Can Dogs Eat Salted in the Shell Peanuts?

Peanut butter, peanut oil and whole peanuts are staples of many dog treats and food flavorings. Salted in the shell peanuts are a human snack and may potentially cause problems for the discriminating peanut connoisseur canine in your life.

  1. Function

    • The rough exterior shell of a peanut serves as a barrier to protect the seeds during development. The seeds are eaten as a food or processed to make condiments, oils and sandwich spreads.

    Manufacture

    • Peanuts salted in the shell are soaked for a period of time in a salt water solution. The peanuts are then roasted to dry.

    Effects

    • Dogs should not be allowed to eat peanuts with their shell still intact, according to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook." The outer layer is comprised of a high amount of fiber, and is extremely difficult for the dog's body to digest.

    Considerations

    • Dogs, like humans, can develop allergies from repeated peanut exposure. The effects of a peanut allergy in canines can be just as devastating as an allergy in humans, according to the "The Allergy Solution for Dogs."

    Warning

    • There is also a chance that the shells harbor a variety of mold called Aspergillus flavus. This mold produces an extremely toxic substance called aflatoxin.