5 reasons to avoid peanut butter and peanuts for dogs
Peanuts contain lectins
Contrary to what the name may suggest, peanuts are actually a legume, not a nut. The difference is important, as legumes are particularly high in lectins.
Lectins, sometimes called ‘anti-nutrients’, have been the subject of many studies due to their adverse effects on human and animal digestion. These have been found to cause immune responses, increase inflammation in joints and organs, and interfere with the intestinal flora.
Lectins can contribute to intestinal permeability (AKA leaky gut), which can in turn lead to conditions including:
- Food intolerances
- Allergies
- Itchy skin
- Arthritis
Aflatoxin in peanuts
Aflatoxins are toxins that can be found in certain crops including peanuts and tree nuts. They are produced by fungi that are proliferating in warm and humid environments. They can be even more present in organic agriculture, as there are no chemicals used to kill the toxins (not that chemicals in your dog’s food would sound any better!).
Exposure to aflatoxins is a common reason for poisoning in dogs, and exposure has been linked to increased risks of liver cancer.
Dogs typically have a diet that’s less varied than those of humans, so aflatoxin poisoning is more frequent in pets. The toxins will usually accumulate in the body as the food containing them is ingested.
We recommend avoiding feeding peanuts or peanut butter, as avoiding aflatoxins in the peanut industry is near-impossible, and it is best not to run the risk of causing long term liver damage in your pup. If you suspect any sign of poisoning, head to your vet as soon as possible.
Peanut butter & oxidised fats
Peanut butter contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acids, which are susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation is one of the main reasons why food deteriorates, and can lead to only changes in colour, odour, taste and texture, but can also lead to harmful substances being formed.
There have been studies showing that when exposed to oxidised unsaturated fatty acids, some of these will go through the gastrointestinal tract into the lymphatic system. Oxidised fatty acids can trigger an inflammatory response in the body, which can affect the gut, liver, kidneys and even lungs.
Because of the high risk of oxidation in peanut butter fats, we don’t recommend feeding it to your dog.
Peanut butter & weight gain
Peanuts and peanut butter are calorie-dense foods, which puts your pup at increased risks of gaining weight and becoming overweight. While portion control may seem to be the answer to this issue, it is really easy to overdo it when it comes to giving treats to your doggo, so we recommend ditching the peanuts altogether and going for healthier alternatives instead.
A treat remains occasional, or used as a reward in training, but at least you know that you are giving something good to your pup.
Additives & sweeteners in peanut butter
If all the risks associated with peanuts weren’t enough, peanut butter often contains added sugar, salt, palm oil or sometimes sweeteners such as xylitol.
We recommend avoiding all sweeteners in your dog’s diet as many of them can cause issues like diarrhoea or gastrointestinal issues. Xylitol has been shown to be very dangerous and even lethal for dogs, so it should be avoided at all costs.
It is best to feed your dog a healthy diet of natural food that’s specifically made for them, full of nutrients and without any potentially harmful ingredients or additives.
