Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter

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can dogs eat peanut butter

Today’s question: can dogs eat peanut butter? Is peanut butter good or bad for dogs? Scroll down for detailed answers.

Dogs are known for their love of meat, and their love of peanut butter.   Those with dogs know how illustrious peanut butter is for dog and how a dog will eat pretty much anything is the peanut butter is spread on top.   Those wishing to give their dog a particular medicine or food that is otherwise refused can usually find success by coating the pill or food in peanut butter first.  Dogs love meat flavored foods and peanut butter flavored foods.  Kibble and treats that smell and taste like peanut butter tend to be accepted by most all dogs and have little or no side effect.

Can dogs eat peanut butter or is it a treat reserved only, for us, humans? The fact that most people have peanut butter around the house makes this food an easy treat for you to feed your dog.  Peanut butter is easy to find, easy to store, and easy to serve.  Along with a relatively low price per jar, peanut butter is an easy and affordable go-to food for not only you, but also your dog.  As long as your dog is not allergic to peanuts, you may offer your dog small amounts of peanut butter at first, then build up the amount per serving when you’ve deciphered whether your dog has any reactions.  Always verify the feeding of peanut butter to your dog with a veterinarian or reliable source knowledgeable to your particular dog’s size, breed, and temperament.

Here is one question that has probably crossed your mind many times. Can you feed your dog this sweet spread or would it be better to avoid it completely?  Avoiding human food is best for all dogs.  Dogs do not need to consume ‘people food’ as their dog food has been specially formulated to meet their nutritional needs.  Dogs that tend to consume food outside of kibble have higher weights, health problems such as high blood pressure and high sugar levels, and may even have issues with their teeth, gums, bones, and joints.  In addition to health problems, dogs who indulge in human food may begin to refuse their dog food, putting their health further at risk.

Can peanut butter cause any unpleasant side effects?  Peanut butter does not contain the toxins or choking hazards other nuts may have, but the smooth peanut butter is the only peanut butter recommended.  Crunchy peanut butter has peanuts within the butter, which may pose a choking hazard.  Peanuts may also cause blockages in the intestine if not fully digested.  Blockages not only cause discomfort and digestion issues, but can often cause death.  Peanuts may also be caught between the dog’s teeth and cause tooth decay or gum infections.

We all know that sometimes peanut butter can cause allergic reactions, but is this valid for our canine friends too? Are their stomachs able to process this food? Here are all the answers you need to know.

can dogs eat peanut butter

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? 

You are probably like most of the dog owners who love to share the food with their four-legged friends. If you are eating peanut butter you might surely be tempted to give your pup some of it too.  Dogs love the smell of peanut butter and are quick to beg for a few bites.  Dogs will also eagerly lick a spoon containing peanut butter or clear out a jar if left unattended.

Yes, your dog, and any other dog, for that matter, can eat peanut butter. If you want to share a spoonful with him/her, it is perfectly fine to do so. You can give him peanut butter as a treat or you can also use it as a trick to make him take the medication. However, pay attention to the amount you are giving him. Too much of this food will make him gain weight and what’s even worse, he could end up with pancreatitis.  Small amounts of peanut butter can be a great addition to the diet of your dog.   A large amount of peanut butter fed often can create health problems that are best to be avoided.

Xylitol in Peanut Butter

What you should keep in mind (at all times) is the fact that the peanut butter should be completely natural without sugar substitutes such as xylitol or any other additives. The natural varieties of peanut butter are relatively easy to find and are well labeled.  Also choosing the peanut butter without added peanuts or sugar should be easy to find as well.  If you wish to offer peanut butter to your dog, you must do so with a bit of effort to ensure the peanut butter does not cause ill effect.

The peanut butter brand should be recognized for the fact of being without xylitol, as well. Xylitol is safe for humans but extremely toxic to dogs. Many peanut butter brands contain xylitol, so you would need to carefully read the labels.   A good way to avoid this toxin is to buy peanut butter that is made especially for dogs and created by a well known manufacturer.

In the event your dog has eaten a large amount of regular peanut butter meant for human consumption, refer to your vet right away and monitor the side effects your dog may be experiencing.  Even a small quantity of xylitol consumption causes a rapid and dangerous drop in a dog’s blood sugar which can lead to weakness and seizures. A larger quantity can cause deadly damage to dog’s liver cells.

Other symptoms to look for include lethargy, collapse, vomiting, jaundice, tremoring, black-tarry stool, malaise, coma, and death.  If you suspect that your dog has a xylitol poisoning, call the animal poison call center or take your pet to the vet immediately.

The Benefits of Peanut Butter

You might be surprised, but leaving aside the traditional conception regarding the unhealthiness of this food, peanut butter is filled with great nutrients. Peanut butter has a relatively high fat content, but in small amounts, the fat may be considered a good fat but only in moderation.  The natural and organic version of peanut butter is loaded with antioxidants, proteins, vitamins and high-quality fats. All these have a great impact on your dog’s health system!  A low sugar peanut butter with protein will build the muscles of your dog and keep him/her strong!  The added antioxidants and vitamins will boost your dog’s immune system, keep your dog healthy, and keep the skin and hair looking and feeling great.

Granted, the vitamins and protein your dog needs should derive from an animal source or meat source.  The dog food manufacturers know this fact and incorporate the needed vitamins into your dog’s food.  Supplementing your dog’s diet is not necessarily a need, but is a good offering if you care to do so.  The peanut butter will not hurt your dog’s health, but enhance the health and happiness of your dog, if allergies are not present.

Additionally, this creamy delicacy can provide your four-legged friend with all the energy he needs? In fact, this is a great example of food that has been initially designed for humans, but which somehow, seems to be working perfectly for dogs too. Just make sure to read the labels and buy the more natural type of peanut butter. If you have a puppy or a smaller dog breed, avoid giving him the chunky types of peanut butter. This can be dangerous for the tiny digestive systems.  Creamy peanut butter offered to be licked off a spoon, or from a large and safe dog bone, will be enough to please your dog and offer extra nutrients.

How will Peanut Butter Impact my Dog’s Health?

Peanut butter is great for dogs as occasional treats. Your furry pet will surely enjoy it. The amounts of proteins and carbohydrates are balanced and it also includes a large number of fats that will boost your dog’s energy level.

Another great aspect about peanut butter is the fact that it contains omega fatty acids. Yes, you heard that one right! So, not only that your dog’s health will be even more strengthened up, but the bad cholesterol will also get to be reduced. You do not even have to give them a lot of this food. A small amount will do the job. If your furry buddy belongs to a small breed, one teaspoon a day is enough. If your dog is a bit bigger, one tablespoon will also go a long way. Do not give them peanut butter every day, just a few times a week.

If you are too busy making your own peanut butter snacks for your furry friend, check out [easyazon_link identifier=”B000CR00DS” locale=”US” tag=”frtp-20″]these peanut butter treats[/easyazon_link] made just for dogs.

Is your Dog Suffering from Diabetes?

If the answer to this question is yes, then feeding him peanut butter a few times a week could help stabilize the activity of the sugar elements in his bloodstream. The body will metabolize these components and then it will use them properly.

You will also be able to find a lot of recipes that include this creamy spread, all of them aimed to help dogs suffering from diabetes. From this perspective, you can stop looking at it as a treat and start to see peanut butter as an actual tool for handling this condition.

Dogs can eat peanut butter and, sometimes, it is even recommended that they do. So, if you have a jar filled with this sweet delicacy, don’t be shy and share it with your pet friend too!

 

Related articles:

Can Dogs Eat Almond Butter

Can Dogs Eat Walnuts

References:

https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/nutrition/dog-approved-people-food

http://www.woofipedia.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-peanut-butter

http://www.aspcapro.org/sites/pro/files/xylitol.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20473849

http://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/is-peanut-butter-safe-for-dogs

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