Tips For Feeding Your Dog Peanut Butter! (Best Brands Included)

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Does your dog love to eat peanut butter?

It’s not a problem. This creamy spread is also healthy for hounds.

Can I Give My Dog Peanut Butter?Yup! The antioxidants, protein and other vitamins are desirable for dogs too. Your buddy may even get an energy boost!

But the thing is…

You’ve got to have a peanut butter plan when it comes to your pet pooch.

Only feed it in moderation and without any artificial ingredients. Xylitol is particularly awful.

In other words, go with a quality product.

Your Dog Can Have Peanut Butter

Just don’t overdo it and be choosy.

Watch out for:

  • Added sugar or sodium
  • Artificial sweeteners or flavors
  • Food coloring
  • Any other additives or preservatives

Carefully read labels before sharing with your dog.

Need help deciding on a safe brand?

It is time to name names!

Best And Worst Brands

The utmost concern is avoiding peanut butter that has a certain sugar substitute.

Xylitol, according to the VCA is, “extremely toxic to dogs.”

Hypoglycemia and acute liver failure are possible. It’s that serious!

These brands are NOT for pet consumption:

  • Krush Nutrition
  • Go Nuts
  • No Cow
  • P28
  • Nuts ‘N More

Of course, that is only a partial list.

So which kinds of peanut butter are safe for dogs?

  • Peanut Butter & Co (Old Fashioned Smooth)
  • Jif Natural
  • Brad’s Naturals
  • Hank’s
  • Once Again
  • Justin’s
  • Smucker’s

Thankfully, most companies steer clear of Xylitol. Recipes can change though.

You must study the label.

Get your dog a peanut butter that is as close to homemade as possible!


Pro Tip: A long list of ingredients is a red flag. That’s why we skip Skippy®!


How Much to Feed?

A tiny amount goes a long way.

For a small breed, 1 teaspoon of peanut butter is typically enough. A single tablespoon will suffice for most larger dogs.

Make it a special treat or use this super spread whenever you need to conceal a medication (a clever and common tactic)!

Whatever your intent, too much peanut butter and a pet pooch will pack on the pounds.

Regarding Puppies

Puppies should only get minuscule peanut butter portions.

Also, use a smooth variety. An argument can be made that chunky versions are tougher to digest.

The Health Benefits

Share smartly and peanut butter will deliver a nice balance of protein and low carbs.

Occasionally giving some makes a lot of sense, especially for active dogs!

There are obviously beneficial aspects (fatty acids – Omega-3 is one that stands out). Again, just go easy…

Moderation A Must

It’s not all good news when it comes to peanut butter.

Inflammation: Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids can have that effect.

Watch for loose and oily stools. Your dog could also be gassy.

That’s not all…

Pure peanut butter is pretty high in calories. Be mindful of contributing to obesity or, worse, dog diabetes.

By the same token, getting carried away will eventually make your pet sluggish.

The Bottom Line

Appropriately portioned peanut butter is healthy for dogs.

Stick to modest amounts and this treat is terrific (assuming it’s a wholesome brand).

Basically, choose a pure peanut butter with few, if any, additives.


Final Heads Up: Dogs cannot have chocolate. Never combine the two!


What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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18 thoughts on “Tips For Feeding Your Dog Peanut Butter! (Best Brands Included)”

  1. I have a Siberian Husky. I give her peanut butter from Trader Joe’s which is unsalted with few ingredients. I don’t really measure, but I would guess she gets less than half a tablespoon a day. I also walk her 2-4 miles a day, 7 times a week. She is very active. Organic natural peanut would be the next best thing. Everything in moderation!

  2. Some peanut butter brands contain xylitol (highly toxic for dogs). Be sure to check the ingredients for xylitol before feeding peanut butter to your dog! Keep in mind that companies may change the ingredients, so a previously-safe brand could become unsafe.

  3. I am making homemade dog treats. I just want to know which brands are safe to buy to put in the treats. Thanks!

  4. Our dog is on a no grain or dairy, peanut butter diet. We were giving him a treat called “Smart Pup” that we would freeze but the company no longer makes them. Instead I found baby food in small plastic containers that I freeze and they make for wonderful treats for him. They contain all natural ingredients and freeze very well.

  5. If you are going to give your dog peanut butter, make sure it does not contain Xylitol which is a natural sweetener. It’s highly toxic for dogs and can kill them in very small doses.

  6. My Dachshund is diabetic. In order to get him to eat Hill’s W/D, I mix in peanut butter. He licks the plate clean. No more trying to finger feed him!

  7. My husband uses peanut butter to put our dog in her crate. I would guess about two tablespoons a day. I feel it’s too much.

  8. Every morning my dog gets his Kong toy filled up with the unsalted and unsweetened smooth peanut butter which keeps him busy while I have my breakfast. He loves it!

    1. Hi Renate. What brand of peanut butter do you give your dog?

    2. That might be too much to be feeding him. A whole Kong Toy? Is it the one that looks sort of like a pine cone shape? It seems to be their most common toy. I would definitely cut back on the amount.

  9. We started giving our two dogs, one Chocolate Lab and one Hound, toast in the morning with a little peanut butter on it. They love it so much, as soon as they hear us get up in the morning, they are at the door barking for their toast and peanut butter.

    The Lab just gobbles it down while the Hound likes to lick hers off the toast first. The rest of the day is spent chasing each other around the yard, chasing lizards, and whatever else they can get into!

  10. How much can a 1 year old Westie have? I have to give her pills, 3 times a day, and she spits them out no matter what size or what I put them in except peanut butter that’s mashed up. Thank you

    1. What has always worked for us is opening their mouths, with one hand, and inserting the pill on the back of the tongue. It has never failed. Hold the mouth closed until you see they have swallowed it while telling them what a good boy or good girl they are.

    2. Try cream cheese. Give them a small bit on your finger – then some to cover the pill thoroughly, then an extra bit of the plain.

    3. Buy a good quality deli meat instead of anything prepackaged. Wrap the pill in a thinly sliced piece and you should have no problem. Just be sure to cover the pill a couple times over.

  11. I have 3 puppies, 1 Shih Tzu, 1 Chow Chow and 1 Poodle Maltese. They love to eat sliced bread with peanut butter. I used to give that to them while I ate my breakfast and snacks.

  12. Can you please tell me the author and publishing date? I need it for works cited. Thanks!

    1. I am the publisher, James, or you can simply cite CanIGiveMyDog.com. The publish date was sometime in February of 2013, but the article has been updated several times. Thanks for stopping by!

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