Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?

When browsing through the treat aisle at your favorite pet store, you will likely see an array of peanut butter flavored treats.

With dog treats and peanut butter being combined so often, you may wonder, can dogs eat real peanut butter?

In this article we will go into the details of offering peanut butter to your pups, and how to let them indulge in this common food item safely.

Is Peanut Butter Good For Dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter

So is peanut butter good for dogs?

The answer is yes, but only in moderation.

While peanut butter does have nutritional benefits to offer, there are some general rules to follow to ensure that your pup is only consuming the good stuff.

High quality peanut butter contains an array of healthy fats, Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and even niacin.

Each of these nutrients are beneficial to a canine diet, but only when they are free of any excess sodium or unhealthy fats.

Peanut butter is only good for dogs when it is low in fat, sodium, and excess sugar.

Can Dogs Be Allergic To Peanuts?

Just like us, our furry friends can be allergic to certain food items.

Peanuts are known to cause violent allergies in some humans, causing pet owners to wonder if this possibility is real in our canine companions.

So can dogs be allergic to peanuts as well?

Since each dog has their own set of sensitivities, it is of course possible for a dog to be allergic to peanuts.

While many veterinary professionals mention that peanut allergies in dogs are rare and that there are not many documented cases, it does not mean you can rule it out completely.

Some pet owners state that their dogs experience itching and discomfort after consuming peanut butter, leading them to believe that canine peanut allergies are possible.

It is always best to just keep this risk in mind, and be aware of what an allergic reaction could look like in your dog.

Some signs of allergic reactions in dogs include:

If your pup displays any of the above behaviors after consuming peanut butter, it is best to contact your vet immediately.

Does Peanut Butter Still Contain Xylitol?

When you hear about the potential dangers of dogs eating peanut butter, you will often hear about xylitol.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in some peanut butter that is extremely toxic to our canine companions.

Xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, which can lead to severe symptoms such as seizures, coma, and permanent liver damage.

With such a serious list of symptoms trailing behind this ingredient, you may wonder if any brands would still use this artificial sweetener in their products.

While many peanut butter brands have eliminated xylitol for good, there are some brands that still include it.

Peanut Butter Brands That Contains Xylitol

Though xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs, there are some peanut butter brands that still contain it.

Since even the smallest amount of xylitol can cause serious toxicity in our canine companions it is important to avoid offering these brands to your dog at all costs.

Some of the peanut butter brands that still contain xylitol include:

  • Go Nuts Co.
  • Krush Nutrition
  • Protein Plus PB
  • P28 Foods

These brands are perfectly safe for us, but should never be offered to the furry friends in your life.

Peanut Butter That Is Safe For Dogs

So what is the best peanut butter for dogs?

Since any excess sodium or fat can be harmful to our furry friends, it is important to be aware of what is in the peanut butter that you are offering.

To help you choose the best peanut butter for your dog, let’s dive into the ingredients that you should look for in a safe peanut butter.

The best peanut butter for dogs will be:

  • Natural peanut butter that is free of artificial additives
  • Peanut butter that has limited ingredients, the main one being peanuts
  • Low in fat (typically less than 18 grams of fat)
  • Low in sugar (ideally less than 4 grams of sugar)

Some of our favorite peanut butter brands that are free of xylitol and low in harmful ingredients include:

  • Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter
  • Adam’s Natural Unsalted Peanut Butter
  • Maranatha Organic Peanut Butter

How Much Peanut Butter Can My Dog Have?

Though peanut butter is a safe treat for dogs, it should still be offered in moderation.

Treats should only make up about 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake as it is, and peanut butter should be no different.

The best way to determine the proper amount is by checking the peanut butter ingredient label and determining how much you can safely offer when using the 10% rule.

Generally speaking, most dogs can have anywhere from ½ a tablespoon to 1 tablespoon of peanut butter for their serving.

Some dogs can enjoy this treat daily, while other dogs may only tolerate this special treat once a week.

Can All Dogs Have Peanut Butter?

Just like any other treat, not all dogs can enjoy peanut butter safely.

Some dogs simply do not enjoy the taste of peanut butter, while other dog’s experience GI upset each time they eat it.

To help you better understand which dogs may not be able to eat peanut butter, let’s dive into the scenarios.

You may not want to offer peanut butter to dogs with:

  • Stomach sensitivities
  • History of pancreatitis
  • Diabetes
  • Dogs with food allergies or sensitivities
  • Obesity

Puppies, adults, and senior dogs can usually enjoy peanut butter without any issue. If your dog falls into any of the above categories, it is best to speak with your veterinarian about offering them peanut butter as a treat.

Final Thoughts

Peanut butter can be a wonderful treat for your beloved pup when following a few safety guidelines.

Be sure to review the information we discussed above, and you can choose the best peanut butter snack for your furry friend going forward.

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