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- Dogs can eat peanuts: is it good or bad?
- Dog can eat peanuts: how to offer
- Can a dog eat peanut butter?
- Can a dog eat Japanese peanuts?
- Dogs can eat peanuts: care and recommendations
Peanuts (arachis hypogaea) is one of the most beloved and popular snacks throughout Brazil, standing out from other dried fruits for its affordable price and its enormous culinary versatility, serving to prepare from sophisticated dishes of oriental culture to super Brazilian delicacies , such as paçoca and peanut butter.
And in recent years, peanuts have lost the stigma of being a "fattening" food to gain its place in a healthy diet, thanks to the amount of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and natural antioxidants. Therefore, many tutors wonder if dog can eat peanuts or if this food is bad for your pet's health. In this new article from Animal Expert, we'll talk about the benefits and precautions of giving peanuts to dogs. Don't miss it!
Dogs can eat peanuts: is it good or bad?
Unlike many foods, peanuts are not among the prohibited dog foods. On the contrary, this food is rich in fatty acids and natural antioxidants, such as Omega 3 and Omega 9, which help prevent cell damage and cardiovascular problems, as they prevent the action of free radicals and the accumulation of LDL cholesterol plaque (so-called “bad cholesterol”) in the arteries.
Peanuts are also rich in vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, folic acid and minerals such as manganese, which are essential nutrients for strengthening the immune system and for the correct development of the dogs' muscles. Therefore, consumption can be especially beneficial for puppies, who are in full growth phase, and for elderly dogs, who need to prevent muscle wasting and other common symptoms of old age.
Despite these benefits, you need to consider that peanuts are high in calories and high in fat. As a result, excessive or unbalanced consumption can lead to rapid weight gain, favoring the appearance of symptoms associated with obesity in dogs.
Also, dogs cannot consume peanuts in the same way as humans. We are used to consuming peanuts in different ways: raw, fried or roasted, with or without shell, alone or in savory or sweet recipes, such as peanut butter. Although, dogs can't eat fried foods, salt, sugar or other spices and preservatives that can cause serious digestive problems, such as gas, diarrhea and vomiting, or allergic reactions in the body.
Therefore, peanuts are not bad for a dog, however, ingredients that are added to flavor or improve texture can cause damage to the pet's body (such as salt or sugar). It is also essential to ensure that dogs consume this food in the proper form and amounts considering their size, weight and state of health.
Dog can eat peanuts: how to offer
yes dog can eat peanuts, but you need to know how to introduce it into the diet of its best to ensure safe consumption and beneficial to your health. First, it is essential to remove the peanut shells before offering it to your dog, as the shells are difficult to digest and can cause gastrointestinal upset.
The ideal is to offer your puppy raw and shelled peanuts, as this way it conserves all the nutrients. In addition, your dog can eat peanuts cooked in the oven (roasted) and shelled as long as do not add salt, sugar or other seasonings harmful to the dog's body. However, you should never offer your dog fried, salted or caramelized processed peanuts, nor sweet or savory recipes that incorporate ingredients that are harmful to his health.
Can a dog eat peanut butter?
It depends! If you prepare homemade peanut butter, without salt, sugar or preservatives, then yes, your dog can eat peanut butter in a moderate way, as it is high in fat and high in calories.
However, processed peanut butters often contain a lot of sugar, preservatives and artificial additives, which can cause serious harm to your dog. Of course, you shouldn't offer this type of product to your best friend.
Can a dog eat Japanese peanuts?
Not! Japanese peanuts that are commonly consumed in Brazil are fried and contain a lot of added salt. Therefore, you should never offer it to your dog, as this can cause symptoms of dehydration in addition to the digestive problems already mentioned.
Also check if a dog can eat tomatoes in this PeritoAnimal article
Dogs can eat peanuts: care and recommendations
As we mentioned earlier, there are some precautions when feeding dog peanuts, such as always peeling off the shell and never adding spices that could harm your health. In addition, you should also remember that your best friend can only consume peanuts in a moderate way, as a snack or a reward for their good behavior. Therefore, we recommend using it only as a positive reinforcement in your puppy's education, to reward him for good behavior and encourage him to continue learning.
Also, it is ideal to consult a veterinarian before introducing any new foods or making a change to your pet's diet. In this way, you will be able to provide your dog with complete and balanced nutrition, and give your dog peanuts in adequate amounts to take advantage of the beneficial properties of this food.
Also check out our YouTube video with some recipes for dogs with peanut butter: