Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter? When it is or isn’t an Emergency

Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter as long as it’s fed in moderation. There are certain caveats dog owners must know before they start feeding their dog some peanut butter.

Which peanut butter is safe for dogs?

Not all peanut butters are safe for dogs to consume. These days, store-bought peanut butter comes in many different flavors. Some of these peanut butter products may actually be unsafe for dogs because they contain toxic ingredients like xylitol. You should always check the product label to confirm that the peanut butter is safe.

Some peanut butter products may also use ingredients like palm oil, which isn’t considered toxic to dogs but may still have a harmful effect. Palm oil could have a laxative effect. Dogs that eat too much peanut butter (containing palm oil) may easily end up with symptoms like vomiting and dehydration.

The most popular brands of peanut butter include Skippy, Jif, and Peter Pan. The peanut butter sold by these brands comes in many varieties, including creamy and crunchy peanut butter. You will need to check the ingredients list to know whether they are safe or not for dogs. A lot of these concerns can be avoided by making your own homemade peanut butter.

How much peanut butter can a dog eat?

Assuming the peanut butter is free of unsafe ingredients, half a teaspoon of peanut butter should be enough for a small dog. Larger dogs could enjoy a bit more. The important word is moderation. Consider peanut butter as occasional treats for dogs.

In the short-term, dogs that eat too much peanut butter may suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach upsets and diarrhea. Longer-term, dogs that eat too much peanut butter may start to display symptoms of health disorders like pancreatitis. This is due to the large amount of fat peanut butter usually contains.

Can dogs have crunchy peanut butter?

Dog owners should be extra cautious with feeding dogs crunchy peanut butter. These products may contain nuts that are toxic to dogs. Some crunchy peanut butter recipes may make use of nut ingredients like macadamia nuts and almonds, both of which are harmful to pets. There are many other unsafe human foods dog owners should be aware of aside from these ingredients.