Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter.
Peanut butter is a rich source of protein, natural fat, and vitamins B6 and E. It is an excellent, occasional nutritious treat. A scoop of peanut butter can serve as a little incentive to get the medicine down.
You can use it to distract your dog while trimming their nails or bathing them. However, from a health perspective, there are some facts you need to be aware of before you let your dog indulge in peanut butter.
Is It Safe to Give Peanut Butter to a Dog?
Yes, it is safe to feed peanut butter to your dog but only in moderation. Feeding your dog too much peanut butter leads to obesity. Avoid peanut butter that contains Xylitol, as it is poisonous to dogs.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in sugar-free products. It is safe for human consumption but harmful to dogs.
What Are the Effects of Xylitol on Dogs?
Xylitol consumption results in a rapid release of insulin in dogs. Hence resulting in an equally rapid and subtle decrease in blood sugar levels.
This condition is scientifically known as Hypoglycemia. It occurs as quickly as 10-to-60 minutes after consuming Xylitol. Also, watch out for signs of Xylitol poisoning, such as diarrhea, weakness, collapse, staggering, lack of coordination, and seizures.
Xylitol poisoning is easy to dodge. All pet owners ought to do, is carefully read the ingredient lists of the peanut butter before feeding their dogs. Keep xylitol products out of your dog’s reach.
What to Do After Dog Consumes Xylitol?
If your dog has consumed Xylitol:
- Take your dog to your veterinarian or emergency care facility as quickly as possible.
- You can rub corn or maple syrup on the dog’s gums to temporarily raise their blood sugar levels.
- Carry the packaging for whichever product they consumed with you to the veterinarian.
Which Peanut Butter Is Safe for Dogs?
By and large, any peanut butter that is Xylitol-free is highly recommended for dogs. However, some kinds of peanut butter are healthier than others.
It is wise to give peanut butter treats that are dog-approved because they are formulated by animal nutrition specialists.
Simple is best. Homemade peanut butter is low on or completely free of additives. Homemade peanut butter is often better than off-the-shelf versions.
How Much Peanut Butter Can I Give My Dog?
Extreme caution should be exercised on the amount of peanut butter and how often you give your dog.
The rule of thumb: Give no more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet in treats.
The specific amount of peanut butter will differ from dog to dog. Generally, small dogs should consume no more than half a tablespoon of peanut butter daily. Larger dogs should consume no more than about 1 tablespoon per day.
Conclusion
A spoonful of Xylitol-free peanut butter for your dog is perfectly fine — overdoing it can give your dog a nasty (as well as painful and expensive) case of pancreatitis and/or lead to obesity.
You can figure out the amount of peanut butter to feed your dog in two ways. The first and best option is to consult with your veterinarian. This is vital for owners of dogs with food sensitivity issues or diabetes.
The second option is to adhere to the 10 percent rule. Generally, treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet.
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