Why do dogs like peanut butter?

If you want to see a happy dog, just open a jar of peanut butter, and grab a spoon:

It works almost as a charm!

No dog can resist it.

In this article

Why do dogs like peanut butter?

Dogs like peanut butter because it is, obviously, tasty, flavory and has an appealing texture (sticks to the tongue which triggers a licking desire).

Peanut butter is high in protein and contains good fats, niacin and vitamins B and E, all of which contribute to your dog’s overall health.

Give him only natural peanut butter, unsalted and without artificial sweeteners.

Some well-known brands often use additives such as salt and sugar.

But the worst ingredient you need to avoid in peanut butter is a sweetener called Xylitol, which can be extremely dangerous for your dog even if ingested in small amounts.

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase using one of my links, I will earn a small commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Check out my disclaimer for more details

What benefits can your dog get out of Peanut butter?

Administering medication (pills), you can cover the pill entirely in a spoon of peanut butter and it usually works!
Distracting your dog while clipping his nails.
Using it as a reward for Training your dog, this is a great way of implementing the principles of positive training.
Peanut butters are a great source of protein and fats.
Stuffing Kongs and other toys in order to keep your dog busy.

As a matter of fact, peanut butter is made of roasted peanuts, which contain 22% more antioxidants than raw peanuts.

According to the USDA, in 2 tbsp (32g) of smooth style peanut butter you will find:

Total Fat 16 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Total Carbohydrate 6 g
Protein 8 g
Traces of Calcium, Vitamin B6 and Magnesium.

Best Peanut butters for your dog

For a peanut butter to be a 100% safe for your dog, it should be free of sugar and salt or at least containing low amounts of them.

Whether it’s creamy or crispy, both types can be simply fine.

While you should be cautious not to offer your dog every variety of whole nut you find, crunchy peanuts are safe for canine eating.

Either way, always opt for all-natural, organic, and unsalted varieties, when choosing a brand of peanut butter for your dog. This way, you are pretty sure They are mainly made up of peanuts.

And therefore, there is no risk for your dog to consume any potentially harmful ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup or artificial sweeteners, especially not Xylitol.

I personally reviewed over 10 Peanut butter brands, yet only One of them met the criteria to be dog friendly, safe and available :

Poochie butter is my favorite one as it offers high quality ingredients, a good taste and more importantly an all year round availability with a reasonable price.

See on AMAZON

This peanut butter is designed for dogs (Not to my taste anyways!), as it provides them with many health benefits due to its unique blend of ingredients, it contains:

Turmeric: with its anti- inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, may help alleviate your dog’s pain and even boost his immune system.
Coconut oil, which promotes healthy skin and coat.

PROS	CONS
Tasty and well appreciated by dogs Helps with inflammation Antioxidant properties All-Natural with no preservatives	Pricey Fluid consistency (not suitable for stuffing Kongs and toys)

Is almond butter toxic to your dog?

According to the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), there are two types of almonds:

Sweet almonds, which are commercialized in the United States for human consumption, are totally safe for dogs.

Whereas, bitter almonds can be very toxic to pets, in general, due to the Cyanide compound they contain.

However, since they are not naturally included in dog’s diet, they may cause some digestive problems, especially the first time or if consumed in big quantities, such as, vomiting and diarrhea.

Beware of Xylitol!

According to a study published in, the 1st of October 2006, in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, concerning eight dogs who were given Xylitol, five died of liver failure.

As of 2011, the FDA warned against giving ferrets and dogs xylitol.

Unfortunately, the drop in blood sugar is just one of the problems xylitol will cause, It can also cause destruction of the liver cells, and even rapid liver failure.

For this reason, it’s considered to be a veterinary emergency for dogs.

Some people might say if Xylitol causes a drastic decrease in blood sugar, why not administer a sugar supplementation?

Unfortunately, the mere supplementation with sugar, especially orally, is not enough, because the body needs time to process sugar (saccharose) in order to use it as fuel (Glucose) which is off limits due to the rapid cell destruction and liver failure.

If you encounter such a situation, just rush to the nearest veterinarian, and seek proper help.

What about homemade peanut butter? (My recipe)

Preparation time: 30 mins

This homemade peanut butter is so much better than store bought! I roast the peanuts in maple syrup, which adds a rich flavor to the butter.

Bytheway, this recipe is so easy to make, vegan and gluten free and sugar free!

Author: VetAllPet

Recipe type: Treats

Ingredients

3 cups peanuts

1 teaspoon coconut oil + 1/2 teaspoon while blending

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 280 degrees F.

Place peanuts on a baking sheet and toss with maple syrup and two teaspoons of coconut oil.

Roast for about 20-25 minutes, don’t forget to stir halfway through.

Let them cool at room temperature for about 10 minutes.

Place roasted peanuts in the blender and process until smooth. Stop and scrape down the sides from time to time. This step takes about 5 minutes.

Once creamy, add in vanilla, salt, and process until well combined.

How much peanut butter can you give to your dog?

Well, it depends on your dog’s weight and breed, but generally the smaller the dog the smaller the amount he’s allowed to have.

The following table gives you a gross approximation of the amount you can give to your dog:

Dog weight (in pound)	Under 20	20-50	More than 50
Amount of peanut butter (in tbsp)	2/3	1	1 and 1/2

To have a more precise idea about the quantity of treats (depending on brands and formulations) you can give to your dog, go check the Pet Nutrition Alliance Calculator.

Are dogs allergic to peanut butter?

Like humans, dogs can also be allergic to peanuts. Although peanut allergies are rare in dogs, it is always good to know the symptoms.

These allergies can be mild to severe.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:

Red skin;
Itching;
Excessive licking of the skin;
Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat;
Hives or rashes;
Vomiting and/or diarrhea;
Bald spots;
Fatigue ;
Collapse or loss of consciousness (in severe cases);
Difficulty in breathing (in severe cases);
Death.

Conclusion

In summary, peanut butter can be administered to dogs as an occasional treat, provided it is Xylitol free and preferably with low amounts of sugar and salt.

If this is your dog’s first time eating peanut butter, give him only a few to see how he reacts.