Can Dogs Eat Peanuts in the Shell?

Peanuts are high in healthy nutrients for your dog. Their intriguing smell and taste also make them so desirable for our furry friends. Everyone also knows that peanut butter and dogs go together like peas and carrots. 

However, peanuts and peanut butter should only be eaten in moderation, and only unsalted and unflavored.

What about the shell? Can dogs eat peanuts in the shell? 

As with all food that humans eat, it’s important to do our research before giving anything to our dog.

If you’re wondering if dogs can eat peanut shells, we will give you the answer, as well as some information on dog peanut allergies and how to feed peanuts to your dog!

Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?

Yes, dogs can eat peanuts.

But there are some factors to consider first. The biggest issue that you need to be aware of before sharing peanuts with your pup is how salty they are. 

Most nuts are covered with added salt and spices, which may not be good for your pup.

Too much salt can lead to abnormal urination, seizures, thirst, uncontrollable quivering, depression, throwing up, runny stools, and raised body temperature in dogs.

Dogs love peanuts and peanut butter. They are full of valuable vitamins and nutrients like vitamins B6 and E, niacin, protein, and healthy fats. This makes them a great treat for your dog.

However, some nuts have a high fat content, so try to avoid those. Refrain from feeding them macadamia nuts or black walnuts, both of which contain high levels of fats. 

No matter how much good fat the nuts contain, your dog will quickly become overweight with regular consumption. So be sure to limit these as treats only.

As long as the peanuts are dry roasted, boiled, or raw, and free from salt and flavorings, then they are safe to eat for dogs. They even make for a healthy snack.

As with peanut butter, they’re safe for dogs to eat and can even be beneficial to their oral health!

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Shells?

No! As with us humans, peanut shells should not be fed to dogs.

Although they are not toxic, their rough texture can be hard on your dog’s digestive tract.  

If your dog has eaten peanut shells, they may be just fine, but continue monitoring them for signs of distress.

Symptoms you should look out for include digestive problems like diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain. If any of these appear extreme or persist beyond 24 hours, give your vet a call.

Peanut shells can be more dangerous to small breeds like Toy Poodles and Chihuahuas since they will have a harder time digesting the shell. Peanut shells are full of fibers, making them easy to choke on.

Peanut shells are often also covered with salt which, as mentioned, can lead to abnormal urination, seizures, thirst, uncontrollable quivering, and more.

These shells are high in sodium even if the nuts are not. For these reasons, it’s best to skip the shells altogether.

Dog Peanut Allergies

Most dog foods are specially formulated for the nutritional needs of your dog’s body. Every time we feed human food or table scraps to dogs, we are exposing their digestive system to unfamiliar processing. 

An allergy can develop over time and with repeated exposure, and this also applies to an allergy to peanuts.

A dog who has eaten a few peanuts before may have an adverse reaction to them a few months later. Peanuts are a common allergen, even for humans. 

Some dogs develop an allergy that can range from mild to severe. In some cases, dogs can suffer from anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Here are some signs of an allergic reaction:

• coughing
• hives
• swelling
• difficulty breathing.

If you notice these signs after feeding peanuts to your dog, immediately seek the help of a vet.

How to Feed Peanuts to Your Dog

Before feeding peanuts to your dog be sure to check with your vet first. They can advise you on whether your dog can safely eat them and how much you should give your pup in a serving.

Once you get a go signal from the vet, remember that boiled, roasted, or raw peanuts usually make for a safe treat for your dog, as long as the shells are removed. Also, make sure that they don’t contain any salt or flavorings.

Hampton Farms’ Peanuts are a great snack for humans which you can also share with your dog!

But if you want something made especially for dogs, Smart Bones Mini Peanut Butter Chews are a good treat made with real peanut butter.

One way to avoid gastrointestinal blockage is to grind peanuts up or serve them in the form of peanut butter. 

Be careful when choosing a peanut butter for your dog, as some brands contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic for dogs. Xylitol also appears in many candies, sweets, and desserts.

Peanut butter is safe for your dog, but we recommend one that has the simplest ingredients, like Crazy Richard’s All-Natural Peanut Butter. 

You can use peanut butter or peanuts as a reward for doing tricks. You can also spread the peanut butter on a toy or freeze it.

Some people enjoy putting peanut butter on this lick pad to keep their dog still during bath time, grooming, and training!

You can also use peanuts and peanut butter in several dog treat recipes if you enjoy making homemade snacks for your pup. 

This video shows a yummy peanut butter treat recipe you can try for your dog!

Peanuts Without the Shell are Good for Your Dog!

Sharing a snack with your four-legged friend is a great bonding experience since munching is one of their favorite things to do. 

It is safe to feed peanuts to your dog, as long as you do it in moderation and the peanut is dry roasted or raw, free from salt and flavoring, and has no shell. 

You can also give peanut butter to your dog which can be frozen, used for a homemade treat recipe, or put on a lick pad!