Peanut Butter is safe for dogs to eat and, in moderation, peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin. When feeding peanut butter it is vitally important to ensure that it is unsalted and unsweetened.
Ingredients to avoid when feeding peanut butter to your dog
Xylitol
Recently, some peanut butter manufacturers switched to using the sweetener Xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute often found in sugar-free products like chewing gum, toothpaste and mints. It is safe for humans, but toxic to dogs.
Ingesting Xylitol causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs, which results in an equally rapid and profound decrease in blood sugar levels. and can be life threatening if left untreated. This condition, scientifically known as hypoglycemia, can occur as quickly as 10-to-60 minutes after eating Xylitol.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is another product that some brands of peanut butter (usually those at the lower end of the price spectrum) use to substitute the more expensive peanut oil in their products, and while palm oil is not toxic or harmful to dogs in the same way that xylitol is, it is still best avoided.
Fed in large quantities, palm oil can lead to stomach upsets and diarrhoea, due to the high level of saturated vegetable fats contained within it, making it very rich and fatty, and so both high in calories and possibly, too rich for the digestive system of some dogs.
How Much Peanut Butter Can Dogs Eat?
Our Peanut Butter is rich in natural fats and protein, but too much of a good thing can lead to obesity and other health complications like pancreatitis. Feed in moderation (we recommend a teaspoon a couple of times per week).
How do I give my dog Peanut Butter?
We recommend spreading onto a LickiMat or hollow Lamb Horns or KONGs.
Can dogs be allergic to peanut butter?
Although rare, some dogs might be allergic to peanut butter. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction will usually appear within a couple of days of eating peanut butter.
- Red and itchy skin
- Excessive licking of the skin
- Bald spots
- Hotspots
- Hives
More serious anaphylactic reaction is an rapid response and requires veterinarian treatment immediately.
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling
- Collapse
- Agitation
With Woofs and Wags,
Laura, Dolly & Reggie