How to Add Peanut Oil to Dog Food

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Peanut oil is a vegetable oil that is rich in skin-friendly fats and vitamin E. If you want to add it to your dog's food to help keep his coat shiny, it's best to do so in small amounts and under the supervision of a veterinarian to prevent an attack of pancreatitis.

Peanut oil is rich in fat, so your dog could get too much.
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Most dogs love the taste of peanut butter and should readily take to the flavor of peanut oil in their food. However, because this oil is so rich in fats, it's not ideal for every dog, especially those who are overweight or who suffer from chronic pancreatitis. For this reason, only give it to your dog in his food if your veterinarian recommends it.

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Dogs and peanut oil benefits

Peanut oil is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin E, and heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Vitamin E may help keep your dog's skin moisturized and her coat shiny. This powerful antioxidant may also reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

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The fats in peanut oil can also help reduce cholesterol and promote heart health in both people and pets. Plus, 1 tablespoon of peanut oil contains around 119 calories, making it an excellent boost for the caloric value of your dog's food if your dog is very active or needs to gain weight.

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In general, it's best to add just a small amount of peanut oil to your dog's wet or dry food, such as no more than a few drops to a tablespoon each day, divided into two or more meals, or mix a bit of peanut oil into peanut butter and feed it to your dog directly. Remember to choose a natural peanut butter free from salt, sugar, and xylitol, which is potentially very toxic to dogs.

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Is peanut oil toxic to dogs?

Peanut oil is not toxic to dogs but shouldn't be given in large amounts. That's because the high amount of fat contained in peanut oil can cause stomach upset or an attack of pancreatitis. When a dog ingests a particularly fatty meal, such as one high in peanut oil, it could result in inflammation of the pancreas.

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Dogs experiencing an attack of pancreatitis will become nauseous, have diarrhea, develop a fever, have a decreased appetite, and experience abdominal pain. You might even find them with their head down and their rear end elevated due to the pain.

Because peanut oil is high in fat, it's not recommended for dogs who suffer from chronic pancreatitis or who have previously experienced an attack of pancreatitis after a fatty meal. If you suspect your dog is having an attack of pancreatitis, get him to the veterinarian right away for treatment and hospitalization.

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Can dogs be allergic to peanut oil?

Dogs, like humans, may actually be allergic to peanut oil if they have a peanut allergy. While most dogs are fine eating a little bit of peanut oil or peanut butter, some are not.

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Dogs allergic to peanut oil will develop itchy and red skin with bald patches. You might also find them chewing on their feet and legs due to the skin irritation. After giving your dog peanut butter or peanut oil, if you notice that your dog is itchy, stop giving the oil to your dog.

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Oils safe for dogs

Instead of peanut oil, you may want to consider giving your dog fish oil, coconut oil, olive oil, or flaxseed oil, which may work better for her, especially if she is allergic to peanut oil. Fish oil is high in EPA, DHA, and omega-3 fatty acids that can help with skin issues, as can flaxseed oil and olive oil. Coconut oil can also help with digestive issues.

When giving any oils to your dog, do so in small amounts to prevent stomach upset and pancreatitis. Most dogs will readily eat any of these oils in wet or dry dog food because of their pleasant taste. However, always advise your veterinarian if you plan to give any type of oil to your dog to ensure it will benefit her health.

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