They are initially from Bolivia and still carry the stigma of fattening foods. However, their unique composition of vitamins, minerals, and natural antioxidants has made them increasingly popular in healthy diets…
Can dogs eat peanut butter? If Peanut butter are your passions. If so, you are likely curious if dogs can eat peanuts.
Can dogs eat peanuts? Pros and cons
Luckily, peanuts do not have any components that are toxic to dogs. As with other nuts, it is recommended to give them raw. The benefits of peanuts for dogs are many :
- Power source.
- Rich in antioxidants.
- High in fatty acids, such as salmon feed .
- Source of vitamin H and B7.
However, they can also be harmful, for example:
- Weight gain: they are fatty foods and in excess they can make you fat.
- allergies.
- Choking (if given in shell).
- Other problems: derived mainly from other ingredients that are added (salt, sugar, sweeteners, etc).
Peanuts are high in Omega 3 and Omega 9 natural fatty acids, which protect cells from damage and prevent cardiovascular problems. Free radicals prevent the accumulation of LDL cholesterol plaques in the arteries.
It contains vitamins E, B, folic acid, and minerals like manganese. These nutrients are essential for developing and strengthening the dog’s immune system. Consuming it can be particularly beneficial for puppies, which are still growing, and older dogs, who have to avoid muscle wasting, among other symptoms that come with age.
Peanuts are known for their high caloric contents. Excessive peanut consumption can cause rapid weight gain, leading to obesity and overweight symptoms in dogs.
Dogs cannot eat peanuts the same way as humans. Peanuts can be eaten raw, fried, or roasted with or without a shell. You can also use them in sweet or savory dishes. Dogs should avoid foods that are deep-fried, salted, or sweet. It is important to ensure that your dog eats the correct amount of food according to its health and size.
Before you give peanuts to a dog…
Peanuts are safe for dogs. However, peanuts can be dangerous to dogs’ health. It is important to take out the shell before giving it to your dog. This can cause discomfort in the stomach and mouth.
Raw peanuts are best, as they retain all their nutrients. Dogs can eat shelled and oven-roasted peanuts provided that no sugar or salt is added. We will not eat fried, salted, or caramelized peanuts.
We can also consult the veterinarian in case of doubt, particularly if our dog has ever suffered from any health problems such as allergies or gastrointestinal issues.
There are many ways you can give peanuts to dogs
When we use positive reinforcement in training sessions, we can reward our dogs with a small number of unsalted peanuts. Large dogs can have about 10 grams (around 55 kilocalories), and medium and small dogs can have between 2 and 5. Small dogs can have between 10 and 30 calories. We will limit its intake to 2 or 3 times per week. We will also calculate the calories for the dog’s dose and take a small portion from the dog’s dinner or other food the day after the training ends.
What kind of peanut butter can dogs eat?
Peanut butter is mainly made from peanuts. Dogs can eat peanuts, and, as we have explained, they are rich in antioxidants and omega 3 and 9 fatty acids. In addition, peanuts are high in vitamins E and B, minerals, and folic acid. All this makes it one of the most nutritious foods and one of the fattiest.
Peanut butter also has all these characteristics, a delicatessen for our dogs, but that we must give with caution and without overdoing it. Peanut butter is, therefore, a great source of carbohydrates and protein. This will provide our dog with a hefty dose of energy, and, in addition, he will love its taste. But we must not forget that it is a highly allergenic food, and many dogs may have allergy symptoms.
It is also not recommended that we give peanut butter to dogs with overweight and obesity problems, or those consuming a light feed, since it is high in fat and very energetic and will make them gain weight, which is fatal for their health.
We should always choose a peanut butter that does not contain sugars or sweeteners that are harmful to our dog’s health, such as xylitol.
How to make homemade peanut butter for our dog?
There are commercial options, but if we want to make a cream that our dog can eat safely, that is, that does not contain sugars or sweeteners, we will have to make it at home, but do not worry, the steps are very simple:
Ingredients:
- Peanuts without salt.
- a Teaspoon of olive oil.
- teaspoon of honey
Preparation:
- Peel the peanuts, crush them, and beat them until they have a creamy texture.
- Add the oil and beat again at maximum power for 5 minutes.
- Honey is optional and can be added to the mixture, then put in a jar, closed, and stored in the refrigerator. It can last up to 2 weeks.
