Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?

Glorious Peanut Butter, And All The Amazingly Silly Faces Our Pups Make When It Gets Stuck To The Roofs Of Their Mouths!

Right off the bat I’ll say – be careful, some brands of peanut butter now contain xylitol.  This sugar substitute is safe for humans, but deadly for dogs.  It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyways), if you’re going to give PB to your dog, make sure it does not contain xylitol.

In the past, I’ve received some interesting feedback about what dog owners think about feeding their  furry friends PB – everything from people saying that PB is an affordable and not unhealthy snack, to statements about why dogs should not be allowed to eat “people food”.

I give my dogs peanut butter.  I occasionally make them peanut butter treats, and it’s the ultimate classic Kong filler.

Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Peanut Butter?

Other than the fact that most dogs love it, that is.  And seriously…those peanut butter faces!  Too cute!

Peanut butter contains healthy fats, carbohydrates, and protein that can help give your dog a boost of energy.  Both of my dogs are very active.  My favorite time to give them a PB stuffed Kong is after a long hike.   Yes, I hike with my small dogs!  Not only does the PB seem to help restore some of their energy, but the act of licking it out of their Kongs keeps them occupied, and helps relax them after a busy day.

Peanut butter also contains vitamins B3, and E, as well as magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants.  Biotin in PB may help support a healthy coat, skin, and nails.  Vitamin E can help to support a healthy immune system.

But All Peanut Butter Is Not Created Equal

In a perfect world, we’d not only be feeding our dogs all natural/no additives PB, but we’d be eating it ourselves as well.  Many brands of peanut butter sold for human consumption contain added ingredients such as salt, sugar, and oils.  While PB containing these things, in small amounts, shouldn’t hurt our dogs, they aren’t exactly healthy either.  You could avoid additives by making your own PB, which actually isn’t too hard.  You could also purchase organic, salt free PB to avoid as many additives as possible.

I’ll admit that, most of the time, I don’t make my own peanut butter, or buy the fancy organic brands.  What I do do is make sure that I only feed PB in moderation.  Too much of it can cause stomach upset.  The high fat content means it probably isn’t the best snack for overweight dogs, and too much fat in the diet can sometimes lead to a painful condition called pancreatitis.

Dogs, like people, can be allergic to peanuts so pay close attention if you are feeding your dog peanut butter for the first time.  And, like I mentioned above, always make sure to avoid brands that contain xylitol!

Does your dog like peanut butter?  How do you serve it to him/her – in a Kong, baked into treats, another way?

Looking for more ideas for healthy “human” foods you can share with your dog?  Check out my other blogging from A to Z challenge posts!