Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

Peanut butter is a popular treat for dogs. From disguising medications to combating boredom when frozen in a Kong toy, peanut butter is great to have around. A thin smear of peanut butter on a vertical surface can also help dogs stand still while you're trimming their nails or grooming them. In general, peanuts and peanut butter are perfectly safe foods for dogs. But there are a few things to know about peanut butter before reaching for the jar.

Can dogs eat peanut butter?

Yes, peanuts and peanut butter are safe and even good for dogs.¹ But that's not the end of the story. Some brands might use extra ingredients like xylitol that aren't safe for your pup, so you should always read the label closely. You can also opt for peanut butter treats made specifically for dogs, or even make your own peanut butter at home.

The benefits of peanut butter for dogs

Peanut butter is packed with nutritional value for your pup. It has protein, vitamins B and E and healthy fats, all of which can be beneficial to your dog when fed in moderation.² In addition to the nutrition, the taste can be very appealing and a great motivator to your pup when you're training.

Just remember: Peanut butter is best as an occasional treat rather than a daily part of your pup's diet. The calories in peanut butter can add up fast.

Can puppies have peanut butter?

Puppies can safely enjoy peanut butter too, but their portions need to be much smaller than what you'd give their adult counterparts.³ Ask your veterinarian if you're not sure how much is safe to give your pup.

What kind of peanut butter can dogs eat?

Choosing the right peanut butter to feed your dog is so important. That's because some brands may add extra ingredients that actually are bad for dogs. If you want to use the safest peanut butter possible, opt for plain, unsalted varieties without added sugar (and without artificial sweeteners), or try making your own from peanuts.⁴

What ingredient in peanut butter is bad for dogs?

While peanuts and peanut butter are safe to give your dog, some peanut butter brands may have added ingredients that aren't safe. Avoid any peanut butter labeled "diet" or "low-calorie," and be very careful about any labeled "sugar-free." This is because those peanut butter brands may use an artificial sweetener called xylitol, which is very dangerous to dogs.⁴

Xylitol is often used in diet peanut butter brands (along with many other sugar-free foods, like gum).⁴ While it's safe for humans, it's extremely toxic to dogs. When consumed, xylitol can cause life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This can happen within hours of ingestion and can lead to death if not treated.⁵ Signs of xylitol poisoning include seizures, low blood sugar, confusion, vomiting or excess sleepiness.⁴

You'll also want to make sure the peanut butter doesn't sneak in any extra ingredients to make it tastier, like chocolate, which is also toxic to dogs.⁴ Symptoms of chocolate poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, panting, increased thirst or peeing and neurological signs like agitation.⁴

In addition, if your pup has diabetes or pancreatitis, the sugar or fats in peanut butter could be harmful.⁵ It's always a good idea to ask your veterinarian first if peanut butter is OK, and then check the peanut butter labels closely before feeding any treats to your pup.

Can dogs eat crunchy peanut butter?

Crunchy peanut butter is certainly delicious, but is it safe for your dog? The answer is yes, crunchy peanut butter is just as safe as creamy, as long as you follow all the safety precautions discussed in this article (such as avoiding xylitol and extra ingredients like chocolate.)² In fact, crunchy peanut butter actually hides pills a little better than creamy, since dogs have a harder time spitting a hidden pill out of crunchy peanut butter.

If your dog is old enough to eat kibble, the peanuts in crunchy peanut butter shouldn't pose a choking hazard. However, for very small dogs, you might want to opt for creamy peanut butter instead, just to be on the safe side.

How much peanut butter can a dog have?

Another potential issue with peanut butter is the amount of calories in a serving. A typical human-sized serving of peanut butter is just two tablespoons and packs about 180 to 200 calories, mostly from fat.⁵ When you consider that the average 20-pound, indoor, lightly active dog needs 325 to 400 calories per day, the calories in peanut butter can be a very large percentage of that total caloric need.⁶

So you'll need to be careful not to give your dog so much peanut butter it causes weight gain. A good rule of thumb: Don't let treats take up more than 10% of your dog's total calories a day.⁵ For a small dog this might be half a teaspoon twice a day, or one teaspoon twice a day at most for a medium or large dog.⁵ Of course, this can vary depending on your dog's health, size and activity level.

Keep in mind that obesity is a huge problem in pets, with an estimated 59% of dogs in the U.S. classified as overweight or obese.⁷ Obesity has been linked to a whole host of comorbidities, negatively affecting a dog's heart, digestive system, liver and bones, and increasing a dog's risk of cancer, diabetes and a shorter life span.⁸ Ensuring your dog stays lean is probably the most important thing you can do to keep them healthy, along with regular exercise and a good quality diet.

Potential allergies and other risks

While most dogs can eat peanut butter safely, there are rare cases where a dog might be at risk based on allergies or unexpected choking hazards.

Peanut butter allergies

Some dogs are actually allergic to peanut butter.⁴ Unlike with humans, the allergy is usually pretty mild. But you'll still want to watch your dog closely for any signs of an adverse reaction the first time they try peanut butter.

The best course of action is to give your pup a tiny amount of peanut butter the first time. Then watch for rare symptoms like excessive itching or licking, red skin, hives, hair loss (typically from excessive licking) or an upset stomach (like vomiting or diarrhea).⁴ If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away. If your dog has trouble breathing or has facial swelling, go to an emergency veterinarian without delay, as this could be a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Choking

Another potential risk from peanut butter involves choking. While this can happen from swallowing peanut butter wrong, there's another lesser-known risk. Snub-nosed dogs, such as Frenchies, have been known to obstruct their already compromised airways with a large glob of peanut butter. This has serious life-threatening consequences, including death.

Creative ways to use peanut butter

There are a lot of ways to creatively incorporate a peanut butter treat into your pup's life:⁵

• Give your pup medicine with a tiny bit of peanut butter to hide the taste.
• Put a little dab of peanut butter on the side of the tub during your dog's bath time.
• Try putting peanut butter in puzzle feeders. Or put a kibble in a Kong feeder, seal it with a dab of peanut butter and freeze it for a couple of hours.
• Look into safe, DIY peanut butter dog treat recipes.

Tips for safely feeding peanut butter to dogs

Now that you know the basics about peanut butter and dogs, here's a quick overview of what to keep in mind to safely feed peanut butter to your pup:

• Always use peanut butter in moderation, and watch the calories.⁵
• When you first give your dog peanut butter, watch for adverse allergic reactions.⁴
• Try homemade peanut butter or peanut butter treats made especially for your pup.⁴
• Plain, unsalted peanut butter without added sugar or artificial sugar is best.⁴
• Read the label for any harmful additives like xylitol or chocolate.⁴

Alternatives to peanut butter

If your dog is allergic to peanut butter (or you just want some variety), there are a lot of alternatives your pup can still enjoy:

• Try using canned food or frozen chicken broth smeared in a Kong toy instead of peanut butter.⁵
• Freeze watered-down canned food into ice cubes for a waistline-friendly treat.
• Remember that puzzles, toys and outdoor exercise are great boredom busters instead of snacking.
• Try different types of nut butters, like almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds or even pumpkin seed butter. Avoid nuts that are toxic to dogs, like macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios and black walnuts.⁹
• Instead of hiding pills in peanut butter, use pill pockets or similar soft treats.¹⁰
• Poke a hole in the end of a mini marshmallow and insert the medication.
• Hide pills in a small spoonful of canned food, boiled chicken, canned pumpkin or even a little cheese.

Pets Best can help keep your dog healthy

The next time you reach for peanut butter, read the label to ensure it doesn't have xylitol, chocolate or other unsafe ingredients before you give it to your four-legged friend. And consider calories! Keep treats small, mixing in other safe, low-calorie options too. Your dog will love a tasty tidbit of peanut butter every now and then, as long as it's given in moderation.

Investing in pet insurance is a great way to help protect your dog if he gets unexpectedly ill or has an accident. At Pets Best, insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline. This can be a big help if you're wondering if a certain type of peanut butter is safe for your pup.

Sources/Citations

1. "Can Dogs Eat Peanuts?" Tabitha Kucera (6/2022), The Spruce Pets, https://www.thesprucepets.com/can-dogs-eat-peanuts-4588684, accessed October 8, 2023.

2. "Can Dogs Eat Crunchy Peanut Butter?" (3/2023), Northwoods Veterinary Clinic, https://northwoodsvet.com/can-dogs-eat-crunchy-peanut-butter/, accessed October 8, 2023.

3. "Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? An Expert Weighs In," (9/2023), National Peanut Board, https://nationalpeanutboard.org/news/can-peanut-butter-kill-your-dog-an-expert-weighs-in-for-national-dog-day/, accessed October 8, 2023.

4. "Can Dogs Be Allergic to Peanut Butter? (Vet Answer)," Iulia Mihai (5/2023), Pet Keen, https://petkeen.com/can-dogs-be-allergic-to-peanut-butter-vet-answer/, accessed October 8, 2023.

5. "Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?" Sophia Catalano (7/2020), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-peanut-butter, accessed October 8, 2023.

6. "Pet Caloric Needs," Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, https://www.petobesityprevention.org/pet-caloric-needs, accessed October 8, 2023.

7. "Join us in solving the complex challenges of pet obesity," Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, https://www.petobesityprevention.org/, accessed October 24, 2023.

8. "Larger than Life - The Risk of Overweight Pets," Claire Roberson (9/2020), SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, https://www.letlovelive.org/news/larger-than-life-the-risk-of-overweight-pets/, accessed October 8, 2023.

9. "Try These Peanut Butter Alternatives for Dogs," Joanne Keenan (2/2023), Dogs Naturally, https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/try-these-peanut-butter-alternatives-for-dogs/, accessed October 8, 2023.

10. "How to Get Your Dog to Take a Pill," (1/2021), Pine Creek Veterinary Hospital, https://pinecreekvet.com/blog/how-to-give-your-dog-a-pill/, accessed October 8, 2023.