by Hugh Montgomery

Dana MontgomeryIn a previous post I went into some detail about feeding your dog peanut butter. However, since that post, several people have asked about feeding just plain peanuts to their dog and if it is healthy?

To help answer this, I wanted to clarify a few points.

  • Peanuts (Arachis hypogaea) are actually a species of the legume family (Fabaceae), they are beans.
  • The outer shell is very high in fiber and can be hard for dogs to digest.
  • The shell can also contain a fungus called Aspergillus flavus which can cause aflatoxins that react with the liver becoming highly toxic.
  • Dogs, like humans, can suffer from food allergies.
  • The small size and round shape of a peanut can be a potential choking hazard for many dogs.

  
So, back to the question, can dogs eat peanuts? Yes, they can. To ensure the safety of your dog, the peanuts should be unshelled and given in moderation until you are sure they are not allergic. Just keep in mind that we are responsible for the health of our dogs and what we feed them.

In my opinion, it is easier to give them the great taste of peanuts in the form of peanut butter. This also allows me to put it on treats, inside toys and even use it to mask the medicine they routinely take.

I would like to hear your comments on this. Do you feed  your dog peanuts?