Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Dogs can eat peanut butter if it doesn’t contain xylitol or high sodium content. Look at the ingredients list and check to see if there is added sugar, artificial sugars or salt. Even if advertised as a “no sugar peanut butter” you should check for artificial sugars such as xylitol. In every article that I write about food and if that involves the possibility of xylitol in a product I’m going to write over and over again why xylitol is not good for dogs. Xylitol is poisonous for dogs, as any artificial sugar. We’ll discuss more about xylitol in this article also. I wanted to point this out at the beginning of the article as it is indeed dangerous for your puppy.
Let’s get back to the delicious and creamy peanut butter that is good for dogs. I have two puppies that enjoy peanut butter a lot. I use peanut butter when I’m making homemade treats for dogs or when I’m stuffing a Kong. You can even spread peanut butter on a licking mat – that will keep your dog busy. Do you have a stubborn dog that doesn’t want to stay when he’s brushed? Put some peanut butter on a licking mat or spread it on a plate. He will be way more focused on the sweet and tasty peanut butter than on you. Yes, we are less interesting than peanut butter. Deal with it. 😊
What peanut butter Is good for my dog?
The good kind of peanut butter for your dog is the one that has no xylitol or other artificial sweeteners or flavors. Also, check if the peanut butter has a high sodium content. Salt is not good for your dog’s health either.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is used in many foods such as peanut butter, yogurts, jams, sugar-free candies, whipped cream, baked goods, and the list goes on. Before you think about giving a taste to your pup of any store-bought food such as the ones listed above, you have to check if it contains xylitol. Sugar is not good for your dog, but xylitol is extremely toxic for dogs.
What peanut butter is bad for dogs?
As I mentioned earlier, the peanut butter that contains xylitol or other artificial sweeteners or too much salt is not good for your dog. Also, depending on the brand, check the ingredients list and see if there are any artificial flavors.
Why is xylitol toxic for dogs?
When xylitol is ingested by dogs, the pancreas rapidly releases insulin. This causes hypoglycemia which is a decrease in the level of the blood sugar. If your dog eats xylitol you have to contact your vet immediately. Xylitol toxicity develops rapidly and can cause low blood glucose and low potassium levels.
Can peanut butter upset a dog’s stomach?
Peanut butter can upset a dog’s stomach if the dog eats too much peanut butter. Why is that? Peanut butter is high in fat and a high amount of peanut butter has a lot of fat. If a dog eats too much peanut butter, the fat can cause an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea. A teaspoon of peanut butter contains 3 g of fat. A medium-sized adult dog needs 14 grams of total fats per day. Your dog kibble or wet food also contains fat – just check the nutritional facts of his food. If you cook for your dog, look at how much total fats he eats per day.
Can dogs eat crunchy peanut butter?
Yes, a dog can eat crunchy peanut butter. Some may say that crunchy peanut butter is a choking hazard, but with my two dogs, this wasn’t the case. My dogs eat creamy and crunchy peanut butter. Usually, dogs will lick the peanut butter and not bite on it and swallow. But if you are worried stay with your puppy while he is eating peanut butter to make sure he is fine. Or, just go with the creamy and delicious peanut butter for your dog.
Can dogs be allergic to peanut butter?
Most dogs are not allergic to peanut butter. But this doesn’t mean your dog is not allergic. When you’re giving him peanut butter for the first time, take it step by step. Give your dog just a small amount at the start. Put some peanut butter on the tip of your finger and let him taste peanut butter for the first time. Check to see if there are side effects such as swelling around his eyes, muzzle or any part of the body, rapid or difficulty breathing, or vomiting. If you’re puppy displays none of these signs, you can give him more peanut butter.
Are you still concerned that you gave your dog more peanut butter than you should have? Keep an eye on him after you gave him ½ teaspoon and check for the signs that we already mentioned and others such as diarrhea or severe itchiness. These signs usually appear in about one hour. If you don’t notice any of these adverse reactions to peanut butter, then your puppy is not allergic to peanuts and he can enjoy this delicious and creamy goodness.
Can puppies eat peanut butter?
Yes, puppies can eat peanut butter that doesn’t contain xylitol or other artificial sweeteners. Don’t forget that peanut butter is a high calorie and high-value treat. You can’t give to a puppy a full teaspoon of peanut butter a day. Adjust the amount and match it to your dog breed, size, exercise level, diet, and give him just a taste of peanut butter. Peanut butter is good for a puppy because it has proteins. Proteins will give your pup energy and it will help his body grow. It is not advised to give to much peanut butter to your puppy because is high in calorie and your puppy needs other foods high in calorie. A balanced diet is essential for puppies.
At what age can puppies have peanut butter?
You can give peanut butter to your dog from when he is just 6-8 weeks old. Still, moderation is the key. If you want to give some peanut butter to your 8 weeks old, put some on the tip of the finger or on his chewing toy. We know that at that age the nibbling, biting and chewing are present. Your puppy will love the peanut butter taste on his chewing toy. The smell of peanut butter will make the toy much tastier.
Why do dogs like peanut butter?
Your dog likes peanut butter because you like it too
Our furry friends want to eat what we eat. But most of the foods we humans eat are not good for them. Fortunately, we can share a bit of peanut butter with our dogs. That is why peanut butter is so special because you can share it with your dog. This goes with a lot of healthy foods that you can share with your dog, foods such as vegetables, fruits, cheese, yogurt, and even potatoes.
The sweetness of the peanut butter makes your dog happy
We all know that almost every dog likes peanut butter. A lot! But what is with this attraction for peanut butter when it comes to dogs? Well, I can’t ask my dog what do they like about peanut butter but I can guess. My dogs, like all dogs, have a sweet tooth. Dogs can taste the sweet flavor. And they love it a lot. My pups used to steal my muffins from the countertop, so they literally do anything for something sweet. When I bake, my dogs want to say right near the oven. That machine produces only goodies, and they want to be alert if and when something gets out. My Siberian huskies might not be guardian dogs, but they are oven guardians.
Dogs go crazy for the salty taste of the peanut butter
Another ingredient found in the peanut butter that dogs enjoy is the peanut’s salty taste. Dogs don’t eat salt and they shouldn’t eat salt or salty treats. Too much salt leads to sodium poisoning. This is why the naturally salty taste of the peanuts found in the peanut butter has an extremely strong taste to dogs. Good peanut butter shouldn’t have too much or any added salt. Check the ingredient list and see how much sodium content is in that peanut butter brand.
The aroma of the peanut butter attracts your dog
Think about peanut butter and try to remember how it smells. Your dog is also attracted by the smell of roasted peanuts. If your dog tasted it once, he already knows that sweet, salty, delicious, and natural peanut butter.
How much peanut butter can a dog eat?
How much peanut butter a dog can eat depends on each dog’s size, breed, exercise level, age, and diet. A medium-sized or a large active dog can eat a teaspoon of peanut butter a day. But you still have to adjust his diet every time you want to add high-calorie treats such as peanut butter.
Can I give my dog peanut butter every day?
You can feed your dog a small amount every day but I don’t recommend that. Peanut butter is high in fats and protein. Peanut butter is a high-calorie treat and also a high-value treat. Other high-value treats are cheese, liver, or chicken. When you’re training a stubborn buddy, these will always work. A high-value treat is a treat that your dog places a high value on. The value is given by your dog. You shouldn’t give high-value treats too often to your dog. Use a high-value treat when you want to teach your dog new tricks or when he is really stubborn. You can also try such treats when you know there will be a high level of distractions around him – such as visiting a new place or a crowded area.
Can dogs eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?
Dog’s shouldn’t eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Your dog can eat a small amount of peanut butter, but jelly or jam has lots of sugars. Jam is not good for dogs. It’s better if you give him fruits or vegetables.
Can dogs eat peanut butter cookies?
We, humans, like peanut butter cookies. But can our dogs eat peanut butter cookies? No, dogs shouldn’t eat peanut butter cookies that are made for humans. The store-bought peanut butter cookies contain a lot of fats, as you can already see from the cookie name. Besides that, when you buy packaged peanut butter cookies from the store you should read the ingredients and see how much sugar, salt, and artificial flavor they contain.
What about the homemade peanut butter cookies? I make peanut butter cookies for me, and I follow the original recipe that is not for my dogs to eat. Why is that? Even if I use quality ingredients, the fats and sugars are too much for my dogs. But don’t worry! You can make peanut treats for dogs.
No-bake peanut butter treats for dogs
You don’t need to use the oven for this recipe, and it will take only 10 minutes. All that you need is creamy peanut butter, oats, and water. You can add some cinnamon to see if your dog likes it. This is the simplest recipe for dogs that I know with peanut butter.
Ingredients for no-bake peanut butter treats for dogs
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter – without xylitol
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 cups plain oats
- 1/2 cup water
Method – How to make peanut butter treats for dogs
Mix peanut butter, cinnamon, and water until smooth. The composition should be thick. If it isn’t, just add a little bit more water. When the composition is done, add oats gradually. Take a small amount and shape it in your hands in the form of balls. Let the treats chill in the refrigerator. These treats are amazing during summer days. If you are eating an ice cream, treat your puppy with a peanut butter ball.
Do you want to treat your puppy more? Read about oatmeal for dogs
In conclusion
Peanut butter is a high-value treat for dogs. And dogs can eat a moderate amount of peanut butter. Just keep your dog on a balanced diet, and don’t forget that peanut butter is high in calories and high in proteins. These will give your dog energy, and it will improve your dog’s immune system.
Again, the most important thing is to check the ingredient list of peanut butter. Feed your dog only peanut butter that doesn’t contain xylitol. This is very important.
With all this being said, you can safely feed your puppy a bit of creamy and delicious peanut butter. Even if you choose to put it on a chewing toy, a licking mat, on a KONG mixed with some yogurt, or even if you prepare something homemade peanut butter treats, your dog will enjoy every bit of it.
