As with all foods, moderation is essential. A few peanuts are enough for your dog. Peanut butter can be an excellent source of healthy fats and protein for your dog. However, dogs have trouble digesting fat. A high concentration of fat can cause stomach problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, and low appetite.
Peanut butter can be a pretty healthy snack for dogs, as long as it’s not packed with added sugar and salt, as it provides them with plenty of vitamins B, vitamin E, and niacin, as well as healthy protein and fat.
It is also an excellent ingredient to create your own dog pastries, such as a homemade dog birthday cake or canine cupcakes.
However, not all peanut butter is produced after the same recipe. Some brands can even be dangerous to your dog.
What kind of peanut butter is safe for dogs?
When choosing peanut butter for your dog, you should turn your attention to the ingredients list. In general, most peanut butter that does not contain xylitol is safe for dogs.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener. Although it does not pose health risks to humans, animals that eat it can become very sick. In some cases, they could die even after eating foods that contain sugar substitutes.
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Even in extremely small amounts, xylitol can reduce the blood sugar levels of puppies drastically and send them into a hypoglycemic crisis.
To put this in a realistic perspective, consider this: xylitol is about 22 times more toxic to dogs than chocolate is.
Note that xylitol can also be listed on a nutrition label as:
- Xylitol
- Anhydroxylitol
- Xylitylglucoside
- 1,4-anhydrous-d-xylitol
So be sure to carefully check the label for the sake of your beloved canine.
How much peanut butter can be lethal for a dog?
In dogs, doses higher than 0.1 g/kg are considered toxic and lead to deep, sudden problems.
What brands of peanut butter contain xylitol?
Remember that manufacturers can change their recipes, so check the list of ingredients in peanut butter every time you buy a jar for your dog unless you buy a peanut butter specially designed for dogs.
Can dogs eat JIF peanut butter?
There is no xylitol in any JIF peanut butter product making it safe for your puppy. However, they contain added salt, so they are not the best peanut butter for regular snacks.
If you’re really concerned about your dog’s health, look for the natural JIF series, which has a reduced amount of added sugar and salt. These recipes will be better for your dog than the usual JIF.
Additional considerations about peanut butter
There are a few additional factors to consider once you have chosen xylitol-free peanut butter for your pet.
For example, it is important to look for unnecessary added ingredients. Not all additives are bad for dogs, some are actually quite useful, but as a general rule, it is a good idea to choose a peanut butter with the least additives. So, try choosing unsalted or homemade peanut butter. Also, look for those that do not contain added sugar or salt.
Some dogs are also sensitive to soy, palm oil, and other hydrogenated oils, so it’s a good idea to stay away from these ingredients too.
While peanut butter is a nutritious snack, offered in excessive amounts can lead to obesity and other health complications. So, it is important to offer peanut butter in moderation.
This is especially important for owners with diabetic dogs because peanut butter can be a poor choice for these furry friends. In fact, it’s a good idea to consult your current veterinarian before making peanut butter a regular part of your dog’s diet.
Uses
Peanut butter without xylitol or chocolate is a true delight that most dogs appreciate. Here are some tips on how to use peanut butter for your dog:
- Medications: When you give your dog medicine, hide it in a small amount of delicious peanut butter.
- Improvement: Spread some peanut butter on a puzzle toy. This will make the toy better and keep your dog busy for a while. You could even freeze the puzzle toys to make them more difficult for the dog to chew.
- Distraction: Because many dogs love peanut butter, it can be a great reward to help your dog feel more comfortable. They will create positive associations with experiences that many dogs don’t appreciate, such as nail cutting or bathing. For example, if you put some peanut butter on a spot on the tub, your dog will be busy licking there.
Peanut butter can be a great way to introduce more protein and healthy fats into the dog’s diet. However, it is important to make sure that the peanut butter used does not contain xylitol, as even small doses of this sweetener can be toxic to pets.
