Peanut butter is typically thought to be a treat for a dog, and most dogs love it. While it is usually a treat, for the most part, peanut butter is a great way to hide medication or even a good distraction when trimming his nails or bathing him. Most brands of peanut butter are safe for a dog, there are types of peanut butter that are not safe, so it’s important to do the research necessary to make sure the peanut butter you are using is the kind that is safe for dogs.
Article Summary
Peanut Butter That Is Not Safe For Your Dog
When you consider the peanut butter available for consumption today, some are using an increasingly common sweetener called xylitol that is replacing sugar. This sugar substitute is touted as an “all-natural” sugar that is safe for humans, however, it is very dangerous for a dog and poisons hundreds of dogs every year.
Fortunately, there is an increase in awareness of xylitol in peanut butter and some manufacturers are changing their warning and labeling practices. However, many people are not aware of the severe dangers that xylitol can pose to a dog, so it’s important to increase awareness of the substitute and how it can affect the dogs we love.
Why is Xylitol Dangerous to a Dog?
Popular with humans because of its dental benefits, xylitol is a sugar substitute designed for use by people that have diabetes. Despite its intended use, this sugar substitute accidentally poisons hundreds of dogs each year.
It’s important to understand that it doesn’t take much of the sweetener to make a dog sick. The actual toxic dose of xylitol for a dog is as little as 1.37 grams. Just this small amount may cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop rapidly triggering seizures, staggering, disorientation, and collapse in a dog weighing under 30 pounds. If this same-sized dog ingests 6.8 grams of xylitol, it may be enough to cause him to have debilitating and probably deadly destruction of his liver cells. In comparison, it can take about 22 times that amount in dark chocolate for a dog to have the same level of toxic reaction.
Unsafe Brands of Peanut Butter For A Dog
At the moment, four known peanut butter brands contain xylitol. However, there is always the possibility of another brand hitting the market, so make sure you read the labels on peanut butter carefully. The four-known xylitol-containing brands include:
- P28
- Nuts ‘N More
- Krush Nutrition
- Go Nuts Co.
With the increasing popularity of xylitol in a growing number of products, you can find it in ice creams, mints, gums, and chewable vitamins. That is why it is vital to read ingredient labels, and never assume that any product is safe for you or your dog to eat.
Best Types of Peanut Butters for Dogs
Typically, peanut butters which do not contain xylitol should be safe for a dog to eat. Peanut butter can be a great source of protein as well as a healthy fat for a dog as long as it is fed to him in moderation. Just remember that some brands of peanut butter are healthier than others.
Many brands of peanut butter that you will find on the store shelves have good qualities when it comes to your dog, however, some may contain extra sugar and preservatives that aren’t healthy for a dog. Always look for natural peanut butter that is free of additives and preferably just has the one ingredient of peanuts. If you go to a grocery store that features a natural foods section, make sure to look for the peanut grinder that allows you to make one ingredient peanut butter.
When shopping for peanut butter, make sure to read ingredient lists and labels carefully. Do not assume that labels that say “no artificial sweeteners” or “all-natural” are safe for your dog. Remember that technically, xylitol is an “all-natural” sweetener.
If you own a good food processor or blender, then you can make your own peanut butter easily at home. Not only will it be healthier for your dog, but he won’t even know the difference. Usually, the general rule for consuming peanut butter for your dog is the fewer ingredients the better. Always look for peanut butter that only contains peanuts and salt and no added sugar when you check the ingredient label. It should look like crunchy peanut butter that contains healthy oils that will give a dog the same type of satisfaction that peanut butter with added sugar would give him.
What Amount Of Peanut Butter Should You Give A Dog To Eat?
Just like any indulgence, you should feed your dog peanut butter in moderation. It also depends on your dog’s size how much peanut butter to give. Small dogs should not eat more than half a tablespoon of peanut butter each day. A large dog should never be given more than a tablespoon of peanut butter each day. Remember that it is safe to give a dog peanut butter and that there are different varieties of peanut butter, some of which are healthier than the others, especially those brands that do not contain sugar.
Is a Peanut Good For Your Dogs Health?
We already know that a dog can consume peanut butter moderately. We have also specified how peanut butter products that use basic ingredients are better to choose for your pup. While it’s generally safe for you to feed your dog peanut butter, you also need to watch how frequently you let them eat this human food. Remember that peanuts are high in fat, and fat is hard for a dog to digest than for humans.
Why Is Xylitol Toxic For A Dog?
You can find Xylitol in some peanut butter brands, and it is very important that you do not let your dog eat peanut butter that contains this ingredient. Most peanut butter brands do not contain xylitol, however, those that do often advertise their product as “light” or “sugar-free”, which means that it might contain xylitol. So, it is very important that you double-check the ingredients in any food product that you purchase for your dog to make sure it is safe for him to eat.
While xylitol is harmless for a human to consume, when a dog does eat it, it may trigger a release of insulin into your dog’s bloodstream from his pancreas. This release of insulin can lower his blood sugar dangerously. Plus, consuming peanut butter with xylitol can affect the liver function of a dog negatively causing weakness, vomiting, and possibly a seizure. It’s important to be aware of the dangers, so you can avoid putting your pup through horrible experiences like xylitol poisoning.
If your dog does eat xylitol, remember not to panic. It’s important to contact your vet right away if you think that your dog has eaten xylitol. Pet owners are instructed not to induce vomiting unless you are told directly by your vet to do so. If your vet is not available, you should contact the hotline for pet poison.
Can Jelly Hurt A Dog?
Basically, a dog can eat jelly if it’s typically around them since they will generally eat most foods. But you will want to keep jelly out of the way of a dog since it can have a negative impact on his health. Most dog breeds will be pretty sensitive to a high intake of sugar.
Whether it’s grape or strawberry jelly, the typical jelly brands found at the store tend to have a high content of sugar. Generally, it is accepted that a dog can eat specific types of peanut butter every so often, but using jelly is when things can get tricky, so you will want to hold on before you give your dog daily PB & J sandwiches.
If you feed your dog a lot of sugary jellies, then you will end up at the vet. Remember that sugar can also affect a dog in the same way that humans are affected by it. It can cause them to be overweight, give them diabetes, and harm their teeth. An occasional amount should not be an issue, just make sure that PB & J’s do not become a large part of your dog’s diet since too much sugar can be toxic to a dog.
What To Do If A Dog Eats Jelly?
The answer to this question depends on the amount of jelly he has consumed as well as how long he has been eating it. Your dog will be just fine if he has only consumed a small part of your peanut butter sandwich as long as it contains no other harmful ingredients besides sugar. Dogs can process just a little bit of sugar in the same way humans will.
When a dog has been eating PB & J’s for a while and you have noticed that he feels sluggish, then you should take him to the vet. Then, you will need to drastically reduce how much your dog eats sugar going forward.
Can Grapes Be Dangerous for a Dog?
It’s important to consider how harmful the effect of a grape is when you consider feeding them to your dog. Research has shown that grapes can have a dangerous effect on a dog’s kidneys which can lead his renal failure in a dog. Whether it’s crushed grapes used for jelly or raisin, grapes are not a safe treatment for a dog to eat. Dog owners should avoid feeding PB & J sandwiches to their dogs and also ensure they don’t drop grapes on your floor where your dog can pick them up.
Is Jelly Made Using Sweeteners Safe For A Dog?
There are actually certain artificial sweeteners that are pretty safe for a dog to eat when you exclude xylitol. But remember that it can be difficult to keep up with all the ingredients out on the market, so it’s important to double-check what is in the jelly product you plan to give your dog. If you want to share your PB & J sandwich with your dog, just make sure you are vigilant and buy a jelly that uses some sweeteners as sugar substitutes that are considered safe to feed a dog. While this may seem tedious, dog owners will appreciate the extra effort to ensure that your dog has a safe treat to eat.
FAQs
What brand of peanut butter is safe for a dog?
Any brand of peanut butter that does not contain xylitol is safe for a dog to eat. Make sure you check the ingredients list to ensure that you are not feeding your dog an unsafe sweetener.
What brands of peanut butter contain xylitol?
Currently, there are four known xylitol-containing brands that include P28, Nuts ‘N More, Krush Nutrition, and Go Nuts Co. That does not mean that more brands containing xylitol won’t enter the market, so always make sure to check the ingredients list of any peanut butter brand that you plan to feed your dog to ensure it does not contain xylitol.
What kind of peanut butter is safe for a dog?
Any brand that is does not use xylitol. There are only four known brands that include xylitol among their ingredients, so most of the brands on the market should be safe for your dog to eat.
Can dogs eat peanut butter?
Yes, they can. As long as it does not include xylitol, peanut butter is a safe treat for a dog to eat on occasion.
