We’re so glad you asked.
The short answer, according to veterinarians and dog nutrition experts, is YES. In fact, most experts believe that peanut butter can be an incredibly healthy, nutritious part of a well-balanced dog diet.
However, there are a few peanut butter facts you need to be aware of before you share this special treat with your furry friends and family members. Not all peanut butters are created equal, which is why we created our Wag Butter – Peanut Butter for Dogs line of handcrafted peanut butters specifically with dogs’ nutritional needs in mind.
Is Peanut Butter Good for Dogs?
Many peanut butters are safe for dogs to eat, and peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein, healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin. Added salt, sugar, and other additives can be problematic for dogs, however, and sweeteners in the xylitol family (found in some peanut butters) can be lethal.
Top 5 Reasons Dogs Should Eat Peanut Butter:
- To promote healthy muscles with complete protein.
- To promote a healthy coat and skin with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
- To help balance hormones and reduce inflammation.
- To reduce anxiety when paired with a lick mat or toy.
- To make your dog happy with a delicious, nutritious treat!
How Much Peanut Butter Should Dogs Eat?
Peanut butter should be considered a treat and not a primary source of a dog’s nutrition. Peanut Butter is of course a nutrient-dense food, rich in natural fats and protein, so moderation is key. Too much of even a good thing can lead to obesity and other metabolic complications. We recommend consulting your veterinarian about how much peanut butter is appropriate for your dog(s), especially if conditions such as diabetes or food sensitivity issues are present.
We also support following the “10 percent rule” advocated by the American Kennel Club and many others. In general, the rule is that treats like peanut butter, jerky, training aids, pup cups, etc. should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s diet. If treating with peanut butter, we recommend small amounts, spread thinly on the inside of a safe rubber toy or silicone lick mat. This allows your dog to enjoy the peanut butter over a longer time period and keeps them occupied with a “job” to do, which helps relieve anxiety. We especially love WestPaw Toppl toys and Boredom Buster USA-made lick mats.
Why Wag Butter - Peanut Butter for Dogs?
Handcrafted by skilled food artisans in small batches with world-class ingredients like fresh-roasted high-oleic peanuts, organic virgin coconut oil, organic chia seeds, and organic golden flax seeds, our Wag Butter recipes are made with the same care and attention to detail that go into our award-winning “human” nut butters. Dogs deserve the best, and we intend on giving it to them.
Each Wag Butter recipe is a canine superfood perfectly suited for dogs’ unique nutritional needs. With an ideal balance of complete protein, Omega-3, and Omega-6 fatty acids, among other antioxidants, Wag Butter promotes healthy muscles, joints, skin, and coats. The medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil (found in our Coconut Chia recipe) help balance dogs’ thyroids, stabilize blood sugar, boost energy levels, improve digestion, and reduce allergic reactions
We also package exclusively in recyclable and reusable glass jars with steel lids, so there is no chance of toxins from plastic seeping into the peanut butter. Wag Butter never contains salt, sugar, xylitol, palm oil, hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, or stabilizers. On top of that, Big Spoon Roasters is a Living Wage Certified business, and proceeds from every Wag Butter Trio benefit Independent Animal Rescue, a lifesaving animal rescue and education organization in our local community.
Perhaps most importantly, Wag Butter is so delicious, humans in your family will be begging for a taste, too.
Top-5 Reasons Humans Should Choose Wag Butter for Their Dogs:
- Wag Butter is handcrafted in small batches in the USA.
- Wag Butter uses only world-class ingredients from a completely transparent supply chain.
- Each Wag Butter recipe is tailored to dogs’ specific nutritional needs.
- Wag Butter is packaged in reusable or recyclable glass jars with steel lids.
- Wag Butter never contains salt, sugar, xylitol, palm oil, hydrogenated oil, high fructose corn syrup, or stabilizers.
Wag Butter benefits by recipe:
Wag Butter is available in three delicious, specially-crafted recipes, each of which promotes health from the inside out.
Banana Flax, rich in omega-3, potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and protein, promotes a healthy coat.
Coconut Chia, chock-full of omega-3 and omega-6, fiber, iron, calcium, healthy fats, and antioxidants, promotes improved brain function and healthy muscles.
Pumpkin Spice, rich in healthy fats, vitamin E, fiber, protein, and antioxidants, promotes healthy digestion.
Important: Avoid Xylitol!
While many peanut butters are safe for dog’s consumption, some can be very harmful and even deadly. Over recent years, some peanut butter manufacturers switched to using the sweetener xylitol, which is a lower-calorie sugar substitute often found in sugar-free products like chewing gum, toothpaste, breath mints, chewable vitamins, and baked goods. It is safe for people, but highly toxic to dogs.
Xylitol consumption causes a rapid release of insulin in dogs, which results in an equally rapid and profound decrease in blood sugar levels. and can be life threatening if left untreated. This condition, scientifically known as hypoglycemia, can occur as quickly as 10-to-60 minutes after a dog consumes xylitol.
Thankfully, however, xylitol poisoning is easy to avoid. All we need to do is check the label of the peanut butter and any other products we plan to feed our dogs for xylitol and keep products containing xylitol out of dogs’ reach. If you think your dog has eaten xylitol, contact your veterinarian immediately, and keep an eye out for symptoms of xylitol poisoning, such as weakness, collapse, staggering, lack of coordination, and seizures.
Be on the lookout for the combination of the letters “xyl” in any ingredient found in peanut butter or other foods your dog could accidentally eat. The letters “xyl” are a synonym for xylitol. Some examples of ingredients that contain xylitol include: 1,4-Anhydro-D-xylitol, xylite, anhydroxylitol, D-xylitol, and xylitylglucoside. Avoid them!
Top-5 Ways to Treat Dogs with Peanut Butter:
- Spread a spoonful of peanut butter on a lick mat or toy to give your dog a delicious “job” that will keep them happy and busy.
- Reward good behavior with a teaspoon (or finger) full of peanut butter.
- Tuck your dog’s medication into a dollop of peanut butter.
- Make homemade peanut butter dog treats!
- Distract your pup with a nutritious snack while you trim their nails or give them a bath.