Peanut butter is a tasty treat that owners feed their dogs. It’s not only delicious but it’s a great way to get your Pug to take an aspirin or medication, and distract them when you give them a bath or need to trim their nails.
Can Pugs Eat Peanut Butter?
Can Pugs Eat Peanut Butter? Your Pug can eat peanut butter in moderation, as long as it doesn’t contain Xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and can cause seizures, liver failure, and death.
Related: Fresh Cooked Dog Food For Pugs!
Related: What Do Pugs Like To Eat?
Should Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?
Some people will tell you that dogs should NEVER be fed human foods, while others will tell you that there’s nothing wrong with it.
As long as your Pup isn’t allergic to peanuts, peanut butter can be a great treat. However, it’s important to take some precautionary measurements before you give your Pug a peanut butter snack.
Keep reading as I’ll share what precautions to take, the possible side effects, what to do if they ingest the wrong type, how much they can eat, some fun ways to give it to them, as well as some tasty doggie peanut butter recipes they’ll love.
What Peanut Butters Are And Aren’t Safe for My Dog?
The most important thing to remember is to avoid feeding your Pug the wrong brand of peanut butter. You’ll want to avoid the brands that have xylitol in the ingredients.
As long as it doesn’t have the deadly toxic xylitol, your pooch is free to eat it.
Safe Peanut Butter Brands for Your Dog:
If you’ve ever wondered “what kind of peanut butter is safe for dogs, I highly recommend feeding them from the list below.
- Great Value
- Justin’s
- Once Again
- Jif Natural
- Peanut Butter Co.
- Smucker’s
- Brad’s Natural’s
Unsafe Brands Of Peanut Butters For Dogs
The following peanut butter with xylitol list that you should avoid feeding your dog. All the following brands should NEVER be fed to a pet.
- Nuts ‘N More
- Go Nuts, Co.
- Krush Nutrition
- Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter
- P28
- No Cow (previously known as D’s Naturals)
If you don’t see your brand of peanut butter on these lists, check the ingredients on the back of the jar. If you see xylitol, it’s NOT safe.
Unfortunately, xylitol is used in a wide range of products, including chewable vitamins, dental hygiene products, sugar-free gum, nicotine gum, as well as some baked goods. This list of over 700 products that contain xylitol. (source)
If it does not list XYLITOL as an ingredient, your pooch is probably safe to eat it as long as they don’t have allergies.
Is Peanut Butter Bad For Dogs?
For the most part, peanut butter can be a great treat for your pooch and the best part is they’ll love it!
That being said, not all kinds of peanut butters are great for your Pug. In fact, there are some brands that you definitely want to avoid feeding them.
Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing which peanut butter brands are safe for dogs and which ones to avoid below.
If your dog loves eating peanut butter, you may want to consider feeding them these Riley Organic Peanut Butter & Molasses dog treats that my Pug loved eating!
What Is It And Why Xylitol Is Dangerous To Dogs
Basically, xylitol is a sugar replacement that is not dangerous to humans. In fact, it’s gaining popularity for humans due to its dental benefits, as well as a great sugar substitute for diabetics.
However, it’s extremely poisonous for dogs and has been responsible for thousands of accidental xylitol poisoning in canines each year.
In fact, it is more toxic than chocolate for dogs! Even a small amount such as 1.37 grams of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia (drop in blood sugar) and result in seizures, disorientation, staggering, and disorientation in a small 30-pound dog. (source)
Even a small amount of xylitol can kill your pooch! Your dog would have to consume 150 grams of dark chocolate before they suffered from the same effects as they do from this small amount of toxic substance.
Side Effects From Xylitol
If your pooch accidentally eats your peanut butter sandwich, crackers, pretzels, toast, nuts or etc. You will need to know what type of awful side effects that can start showing up as soon as 10 to 60 minutes after ingestion.
Liver damage can occur within a few hours or may be delayed for up to 3 days after ingestion.
Awful Side Effects From Xylitol for Dogs
- Vomiting
- Hypoglycemia
- Seizures
- Diarrhea
- Bruising
- Spontaneous Bleeding
Basically, if your Pug eats the wrong kind of peanut butter, you need to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet will have to administer blood tests, chemistry panels and a complete blood cell count to determine how much damage was done.
Now that you know which brands are okay to give your dog, you may want to know how much it’s okay to give your pooch.
What To Do If Your Dog Exposed To Xylitol?
Xylitol poisoning is real and according to Preventative Vet, there are over 6,000 cases every year. If your Pug has eaten xylitol, get them to the vet or emergency clinic immediately.
Fido will be hospitalized and they will have to run several diagnostic blood tests to determine the toxicity level.
This is why it’s so important to have pet insurance, so you can avoid these high unexpected vet bills.
Eating Too Much Peanut Butter Side Effects For Pugs
Due to its high concentration of fats and protein, too much peanut butter can cause Fido to suffer from pancreatitis or obesity.
Rember, too much of a good thing can lead to health problems, so it’s important to NOT overfeed your Pug.
How Much Peanut Butter Can I Give My Dog?
Depending on the peanut butter brand and the number of calories, the amount will vary. Too much peanut butter can lead to obesity and other health problems.
The first option is to call your veterinarian and ask them for his or her advice on how much to give them.
The second option is to remember that your dog’s snacks and treats should never consume more than 10% of their daily diet.
The 10% rule will require you to measure the amount of food your dog consumes on a daily requirement.
According to Preventative Vet, you should give a small dog like a Pug no more than 1/2 teaspoon of peanut butter per day. Larger dogs should consume no more than 1 tablespoon per day.
Health Benefits Of Peanut Butter For My Dog
Okay, now let’s look at why you should consider giving your Pug the right types of peanut butter. Does it really have any benefits for them? Or is it just a tasty treat that makes them drool?
It is actually a great source of protein, Vitamins E, Vitamin H, heart-healthy fats, and niacin for your pooch. The healthy fats can help give your pooch a luxurious coat.
The downside is that high-fat content means more calories. This can be bad for Pugs, especially, since they are prone to obesity.
Can Dogs Be Allergic To Peanut Butter?
While most dogs will be able to eat peanut butter without any problems, it is important to know that some dogs may be allergic to peanut butter. Unfortunately, most dog owners don’t realize this until they’ve given their dog a spoonful.
Pug Eating Peanut Butter Video
Pugs love eating peanut butter and won’t mind licking it off a spoon. Check out this cute video of a Pug eating peanut butter right from a spoon.
If you don’t want your dog licking your silverware, then try some of the other methods below.
What Are Some Ways I Can Give My Dog Peanut Butter?
Let’s look at some of the most common ways to feed your four-legged friend peanut butter.
Note: Your dog should never consume more than one or two teaspoons of peanut butter. It should only be given to your pooch as a special treat and NOT daily.
Administering Medications
If you’ve ever tried giving your dog aspirin, you know it can be hard to get them to swallow it. You can use a small amount of peanut butter to hide the pill, medication or anything you want them to swallow.
By hiding the pill, you won’t have to worry about them spitting it out. They’ll happily eat it because of the delicious taste of the peanut butter.
From A Spoon
Put a small dab on a spoon and hold the spoon out for them to lick. This is a great method to need your dog to do something like take a bath, cut their nails, or clean their wrinkles and they always run from you.
When they see the spoon, they’ll come close enough to you and let you do whatever it is you need to do. You can also use this as a special treat after they’ve let you groom them.
Hiding In A Kong Toy
This is a great way to get your dog to work for this treat and burn some calories. The Kong is a hollow cone toy that will allow you to hide treats, even peanut butter in it. It’s a great way to keep your dog occupied for hours.
Add a teaspoon of creamy unsalted peanut butter into the rubber toy and give it to your pooch. This method has also been proven to be beneficial for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety.
3 Peanut Butter Dog Food Recipes
Another great way to implement peanut butter into your Pug’s diet is to make your own homemade doggie treats. There’s nothing safer than making your own treats, so you know what’s in them.
#1 Homemade Peanut Butter
You can use this healthy peanut butter for dogs to create frozen treats, stuff Kong toys, or just as a special treat for your four-legged friend. The best part is you’ll know it’s nutritious because you made it yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 tsp. safflower or peanut oil (optional)
- 1 1/2 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts
- 1 tsp. molasses or honey (optional)
You’ll need to use a good quality food processor or high-speed blender to get the proper peanut butter consistency. Visit The Bark website to see view the entire cooking directions.
#2 Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats
This recipe consists of wholesome ingredients your four-legged friend will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 egg white
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
These peanut butter doggie treats are easy to make and only require 15-20 minutes to bake. You’ll want to allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before feeding them to your pooch. Visit the Live Well Bake Often website for the complete step-by-step cooking instructions.
#3 Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats
Fido will love these baked dog treats filled with peanut butter and pumpkin.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin (canned)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit while you prep everything. The baking process takes about 40 minutes or until the treats are hard. Visit the All Recipes website for the step-by-step cooking directions.
Final Word On Peanut Butter for Dogs
Some human foods are great for your Pug, especially, peanut butter. Always make sure you read the ingredients before feeding your pooch peanut butter.
I never gave Mindy my black Pug a lot of peanut butter. However, I did use it if I needed to give her a pill, and she loved it!
What about peanuts? Read this article to find out everything you need to know about feeding peanuts to dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give my dog peanut butter every day? Special treats like this should only be given to your pooch occasionally. Too much peanut butter can cause your Pug to gain weight.
Does Jif peanut butter have xylitol? No, some of the ingredients you’ll find in a bottle of Jif are; roasted peanuts, fully hydrogenated vegetable oils, mono, diglycerides, molasses, sugar, and salt.
Can my puppy eat peanut butter? A small amount of peanut butter can make a great treat for puppies, especially during training. That being said, a puppy diet should consist of a high-quality puppy dog food.
References and Further Reading
aspcapro – Eric K. Dunayer, MS, VMD, DABT, DABVT – New Findings On The Effects Of Xylitol Ingestion In Dogs
VetStreet – Xylitol Toxicity In Dogs
ASPCA: How to Stuff A Kong Toy