Can dogs eat peanut butter or peanuts?

Key takeaways

Yes, dogs can eat peanuts and peanut butter but there are 6 reasons to avoid feeding peanut butter and peanuts to dogs:

• Peanuts pose a choking risk
• Peanuts are high in lectins which can cause immune responses, increase inflammation in joints and organs, and interfere with the intestinal flora
• Aflatoxins in peanuts which is a common reason for poisoning in dogs, and exposure has been linked to increased risks of liver cancer
• Oxisidised fats in peanut butter can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which can affect the gut, liver, kidneys and even lungs
• Peanuts and peanut butter are calorie-dense foods, which puts your pup at increased risks of gaining weight and becoming overweight
• Some peanut butter contain sweeteners like xylitol. Many sweeteners can cause issues like diarrhoea or gastrointestinal issues. Xylitol has been shown to be very dangerous and even lethal for dogs, so it should be avoided at all costs

Because of these risks in peanuts and peanut butter, we don’t recommend feeding it to your dog.

Can dogs eat peanuts?

Yes, but while dogs can eat peanuts, there are some important reasons that they maybe shouldn’t eat them. 

• Whole peanuts can pose a choking risk to your dog. 
• In spite of the name, peanuts are a legume and not a nut. Like other legumes, they are high in lectins, sometimes called ‘anti-nutrients’. These have been the subject of many studies due to their adverse effects on human and animal digestion. These have been found to cause immune responses, increase inflammation in joints and organs, and interfere with the intestinal flora, and they may increase the risk of food intolerances, allergies and itchy skin
• Aflatoxins are toxins that can be found in certain crops including peanuts and tree nuts. They are produced by fungi that are proliferating in warm and humid environments. They can be even more present in organic agriculture, as there are no chemicals used to kill the toxins (not that chemicals in your dog’s food would sound any better!). Exposure to aflatoxins is a common reason for poisoning in dogs, and exposure has been linked to increased risks of liver cancer.
• Peanuts and peanut butter are calorie-dense foods, which puts your pup at increased risks of gaining weight and becoming overweight. While portion control may seem to be the answer to this issue, it is really easy to overdo it when it comes to giving treats to your doggo, so we recommend ditching the peanuts altogether and going for healthier alternatives instead.

How should you feed peanuts to your dog?

If you do give peanuts to your dog, they should be given as an occasional treat, in moderation, and under supervision. They can be given whole, or broken in half for smaller dogs. 

What types of peanuts can and can’t dogs eat?

Dogs should only be given peanuts that are unsalted, dry roasted or raw. Raw peanuts must be shelled first. 

Avoid giving your dog peanuts that have been salted, coated in chocolate or otherwise seasoned.

Can dogs eat peanut butter?

While dogs can eat peanut butter, it isn’t the healthiest option for them. As well as the concerns discussed above for peanuts (lectins, aflatoxins, high fat), there are a couple of other things to bear in mind when it comes to peanut butter

• Peanut butter contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, which are susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation is one of the main reasons why food deteriorates, and can lead to only changes in colour, odour, taste and texture, but can also lead to harmful substances being formed. There have been studies showing that when exposed to oxidised unsaturated fatty acids, some of these will go through the gastrointestinal tract into the lymphatic system. Oxidised fatty acids can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which can affect the gut, liver, kidneys and even lungs. Because of the high risk of oxidation in peanut butter fats, we don’t recommend feeding it to your dog. 
• If all the risks associated with peanuts weren’t enough, peanut butter often contains added sugar, salt, palm oil or sometimes sweeteners such as xylitol. We would recommend avoiding all sweeteners in your dog’s diet as many can cause issues like diarrhoea or gastrointestinal issues. Xylitol is known to be very dangerous, and potentially lethal, for dogs and should be avoided at all costs. 

What types of peanut butter can dogs eat?

If you do give your dog peanut butter, you can give them one that’s prepared specially for dogs. Dogs can also be given some peanut butters sold for human consumption. 

Whether you choose one for dogs or humans, check ingredients carefully and go for one with as few ingredients as possible.  

Avoid peanut butter with palm oil as well as with added salt and sugar. Avoid artificial sweeteners too. And, it’s worth repeating – products containing xylitol (birch sugar) should be avoided at all costs (1). 

How much peanut butter should you feed your dog?

As peanut butter is a calorie dense, high fat food it should only ever be fed in moderation – a little treat sized blob at a time is plenty. 

Can dogs eat peanut butter for humans?

Provided that the product contains as few ingredients as possible and does not contain artificial sweeteners, or xylitol then, yes, dogs can eat peanut butter for humans. 

What’s the best way to serve peanut butter to dogs?

There are lots of different ways you can serve peanut butter – let your dog lick a small amount from the back of a spoon or your finger. Mix with banana or natural yoghurt and spread over a licky mat. You can also spread a little smear over the top of a meal to encourage a picky dog to eat.

Can dogs be allergic to peanuts or peanut butter?

Yes, dogs can be allergic to peanuts and to peanut butter. 

A peanut allergy in dogs can result in a number of symptoms, including red, itchy and sore skin and paws, excessive grooming, or vomiting and/or diarrhoea. In rare cases, they can even cause anaphylaxis. 

The lectins found in peanuts may also result in a dog becoming more susceptible to developing other food intolerances, due to the damage caused to the lining of the gut. 

Can dogs eat almond butter?

Yes, dogs can eat almond butter, and this is a healthier alternative to peanut butter as it contains much lower amounts of lectins and aflatoxins. 

Almond butter is still a calorie dense, high fat treat, so should only be fed in moderation. 

Look for one that’s been made with just almonds and, as with peanut butter, avoid almond butters that have added sweeteners. Again, it’s vital that you avoid products that contain xylitol.  

It’s best not to feed whole almonds to your dog as they’re difficult to digest and may cause a tummy upset. They can also be a choking risk. 

What types of nuts can dogs eat?

Other nuts that are safe for dogs to eat include: 

• Pistachos 
• Cashews
• Walnuts (English walnuts only – black walnuts are toxic and should never be fed to dogs) 
• Pecans

Keep in mind that all nuts are calorie dense and high in fat so they should only ever be fed in moderation. They are also a choking risk, so ground nuts or nut butters (keeping in mind considerations regarding xylitol and other additives) are a safer option than whole nuts. 

While dogs can eat nuts, they aren’t ideal for regular use as treats and are more of a now and then special treat. As an alternative, look for tasty natural treats that will keep your dog happy and that are healthy for them. 

What is the best food for dogs?

The best food for dogs is one that meets all of their nutritional requirements with easily digested and highly bioavailable nutrients. Avoiding foods that contain a lot of additives and preservatives is best.

Just like for humans, a fresh, natural diet that provides variety is a great option for your pet. Bella+Duke raw dog food uses fresh, whole ingredients and is frozen to lock in nutrients, ensuring that you provide your dog with the healthiest diet possible.

Reference

1. Dunayer, Eric K. “New findings on the effects of xylitol ingestion in dogs.” VETERINARY MEDICINE-BONNER SPRINGS THEN EDWARDSVILLE-101.12 (2006): 791