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Is peanut butter good for dogs? It’s a question that crosses many new dog parents’ minds. Most dogs can’t resist the flavorful snack, so it’s an easy way to hide pills or enhance a mentally-stimulating toy. Yet, does that mean it’s safe and healthy for your furry friend?
Keep reading to find out if peanut butter is safe for dogs along with which products are best for canine companions.
Is Peanut Butter Good for Dogs?
Yes, peanut butter can be good for dogs if you choose the right kind and serve it in moderation. It’s rich in healthy fats and proteins, along with vitamin B, vitamin E, and niacin. Plus, it can be added to toys for extra mental stimulation or it can hide pills to help picky pups take their medicine.
However, it should only be given to dogs on occasion because it’s high in calories and can lead to weight gain in extreme cases. Some brands also include xylitol, an artificial sweetener that’s toxic to dogs. So, look carefully at a product’s label before serving it to your pets. Natural peanut butter with minimal additives is safest for our furry friends.
In rare cases, dogs could be allergic. So, if your dog ever has unusual symptoms after eating it, you may need to find a different snack for them.
Buyer’s Guide: Peanut Butter for Dogs
Here are a few things to look for when choosing a dog-safe peanut butter product.
Avoid Xylitol
There are a few brands that use xylitol, which can harm your dog even in small quantities. Always examine the ingredient list closely to make sure you’re not putting your pup in danger.
Look for Natural and Unsweetened
Natural peanut butter that doesn’t have sugar and salt added is the best option for dogs. Humans often prefer extra flavoring added, but for dogs, it’s not necessary. They will enjoy the peanut butter just as much, if not more, if it’s natural. Plus, the fewer ingredients added to human foods, the safer they are for dogs.
Creamy vs. Chunky
Both creamy and chunky are safe for dogs, but some dogs may prefer one over the other. If your dog doesn’t chew enough, then chunky could become a choking hazard, but in most instances, the chunks are small enough to be safe.
Consider Dog-Specific Products
There are lots of human peanut butters that are safe for canines, but there are also peanut butter products made specifically for dogs. Those options are generally the safest because they only include pet-safe ingredients.
Best Peanut Butter for Dogs
- Easy to read dosage guide
- Contains pet-safe, naturally calming ingredients
- Can be used with your pups favorite fill-and-chew toy
- Pouch makes squeezing treat simple and mess-free
Pet Naturals BusyButter Calming Peanut Butter is designed to keep dogs calm and occupied. It combines peanut butter with ingredients that support relaxation, making it a useful tool for distracting dogs and naturally calming them during times of stress. It can be used with fillable toys or lick pads, making it versatile for different types of play and enrichment. The product contains four proven calming ingredients and is made in the USA without added sugar, salt, or artificial ingredients.
- Dog-specific peanut butter
- Includes full-spectrum hemp oil to calm your dog
- Avoids harmful additives
- Helps reduce stress and improve sleep in dogs
- Keeping it in the fridge gives it a thicker texture
Honest Paws Calm Hemp Peanut Butter is a canine-friendly option that incorporates full-spectrum hemp oil into its formula. This product not only offers nutritional benefits but also the calming and therapeutic benefits associated with hemp oil. Made with minimal, all-natural ingredients, it’s free of xylitol and other harmful additives, making it a safe choice for dogs. This product is unique because it can help your dog feel relaxed, which can improve their sleep and make them less stressed in unfamiliar situations. However, if you’ve never given your dog hemp oil before, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet first.
- Dog-specific peanut butter
- 100% fresh with no additives
- Thickens if you keep it in the fridge
- Variety of flavors available
Bark Bistro Buddy Budder is dog-specific peanut butter designed specifically with canine nutrition in mind. Made from 100% fresh, USA-grown, all-natural peanuts, it’s free from additives, sugars, hydrogenated oils, and harmful artificial sweeteners like xylitol, making it a safe and healthy choice for your pup. If you store it in the fridge, the peanut butter will thicken to make it better for mental stimulation toys. While it can be a delicious treat or a useful tool for disguising medication, it’s important to remember that it’s calorie-dense and should be served in moderation. This is the classic peanut and honey version, but there are lots of other flavors to choose from.
- Made from 100% dry roasted peanuts
- No added sugars, salts, or oils
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Perfect for humans and dogs to share
Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter is a wholesome choice for both humans and dogs. It’s made from 100% dry roasted peanuts, with no added sugars, salts, or oils, ensuring a simple, natural ingredient list. Plus, it’s smooth and unsalted to make it even safer to share with your furry friends. It’s also gluten-free and vegan to cater to various human diets. However, even though it’s free of harmful additives like xylitol, it should still be given in moderation to dogs due to its high protein and fat content.
- Sole ingredient is peanuts
- Each jar has 540 kinds of raw peanuts
- Comes in crunchy or creamy
- Great for humans and dogs to share
Crazy Richard’s 100% All-Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter is a high-quality, natural peanut butter option that’s suitable for canines. The sole ingredient is peanuts, meaning there are no added sugars, salts, oils, or harmful artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Each jar contains 540 kinds of raw peanuts. The product comes in both crunchy and creamy varieties, so you can choose the option your pup prefers. Since it’s made for humans, it’s a great item for sharing with your furry friend.
- Dog-specific peanut butter
- Sprays into puzzle toys for enhanced playtime
- Less messy than regular peanut butter
- Other flavors available
KONG Easy Treat Peanut Butter Paste is a product designed to be used with the popular KONG dog toys, but it can also work for similar puzzle toys. This peanut butter-flavored paste is easy to dispense by spraying it into the opening of a toy. Then, your pup will need to figure out how to get all the peanut butter out. It’s a great way to entice dogs and extend playtime. However, unlike some natural peanut butter options, it contains additional ingredients beyond peanuts, such as milk, soy, and sugar. While it doesn’t contain xylitol, it should be used in moderation due to its high calorie count. If your dog doesn’t like peanuts, there are other flavors of this spray, such as cheese and liver.
- Dog-specific peanut butter
- Has antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits
- Good for digestion
- Improves breath
- Doesn't include any harmful additives
Poochie Butter Dog Peanut Butter is another option specifically formulated for dogs. This peanut butter is made from all-natural ingredients and doesn’t contain any harmful additives like xylitol or hydrogenated oils. It goes a step further by including health-boosting ingredients such as cinnamon for antifungal and anti-inflammatory benefits, ginger to aid digestion, and parsley to improve breath. It’s a great product for training, hiding medications, and keeping dogs busy. Despite its benefits, it should only be used occasionally like any peanut butter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Any Brand of Peanut Butter?
No, not all peanut butter brands are safe for dogs. While most are okay, you should always check the label before serving your pup. If the peanut butter has xylitol or excessive amounts of sugar, oils, or sodium, do not give it to your four-legged family members.
Can Dogs Eat Jif Peanut Butter?
Yes, dogs can eat Jif Peanut Butter because the products don’t include xylitol. However, the food has added sugars and oils, so it should only be served sparingly.
Can Dogs Eat Skippy Peanut Butter?
Yes, dogs can eat Skippy Peanut Butter because it doesn’t contain xylitol. Yet, it has added sugars and oils, so only serve it to your dog in moderation.
What are the Health Benefits of Peanut Butter for Dogs?
Peanut butter is a source of healthy fats, protein, and essential nutrients like Vitamin B, Vitamin E, and niacin, which can contribute to your dog’s overall health when given in moderation. It can also be added to mental stimulation toys or used to hide pills. However, as peanut butter is calorie-dense, it should be given sparingly to avoid unnecessary weight gain.
What are the Risks of Peanut Butter for Dogs?
The primary risk of feeding peanut butter to dogs is the potential presence of xylitol, a sugar substitute toxic to dogs, which can be found in certain brands of peanut butter. Additionally, peanut butter is high in calories and fats, which, if fed excessively, could lead to obesity and related health issues. Less common but still important, some dogs might have an allergy to peanuts, leading to potential adverse reactions.
Is Crunchy Peanut Butter Good for Dogs?
Crunchy peanut butter can be given to dogs, but it’s generally safer to offer them creamy peanut butter. The chunks in crunchy varieties could pose a choking hazard, especially for smaller dogs, and creamy is easier for them to eat. However, choosing between crunchy or creamy may depend on your dog’s preferences.
Is There Dog-Specific Peanut Butter?
Yes, there are dog-specific peanut butters available. These are formulated without xylitol or harmful additives, making them a safer choice for dogs. However, they should still be given in moderation due to their high calorie and fat content.
Final Thoughts
Now you know that some peanut butter is good for dogs in moderation, so you can better choose the best product for your pup. Make sure the product has no xylitol and little to no sugar and sodium. With the right flavorful treat, your dog will be overjoyed and you can feel at ease knowing it’s safe for their tummy.
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