to feed your dog everything that you eat. You may know that there are certain foods you shouldn’t feed the family pet, such as chocolate, grapes, and raisins. However, have you ever thought about feeding your dog peanuts?
The answer to whether peanuts are good for your dog is debatable. Some peanuts are okay to feed your pet, and others aren’t. Even when it comes to safe peanuts, you should only serve them occasionally. Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about peanuts and feeding them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
While Peanuts may seem like a good choice for your furry friend due to being packed full of vitamins, proteins, and healthy fats, not all peanuts are created equal. Only two kinds of peanuts are safe for your pup, and neither are the kind you’d probably choose to eat yourself. The only two types of peanuts are raw and dry-roasted, meaning they were roasted without oil, and both should be unsalted.
Salted peanuts are high in sodium, which, although it’s essential to their diet, too much sodium is unhealthy for your dog. Especially when combined with them not drinking enough water, it can lead to various issues, including sodium toxicosis or poisoning. However, a dog would need to consume a large portion of salty food daily to get sodium toxicosis or poisoning. Even dry-roasted, unsalted peanuts should only be given to your dog in moderation.
How Many Peanuts Can I Feed My Dog?
You shouldn’t feed your dog more than three peanuts at a time but don’t make them a regular part of their diet. Peanuts are not something you can give to your dog as a daily treat, and even the kinds that are safe for your dog can have negative effects when eaten too frequently. Peanuts are high in fat, which can lead to digestive issues and pancreatitis when consumed too frequently.
You also have to make sure you remove the shell of the peanut before giving them to your pup. While digesting the shell isn’t bad for your dog, it can be a choking hazard, especially in smaller dog breeds.
FAQ
We’ll answer a few of the most common questions from pet parents below.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
It’s well-known that dogs love peanut butter, but if only certain peanuts are safe for dogs, then does that also apply to peanut butter? The good news is that the average jar of peanut butter is safe for your dog, but the bad news is that peanut butter that isn’t safe for your dog is far more dangerous than the worst peanut. When giving your dog peanut butter, read the ingredients list very carefully and avoid feeding them anything that contains xylitol.
Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in many plants. It’s often used as a sugar substitute in foods, including peanut butter. While xylitol is completely safe for humans, it is highly toxic to dogs and can result in death when consumed. Under no circumstances should you ever give your dog any food that contains xylitol.
Just like regular peanuts, peanut butter should be a rare treat given to your dog in moderation.
Are Any Nuts Toxic to Dogs
Most nuts are high in fat and should not be served as part of a regular diet to dogs, and some, like almonds, can cause choking in smaller dogs and should be avoided. However, macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs and should be stored where your dog cannot reach them.
Wrap Up
As you can see, some peanuts and peanut butter is safe to feed your dog, but only if fed in moderation. The trick is figuring out which ones are okay to feed your dog and which aren’t. Boiled peanuts and salted peanuts contain too much salt, and it’s safest to feed dry-roasted peanuts without salt. Although peanuts can be an occasional snack for your pet, it’s better to serve high-quality dog treats or small portions of cooked lean meat as treats.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
