Nuts & seeds
Can dogs eat peanuts?
Plain, unsalted, shelled peanuts are safe for most dogs in small amounts. Salted, honey-roasted and chocolate-coated peanuts are not good choices.
Why Salt, fat; xylitol in some peanut butters; mould (aflatoxin) in poor-quality nuts
By Maya HartIf your dog ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
- If a lot of salted nuts were eaten, offer water and call your vet.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Pancreatitis after a large amount
- Choking in small dogs
How much, how often
A few peanuts for a medium dog, occasionally.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Plain, unsalted, dry-roasted, out of the shell
- Chop for small dogs
- Check peanut butter for xylitol (birch sugar)
- Keep mixed nuts away — macadamias are toxic
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
Plain, unsalted, shelled peanuts are safe for most dogs in small amounts. Salted, honey-roasted and chocolate-coated peanuts are not good choices.
How much: A few peanuts for a medium dog, occasionally.
Cats In moderation
A peanut isn’t toxic to cats, but they are high in fat and a choking risk. Best avoided.
How much: Not recommended.
Can cats eat peanuts?The details
Peanuts are legumes, not true nuts, and aren’t toxic to dogs. The problems are what they come with: salt, sugary coatings, chocolate, and bowls of mixed nuts that include macadamias, which cause weakness and tremors in dogs. Dogs can also be allergic to peanuts, though this is rare.
Safer treats your dog can have instead
Apples
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Beef
Bell peppers
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Blackberries
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Questions owners ask
Can dogs eat peanuts?
Plain, unsalted, shelled peanuts are safe for most dogs in small amounts. Salted, honey-roasted and chocolate-coated peanuts are not good choices.
How much peanuts can a dog have?
A few peanuts for a medium dog, occasionally.
What makes peanuts risky for dogs?
Salt, fat; xylitol in some peanut butters; mould (aflatoxin) in poor-quality nuts.
What are the signs to watch for in dogs?
vomiting and diarrhoea, pancreatitis after a large amount, choking in small dogs.
What should I do if my dog ate peanuts?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. If a lot of salted nuts were eaten, offer water and call your vet.
Is peanuts safe for cats too?
A peanut isn’t toxic to cats, but they are high in fat and a choking risk. Best avoided.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for dogs
Peanut butter
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Almonds
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Pistachios
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation