Key Takeaways
- Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter and usually love it.
- Peanut butter contains healthy fats, niacin, protein, and vitamins B and E.
- Give raw, unsalted, and unsweetened peanut butter to dogs.
- Make sure the peanut butter does not contain xylitol.
- Here are some fun recipes with peanut butter to make for your dog.
Table of Contents
Yes! Dogs can eat peanut butter—it’s a vet-approved and canine-loved human snack.
Chock full of healthy fats, vitamins B and E, niacin, and protein, peanut butter is a favorite of most dogs. It’s also a favorite of most pet parents: they swear by filling a Kong toy with peanut butter to keep their dogs busy (and very happy!) for hours. So, in moderation, peanut butter is certainly a safe and delicious treat for your dog, excluding those furry friends with a peanut allergy.
Check your PB Label
There are some peanut butters that are not suitable whatsoever for pups, and some that are perfectly safe (and very much prized). Choose raw, unsalted, unsweetened peanut butter and keep the sweet, commercial stuff for yourself, especially the sugar-free and lite peanut butters, as they usually contain artificial sweeteners that can be extremely toxic to dogs.
Some flavored, high protein varieties of peanut butter contain xylitol, such as the “Nuts ‘n More” brand. It’s important to know that xylitol can be fatal if your dog ingests it. For dogs, xylitol consumption can shut down internal organs, cause seizures and lead to death. Some symptoms of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, shaking, weakness and difficulty walking, usually occurring 15-30 minutes after consumption. If you notice these signs, consult the Pet Poison Helpline immediately and get your pup to the emergency vet.
Prevent a possible tragedy by keeping processed, sweetened peanut butters out of your dog’s way.
Recipes with PB for Your Pup
While even a small teaspoon of peanut butter can make your pup’s day, there are plenty of homemade treats for the creative cooks in the bunch. Try these:
Optimal results will include tail-wagging, lots of kisses, and a couple very-full-belly rubs.
If you’re not sure what to share, Healthy Paws has a great list of foods that are safe and not safe for dogs.
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical diagnosis, condition, or treatment options.
