Who doesn’t love peanuts?!
Or maybe the better question is who doesn’t love peanut butter? I would think there’s a universal love of peanut butter for most of us.
After all, peanut butter and jelly is an American staple!
And peanuts are great too! Whether just plain and unsalted or even in brownies, trail mix or just right from the bag.
Peanuts are a great source of natural, unsaturated fat and pack some good protein in there as well.
Most dogs love peanut butter and even just plain old peanuts.
But, is it OK to share peanuts with your pup?
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Table of Contents
Are Peanuts Safe For Dogs?
Yes, peanuts are safe for dogs to eat, but only if they are raw or unsalted.
There are nuts, like macadamia nuts and almonds which are not safe for dogs. In fact, peanuts are usually the best nut choice.
A few salted peanuts won’t hurt your pup, but unsalted is best.
Dogs tend to love the peanut butter flavor so a teaspoon of unsalted peanut butter is safe to share.
As with any new food item, make sure to talk to your veterinarian before feeding your pups any peanuts, peanut butter or any new human food.
If you want to learn more about some other food choices that are safe or not so safe for your pup, our ultimate safe food guide can be a valuable resource to check out!
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
The Benefits of Peanuts For Dogs
Peanuts and peanut butter are a good source of protein and have the good type of unsaturated fat.
Peanuts are also a good source of vitamins B6, E, and even niacin!
Raw and unsalted nuts are the best to share with your pup but only a few or a small teaspoon of peanut butter.
Make sure to remove the shells and that the peanuts are not flavored or with any seasoning.
If your dog eats too many peanuts, however, it can cause your pup some digestive issues, so less is more.
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Can Peanuts Be Harmful To Dogs?
If a dog eats too many peanuts, it can be hard for them to digest.
Because peanuts do have fat, even the good kind, too many can cause your pup to have gastrointestinal issues.
And, little dogs might have a hard time digesting any peanuts because of the fat and it the small nut can get stuck in your dog’s throat which can cause your dog to choke.
Of course, any shells need to be removed too if you want to share some peanuts with your dog.
Nuts, in general, are known allergens for dogs and humans.
If you see any of the below symptoms, your pup might be allergic to peanuts and you should take your dog to the vet immediately:
- Sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Coughing
- Hives
- Vomiting
As with most human food, start with a small amount and make sure your pup isn’t allergic or has a bad reaction to peanuts.
How You Can Share Peanuts With Your Pup
If your vet is OK with sharing peanuts with your pup, a few suggestions on how to serve them!
Of course, remove the shell and don’t add any seasoning, flavoring or salt to them. Just plain is best!
First, you should cook the eggs, either boil them or even scramble plain and without any spice, butter or oil.
Because dogs large and small can potentially choke on peanuts, it’s best to chop them up or even better make peanut butter.
Try the following with peanut butter:
Just give it your dog plain peanut butter as a training treat.
Put a small dose on an apple slice and watch your dog munch it up
You can add it to a toy KONG to keep your dog busy chewing all day.
If your dog doesn’t like peanut butter, there are some other safe food choices for your pup:
Other Foods Your Dog Might Enjoy
If your dog doesn’t take to eggs, here are some other safe vegetables and fruit that your dog might enjoy:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Lettuce
- Mangos
- Shrimp
- Strawberries
Some Foods That Aren’t Safe For Dogs:
- Avocado
- Chocolate
- Macadamia Nuts
- Mushrooms
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Grapes & Raisins
Feeding Peanuts or Peanut Butter to Your Pup
If you want to share peanut butter or even peanuts to your dog, it is safe in small amounts.
Make sure either is plain, without any shells, oil or flavoring.
Like any new food, start with a small amount to make sure your pup doesn’t have any type of reaction the peanuts or peanut butter.
If your dog has any sort of reaction (other than joy, of course!) to peanuts, make sure to take your dog to the vet immediately.
While we hope that this never happens to our dogs, accidents do happen and it’s exactly this scenario when pet insurance is a real bonus to have!
The visit alone with any further treatment that your dog might need might set you back with a hefty medical vet bill.
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And when the best pet insurance providers, like Embrace, Pets Best, Petplan, and Healthy Paws, cover up to 90% of bills, this can be a true saver!
Of course, pet insurance can help with any medical issues that your dog might encounter if they aren’t pre-existing.
Some dogs just love peanut butter and you don’t have to be afraid to share it, just use caution and discretion.
Other articles you may find helpful:
Is Exotic Pet Insurance Necessary?
The Best Pet Insurance By State
What Is Pet Insurance?
Fun Facts, Dog FAQ, And Unsolicited Dog Advice
5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life
The Ultimate Guide to Safe Foods for Dogs
Dog Health Problems
Dog Breeds
CAT FAQ
Cat Health Problems
Cat Breeds
Finding safe alternative foods for your dogs to eat can be tricky. We have a long list of articles about every food you could possibly consider feeding your dog. One thing we recommend is that you consider looking into pet insurance for your pet and you can start by checking out the best rates for dog and puppy insurance.
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