Dog owners know that their little pal wants to get their paws and tongues on just about any food that we eat. They love to sit by our side just a little closer when they know we are snacking on something. It is natural to want to give your dog some food, and in most cases, it is pretty harmless. However, you do want to exercise caution when feeding your dog because there are foods that are not great for them.
The question comes up about what kinds of foods they can eat, and how many as well, in this case peanuts, but this list will also run down some other common foods that dog owners feed their pet, and whether or not they are safe.
Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?
One really funny thing about feeding dogs is peanut butter because it gets stuck to the roofs of their mouths – and they enjoy it too. The difficulty in assessing whether dogs can eat peanuts means that this common question needs more qualified and robust advice, but from a general understanding, peanuts can pose potential problems with their high levels of protein, fat, and sodium content. Peanuts are okay, but knowing that the nutritional value can be harmful in large quantities should be taken into consideration. Lastly, remember that peanuts can pose a choking hazard so if you can make it easier for your dog to digest, do that.
Hidden Food Related Concerns
Some concerns, like choking hazards, are pretty evident when feeding a dog small pieces of food like peanuts, but there are hidden concerns that need to be accounted for. The most important is allergies. Dogs can be allergic to food in a similar way that humans are. This can cause digestive issues, irritation or rashes on their skin, vomiting, and other unpleasant side effects. You might pass this off as your dog being sick from eating something in the yard, but it could be from the food you feed them. Not all dogs have allergies, but many foods that humans are commonly allergic to can be harmful. Peanuts and dairy are two of the most significant, so if you are worried about feeding your dog little pieces of this here and there, it is best to get the dog checked out by your vet to determine if your food could pose a health problem for them.
Can These Foods Be Beneficial to Your Dog?
Now, the allergies and concerns are merely meant as a precautionary piece of advice that you should always determine for your pet before feeding them something they are not used to. This means that there are still some benefits for your pet. Peanut butter is the preferred form of giving your dog peanut-based food because it is soft, and it has many nutritional properties. The proteins and fats are not a concern unless you are feeding your pet too much, so a little bit here and there is not an issue. There are nutrients like vitamins which are good for your dog’s coat, good for their heart, and even for their bones. So again, moderation is key when it comes to feeding human food to your dog, because it can still be good for them.
How Should I Feed My Dog Peanuts?
As mentioned, try to avoid the peanuts themselves. Especially very salty or seasoned ones, as they can be irritating to your pet. As mentioned earlier, peanut butter is the best option you can have if you really wanted to feed them peanut-based food. This can be put into their bowl with their regular food so that they get the proper nutrition from the food that is intended for them. Other ways you can do this is by feeding them directly from a spoon, as the serving size would be very small. Another fun way to get them some exercise too are rubber dog toys that you can put small amounts of peanut butter in which gives them a bit of play time. These toys are easily washable too, in case you do not want to use one of your own spoons.
As you can see, the answer to whether or not dogs can eat peanuts is a little yes and a little no. There are things you need to consider, like their health, but the benefits of certain types of peanut based food actually is useful. The most important thing you can do for your pet before feeding them anything you are not sure of is to do your research.