Peanuts are delicious edible legumes that are eaten as snacks by humans. It plays a role in the human body by producing helpful proteins, fats, and dietary fibre.
The human body also benefits from an array of phosphorus, B Vitamins, magnesium, potassium, low levels of carbohydrates and other nutrients.
Granted, humans love to snack on a handful or plate of peanuts because of their delicious taste, but Can Dogs Eat Peanuts Just Like Humans? After all, peanut butter is generally considered a safe treat for dogs, so Dogs Can Eat Peanuts, Too, Right?
You are in the right place because the answer to your questions is well described in this article. A quick study of this blog will provide in-depth knowledge on everything concerning the query “Can Dogs Eat Peanuts”?
You will learn about the nutritional value and aspects, health benefits, safe feeding practices and potential health risks of peanuts for your dog.
Getting To Know Peanuts
Seeing as you are in search of a descriptive guide that leads to an answer to the inquiry “Can Dogs Eat Peanuts”?. We think an illustration of what peanuts are, including their size, shape, colour, taste and nutritional breakdown, would greatly benefit you.
An extensive knowledge of what exactly peanuts are will enable you to decipher if truly “Dogs can eat peanuts”.
What Are Peanuts?
Pea-shaped nuts, also called Groundnuts, monkey nuts, pindar or goober, is a crop of the legume, lentils and peas family, grown majorly for the cooking and health benefits of its delicious seeds.
It is a staple food which is widely harvested in the tropics and even subtropics, and it is important for revenue purposes to small and large commercial groundnut producers worldwide. Aside from legumes, peanuts are classified as a grain, too, because of their high fibre and oil content.
What Do Peanuts Taste Like?
“Can Dogs Eat Peanuts”? Some dogs are extremely picky with their food, so if you are a pet owner who knows his canine buddy and his eating pattern well, we are sure you can decide if he can eat peanuts after reading what it tastes like.
As well as other cultivated legumes, the variability of flavour depends on the soil and method of growth in & through which peanut is grown. The taste of peanuts also depends solely on how mature the seeds are before cultivation and preparation.
Light (Slightly pink) coloured peanuts are not mature for consumption, so they taste bitter and soggy. Whilst darker (Thick brown) peanuts are very mature for consumption, so after preparation, they taste earthy – nutty – sweet – crunchy – creamy – wood & spicy (due to salt).
In conclusion, it is safe for a dog to only consume mature peanuts as those ones are the sweetest and have the most nutritional value, it contains salt anyway, so if your furry friend has an allergy, please desist from the action or idea of giving him peanuts.
Size, Shape, And Colour Of Peanuts
The peanut’s pods or seeds, generally known as legumes, are 3 – 7 centimetres lengthy, naturally containing as many as four seeds. The peanut seeds are protected by a shell which consists mainly of a mesocarp having a widespread of veins extending across its body.
The seeds of peanuts are said to be either round or spherical, but recent studies have proven that, indeed, the shape of peanut seeds is oblong.
The legume crop’s skin colour varies from purple to deep red, light brown, slightly pink, tan, and white, and most of these colour pigments, especially purple, slightly pink and deep red, belong to anthocyanins ( A class of flavonoids ).
What Are The Varieties Of Peanuts?
There are four primary varieties of groundnuts: Valencia, Runner, Virginia And Spanish.
1. Runner peanuts are produced at large in the United States, making up 85% of the production rate in the US market. The Runner peanut is the variety used in the production of peanut butter.
2. The kernels of the Virginia variety are the largest and are used to manufacture in-shell groundnuts.
3. Spanish peanuts are used to make varieties of candies, peanut butter, and mixed nut snacks.
4. Valencia peanuts are found in the market raw, sometimes even sold with the shell, and consumers boil or roast them for consumption.
Nutritional Breakdown Of Peanuts
“Can Dogs Eat Peanuts”? Without a comprehensive description of the nutritional constituents a dog can derive from peanuts, we can never figure out if peanuts are healthy for a dog, can we?
Below is a table of the nutritional profile of peanuts :
| Raw, Peanuts | Carbohydrates Derived – 21 gram | Fats Derived – 48 gram | Proteins Derived – 25 gram | Vitamins Derived, % & DV+ | Minerals Derived, % & DV+ |
| Nutritional Components (Value) Per 100g | Sugar – 0.0 gram | Saturated Fat – 7 gram | Tryptophan – 0.2445 gram Threonine – 0.859 gram Isoleucine – 0.882 gram | Thiamine (B1) – 52% Daily Value – 0.6 mg | Manganese – 95% Daily Value – 2.0mg |
| Energy – 2,385kJ (570 Kilocalories) | Dietary fibre – 9 gram | Polyunsaturated Fat – 16 gram | Leucine – 1.627 gram Lysine – 0.901 gram Methionine – 0.308 gram | Niacin (B3) – 86% Daily Value – 12.9 mg | Potassium – 7% Daily Value – 332mg |
| Monounsaturated Fat – 24 gram | Cystine – 0.322 gram Phenylalanine – 1.300 gram Tyrosine – 1.020 gram | Pantothenic Acid – 36% DV – 1.8 mg B6 Vitamins – 23% Daily Value – 0.3 mg | Phosphorus – 48% Daily Value – 336mg | ||
| Valine – 1.052 gram Arginine – 3.001 gram Histidine – 0.634 gram | Riboflavin (B2) – 25% Daily Value – 0.3 mg | Sodium – 0% Daily Value – 6mg Zinc – 35% Daily Value – 3.3mg | |||
| Alanine – 0.997g Aspartic Acid – 3.060 gram Glutamic Acid – 5.243 gram | Vitamin E – 44% Daily Value – 6.6 mg Vitamin C – 0% Daily Value – 0.0mg | Calcium – 6% Daily Value – 62 mg | |||
| Glycine – 1.512 gram Proline – 1.107 gram Serine – 1.236 gram | Folic Acid (B9) – 62% Daily Value – 246ug | Iron – 15% Daily Value – 2mg Magnesium – 52% Daily Value – 184mg |
Other Derived Constituents
Water – 4.26
A Dog can benefit from the mixture of essential fatty acids, protein, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates derived from peanuts; on some “peanut treat days”, they can even feel full for a long period of time.
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
Pet dogs love peanut butter so much, whether served in spreads or raw, but just as they eat peanut butter. Generally, for both man and canine buddies, the method in which groundnuts are prepared and the variety consumed goes a long way to deciphering and evaluating the overall safety of peanuts for dogs.
Evaluating The Safety Of Peanuts For Dogs
The truth about peanuts for dogs: Peanuts are in no way toxic to canines in general but can be toxic when an owner does not feed with caution.
While the legume is safe to add to a dog’s meal, its treats, or even homemade cookies, it’s important to know that they are high in fat and some have high levels of sodium.
The digestive system of a canine finds excess consumed fat intolerable. Fat in high concentration can result in obesity, gastrointestinal issues, colon cancer and coronary heart disease.
So, saying yes to the question “Can Dogs Eat Peanuts”? is well founded because peanuts will not pose any health risk to dogs as long as it is fed in moderate portions, are given less frequently, and only the right varieties are fed.
Veterinary Opinions On Dogs And Peanuts
The word of advice, from veterinarian experts to all pet owners – to be on the safe side – regarding peanuts is that they should always make any plans of adding new food(s) to their pet’s diet known to them first.
This goes to new brands of dog kibbles, human food, human fruits, human snacks and certain confusing dog treats. The experts have given this advice regarding dogs and peanuts because they are in the best position to give professional advice on foods that can be safely induced into a pet’s diet.
In addition, regardless, peanuts offer a satisfactory deal of health benefits to furry friends, it is safe to assume that your dog – out of all 300,000 dogs that find peanuts tolerable – might actually find peanuts poisonous, or worse, he could be allergic.
If this is the case, you should know that it is not your dog’s fault. It could be due to age, breed, size, health condition, cholesterol level, weight, history of food allergies, a weak digestive system or maybe he is too young for peanuts.
Lastly, peanuts cannot be given to a dog that is taking medications under strict prescription, and it could alter the relieving effect of the medication.
What Is The Healthiest Nut For Dogs To Eat?
The legume crop, Peanuts, are the safest nuts for a dog to eat, followed by cashew nuts. Not all varieties of peanuts are safe, though. You have to feed your canine with only the varieties that are most suitable for their consumption.
The most suitable type for dogs to consume are the Raw, unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts, but consumption should only be once in a while, in small quantities. It should never be served as a part of a dog’s regular diet.
The raw, unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts may not be entirely sweet like the salted peanuts, for example, but they provide more nutritional value.
Another safe variety is boiled peanuts; humans eat this type and are mostly cooked with salt, but it should not be salted when cooking for a dog because its health might be at risk due to sodium concentration.
Health Benefits Of Peanuts For Dogs
“Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?” Absolutely, Dogs can consume peanuts. In fact, canines that feed on peanuts – thanks to their loving owners – are prone to reap the following health benefits :
1. Proteins And Healthy Fats
A combination of protein and healthy fats work complementarity in a dog’s body to keep it healthy. Dogs use up proteins as muscle and bone builders & sources of energy.
The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says that a protein-rich meal effectively increases metabolism, and the reason for this is the higher thermic effect that protein has on food.
Other Healthy Fats that can boost a high thermic effect can be derived from peanuts, avocado, chia seeds, cashew nuts and hemp seeds.
While fats work in a dog’s body to absorb the B6, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid & Lysine Vitamins, proteins work synergistically with healthy fats to boost the health of a dog’s skin, bones, muscles, and fur and every other body tissues and organs.
Proteins also make up a dog’s major enzymes and hormones that effectively boost chemical reactions in the body.
Adequacy in the consumption of protein and healthy fats keep a dog well-fed, helps maintain appropriate body weight and provides the energy needed in its body system.
Must Read For You: Can Dogs Eat Nutella: Understanding The Impact Of Nutella On Your Dog’s Health
2. Vitamins And Minerals In Peanuts
Regarding the health benefits of adding peanut treats to a dog’s nutrition plan, pet owners who contemplate “Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?”; should consider that peanuts can also provide vitamins and minerals to their loving pets.
Peanuts offer a lot of essential vitamins and minerals to dogs, which in turn aids in positively impacting the general development of their body system. Here are the specific vitamins and minerals Derived from peanuts and their functions :
Minerals Derived From Corn And Their Functions
- Calcium – Boosts teeth, muscle and bone development
- Potassium – Serves as an electrolyte to dogs regulates homeostasis, prevents dehydration, and regulates the blood’s PH.
- Magnesium – Regulates heartbeat, nerve function, and body function and helps to keep the immune system up and running
- Iron – supports haemoglobin growth, supply of oxygen to various organs in the body, and blood cell formation
Vitamins Derived From Peanuts And Their Functions
- Riboflavin – prevents dermatitis, riboflavin deficiency, muscular weakness and anaemia. Dogs can get riboflavin vitamins from poultry meat, seafood, pork and boiled eggs.
- B6 Vitamins – Metabolism works better with adequate B6 Vitamins, energy influx, and proper brain development.
- Vitamin C – Sustained injuries heal faster and boost the immune system and bone development.
- Vitamin E – Helps to neutralise free radicals, prevents skin diseases, and boosts the immune system.
- Folic Acid – Mostly for pregnant dogs to support neurotransmitter synthesis, fetal development, erythropoiesis and cellular division
3. Antioxidants And Heart Health
If you find yourself wondering, “Can Dogs Eat Peanuts”? You will get your answer when you discover that peanuts can provide antioxidants for your dog, boosting heart and immune system health.
Antioxidants for dogs are vitamins Derived from foods like peanuts that enable effective protection of the body’s immune system. In most cases, free radicals are responsible for possible damage to a dog’s immune system.
Antioxidants are key to maintaining a dog’s heart health and overall immune system. Common antioxidants derived from peanuts are Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Potential Risks And Precautions
Due to the potential risks of feeding dogs human food, most owners rely on staple commercial kibbles and consume their peanuts while pondering, “Can Dogs Eat Peanuts”?
The truth is, the body system of a dog tolerates peanuts perfectly – Allergic dogs exempted -.
But, if fed inappropriately, there will be repercussions, which may take a toll on the dog’s health. Adding legumes to your dog’s diet is an action that should be approached with proper caution.
A frequency in the serving of dry-roasted, unflavored and unsweetened peanuts, sometimes even cooked ones to your dog can lead to the following potential risks :
1. Choking Hazards
Whole peanuts are small and hard for a dog to chew properly and swallow. A general move for canines is to swallow the grain whole when they find it hard to chew.
This particular action may result in a choking hazard, especially if your dog is of a small breed. The possibility of choking is even higher if the dog consumes the nuts with its shell; this may not only cause a choking hazard but a disruption of the dog’s digestive system.
Every dog owner should carefully peel the groundnut off its shell first before serving their canine. Once the shells are peeled, the next move should be to dispose of them properly to avoid accidental consumption when you’re not around to observe.
Also, prevent your dog from eating the groundnuts rapidly because this can also cause choking. Keep water by its side, too, just in case.
2. Allergic Reactions
As a dog owner, you may be part of a community of pet owners to figure out the possibility of macadamia nut, peanut, cashew nut or hazelnut allergies in their dogs.
You may also know the nut allergy symptoms if you have studied their allergy complication deeply.
However, if dog allergy to varieties of nuts is news to you, we can help with that. In canines, allergies from a variety of nuts range from mild to moderate to severe.
The symptoms of nut allergic reaction (allergies) in dogs include:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Cheek, mouth and face swelling
- Bald patches
- Chronic gas
- Diarrhoea
- Inflammation
- Hives
- Breathing difficulty
- Itchy and red scalp, skin, feet, belly, ears
- Vomiting
- Agitation
All these allergies can result from not only peanuts, and they are allergies that can also result from walnuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnut, almond, butternut, pistachios, pine nuts, cashew nut, chestnuts and coconuts.
If you observe these nut allergies in dogs, don’t serve them any more nuts. Consult its veterinary doctor immediately for medical advice on what action to take next.
Oral antihistamines can be used for treatment for mild to moderate nut allergies, but any severe allergy will require medical attention.
3. Impact On Weight And Heart Health
Pet owners can share peanuts with their canine breeds, but knowing the impact on a dog’s weight and heart health can enable you to understand the need to feed peanuts in moderation.
If a dog is consuming peanuts as a treat, it should be unsalted, unsweetened and unflavored. Sweeteners, salts and additives are unhealthy for canines.
Sodium ingestion can lead to a high concentration, increasing sodium levels in a dog’s body system. The implication of excessive ingestion of salt could be referred to as sodium ion poisoning.
Artificial sweeteners used to manufacture peanuts can also cause implications to a dog’s body system because chemicals like those are intolerable to their digestive system.
Caramel, salt, and honey-flavoured peanuts are for only human consumption, not for dogs; as delicious as they are, it has no place in a dog’s regular diet.
Xylitol In Peanut Butter And Its Impact To A Dog’s Health
Another sweetened variety of peanut is peanut butter; this creamy spread is safe for dogs to consume in moderation, but if consumed excessively:
A compound, Xylitol – an extremely dangerous & toxic substance that is not dog friendly – found in peanut butter can cause obesity and overweight in canines.
Xylitol – derived from peanut butter – fed in inappropriate amounts can drastically drop the blood sugar level of a canine (This is commonly known as Hypoglycemia in dogs). Hypoglycemia in dogs can result in behavioural disorientation, sudden collapse and even seizures.
Big dogs’ digestive systems can try to tolerate Xylitol, but what about small dogs? Xylitol Intolerance is even worse in small dogs and puppies because it takes as much as a small amount of peanut butter for the toxic compound to cause digestive issues or obesity.
Xylitol is used in peanut butter as a preference for sugar, and commercial industries also use it to manufacture other types of breakfast spreads. Xylitol is tolerable in the body system of humans, but it is dangerous for pets to consume.
So, as a pet owner, if you have ever considered feeding your dog peanut butter just so he can benefit from the health benefits of peanuts, please carefully decode the label ( especially ingredients) of the product to see if it was manufactured with this dog – an unfriendly artificial sweetener.
Serving Peanuts To Dogs
Peanuts can be a safe, healthy and fun consideration for dog treats. In 2023, the preparation of peanuts for both dogs and peanuts has become extremely versatile, and peanuts can be consumed differently, either boiled, roasted or creamed.
If your dog loves the taste of peanuts, we will guide you on the different varieties you can serve as dog treats.
To avoid side effects, allergies, and health and heart implications, it is important that you know the safety measures it takes to safely and properly feed them peanuts treats. Remember that serving peanuts in moderation is key to maintaining your dog’s health.
Here is an insight into the different varieties/forms of peanuts and their ideal portion sizes for dogs.
1. Raw, Dry – Roasted Peanuts
Raw, Dry – roasted peanuts are the go-to choice for a dog’s treat out of every variety that peanuts come in.
Method of preparation:
- Gather the ingredients to prepare the peanuts. Preheat your oven to a degree of 350 Fahrenheit.
- Whether you choose to bake the peanut shelled or unshelled, place the raw legumes inside the single layer of a deep baking pan.
- If you are baking peanuts taken off the shell, bake for a minimum of 15 minutes, 20 minutes maximum; while baking, it is important to stir regularly until the peanuts’ skin becomes loose enough and turns light gold or brown.
- If you are baking peanuts still on the shell, bake for a minimum of 20 minutes, 25 minutes maximum; while baking, it is important to stir regularly until the peanuts’ skin becomes loose enough and turns light gold or brown.
- Ensure it cools down for about 10 minutes before eating.
Ideal Portion Size:
- As little as one and a half handfuls of freshly baked raw, dry-roasted peanuts should be fed to a pet dog as dog treats.
2. Cooked Peanuts (Boiled)
“Can Dogs Eat Cooked Groundnuts”? Dogs love to have something to chew once in a while, and cooked Peanuts (Groundnuts) are a wonderful choice to satisfy this appetite; cooked Peanuts are often prepared – Raw and in the shell -.
Method Of Preparing Cooked Peanuts For Dogs:
- Thoroughly wash the dirty unshelled Groundnuts in clean tap water.
- Add water ( avoid adding salt or seasoning) to the peanuts after placing them in a large pot and bring to a boil on a cooker.
- Cover the pot and increase the heat just enough to boil the Groundnuts effectively. Bring to boil for at least 2 hours, 3 hours maximum, until the groundnuts boil to your utmost desire.
- Drain the water off the groundnuts and serve to your dog.
Note: Boiled Groundnuts can only last for a couple of days, unlike Raw, Dry – roasted Peanuts.
Ideal portion size:
- As much as 3 – 4 handfuls of boiled Groundnuts should be fed to a pet dog as warm, chewy treats. Cooked Peanuts are not so hard to chew, but they are very small, so carefully observe your dog when it is eating to avoid choking hazards.
3. Creative Peanut-Based Recipes For Dogs
Boiled or roasted Groundnuts can be given to dogs with fresh dog-friendly fruits like cucumbers, bananas, watermelon etc.
Real-Life Experiences And Testimonials
Here is a real-life experience/story regarding dog peanut treats from a real pet owner.
Stories From Dog Owners Feeding Peanuts
Patty Erhard tells her story regarding feeding peanut treats to her dog
“On some mornings, I would always feed our family’s bloodhound puppy some peanut treats before leaving to work around 6 O’clock to close by 6:30 pm.
My husband came home by 8:15 pm. My son got back home, too; I was not back yet, but I was doing fine, so there was no cause for alarm.
Alongside some of our dog’s kinds of stuff, we kept a jar of unsweetened, unflavored and unsalted peanuts in a cabinet. I knew that, but I excitedly gave him a spoonful of sweetened, salted and artificial-flavoured peanuts instead.
Ummmm, word of advice, DO NOT EVER DO THAT!!! I got a wake-up call from my husband when I finally got home. The first words he screamed were, “PATTY, WHAT DID YOU GIVE TO JIM”?. I told him, just a spoonful of peanuts; why? “He’s acting all hyper! I cannot calm him down! Did you give him his own unsweetened peanuts or the sweetened ones? I LIED, and my reply was “Yes”.
Do I feel like a bad pet owner? Absolutely, about putting our beloved pet dog in such a dilemma, yes, I feel bad.
Veterinary Cases Involving Peanuts
A 9-year-old make dog suffered from vomiting, diarrhoea, pruritic urticaria, generalised erythema, and conjunctival hyperemia after consuming large amounts of peanuts.
The lesion’s clinical symptoms, history, and histopathology were in synchronisation with a hypersensitivity reaction. Clinical treatment, however, worked, and the hypersensitivity was reduced after administration of Prednisone and antihistamine.
This is the very first case of pruritic urticaria as a result of peanut ingestion by a dog.
FAQ
Can Dogs Eat Boiled Peanuts?
Boiled peanuts, a Southern favourite, can be fine as long as they’re clean and unsalted, but usually, these treats contain lots of salt or spices like Cajun flavouring, cayenne pepper, and other spices that could upset your pup’s tummy.
Which Peanut Is Best For Dogs?
Dry-roasted (or raw) unsalted peanuts are the only peanuts safe for dogs. While your dog will probably be fine picking up a salty peanut or two off the floor, the best peanuts for puppies aren’t the delicious, salty ones that many people eat.
How Many Peanuts Can A Dog Eat?
Peanuts are an “occasional food” and should never be the main part of your dog’s diet – they are a treat, not a meal. Generally, 4 to 5 peanuts a few times a week is a safe amount to feed your furry friend.
What Happens If Dogs Eat Too Many Peanuts?
Peanuts are high in fat; eating too many can lead to intestinal problems. In severe cases, overeating fat can damage your dog’s pancreas, an essential organ in the dog’s body. This damage can be fatal if not treated in time.
Can Dogs Eat Bread?
Yes. Dogs can eat bread in much the same way as humans – in moderation. Plain white and wheat bread are generally safe for dogs as long as they don’t have any allergies and usually don’t cause any stomach problems.
Can Dogs Have Honey?
Honey is good for dogs in small amounts. It contains natural sugars and a small amount of minerals and vitamins. It can also be used as a sweetener for foods and beverages.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapples?
Pineapples, in small amounts, are an excellent snack for dogs. On the other hand, you should avoid canned pineapple. The syrup in canned fruit contains too much sugar for most dogs’ digestive tracts to handle.
Conclusion
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts? The worldwide, global staple food is found in most commercial markets. Definitely, yes, peanuts can be induced in a canine’s diet only once in a while.
However, pet owners need to be very careful and serve peanuts – off the shell – because consumption of peanuts with the shell can cause severe digestive blockage, allergies and other side effects.
To be on the safe side, dogs can eat only raw, unsweetened peanuts. Extra toppings such as Xylitol, salt, sweeteners, and spice should not be added to peanut treats.
Ultimately, it is important for a dog to feed healthily for overall growth and development. But, when it comes to adding new “human food” to a canine’s diet, every pet owner should first check in with the vet to ensure the new food is safe to eat.
References And Additional Resources
