If you’ve seen the viral Tiktok where a woman puts peanut butter on her hair and lets her dog lick it to trim his nail, you might be wondering 2 things: Does it really work? And is peanut butter good for dogs to eat?
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We can’t help you with the first one til we have tried the hack ourselves. As for the latter, here is everything you need to know about letting your dog have peanut butter:
1. What type of peanut butter is good for dogs?
Most types of peanut butter is good for dogs. When given in moderation as a once-in-a-while “high value” treat, it can be an excellent source of vitamins B and E, niacin, healthy fats, and proteins. which peanut butter is good for dogs? The unsalted kind is the best peanut butter for your dog. Read the label carefully to check that it contains no added preservatives, sugar or hydrogenated oils. Ideally, peanut butter for dogs should only have peanuts and salt as ingredients. You can find a homemade peanut butter recipe easily!
🚫 No Xylitol!
Make sure the peanut butter you buy does NOT contain Xylitol which can be deathly toxic to dogs. It’s used as a sugar substitute in sugar-free products like breath mints, candy, toothpaste, chewing gum, etc. It’s completely safe for humans but toxic for dogs.
Ensure that any product your dog is consuming is free of Xylitol, always check the ingredients label. Xylitol poisoning happens 10-60 minutes after consumption, take your dog to a veterinarian immediately if consumed.
Choose a brand made specifically for dogs like this Buddy Budder.
2. How much peanut butter can dogs eat?
Peanut butter is only good in moderation. It’s a rich source of natural fats and protein, however, too much peanut butter in your dog’s diet can lead to obesity and health complications like pancreatitis.
If your dog has any food sensitivity issues refer to your vet about how much peanut butter to feed your dog. Generally, peanut butter is a treat, and treats should only make 10% of your dog’s diet.
So the occasional Kong filled with frozen peanut butter can be an amazing way to keep your dog occupied for hours and give them the benefits of this treat.
3. Is crunchy peanut butter good for dogs?
Yes, it’s very safe to give your dog crunchy peanut butter. Many people worry that crunchy peanut butter can be a choking hazard, this is, however, highly unlikely unless you’re giving a tiny puppy large amounts of crunchy peanut butter.
Since dogs are only recommended to eat a tablespoon of peanut butter, choking is highly unlikely.
There are many brands making peanut butter without Xylitol, sugar or hydrogenated oil. You can also give your dog the benefits of peanut butter by giving them treats that contain peanut butter if not raw peanut butter itself. Some amazing treats to take home for your dog:
Anyone who’s been around dogs for a bit knows the giggly feeling you get when you give a pup a taste of peanut butter. You get to watch them lap it up, then they go through their funny little tongue-smacking routine, and it’s hard not to laugh!
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter: The FAQ
First and foremost, dogs absolutely can have peanut butter! In fact, many pups adore the stuff. It’s a great way to stimulate their puppy brains and get them thinking, and it’s commonly used to hold snacks and treats inside puzzle toys. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re giving your pup some peanut butter.
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter with Artificial Sweetener?
No! Never ever give your pup peanut butter that has been made with artificial sweetener. These products are produced using xylitol, a sweet substance that humans use to replace sugar. It’s completely harmless to us, but it is deadly for dogs. Even a tiny amount of xylitol can kill your precious pooch!
You can find an updated list of peanut butter that contains xylitol on the Preventative Vet database. As of 2023, peanut butter brands that contain xylitol include:
Go Nuts Company
Krush Nutrition
No Cow
Nuts ‘n’ More
P28 Foods
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter with Flavoring?
We don’t recommend giving your pup flavored peanut butter, especially if it’s chocolate! Chocolate is toxic to dogs, and it should never be given in any quantity. Other flavorings may be made with ingredients that simply don’t settle well with puppy tummies, so it’s best to avoid them.
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter and Jelly?
You really shouldn’t give your pup any jelly. Regardless of the flavor, jelly has a ridiculous amount of sugar. This can lead to problems for your pooch, including diabetes and obesity. Some jellies are fine for us but bad for dogs. Grape and currant jellies are toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Crunchy Peanut Butter?
Sure, but be cautious! Some dogs may find the crunchy peanut butter hard to eat, and it poses a slight choking risk for smaller dogs. The sharp edges of the peanuts may also irritate your puppy’s mouth. If you want to be extra safe, just stick to classic smooth peanut butter.
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter with Medicine?
Yes! Many owners use a bit of bread and some peanut butter as a sneaky way to get stubborn pups to take their medicine. If your pup is refusing to do what’s good for them, grab a bit of bread and dab some peanut butter on it. Nestle the pill into the sticky stuff, fold up the bread, and enjoy your status as the most clever member of the household. You can also dab a bit of peanut butter directly onto the pill.
Can Dogs Have Peanut Butter Allergies?
Also yes! Like people, dogs can have allergies. You may know a pup who gets a bit weepy during The Pollening, or maybe they have been banned from certain foods. Dogs can be allergic to peanuts or other ingredients in peanut butter, though this is somewhat uncommon.
If your pup is allergic to peanut butter, stop providing it. Symptoms of allergic reactions in pooches include:
Bald patches
Breathing problems
Digestive upset
Rashes
Scratching and itchiness, including chewing at paws
Sudden hair loss
Can Dogs Eat Too Much Peanut Butter?
Yep! Dogs can overindulge in this delicious treat. Like us, dogs need dietary balance. As fun as it may be to watch your pal wildly licking their chops, it’s not something that should be done in excess. Peanut butter is high in fats and oils, which may lead to obesity.
How Much Peanut Butter Can Dogs Eat?
Dogs can have a small spoonful of peanut butter now and then as a treat. Don’t overdo it, but a nice taste now and then is perfectly safe! We don’t recommend anything like a tablespoon every day, but once or twice a month is fine. For smaller dogs, only provide half a tablespoon. Just make sure that your pup gets adequate amounts of exercise and belly rubs afterward!Peanut Butter Recipes for Your Dog
Now that we’ve gotten all of the important information out of the way, let’s dig into some amazing treats that you can prepare for your pooch! Many of these peanut butter treats are likely to be as yummy for you as they are for your dog, so don’t be afraid to take a few bites for yourself.
1. Soft Peanut Butter and Carrot Dog Treats
To make these scrumptious treats, grab the following ingredients:
1 cup (255 grams) peanut butter
¾ cup (180 grams) skim milk
1 large egg or ¼ (32 grams) cup unsweetened applesauce
⅔ cup (60 grams) shredded carrot
2¼ cup (290 grams) flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
⅓ cup (30 grams) of oats
Preparation is a breeze! Here’s how you do it:
Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and prep two baking sheets. Parchment paper or baking mats will make removing the cookies easier.
Use a large bowl to mix your ingredients. Start with peanut butter, milk, eggs, and carrots. Then add your baking powder, flour, and oats. You may need to knead it a bit, and you want the texture to be nice and thick.
Roll out the dough so it’s ¼ inch (6 mm) thick. Cut the desired shapes out and arrange the cookies on your sheets.
Bake for 15 minutes or until light brown.
Remove the cookies, flip them over, and pop them back in the oven for another 10–15 minutes. The longer you bake them, the crunchier they’ll be!
Your pup likely won’t be able to eat all of this in a reasonable amount of time, so you can freeze the dough for up to two months.
2. PB and Banana Treats
For something a little sweeter, why not combine two things that dogs absolutely love? To make these lovely bites, you’ll need the following supplies:
1 peeled banana
1 cup (128 grams) oat flour
⅔ cup (60 grams) rolled oats
½ cup (64 grams) diced parsley
3 tablespoons of peanut butter
1 beaten egg
Ready? Let’s get started!
Prep your supplies and preheat the oven to 300°F (148°C).
Use a spoon, spatula, or masher to squish up that banana! It’ll be gooey!
Add the flour, egg, oat, parsley, and peanut butter. Mix thoroughly.
Roll the dough into balls. You’ll likely make around 24 balls, and each will contain around a tablespoon of mix. After rolling, flatten them into 1–1½ inch (25–38 mm) thick coins, then place them on your sheet.
Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the bottoms are a nice, crispy golden brown. Allow them to cool before feeding to your pups!
These treats are best served cold from the fridge. You can also freeze them for later, just let them thaw a little before serving them up.
3. PB and Oatmeal Treats
Looking for something simple? This PB and Oatmeal treat is the perfect pick! You don’t need many ingredients, either! Here’s what to grab:
2 cups (256 grams) of flour
1 cup (128 grams) rolled oats
⅓ cup (30 grams) peanut butter
1¼ cup (294 grams) of hot water
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you can start cooking!
While you get things ready, preheat that oven to 350°F (176°C).
Use a large bowl to mix the dry ingredients, which will be your flour and oats.
Add in your peanut butter and water. Your dough might get a little sticky. If this happens, add a little more water. You don’t want to make glue!
Knead that stuff!
Roll out the dough into a ¼ inch (6 mm) sheet and cut out the desired shapes. Place the shapes onto your baking sheet. You may add an egg wash on top if you want; it’ll make them nice and shiny!
Like the other treats, these can be frozen to extend their shelf life. Let them thaw (or cool) before you feed them to your pup.
4. Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats
Is your pup in an autumnal mood? Give them a taste of fall with this yummy pumpkin and peanut butter treat recipe! To make these, you’ll need:
⅔ cup (225 grams) pumpkin puree
¼ cup (60 grams) peanut butter
2 large eggs
3 (or more) cups of flour
Once you have your ingredients ready, follow along with us! Here’s how to make these delicious bites:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°F) while you’re prepping your treats.
Using an electric mixer, beat together the egg, puree, and peanut butter. You want them to be well mixed.
Once you’re satisfied with this, slowly mix in 2½ cups (70 grams) of flour. Your dough may require extra to become less of a sticky mix, so add it in ¼ cup (30 gram) increments. You want to have a nice, doughy consistency like you’d expect from any other cookie.
Use a lightly floured surface to knead the dough. Once it’s well mixed and kneaded, you can roll it into a ¼-inch (6 mm) thick slab. Cut the shapes out and arrange them on your baking sheet.
Bake for 20–25 minutes. They should be a lovely golden brown when they’re ready!
Dogs can enjoy peanut butter dog treats, and there are plenty on the market. The Dog Bakery serves a wide range of treats for dogs of all ages and sizes made with pup-safe ingredients, and they can be quickly shipped directly to your home!
PB and Yummy Bars
Try these adorably delicious PB and Yummy Bar. Made with peanut butter, honey, yogurt, and applesauce, this dog-safe treat is sure to turn heads! Like all of our treats, these specially baked goodies can easily be delivered directly to your doorstep.
Peanut Butter Flavored Ice Cream for Dogs
If it’s getting a little hot out, then let your pup cool down with Peanut Butter Ice Cream for dogs. These ultra-convenient cups only require a little bit of water and some time in the freezer, and they’ll pop out as the most delicious ice cream your dog has ever lapped up.
The Scoop on Dogs and Peanut Butter
At the end of the day, peanut butter is like any other treat. As much as your pup loves to eat it, you have to be the parent! Provide peanut butter in moderation and be careful about the ingredients in both the peanut butter and any peanut butter dog treats that you may happen upon. All of these precautions are for your pup’s health, and they’ll be sure to repay you in tail wags and kisses!
Dogs love peanut butter, and we love to give it to them! Don’t be afraid to indulge them now and then. And, as always, if you’re ever in doubt, consult with your veterinarian. They’ll be able to tell you whether or not it’s a good idea, and they’ll likely be able to offer you serving recommendations, too!
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