Are old peanuts safe?

[edamcheesenred]

I know not to give my gerbils salted peanuts etc, but how long can they last before they go off?
I Googled it and apparently peanuts last about 6-9 months when not frozen or refrigerated, meaning it's not really a good idea for humans to eat them then (obviously), but what about my gerbils?
My friend had a box of peanuts she used as treats for her rats before they passed away, so she gave them to me for my gerbils. I forgot about them, but they have been in an air-tight box for about 9 months - do you think they would be safe for my gerbils?
Thanks for any help x
edamcheesenred

[catnut]

i wouldn't give them the peanuts, better to be safe than sorry, you don't want sick gerbils.

[edamcheesenred]

Ok thanks catnut. I wasn't sure because the peanuts didn't look or smell bad.

[betty]

Its just one of those things - if you want to be super sure of anything - don't feed it. Just like with plants - any doubt: leave it out.

If you would eat them yourself then go ahead and give them to your gerbils (well, that is how I gauge things anyway), if you wouldn't touch them with a barge pole - then I wouldn't give them to my babies. And of course you need to bear in mind not only the ones you feed now - but the length of time you would have the rest of them - gerbils only eat one or two a day tops...

But that is just me - so if you think they look safe and you don't think they will make your gerbils unwell, then the choice is yours. Some unsavoury pet stores and warehouses may keep their peanuts for as long, or in less than perfect conditions (too hot, too damp, open to the elements, etc) making them the same as the ones you have been given sort of?

But I know you would kick yourself if they got ill - all for the sake of something which costs about a dollar to replace: and you could buy some you know are fresh.