Do you find yourself grabbing a bag of peanuts every time you crave for a snack? This proves to be an excellent choice since everybody knows the many benefits of eating this popular brain food. But should you share your favourite snack with your dog?
While having the same favourite snack as your dog looks cute, you wouldn’t want to give your dog peanuts without knowing the risks. Just like how peanuts can be unhealthy for humans, so they can be for dogs.
How peanuts make for a healthy treat
Peanuts offer pretty much the same nutritional benefits to humans as they do for dogs. They’re loaded with essential vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, and protein. Dogs can also get a dose of healthy fats from peanuts.
Using peanut butter to mask the taste of medicine is also a common practice among dog owners. Dogs simply couldn’t get enough of the taste of peanut butter. It’s worth noting, however, that certain medications shouldn’t be given with food, so always check with your veterinarian before doing this.
What are the downsides of peanuts?
Now, let’s move on to the risks of feeding peanuts to your lovely dog. No matter how nutritious they can be, peanut and peanut butter present quite a lot of risks for your pet.
Remember that peanuts aren’t considered pet food UK for a reason. The ingredients that make them irresistible to you are the same ingredients that could put your dog’s health in jeopardy. Salted peanuts, for instance, can cause a severe case of sodium ion poisoning.
Artificial sweeteners can also be dangerous for your dog. Xylitol, a sugar substitute, is a primary culprit. While many products now use xylitol, it proves to be extremely toxic for your four-legged friend, causing hypoglycemia, disorientation, and seizures.
Your dog can also have a difficult time chewing and swallowing peanuts. It’s possible that they would just swallow them whole, which could cause them to choke.
Have you heard the adage, too much of a good thing is a bad thing? This applies to the healthy fats found in peanuts. While your dog can surely benefit from them, eating too much inevitably leads to an upset stomach. Nut allergies are also common among dogs. Watch out for symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, breathing difficulty, inflammation, and hives.
Feeding peanuts to your dog safely
Should you still give peanuts to your dog? As long as you do it right, you shouldn’t have to worry about anything. Just make sure that your dog doesn’t have a peanut allergy.
The rule of thumb is to never give your dog salted or flavoured peanuts. You should also remove the shells, as these make it even more difficult for dogs to swallow them. Be patient enough to watch your dog while eating. One peanut at a time should be the limit to prevent choking.
It’s also high time that you read the ingredients label on the peanut butter jar. Remember that you wouldn’t want xylitol anywhere near your dog. In case you notice any signs of a potential allergic reaction, stop giving peanuts to your dog and call the vet.
