Why My Dog Doesn’t Like Peanut Butter?

The Short Answer is:

It is also possible for dogs to be picky eaters, just like humans. Despite peanut butter being a favorite of most dogs, some do not eat it. Smaller breeds of dogs, especially the toy breeds, tend to be picky when it comes to food. In place of peanut butter, you could try other alternatives.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Why My Dog Doesn’t Like Peanut Butter“.

Nuts are a dogs favorite treat and peanut butter is no exception. 

The stinky aroma and rich taste of peanut butter make it a favorite for many dogs including mine.

This treat contains many natural vitamins and nutrients making it an excellent supplement for dogs. 

Dogs enjoy this tasty treat and look forward to it each day. What makes them so fond of it? 

What are the benefits? 

To begin lets look at why peanut butter is such a popular tool in a dog owners toolbox. 

What are the main ways that peanut butter is used with dogs?

There are many ways to use peanut butter. 

Do you have trouble getting your dog to take a pill? Peanut butter is a great way to disguise medication.

The vet often recommends hiding the pill inside peanut butter.

Due to the peanut butters strong flavor and sticky texture dogs often take their medications without realizing there is a pill inside.

Putting the peanut butter inside a small piece of bread is one of my favorite ways to use this trick.

This treat is so enjoyable to my Golden Retriever that she looks forward to getting her pills instead of dreading them. 

Canine enrichment can also be achieved with peanut butter.

Boredom is a common problem for dogs particularly during bad weather or when their owners are working.

As dogs need mental stimulation they will often take advantage of these opportunities to cause trouble and cause havoc on your furniture your mail or even their favorite toys.

You can keep your dog entertained by giving them a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter to relieve boredom. Stress is relieved and dogs remain happy and healthy when they chew and lick.

An alternative to the Kong is the Licki Mat a washable silicone mat with small indentations.

You can find these at most major pet stores and they are a great alternative for dogs with soft mouths that do not like normal toys.  

Although we have established that peanut butter is a very versatile substance and that owners can use it in a variety of ways with dogs this does not really help owners of dogs that cannot tolerate peanut butter.

What percentage of dogs eat this spread?

Why does my dog hate peanut butter? Is it normal for a dog to not like peanut butter?

Approximately 73% of dog owners surveyed by the AKC reported that their dogs were addicted to peanut butter.

No. Thats a joke of course. 

Peanut butter is not scientifically proven to be popular with dogs.

It probably appeals more to dogs as opposed to humans since after all we are talking about dogs.

Some dogs however would rather cut their paws off than touch that stuff.

Many of them will be toy breeds or smaller breeds of dogs because they have a tendency to be picky eaters.   

There are still other ways to entertain your dog if he does not like peanut butter. These will be discussed later. 

Our next stop after discovering your dog isnot the strangest and weirdest canine in the world is to look at what health benefits peanut butter may provide for our dogs..

Why is peanut butter a healthy treat to give your dog?

The many health benefits that peanut butter offers to my dog is one of the reasons I love giving it to him.

Protein and healthy fats are found in peanut butter. Also it is packed with vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin B niacin and vitamin E.

A dogs diet must include vitamins such as vitamin B which aids in protein digestion and fat absorption.

Likewise vitamin E is involved in metabolic processes that create energy in the human body.

Considering most dogs do not have any deficiencies in these vitamins peanut butter is a great way to give your dog a little extra nutrition. 

A negative must accompany every positive right? So what exactly is peanut butters “dark side”?

Why is peanut butter an unhealthy treat to give your dog?

Dogs should be given peanut butter only in moderation even though it tastes good. Peanut butter contains a lot of calories and protein. 

Due to their different metabolisms dogs may have issues with their daily diet. 

Excessive consumption of any new treatment can also result in gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea.

If you notice your dog having stomach upset after eating peanut butter contact your veterinarian right away to ensure his or her safety. 

The next thing I would like to do is give you some ideas on what you can do if your dog dislikes peanut butter.

There ainot no rocket science to it!

What should I do if my dog doesn’t like peanut butter? 

Peanut butter may not be your dogs favorite food. 

There are actually two options available to you.

Finding an alternative is the first option.

Some dogs enjoy other alternatives to peanut butter just as much if not more than peanut butter. 

For dogs who do not enjoy tasty treats one of these alternatives might be a better choice. 

You might want to try a couple of substitutes with your dog in the next section.

You can introduce peanut butter to your dog as a second option.

What are you waiting for?

Adding peanut butter to your dogs main meal is one of the easiest ways to woo your dog. But add small amounts at first. 

Adding a little peanut butter to their favorite treat is another way to get them to eat it. It may be that your dog dislikes peanut butter not because it tastes bad but because you only give it peanut butter when you’re hiding something disgusting in it. You might want to use peanut butter more positively if your dog has already discovered you.

This is not a reward for playing with a Kong toy but rather as a cover for those bitter tasting pills. 

In the event that it proves impossible to get your dog to fall in love with peanut butter do not continue to flog it.

Take a different approach instead. 

Interestingly I have some suggestions up my sleeve…

What are the best alternatives to peanut butter?

I have found canned pumpkin to be a good alternative to peanut butter. Often times you can find canned 100% pumpkin in the same aisle as peanut butter in your local grocery store.

In addition to being cheaper than peanut butter it is packed with fiber which is helpful to dogs with digestive upset.

Pumpkin is also high in potassium and iron which is good for controlling blood pressure and keeping your dogs heart-healthy.

Most importantly the treat has a very similar consistency to peanut butter and can be used in the same way. 

If your dog does not like peanut butter you can also give him plain yogurt.

My dog is a mix of a poodle and has terrible allergies which means he can not eat most dog foods.

When he needs to swallow pills yogurt can be used to hide them. Yogurt is one of his absolute favorite treats.

Yogurt is also deliciously frozen which makes it an ideal enrichment treat for dogs on hot days.

You can freeze it for a few hours in an ice cube tray by mixing it with canned pumpkin. Your dog will love it! 

When is peanut butter poisonous to dogs?

There is one-way peanut butter can cause problems for dogs despite being a delicious treat for them.

Companies have begun changing the sugar content of peanut butter in recent years in order to reduce the products sugar content for those on a diet.

As an alternative a substance is available that is deadly to dogs.

The ingredient Xylitol isnot found in most peanut butter brands but it can be found on the shelves.

Go Nuts Co Krush Nutrition Nuts ‘N More and P28 are a few brands that use this ingredient. The above are only a few brands that use Xylitol but you should read every label to ensure the ingredient is away from your dog – it is toxic. 

Xylitols popularity has led to many other additives being added to peanut butter as well. There are some peanut butter brands that contain increasing amounts of chemicals to preserve the product.

You should stay away from labels that list a long list of ingredients as these additives can be harmful. 

What are dog-friendly brands of peanut butter?

The pet store is one of the first places I look when I am looking for peanut butter products for my dog.

There are some products specifically designed for dogs that contain healthy supplements in addition to their usual diet.

One of these brands is Daisys Poochie Butter. Customers can order it directly from Amazon.

If you prefer to shop at your local grocery store look for organic or natural products.

Dogs can tolerate most of these peanut butter brands as long as they contain only peanuts and trace amounts of oil in moderation. 

Can some dogs be allergic to peanut butter?

Nuts can cause allergies in dogs just as they do in humans. Unlike humans dogs are not typically allergic to peanut butter but they can still be.

To start its especially important to give your dog a small amount of peanut butter if they have never tasted it before.

Itching redness and scratching are symptoms of an allergy to peanut butter in dogs.

Changes in breathing swelling or dietary discomfort should be reported to your veterinarian immediately. 

Conclusion

When given in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent snack for dogs.

Peanut butter can be a lifesaver for busy dog owners when used for mental stimulation and to hide medication. 

Peanut butter may be a favorite of your dog but make sure to check the label for additives that can be dangerous such as the ingredient Xylitol.

Additionally owners should keep an eye out for any signs of allergies or stomach discomfort.

Any signs of itchiness redness or vomiting in your dog should be immediately reported to your veterinarian. 

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.