Can dogs eat peanut butter? Could you give your favorite treat to your favorite dog without worrying about an unplanned trip to the vet? Read on to find out if dogs can eat peanuts and if you should give your four-legged friend peanut butter.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
So, can dogs eat peanuts butter? Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter without xylitol. You may have already noticed that your dog goes crazy for this tasty snack. You can make it even more fun by smearing it on a special toy, freezing it, and making your dog work for it.
But there are some important things to consider before letting your dog lick that peanut butter-covered spoon clean. Always talk to your veterinarian before offering your dog new food to make sure it’s a good special treat for your pet.
Dogs love peanut butter, and a small amount can be a great way to get them to do something. It’s full of protein and healthy fats and has a sticky texture that makes it easy to spread inside a bone or other strong toy.
The key to giving your dog peanut butter or any other treat is to do so in small amounts. If you only give your dog a small amount of peanut butter on special occasions, it shouldn’t be a problem.
However, if you start giving your dog larger amounts of peanut butter more often, the fat and sugar may start to catch up with them and hurt their health. Peanut butter has many calories, so only eat a small amount at a time.
Health Benefits Of Peanut Butter For Dogs?
Now, you know, can dogs eat penut butter? Peanut butter has a good amount of protein, healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin. However, it doesn’t have any health benefits that your pet’s commercial food doesn’t already have. Because of this, peanut butter shouldn’t be a regular part of your pet’s diet. Instead, it should be given as a high-value reward or treat.
The best kinds of peanut butter are unsalted and don’t have extra sugar, or flavors added. Check the labels to make sure the amount of sodium and sugar is low. Both can be bad for dogs when eaten in large amounts or too often.
All the treats you give your pet should never add up to more than 10% of the calories they eat daily. Ask your vet to figure out how many calories your dog needs to stay healthy, and then figure out how much peanut butter would be less than 10% of that number. If you give your dog other treats, don’t forget to count the calories in those as well.
Xylitol is another important thing to watch out for. Xylitol is an alternative to sugar that is often used in toothpaste, breath mints, and baked goods. Some peanut butter makers have also started to use sweeteners. It is safe for people but can kill dogs if they eat it.
When dogs eat xylitol, insulin is released quickly, which causes blood sugar levels to drop quickly. This can cause seizures, liver failure, and even death. This can happen as quickly as 10 minutes after eating xylitol and is called hypoglycemia.
Feeding Peanuts To Your Dog
Simple is best when it comes to offering your dog human food. You might not choose unsalted peanuts as a snack, but dogs do. Snacks for dogs should be free of any seasonings or flavors. Make sure to take the shells off, as they could cause a child to choke. You can also lower the risk of choking by crushing the peanuts instead of giving them whole.
Another good tip is to sometimes only give a few peanuts. Even if your dog loves them, giving them every day is not a good idea because they can quickly push your dog’s calorie count up past the limit.
Related: CAN DOGS EAT BLACK OLIVES?
Can Dogs Have An Allergic Reaction To Peanuts?
Not only people can have allergic reactions to peanuts. They can also happen to dogs, though it’s not very common for dogs to have them. Here are some signs that you might be allergic to peanuts:
- Itchy skin
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing
- Skin swelling
- Vomiting
Some allergic reactions aren’t too bad, but in rare cases, they can be. Unfortunately, it’s not always clear how bad the reaction is, so you should always call your vet if you see any strange signs.
FAQs: Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter
An occasional treat of almond butter is fine for your pet friend. Although almonds are not harmful, certain dogs may have trouble digesting them. If you want to share nuts or nut butter with your dog, keep in mind that the high-fat content of nuts, in general, can cause stomach trouble.
Can Dogs Eat Butter?
Butter is not bad for dogs but extremely bad for them to consume. It’s not the end of the world if your dog accidentally ingested some butter, but it probably won’t sit well for a while. However, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t give your dog butter on purpose.
What Peanut Butter Is Not Safe For Dogs?
Good news: you can feel free to treat your dog with ordinary peanut butter. Beware of Xylitol, a sugar replacement sometimes found in reduced-sugar or sugar-free peanut butter. The only component of peanut butter that is harmful to dogs is xylitol.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Peanut Butter?
Peanut butter is high in protein, good fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin and is generally safe for dogs to eat.
How Much Peanut Butter Can Dogs Eat?
Depending on their size, dogs should not get more than a half teaspoon, a teaspoon, or a tablespoon of peanut butter each day.
Parvaiz Yousuf is a senior SEO writer and editor with an experience of over 6 years, who also doubles up as a researcher. With an MSc zoology degree under his belt and possessing complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, he works as a science journalist for a US-based website and Asian Scientist (A Singapore-based magazine). He also works as Director of Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund YPJK since 2018. Besides, he has several publications to his name on cancer biology and biochemistry in some reputed journals such as Nature & International Journal of Molecular Sciences, & magazines such as Science Reporter, BUCEROS BNHS, and has an abiding interest in ornithology. He also worked as a Research Associate for JK Policy Institute.