Peanuts: Good or harmful for dogs?

Nuts are real fat and vitamin bombs. That's why dog owners like to use nuts as treats, especially in vegan dog diets. However, not all nuts are suitable for our four-legged friends. So what about the peanut? Originally from South America, the peanut has become a popular food among humans. But is it also good for our four-legged friends? Here you can find out whether you can safely feed your dog peanuts and what to look out for!

Are peanuts poisonous for dogs?

No, peanuts are not poisonous for our furry friends. On the contrary, peanuts are healthy and very rich in nutrients, even for our four-legged friends! In addition to minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and iron, the small nut also contains many important vitamins such as vitamin E and B vitamins such as thiamine and vitamin B3 niacin. In addition, the nut is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which cannot be produced by our furry friends themselves and must be supplied through food, for example. With 25 g of protein per 100 g, peanuts are even richer in protein than many other nuts and can therefore help build muscle.

However, you should not feed your four-legged friend peanuts if they have certain pre-existing conditions. Like humans, dogs can also have a peanut allergy. This is caused by a high histamine content. If your furry friend already has one or two allergies, you should first rule out a peanut allergy before giving them peanuts. Signs of a peanut allergy are swollen eyelids or swollen mucous membranes in your pet's mouth. Heavy panting, diarrhea, vomiting or severe itching can also be signs of a peanut allergy.

If your pet is overweight and has digestive problems, you should also think carefully about feeding them peanuts. As peanuts are a legume, they can cause severe flatulence if your pet already has digestive problems. Due to its high fat content, it should not be fed to overweight dogs or dogs with heart disease.

Salted or unsalted? What you should consider when choosing the form of peanuts.

Peanuts are available in many different forms: roasted, with or without shells, salted or unsalted. It's easy to lose track. We'll show you which form of processing is best for your furry friend and which you should avoid.

Salted processing

Salted peanuts should not be fed, as the amount of salt cannot be controlled. Salt leads to dehydration, which can initially lead to increased thirst in your four-legged friend. Excessive salt consumption can also lead to dehydration. In the worst case scenario, inadequate access to water can lead to salt poisoning, which can manifest itself in symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, muscle tremors and general weakness. In general, the consumption of sugared or spiced peanuts should be avoided.

The nut in roasted form

The roasted peanut does not cause any problems for our four-legged friends. When roasted, the peanuts dry out when heated to a brownish color. This process causes the nut to lose a small amount of liquid, which leads to a slight increase in the calorie and fat content. At the same time, the mineral content may also increase slightly. However, depending on the duration and temperature of the roasting process, there is a possibility of a loss of vitamins in the peanut.

With or without shell?

Feeding peanuts with shells is not advisable. In principle, the shells are not poisonous for our pets, but they are difficult to digest. Peanut shells can therefore lead to digestive problems in large quantities.

Ground peanuts

Ground peanuts are often added when barfing to provide your furry friend with additional vitamins and fats. The addition of ground peanuts is therefore also useful in vegan dog nutrition ! However, when adding ground peanuts, you should pay attention to the quantity to avoid digestive problems in your furry friend.

The nut in bulk or in moderation? How much you can feed your dog:

When feeding peanuts to your four-legged friend, you should pay attention to the quantity. Too many peanuts can also cause bloating in dogs that are not sensitive to them.

As a general rule, peanuts can cover up to 10% of your dog's daily calorie requirements.

One or two peanuts a day should therefore not be a problem, even for small dogs. Peanuts are therefore the perfect alternative reward.

What to do if your dog has eaten too much?

If your dog has eaten an excessive amount of peanuts, you should visit a veterinary practice. Peanuts can contain aflatoxin, a mold that can lead to the disease aflatoxicosis if eaten in large quantities. The first symptoms appear after consumption: vomiting, loss of appetite and, after a while, weight loss, bleeding and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Undetected aflatoxicosis can lead to liver damage, damage to the bile ducts and kidney damage.