Yes, dogs can eat peanuts in moderation. It is packed with vital nutrients which can benefit your dog. However, it also has a high amount of fat, which can hamper your dog’s health. As a responsible pet parent, it is fundamental to pay importance to your dog’s health.
The peanut, also called groundnut, goober (in the United States), pindar (in the United States), or monkey nut (in the United Kingdom), and taxonomically designated as Arachis hypogaea, is a legume crop farmed primarily for its edible seeds. It is habitually cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics, and it is significant to both minor and critical commercial growers. In addition, it is ranked as a grain legume and an oil crop due to its high oil content.
Are Peanuts Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Peanuts are not unsafe for dogs, but they might not be safe either. Not all peanuts are safe for your dog. Especially if the peanuts are:
Salted
Seasoned
Filled with added flavors
Why Are Peanuts Good for Dogs?
Peanuts are suitable for dogs in moderation or as an occasional treat, as they contain few vital vitamins and minerals.
Peanuts have protein, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin E, and Niacin. Let us see how these help a dog.
Protein
Protein aids in keeping the dog’s coat, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage healthy. It also produces hormones.
Vitamin B-6
Though Vitamin B6 for dogs can help with a range of tasks, one of its key advantages is that it helps with amino acid metabolism. It may also assist in reinforcing optimal bladder health.
Vitamin E
One of your dog’s defenses against oxidative damage is vitamin E. Cell function, and fat metabolism is also dependent on this fat-soluble vitamin. As a result, deficiencies can cause vision and muscle degeneration, as well as reproductive issues.
Niacin
Niacin has been found to lower VLDL production in obese dogs and help alleviate hypercholesterolemia in dogs.
Anti-oxidants
Peanuts are a great source of antioxidants. This helps protect your canine’s immune system.
Potassium
Potassium is an electrolyte vital for your dog’s health. Potassium aids electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles to work correctly. If your dog lacks this essential mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued and have no appetite.
Magnesium
If your pet’s blood work indicates low magnesium levels, adding natural magnesium forms to their food can help prevent a deficit. Magnesium supplements can also help pets recover from constipation and urinary problems.
Calcium
Aids in promoting your canine strong bones, teeth, and ligaments.
Iron
Maintaining healthy iron levels has long-term health benefits for your dog. This prevents health issues like anemia in dogs.
Vitamin E
One of your dog’s defenses against oxidative damage is vitamin E. Cell function, and fat metabolism is also dependent on this fat-soluble vitamin. Deficiencies can cause vision and muscle degeneration, as well as reproductive issues.
Why Are Peanuts Bad for Dogs?
Although peanuts are suitable for dogs, downsides should not be overlooked. The downsides of peanuts are:
Fat: Peanuts are high in fat content, which becomes difficult for dogs to digest. Fat triggers pancreatitis in dogs. This occurs when the dog’s pancreas is inflamed due to fat ingestion. While you can treat pancreatitis in dogs, severe cases can be lethal and highly painful.
Sodium: Few peanuts have salt coated in them. Sodium consumption is not suitable for dogs. Excessive sodium can cause sodium ion poisoning. The symptoms of sodium ion poisoning are:
Artificial sweetener: Few peanuts are coated with honey, caramel, xylitol, or corn syrup harmful to dogs. They can trigger:
Diabetes
Heart disease
Obesity
Weight gain
Pancreatitis
Seizures
Muscle tremors
Tremors
Loss of concentration
Disorientation or confusion
Collapsing
Panting heavily
Allergic reaction: Nut allergies are very prevalent in dogs. Nuts can cause:
Coughing
Sneezing
Hives
Mouth and face swelling
Breathing problems
Choking Hazards: It is necessary to remove the shells and break them into pieces before feeding peanuts since they may be a potential choking hazard. In addition, peanuts may get lodged in the intestinal tract and esophagus and cause stomach upset and indigestion.
Obesity: Peanuts may contain high calories, and overeating can cause weight gain. Thus, they should be given only as occasional treats.
How Many Peanuts to Feed Your Dog?
It is always better to consult with the veterinarian before feeding or introducing peanuts to your dogs as they may have side effects on dogs. The veterinarian will first examine your dog and then prepare a chart for him.
How to Serve Peanuts to Your Dog?
You can serve small amounts of shelled, unsalted, unseasoned, roasted, or boiled peanuts while serving for the first time. If you are serving your dog unsalted, unseasoned, and roasted peanut, remember to crush it very well and sprinkle some on his kibble. In addition, if you are serving boiled peanuts, you can occasionally use them as a treat.
To make it more interesting for your puppy, you can make celery and peanut butter popsicles! Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients
Chopped celery about 2 cups
Plain and non-fat 1/3 cup of greek yogurt
1 tablespoon of dog-friendly peanut butter
Process
Blend the celery, yogurt, and peanut butter in an immersion blender or a regular blender.
Pour the mixture into the molds and freeze approximately 3-4 hours, or completely solid.
Remove the delights from the molds once they’ve frozen and then serve.
Store in an airtight container in the freezer or freezer bag.
What If Your Dog Ate Peanuts?
If your dog accidentally consumed peanuts significantly, your dog might show some symptoms like:
Choking
Coughing
Feeling irritated
Vomiting
The best suggestion is to take your dog to the vet for treatment and rule out the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter, provided peanut butter does not contain added sweeteners like xylitol, corn syrup. It is best to prepare homemade peanut butter for your dog.
Can dogs eat peanut shells?
No, dogs should not eat peanut shells since they may be hard to digest and cause choking hazards.
Can dogs eat macadamia nuts?
No, dogs cannot macadamia nuts as they are harmful to dogs.
Can dogs eat raw peanuts?
Dogs cannot eat raw peanuts because they can have a fungus called aflatoxins, resulting in liver failure.
Can dogs have walnuts?
No, dogs cannot eat walnuts as they trigger seizures, tremors, and vomiting.
Can dogs have pistachios?
Pistachios are high in fat which may trigger pancreatitis in dogs. Hence, dogs should not eat pistachios.
Conclusion
Summing up whether dogs can eat peanuts, we can comprehend that peanuts are suitable for dogs in moderation. They are packed with protein, vitamin E, vitamin B-6, and Niacin. These vitamins and minerals help your dog in various ways. However, it is best to check on the downsides of the peanut as they cause tremors, seizures, and a lot more. As a caring pet parent, give your dog a happy and healthy life.
