Does your dog magically appear in the kitchen every time you open up the peanut butter jar? You are not alone. Most dog owners give their dogs peanut butter from time to time, and this nutty treat does indeed drive dogs nuts.
It can be spread inside hollow bones and toys for a long-lasting treat, or just licked from a spoon or finger as a quick reward. From a health perspective, however, there are a few peanut butter facts you need to be aware of before you let your pup clean out that empty peanut butter jar. Most peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin.
The healthiest option is unsalted peanut butter or homemade peanut butter, as high sodium levels can be problematic for dogs, and as an added bonus, homemade peanut butters do not contain extra sugar and other additives. Peanut butter is rich in natural fats and protein, but too much of a good thing can lead to obesity and other health complications like pancreatitis.
Just remember that they all taste great because they're high in calories, salt, sugar, or all of the above, Ward says. But remember, you're not saving calories [by giving them something other than peanut butter] Also, don't give your dogs peanut butter baked goods unless you know all the ingredients are safe for pets.
That includes two ingredients to avoid feeding to dogs: macadamia nuts and chocolate. There haven't been any scientific studies that we know of about why dogs like peanut butter so much. Most likely, they probably enjoy the taste of peanut butter for the same reasons we humans do: the creaminess, the crunchy nuts, the added sugar and salt, the heavy aftertaste we could go on, but we won't. But if weight is an issue for your dog, maybe it's time to try treating your dog to the flavor and joy of eating peanut butter but in smaller portions or in tricky new applications.
Want a little peanut butter to go longer as a treat or reward? Prantil says you could mix it with some dry dog food and then freeze it and put it in a food toy to last longer. Try substituting pumpkin or applesauce , or maybe the contents of a kid-friendly, squeezable, fruit-and-vegetable puree from the grocery style aisle squeezed out of the container before your dog gets it, of course. As with any human treat, moderation is key.
Should you feed peanut butter to your dog? Even a small amount of xylitol can poison your furry friend. Xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. As little as 1. A larger dose of xylitol causes severe, irreversible liver damage.
By contrast, it takes grams of dark chocolate to cause the same effects. That means you must be certain that the peanut butter you give your dog has absolutely no xylitol. Get in touch. Blog Contact. So, when the irresistible urge to share a table scrap with your canine buddy hits you, peanut butter is an overall good choice that provides them with plenty of vitamins, protein, and healthy fats. However, here are a couple of considerations to keep in mind about peanut butter and dogs.
Check labels to ensure you avoid peanut butters with xylitol , a sugar substitute that is deadly to dogs, even in small amounts. However, you should discuss with your veterinarian whether your dog in particular should have peanut butter.
You will need to consider the calories and the fat, and limit the amount accordingly. Peanut butter is energy-dense, with around calories per 2 tablespoons—most of which comes from fat. That means the calories in peanut butter add up quickly. Ask your vet how many calories your dog should be eating per day, including both meals and treats.
Only give as much peanut butter as your dog needs for giving medications, using in a puzzle feeder, or for bath-time cooperation, and not any extra. For some medication, only a pea-sized amount of peanut butter will do. If given as a treat, your dog will find a small amount to be just as thrilling as a large amount. If your dog is on a special diet, or has been diagnosed with diseases like diabetes , pancreatitis , obesity , or sensitive stomach, ask your vet if peanut butter is still okay for you to give.
Could the high calorie content of peanut butter help skinny dogs that need to gain weight? Unfortunately, the answer is not healthfully. Peanut butter does not provide a balanced source of nutrients, as it is mostly fat. For that reason, feeding excessive amounts may do more harm than good for an under-nourished dog.
After examining your dog for underlying health concerns, your vet will make recommendations for safe, calorie-dense diets and treats.
While peanut butter is the go-to treat for many pet parents, here are a few things to be careful of.
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