Can Dogs Eat Peanuts? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

dogs can eat a few plain, unsalted, dry-roasted or raw peanuts. They are high in fat, so keep it to an occasional treat. Avoid salted, honey-roasted or flavored peanuts and anything mixed with macadamia nuts or chocolate.

Peanuts for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 6 kcal per peanut
Main benefit	Protein and healthy fats
Main risk	High fat can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How many peanuts can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One peanut has about 6 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if peanuts were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max peanuts per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	5.5 × peanut
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	9.5 × peanut
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	16 × peanut
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	22 × peanut
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	27 × peanut

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Protein and healthy fats
Plain peanuts are not toxic
Dogs usually love them

Risks

High fat can cause stomach upset or pancreatitis
Salted and seasoned peanuts add sodium and sometimes garlic
Shells and whole nuts can be choking hazards for small dogs

How to feed peanuts to your dog

Choose plain, unsalted, shelled peanuts
Offer just a few at a time
Never share mixed nuts or chocolate-covered peanuts

What if my dog ate too much peanuts?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Peanuts and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have peanuts?

Yes, dogs can eat a few plain, unsalted, dry-roasted or raw peanuts. They are high in fat, so keep it to an occasional treat. Avoid salted, honey-roasted or flavored peanuts and anything mixed with macadamia nuts or chocolate.

Can dogs eat peanut shells?

No. Shells are hard to digest and can cause choking or a blockage.

Are peanuts the same as peanut butter for dogs?

Similar, but peanut butter can contain xylitol. Check our peanut butter guide.

Can dogs be allergic to peanuts?

It is possible but uncommon. Stop feeding them if you notice itching, swelling or vomiting.

Can puppies eat peanuts?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Puppies have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete puppy food.

More "can dogs eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods dogs can eat · foods dogs can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult dogs. Dogs with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?