Is Peanut Butter Bad for Dogs?

Peanut butter is known to be an excellent source of protein and can be a healthy and tasty snack for humans. Many dog treats are peanut butter flavored, but can dogs eat peanut butter as a snack? How much can you give your dog, or is it potentially dangerous?

Is peanut butter bad for dogs?

In short, peanut butter is actually safe for dogs in small amounts. It is a tasty treat that can be used to mask the taste of medications and oral flea and heartworm preventatives. But, as with all treats, calories are important.

One tablespoon of peanut butter contains nearly one hundred calories. So if you have a small to medium breed dog that only needs between 300 and 600 calories a day, a tablespoon of peanut butter is a big part of that daily intake. Therefore, there should be no problem if the peanut butter is given in small, infrequent servings.

To avoid obesity and overweight problems, your dog’s treats should account for less than 10% of his daily caloric intake.

What kind of peanut butter should I buy?

Organic homemade peanut butter is best because it has no added ingredients. Some peanut butter products may be too salty for dogs or contain too much sugar. This can contribute to diseases such as pancreatitis in dogs and, if given too often, can increase your dog’s risk of diabetes.

Some peanut butters contain an ingredient called xylitol. This is a common ingredient found in sugar-free products as a substitute for sugar. Humans have no problem metabolizing and breaking down xylitol, but it is incredibly toxic to dogs. Even the smallest amounts of xylitol can cause an alarming drop in your dog’s blood sugar levels, as ingestion of xylitol triggers the rapid release of insulin from your dog’s pancreas.

Blood sugar, or glucose, is important for overall cell function and is considered the “food” of the brain. A severe drop in blood sugar levels can lead to lethargy, seizures and death. Xylitol toxicity can also cause liver failure, resulting in clinical signs such as jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme lethargy, seizures and even death.

Peanut butter mixed with other foods, such as jelly and chocolate, should also be avoided. Jelly is often made from grapes, which are toxic to dogs. Researchers are not sure why grapes are so toxic, but ingesting one to three grapes is enough to cause kidney failure in dogs.

Chocolate contains methylxanthine compounds known as theobromine and caffeine. White and milk chocolates contain very small amounts of these compounds, while semi-sweet and dark chocolates contain much larger amounts. Ingestion of toxic amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, agitation, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures and even death if treatment is not started immediately.

Is there any benefit to peanut butter?

As mentioned above, peanut butter is a good source of protein. It also contains natural fats that can help you feel full when ingested.

These fatty acids can also contribute to a shinier coat, and peanut butter contains vitamins and minerals such as magnesium and phosphorus.

While these minerals are adequate for the average puppy, dogs suffering from urinary crystals should avoid eating peanut butter, as the magnesium and phosphorus increase the number of crystals that form in the urine.

Peanut butter is also great for dogs with anxiety. Many nervous and anxious dogs tend to lick things to calm down.

If you use hollow toys like RuffWear’s Gnawt-A-Cone, you can add a small amount of peanut butter to the inside of the toy to provide a long-lasting treat for your dog to lick. This particular toy can be purchased right here at SitStay.com.

If your dog doesn’t like having his nails clipped or being bathed in the tub, you can put a small amount of peanut butter on the sides of the tub so your dog can concentrate on licking his treat while you groom him.

Many veterinary clinics have a supply of peanut butter in their cabinets to give to scared or nervous puppies. It’s even useful as a distraction during vaccine administration.

Peanut butter is a safe and tasty treat for your dog, as long as it is prepared in small amounts and without added ingredients that may pose a health risk. Peanut butter has many benefits, from hiding medications to help your dog fight anxiety. If you are still unsure about giving your dog peanut butter, ask your veterinarian for permission.