Can Puppies Have Peanut Butter? and Why Dogs Love it so Much

Introduction :

Whenever you open that jar of peanut butter your dog follows you passionately to the kitchen drooling over it. However, can puppies have peanut butter? Well, dogs love nuts for peanut butter. All you need is one spoon of that peanut butter-smeared and boom you got your puppy hooked.

Most dog owners tend to give their dogs peanut butter frequently. Some tend to spread it inside hollow bones and toys such as Kongs as a destructive treat. Some of us just let their dogs lick from the spoon or finger as a quick reward.

Speaking about health, well, there are a few peanut butter guidelines you should know before handing your pup that peanut butter jar. Keep reading to inform yourself about what is its importance, risks and how to make use of it.

Why do dogs love it this much though?

Food makes an amazing motive for dogs. They would whatever you want just for that momentous pleasure of treats. The most commonly used treat is peanut butter. Dogs just love it and go crazy after it. You probably wondered why they love it this much.

Well here are several reasons why they seem to get enough of it. They simply just obsessed with it.

1. It is full of fat, sugar and salt. Just some of us can’t get enough of that Nutella jar, dogs love food with all these mouth-watering ingredients. Dr Christy Michael, a veterinarian at DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital says “Dogs are more likely to treasure food that is heavy in sodium and fat because these factors would be less commonly encountered in their ‘wild’ diet,”.
2. Dogs tend to obtain a sweet tooth. They enjoy that extra sugar in that peanut butter. Since typically their food does not contain that amount of sugar, peanut butter seems like heaven for them.
3. The smell is a driving motive for dogs too. According to Dr Susan Wynn, a veterinarian in BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, dogs love the smell of peanut butter. Wynn asserts that peanut butter’s smell is what attracts dogs to it.

“The roasted aroma of peanut butter comes from proteins and fats that have been changed in the roasting, and they probably smell a bit like caramelized meat.” Says Susan Wynn Dogs are instinctively prone to “seek out certain chemicals that signal a nutrient-rich food”. peanut butter contains that specific smell1.

Can Puppies Have Peanut Butter?

Every dog owner has once given their dog peanut butter at some point. So, to answer your question can puppies have peanut butter? Yes! Mostly, peanut butter is safe for puppies. There are some risks in peanut butter that we will talk about further, yet it does not make peanut butter any dangerous.

As a matter of fact, peanut butter can be an amazing source of protein. It provides your pup with healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin.

However, it always depends on the types of peanut butter you are providing to your dog. Unsalted peanut butter is the healthiest option you can go for.

However, if you feel creative homemade peanut butter tops every peanut butter in the market. Not only that it is cheaper and easy, but homemade peanut butter also does not contain extra sugar or any other additives.

The type of peanut butter is crucial. Many companies nowadays are opting for ingredients that can cause many health issues. For example, high sodium levels can create problems for dogs.

Check our article about the best types of peanut to know the best peanut butter options you can go to and know how to shop peanut butter for your dog.

How Much Peanut Butter Can Dogs Eat?

You should be aware that peanut butter is rich in natural fats and protein. As we all know too much of a good thing would eventually lead to obesity. Not only obesity, but it may also lead to other serious health problems such as pancreatitis.

In order to maintain a healthy diet for your dog, there are two ways for this. Firstly, the best option is consulting your vet about to figure out how much peanut butter is okay to add to your dog’s diet.

As a matter of fact, this option is a must if your dog suffers from any medical condition such as diabetes. Also, if your dog tends to be sensitive towards food, asking for the advice of a vet is more than just recommended.

Your second-best option is the ten percent rule. This rule implies that treats must not make more than 10 percent of the dog’s daily caloric intake.

This rule implies that you should be counting your dog’s calories. If treats’ intake remains within the 10% guideline, you will not worry about any medical complication that treats like peanut butter would cause.

In General, small dogs should not get more than 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter per day. While larger dogs should not get more than about 1 tablespoon.

Always make sure to keep shifting between peanut butter and other healthier treats, such as dog-friendly fruits or vegetables.

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Peanuts?

Well, you cannot give this question a definite answer because maybe other dogs are not allergic but yours is. In general, dogs are not like humans. Dogs tend to not have an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Nearly, there is no anaphylactic reactions or any documented cases of allergic to peanuts in dogs. Actually, not only peanut there is no case of an allergic reaction to any other nuts or similar seeds. However, this doesn’t totally rule out the possibility your dog being allergic to it.

Thus, if you noticed any reaction in the first time of your dog’s having peanut butter, you can test their reaction. Just give them a lick off the tip of your finger. Then, try to supervise your dog’s actions and reaction.

You can do that if you have not given them peanut butter before you just want to make sure. Don’t worry a small amount won’t harm your dog. It will just alert you. So next time you can be more careful with your dog’s food.

If your dog displays specific signs, it is a must to consult a professional vet. However, as far as your dog won’t show any allergic reaction within an hour, you don’t need to worry. In this case, just go for it.

Here are the signs that you should be worrying about.

If your dog displays specific signs, it is a must to consult a professional vet. However, as far as your dog won’t show any allergic reaction within an hour, you don’t need to worry. In this case just go for it.

Here are the symptoms that you should be worrying about.

Risks of peanut butter :

-Xylitol :

Peanut butter is mostly safe. However, there are some types that can be lethal. During recent years, some peanut butter manufacturers started using the sweetener xylitol. This sweetener is all that is wrong with peanut butter.

Xylitol is a sugar substitute. Mostly, it is found in sugar-free products like chewing gum, breath mints, toothpaste, chewable vitamins and baked goods. As for us human being, Xylitol is totally safe for people. However, this is not the case for dogs. Since xylitol is extremely toxic.

The danger that Xylitol has is very concerning due to the fact its effect may appear within just 10 to 60 minutes after Xylitol consumption. Xylitol causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs.

In other words, Xylitol consequences in a quick and profound decrease in blood sugar levels. scientifically speaking, this condition is known as hypoglycemia. This condition is a life-threatening on especially when left untreated.

The good news is that Xylitol can be easily avoided. All you have to do as a dog owner is checking the label. You need to check the peanut butter’s label before buying not only peanut butter, you have to check other products.

As it is previously mentioned, xylitol can be everywhere. Thus, make sure to keep xylitol products out of your dog’s reach. In case your dog has consumed xylitol, you to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Also, you got to keep an eye on your dog to check for symptoms of xylitol poisoning. The symptoms that your dog will be experiencing, in this case, are the following :

• Weakness
• Collapse
• Staggering
• Lack of coordination
• Seizures

Other than xylitol there are other risks you will be facing when overused. As we all know, too much of anything is good for nothing. Same for peanut butter, if you consume it irregularly then it turns into poison.

• Peanut butter contains Aflatoxins (which may cause cancer)
• Peanut butter contains unbalanced harmful fats
• Peanut butter contains sugar

So can puppies eat peanut butter? Yes! they can. So, you have to keep your puppy in suspense any longer. As long as peanut butter is fed in moderation and does not contain xylitol, you don’t have to worry about other risks.

Frequently Asked Questions :

1. Why do dogs like peanut butter?

Peanut has a roasted aroma of peanut. The aroma comes from roasted proteins and fats. It is believed that they smell a bit like caramelized meat. This explained why they love peanut butter. In addition to the fact, they love how soft, sweet, salty it is.

Also, dogs tend to obtain a natural instinct to be attracted to certain chemicals. Accordingly, those chemicals signal nutrient-rich food. Eventually, peanut butter has the smell of those chemicals.

2. Are all Nut Butters Safe for Your Puppy?

Unfortunately, no not all nut kinds of butter are similar to peanut butter. Some kinds of butter are safer than others so you will need to be mindful about what you give to your pup.

Before giving them any other type of nut butter, do some research first to establish whether or not it’s safe to give it to them. Most tree nuts especially macadamia nuts are nuts that you need to stay away from by all means.

3. Can You Give Your Puppy Peanut Butter?

The best time to introduce your puppy to peanut butter would be at the five to the six-week mark. However, your puppies better get some solid foods. Because at the age puppies will be better at integrating nutrients from solid food.

Peanut butter is full of healthy nutrients. Your pup needs these nutrients to grow. So yes, your puppy will benefit off peanut butter. Peanut butter helps in the development of your little cute puppy’s body.

As a matter of fact, peanut butter contains many oils and proteins that are important to be given to puppies moderately. Yet again, try to consult your vet before doing this.

4. When Should I Wean My Puppy?

Before asking the question can puppies eat peanut butter, you have to ask yourself something else first. When should my puppy start eating solid food? This would help you get a better understanding of when you can give your puppy peanut butter.

Weaning is the process of gradually introducing your puppy to what will be its big dog’s diet while withdrawing the mother’s milk. Same to us human beings. We all go through this process when we were babies.

Usually, weaning begins at four weeks and ends at eight weeks. At that time, you can freely start presenting solids to your puppy. It is recommended to give your puppy dry kibbles mixed with a bit of warm water. This way the dry kibbles will be soft.

Conclusion :

The question can puppies have peanut butter? Is not well asked. All of us are guilty of giving our dogs stuff just because everybody does it. Actually, no you have to maintain a healthy diet for your dog.

Your puppy does not even know what is a diet. Thus, it is your responsibility to think through before giving your dog anything.

To sum up, some of the xylitol-free peanut butter for your dog is likely to be fine. Peanut butter makes an amazing reward in treat-training. However, you have to keep an eye on what types of peanut butter you should shop.