Can dogs eat peanut butter? Yes, they can, but there are a few rules you need to know. Most dogs love the taste of peanut butter and would enjoy eating it every day, but it’s best fed in moderation. Peanut butter is an excellent source of niacin, vitamins B and E, protein, and healthy fats.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter
How much peanut butter is good for dogs to eat
Can dogs eat peanut butter? Yes, but how much? Before you start giving your dog scoops of peanut butter every chance you get, beware that too much peanut butter can cause obesity and pancreatitis. Make sure you stick to the 10% rule when it comes to giving your dog peanut butter. This means that peanut butter should only be 10% of your dog’s diet or less.
Which peanut butter can you give a dog
Can dogs eat peanut butter? Yes, but which one is best for dogs? Natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain any salt, sugars, or added ingredients is the best kind to serve your dog. Homemade peanut butter is even better. 
Beware of peanut butter that contains xylitol because this ingredient that is responsible for adding sweetness to the product is toxic for dogs. This sweetener is often found in a variety of products, including baked goods.
If your dog eats peanut butter that contains xylitol, they will experience a rapid release of insulin that leads to severe problems. Common symptoms of xylitol poisoning include severely low blood sugar levels and the rapid development of hypoglycemia and worse health issues.
Dogs that consume xylitol need to be rushed to the veterinarian or local animal hospital as quickly as possible. Look out for signs such as seizures, weakness, lack of coordination, staggering, and collapse.
Benefits of Peanut Butter for Dogs
This well-rounded treat provides the following benefits for dogs:
- It supports cell growth
- It assists cells to metabolize
- It’s filled with fiber for improved digestion
- It provides added nutrition to your dog’s diet to help maintain optimal health
Fun Ways to Add Peanut Butter to Your Dogs Diet
- Offer your dog a spoon full of peanut butter and hold it in your hand while they lick it. Avoid leaving your dog alone with a spoon it could be a choking hazard or injure their jaw and teeth.
- Add a scoop of peanut butter to dry kibble or wet dog food.
- Put some peanut butter in an interactive treat-dispensing toy where your dog can reach it easily.
- Place a scoop of peanut butter in your dog’s bowl as a special treat.
- Add a small teaspoon of peanut butter to an ice cube tray, fill it with water and freeze it for a cool summer treat.
- Combine peanut butter and mashed banana together and put it in your dog’s bowl as a tasty treat.
Dangers of Peanut Butter for Dogs
While peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat in moderation, there are dangers such as an allergic reaction occurring. Symptoms include the following:
- Chronic ear infections
- Impacted anal glands
- Excessive scratching, licking, and chewing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
If you think your dog is allergic to peanut butter, stop serving it to them immediately and contact a veterinarian.
Bottom Line
Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals that are an important part of a complete and balanced diet. Try fun new ways to give your dog a serving of peanut butter on occasion. Remember, this tasty treat is fattening so if your dog starts gaining weight, limit the servings to special occasions only. Visit the DogStruggles homepage for more!
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Razvan
Razvan is a dog trainer and veterinary technician with over 10 years of experience working with dog daycares, animal shelters, vet clinics and private dog training. Razvan is one of the lead publishers on Dog Struggles covering the latest product reviews and dog health advice.
