Peanut butter and dogs are a combination that is as perfect as peanut butter and jelly. And peanut butter is a true gem when it comes to treating your dog. Before you (and your pup) get too excited and start to eat it by the tub, here are a few things you should know about peanut butter and dogs:
Safe & Healthy Peanut Butter for Dogs
While peanut butter on its own is a safe (and healthy) treat for dogs, plenty of brands have potentially dangerous additives. If you want to introduce your dog to the world of peanut goodness, be sure to avoid:
- Sugar: just like in humans, added sugar puts your dog at risk for diabetes and other weight-related issues.
- Mono and Diglycerides: These preservatives can negatively affect your dog’s heart and lead to unhealthy weight gain.
- Hydrogenated vegetable oils: These oils are high in fat, which can be dangerous for your upper.
Instead, focus your peanut butter search on brands with the fewest ingredients (think peanuts and salt, and that’s it). Even when you find a healthy brand, you should not feed your dog more than ½ to 1 tablespoon of peanut butter per day. Peanuts are naturally high in fat, which is okay for dogs in small amounts, but larger quantities could lead to issues like diarrhea or pancreatitis.
Say No to Xylitol
Xylitol is another preservative found in many peanut butter brands that could be toxic for your dog. If a dog eats even a minimal amount of xylitol, they are at risk for serious health issues like hypoglycemia, liver disease, and excessive bleeding, all of which could become fatal. You should always read the label before feeding your dog any type of peanut butter to avoid accidentally giving them this poisonous substance.
Fun Ways to Use Peanut Butter for Dogs
At Union Lake Pet Services, we love incorporating peanut butter into our time with our canine clients. Peanut butter treats (like these) are a great reward when teaching your dog new tricks. If you are going to be working on training for a while, you should break the treats into tiny pieces to avoid overfeeding.
Freeze a Kong toy filled with peanut butter if you want to keep your dog entertained for hours while you are out of the house. You can even put some peanut butter up on the shower wall or on a licky mat to keep your dog distracted long enough to give him a quick bath or clip his nails. Peanut butter and dogs are a great combination and can show your dog your love or enhance training sessions. What could be better?
When it comes to daycare, training, grooming, and boarding your dog, the team at Union Lake Pet Services is top-notch. We love helping you care for the canines of Waterford and surrounding communities, and we can’t wait to meet your furry friends. Call (248) 363-6262 to book an appointment or ask questions about our pet services!