Crunchy, salty, yummy peanuts. Your pup wants a taste, and you’d love to oblige, but are they healthy for dogs? Or are they pretty much poison, like chocolate? It’s not always obvious what’s best to feed your dog, and that’s why researching beforehand is important.
Today we’ll do our best to answer the common question “Can dogs eat peanuts?’. If your dog is begging to try peanuts as your snack, you’re probably wanting to cave and give them a taste. But you’ll definitely want to know a few things first. Below, we’ll dive into things a bit deeper!
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
The short answer to “Can dogs eat peanuts?” is often yes. BUT, there are a few things to consider first. Of course, always speak to your vet before giving your dog human food. Different dogs with certain medical conditions and allergies may have different dietary needs.
That said, the type of peanut you feed your dog matters a lot. The peanuts you feed your dog should be deshelled, and either dry-roasted or raw. You should avoid feeding your dog peanuts that have salt added. Lots of peanuts are roasted with added flavorings, like salt or pepper, so be sure to feed your dog only plain peanuts. Honey-roasted peanuts or any peanuts with a shell should be avoided for dogs, and again, salty peanuts are also no bueno.
Let’s take a look at how peanuts can cause problems, and how to sidestep those problems.
Problems With Feeding Peanuts To Dogs
The first issue you might run into is allergies. Some dogs have allergies to peanuts. This can produce allergy-related symptoms like hives, itching, or difficulty breathing. If you’re not sure if your dog is allergic, your vet can likely help you determine this through testing.
Also, the size of peanuts can make them difficult for dogs to chew. Your dog may attempt to swallow peanuts whole, leading to digestive distress or concerns. Peanut butter is generally a much better option for dogs, as it has a smooth texture that’s easier for digestion.
Some dogs have trouble digesting fat. Too many peanuts (very high in fat) could lead your dog to have diarrhea or vomiting. If you do choose to feed healthy peanuts to your dog, moderation is key.
Wondering if your dog can eat corn? Find out here!
Limiting Peanuts For Dogs
Most vets will say feeding your dog healthy peanuts (no salt, deshelled, dry-roasted, raw) every once in a while is ok. However, feeding your dog heaps of peanuts every day is probably not the best idea. While peanuts do contain good nutrients, such as protein, vitamin E, vitamin B-6, and more, there are better sources of these nutrients for dogs. Many dogs enjoy the taste of peanuts, but there are better, more dog-friendly options to give your dog.
In the case of peanut butter, be sure to check the label as many human peanut butter contain a ton of extra salt and sugar. Other oils added to peanut butter spreads can cause digestive stress. Further, xylitol, a chemical sweetener, can be toxic to dogs. Xylitol may be added to peanut butter products for sweetness, so always check the label before giving peanut butter to your dog. If you’re going to feed your dog peanut butter, be sure it’s natural without these added ingredients. And always discuss with your vet first!
Peanut Butter Dog Treats
For most dogs, feeding them an occasional peanut can be perfectly reasonable. However, if your dog enjoys the taste of peanuts, opt for a better dog-friendly option such as Blue Ridge Naturals Peanut Butter Coated Sweet Potato Fries and our many other peanut butter dog treats. Made with real peanut butter, these treats are much easier to feed your dog than most human foods. They’re made and sourced from the USA, and are a more wholesome option to give your pup the peanut butter taste they love.
In addition to peanut butter, these natural dog treats feature other great ingredients like sweet potatoes. We offer several forms of peanut butter treats for dogs, including peanut butter-coated sweet potato fries, bones, and potato stix.
Feeding your dog Blue Ridge Natural’s Peanut Butter treats comes with many potential benefits too! Our products are made with 100% natural ingredients without any fillers or flavors. The combination of added sweet potatoes may be more nutritious. Sweet potatoes are known to be a source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Folate, Iron, Calcium, and more. These treats are great for dogs of many sizes and breeds.
So, Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
Again, your vet knows best. But generally speaking, dogs can eat peanuts (no salt, deshelled, dry-roasted or raw) in moderation. As with any food, including peanuts or peanut butter, always check with your vet before giving your dog a new human food. It’s important to know your dog does not have any nut allergies before giving them peanuts.
Check out Blue Ridge Naturals’ wide selection of peanut butter dog treats for many natural and yummy options! Find the variety and shape your dog loves most today!
What about fries? Can your dog eat sweet potato fries? Find out here!
