Peanut butter is a popular flavor for pup treats and you may already give your pooch dog-safe peanut butter in a tongue-clucking hollowed out toy or bone. "So, it's likely for you to assume that peanuts are safe for dogs to eat," says Dr. Claudine Sievert, a veterinarian and veterinary consultant at CatPetClub.
Peanuts can be a healthy choice as they are rich in protein, vitamin B-6, healthy fats, vitamin E, and niacin stresses Dr. Sievert. However, not all peanuts are dog-safe and there are some risks associated with them.
The only peanuts that dogs should really eat are unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts. "Salted peanuts contain more sodium than your dog needs, so they are unhealthy," says Dr. Sievert.
Boiled peanuts, a Southern favorite, may be okay if they're plain and unsalted, but typically these treats contain a lot of salt or seasonings like Cajun flavoring, cayenne pepper, and other spices that could upset your pup's tummy.
Because peanuts grow in hot, moist environments, they can develop a fungus called Aflatoxin, produced from the Aspergillus spp fungus. "I do not recommend feeding raw peanuts due to the risk of aflatoxin ingestion," says Dr. Michelle Burch, a veterinarian with Safe Hounds Pet Insurance. "Aflatoxin ingestion by a dog can cause acute liver failure," she says.
Aflatoxicosis most commonly develops one to two days after eating the contaminated food, but it may take several weeks for symptoms to show. Dogs with aflatoxin ingestion develop:
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Yellowing of the skin, eyes, and gums
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
"Dry-roasted peanuts will remove or significantly reduce the risk of aflatoxin," says Dr. Burch.
When it comes to feeding your dog peanuts, moderation is key. Don't give them as a daily treat. "I recommend feeding only a small amount of unsalted, shelled dry-roasted peanuts on a very infrequent basis," says Dr. Burch. Peanuts have a high-fat content which can easily lead to vomiting and diarrhea symptoms.
Additionally, some dogs can develop pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, after eating peanuts because of the fat content. Symptoms of pancreatitis are vomiting, diarrhea lack of appetite, dehydration, and severe stomach pain.
Dr. Burch recommends sticking with dog-safe peanut butter for a snack instead to prevent gastroenteritis upset or pancreatitis. If you do give your pet a peanut or two, make sure it's salt-free, shelled, and dry-roasted and only offer a couple very infrequently to avoid any of the risks that peanuts pose.
*As always, consult your veterinarian before adding new foods to your dog's diet but consider asking about peanuts at your pup's next appointment.
Yes, peanuts are safe for dogs, but only if they are roasted or raw and unsalted. No extra seasonings, and don’t feed pups the shell.
Benefits of peanuts for dogs
Peanuts are loaded with protein, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, niacin, and healthy fats. However, the drawbacks of peanuts come with the human-variety: any seasoned peanuts, including salt, are not great for your dog.
Hazards of peanuts for dogs
Because they do contain fat, too many peanuts can cause digestive upset or even pancreatitis, should your dog eat a massive amount in one sitting. If these happen to also be salted peanuts, your dog is at risk for salt poisoning, which symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Swelling or fluid accumulation
- Excessive thirst and urination
- Tremors & seizures
New flavors of peanuts on the shelf are extremely snackable for humans: chipotle, chili lime, cinnamon sugar, wasabi, and more. Err on the side of caution and don’t feed your dog these new varieties, and avoid any peanuts seasoned with excess salt, sugar, xylitol, garlic, onions, or spices. Remember, dogs do not like spicy, hot foods.
Shells are off-limits as well – they pose a choking hazard and while they’re not toxic, they can be rough going out. Maintain pet insurance on your dog, so you’ll be able to get treatment for any kind of stomach upset.
What about peanut butter for dogs?
A classic and prized pup snack, peanut butter is safe for dogs if it is raw, unsalted, and unsweetened. Do not give your dog sugar-free varieties that include xylitol; ingesting it can be fatal. Xylitol is known to shut down internal organs, cause seizures and lead to death. Some symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, shaking, weakness and difficulty walking, usually occurring 15-30 minutes after consumption. If you notice these signs, consult the Pet Poison Helpline immediately and get your pup to the emergency vet.
Curious about what is okay and not okay for your dog to eat? Check out our comprehensive guide on what human foods are safe and not safe for dogs.
Peanuts are a delicious pre-dinner snack for humans, but what about for our dogs? After all, most dogs love peanut butter, so surely they’d love to tuck into a handful of peanuts too?
If you’re wondering whether dogs can eat peanuts, the answer is yes — but with a few important qualifications. Dogs can eat peanuts that are shelled, unsalted, and unflavored, and your pooch should only ever eat these tasty legumes in moderation.
Keep reading to find out why.
Are peanuts safe for dogs?
Some types of peanuts are perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Others should never be given to your fur-baby.
The good news is that peanuts are not toxic for dogs, so you can share a handful of peanuts with your pet without any problems. However, please note that dogs should only ever eat peanuts that are:
Dry-roasted or raw
Unsalted
Unsweetened and unflavored
Shelled
And due to their high fat content, peanuts should only ever be eaten in small quantities.
Are peanuts good for dogs?
You might be surprised to learn that peanuts can actually offer a handful of nutritional benefits to your canine pal.
Peanuts are rich in protein and a good source of healthy fats for dogs. They also contain vitamins B6 and E, niacin, potassium, and phosphorus, so they’ve got more to offer than just a taste that many dogs love.
Check out the table below for a breakdown of some of the key nutrients found in peanuts.
Nutritional content of unroasted peanuts per 100g portion
- Water: 6.5g
- Energy: 567kcal
- Protein: 25.8g
- Total fat: 49.24g
- Carbohydrate: 16.13g
- Dietary fiber: 8.5g
- Sugars: 4.72g
- Calcium: 92mg
- Iron: 4.58mg
- Magnesium: 168mg
- Phosphorus: 376mg
- Potassium: 705mg
- Sodium: 18mg
- Niacin: 12.066mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.348mg
- Vitamin E: 8.33mg
Source: FoodData Central
Risks of peanuts for dogs
While peanuts can offer some health benefits for dogs, there are also several risks you should be aware of before feeding them to your pup:
They're high in fat. Too much fat in your dog’s diet can cause an upset stomach and other digestive problems. If eaten regularly, high-fat foods can also lead to potentially deadly pancreatitis. That’s why dogs should only ever have peanuts occasionally, and only ever in small amounts.
Salted peanuts have too much sodium. Excess sodium consumption can cause a wide range of serious health conditions for dogs, some of them life-threatening. With this in mind, you should never feed salted peanuts to your dog.
Flavored peanuts could contain dangerous ingredients. Flavored peanuts should also be avoided as they may contain harmful chemicals or ingredients that are unsafe for dogs to consume.
Peanut shells can cause digestive problems. Peanut shells are difficult for dogs to digest and can potentially cause tummy troubles for your pet. Only give your pooch peanuts with their shells removed.
Allergies. Finally, just like humans, some dogs can also be allergic to peanuts. Symptoms can include itchiness, redness, bald spots, and in severe cases anaphylaxis, so monitor your pup for any signs of an adverse reaction.
How many peanuts can my dog eat?
The key word you need to remember here is “moderation”. Peanuts are a “sometimes food” and should never form a major part of your dog’s diet — they’re a treat, not a meal.
As a general guide, 4 to 5 peanuts a couple of times a week is a safe amount to feed to your furry friend. Just remember to remove the shells before serving peanuts up to your dog, and introduce them to your dog gradually in case they have a negative reaction.
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
While we’re on the topic of peanuts, it’s also worth taking a closer look at whether peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat. Once again, the answer is yes — but with some very important caveats.
Many peanut butters make a great treat when you want to spoil your dog, and putting peanut butter and some kibble inside a puzzle toy is a wonderful boredom buster. But make sure you read the label closely.
Peanut butter that contains xylitol, a sugar substitute used as a sweetener, is toxic to dogs and should never be given to your fur-baby. Products that contain added sugar or are high in salt should also be avoided.
That’s why the safest option is to make your own peanut butter at home. It’s easy to do and allows you to control exactly what your pup eats. And just like peanuts, it can make a safe and delicious treat for your dog.