 The Short Answer is: |
The majority of peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation, it can be an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins B and E. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?“.
Is there anyone who does not love peanut butter? Is peanut butter safe to eat for dogs? Peanut butter is a popular healthy treat among people but can dogs eat it just like humans do?
Do dogs benefit from peanut butter and are there any side effects?
Lets examine it in more detail.
Its safe for dogs to eat peanut butter but there are serving sizes you should follow if you’re wondering “can I give my dog peanut butter?” The answer is YES – dogs can eat peanut butter and its not toxic.
I’ll talk about it later.
Peanut butter is a favorite food of Belle my dog. I usually fill her Kong toy with peanut butter a few times a week.
I do not know whether your dog is like mine but all she cares about is food. I’m getting some mental stimulation for an easy tradeoff while I’m getting work done.
When the inside of her Kong toy is clean she will keep licking it.
It is important to consume peanut butter in moderation because it is high in fat.
Human treatment require extreme caution just as with most other things.
Peanut butter is a favorite treat for dogs and maybe their favorite.
When I was growing up I just scooped some peanut butter onto their plate and let them eat it.
Peanut butter comes in so many different varieties today that you should be cautious when choosing a brand.
You can make homemade dog food with peanut butter using many different recipes.
The following are some great recipes and videos we have compiled for dog treats and foods using peanut butter:
- Homemade dog treats with pumpkin and peanut butter
- Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats
- Cookies for Dogs with Peanut Butter and Banana
- Dog Biscuits with Bacon and Peanut Butter
- Banana Peanut Butter Frozen Dog Treats
- Dog Treats with peanut butter
- Oats and peanut butter biscuits
All of the above recipes call for natural peanut butter without any additives and they are very popular with dogs (watch the videos).
Your dog will also benefit from their health and nutrition.
If you did not know this is what peanut butter looks like:
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
There are many important antioxidants in peanut butter as well as essential vitamins and minerals for dogs (Ferguson et al. 2005):
Vitamin E
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B6
Folate
Magnesium
Copper
Manganese
Keep in mind however that peanut butter has a high-calorie content as well.
The best way to make peanut butter is to make your own. Using this method the possibility of dogs being sensitive to additives is eliminated.
How Much Peanut Butter Can Dogs Eat?
You can give your dog a spoonful of peanut butter occasionally as a treat depending on the size of your dog.
It is important to be careful however because too much could upset their stomachs.
Overfeeding your dog can add calories and lead to obesity or worse (acutely) to pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis is not something to be taken lightly which means you will spend the whole day or night at the vets office getting diagnosed and treated.
Is Peanut Butter Good for Dogs?
There have even been studies showing many health benefits for humans:
- It may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer
- It reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
- It lowers levels of bad cholesterol
However if you intend to give peanut butter to your dog there are some things to watch out for.
Take a look at the labels of the peanut butter you plan to feed your dog.
Putting artificial sweeteners in peanut butter has become commonplace.
As a result those watching their sugar intake will find it more appealing.
Peanut butter can be sweetened with almost any artificial sweetener but usually with Xylitol. Cats and dogs cannot eat this sweetener.
What is Xylitol?
Sugar-free gum candy and peanut butter contain xylitol an artificial sweetener.
In terms of chemical composition Xylitol and Xanthan gum are the same. Clinical trials have confirmed that both are extremely toxic to pets (Piscitelli et al. 2010). A short amount of time can be enough for xylitol to cause death if consumed.
A dog can experience symptoms as soon as 15 minutes after consuming Xylitol (most prevalent after consumption of peanut butter). It is possible to delay these symptoms for up to 12 hours using sugar-free gums.
Dogs that have consumed Xylitol may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Loss of Coordination
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Collapse
The dog may experience widespread bleeding through the intestines stomach or abdomen. It is possible for your dog to have dark red splotches on his gums along with pinprick hemorrhages.
When a dogs blood sugar is too low it can cause liver failure.
In dogs a small square of sugar-free gum or a small spoon of peanut butter containing Xylitol can be toxic depending on the dogs weight.
Xylitol is toxic to dogs because it causes a rapid release of insulin into their bloodstream.
At this point the above symptoms begin to appear due to a sudden drop in blood sugar.
Diagnosing Xylitol toxicity in dogs
Your pet needs to be taken to the vet to be diagnosed with Xylitol toxicity. The dog will undergo a number of blood tests.
A complete blood count including a chemical blood profile and a complete blood count will be performed by the vet. Then a urinalysis will be performed. In order to make sure the veterinarian knows what he is looking for he will ask you about the symptoms you have observed. Bleeding disorders can also be the cause of your dogs symptoms. In order to confirm the suspicions coagulation profiles and fibrinogen testing will be performed.
Treatment for Xylitol toxicity in dogs
The first thing your veterinarian or poison control center may do is induce vomiting if you caught your dog eating peanut butter with Xylitol and contacted them right away.
It may not always be enough to make your dog vomit but your vet will suggest methods to induce vomiting. Your pet may recover on its own after successful vomiting. In that case he would begin a fluid therapy program if the tests showed low serum potassium or low blood sugar.
In order to continue assessing the extent of Xylitol toxicity frequent blood tests will be conducted. He will also have his liver function checked. He usually has a guarded to poor outcome. Whether or not the dog will benefit depends on how long Xylitol has been in its system and the follow-up tests the vet will perform.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter: Spread The Good News
Always read labels on peanut butter
There is no better solution than prevention.
In addition to eating peanut butter straight up dogs also enjoy it baked into treats.
Nut butter without additives and without Xylitol are completely safe for dogs.
For your dogs health it is your responsibility to read the labels carefully.
Peanut butter is not the only example of this.
You should keep all diet (sugar-free) products well out of reach in high cabinets or counters just as you would babyproof your home.
In case your purse contains gum or candy keep it out of the way of prying eyes.
All artificial sweeteners should be avoided when it comes to dogs.
Other standard sweeteners like aspartame saccharin sucralose and stevia are not as harmful to dogs. It is Xylitol that should be avoided at all costs.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
