Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?

Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter, as long as it contains no xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener that can make a dog's blood sugar crash within an hour. Read the ingredient list every time, and look for the words birch sugar and wood sugar too.

Keep portions small. One tablespoon holds about 81 calories, which is a big share of a small dog's daily allowance for extras.

Plain peanut butter is one of the easiest foods to share. The label check takes seconds, and it's the step that matters most.

Why is xylitol in peanut butter so dangerous for dogs?

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol used to sweeten gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. The FDA lists "some peanut and nut butters" among the products that can contain it.

Dogs handle it very differently from people. The FDA explains that in dogs, xylitol is absorbed quickly and can trigger a powerful release of insulin from the pancreas. Blood sugar then drops fast.

It takes very little. The Merck Veterinary Manual links doses above about 100 mg per kilogram (45 mg per pound) to low blood sugar in dogs. Above about 500 mg/kg, some dogs develop severe liver injury.

Here's something most people never hear. Merck notes that dogs are the only domestic species in which xylitol poisoning has been reported, and that cats are not at risk.

The good news is that xylitol peanut butters are uncommon. The ASPCA says only a limited number of products contain it, which is exactly why a quick label check is enough.

How do I check a peanut butter label?

Turn the jar around and read the full ingredient list, not just the front. Plain peanut butter usually lists peanuts, and sometimes salt, oil or sugar.

Put the jar back if you see any of these:

• xylitol
• birch sugar or wood sugar, which the FDA notes are other names for xylitol
• chocolate, cocoa or cacao (see our guide to chocolate toxicity in dogs)
• macadamia nuts, which the ASPCA says can cause weakness, vomiting and tremors in dogs

Take extra care with jars marked "sugar-free", "reduced sugar" or "keto". The ASPCA lists sugar-free peanut butter, candy, protein powder and energy bars among the foods that may contain xylitol.

Recipes change, so check again whenever you buy a new brand or a new version of an old favorite.

How much peanut butter can my dog have?

Less than most people expect. The WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee puts plain peanut butter at 81 calories per tablespoon, and advises that all extras stay under 10% of a dog's daily calories.

The ASPCA is more cautious, suggesting snacks stay at about 5%. Either way, the spoon should be small.

Using WSAVA's calorie ranges for healthy adult dogs, here's what a full 10% allowance looks like in peanut butter. We worked these out from WSAVA's figures and rounded:

Dog's weight	Calories per day	10% for extras	Peanut butter that fills it
11 lb	280–351	28–35	about 1 teaspoon
22 lb	470–590	47–59	about 2 teaspoons
44 lb	790–993	79–99	about 1 tablespoon
66 lb	1,080–1,346	108–135	about 1½ tablespoons

That column is the whole day's budget for anything extra, including training rewards and chews. Most days, a lick or half a teaspoon is plenty.

Fat is the other reason to go easy. The ASPCA notes that fatty foods can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and potentially pancreatitis in some pets, and calls peanut butter fatty enough to keep servings small.

If your dog has a medical condition or eats a prescription diet, WSAVA advises asking your vet before adding any extras.

What are the best ways to give a dog peanut butter?

A little goes a long way when it takes a while to eat. Spread a thin layer on a lick mat, or smear it inside a sturdy rubber toy. Our guide to what is a lick mat for covers how to use one.

Peanut butter is also a classic way to wrap a pill. Ask your vet first whether the medicine can be given with food, and see our guide on how to give a dog a pill.

WSAVA counts foods used to give medication as part of the treat allowance, so a daily pill pocket still adds up.

WSAVA also recommends supervising your dog with chews and toys. Stay nearby while a toy is being licked clean, and pick one too big to swallow.

What if my dog ate peanut butter with xylitol?

Act straight away, even if your dog looks fine. Signs can start quickly or be delayed by many hours.

The FDA says effects can begin within 10 to 60 minutes. Merck adds that signs may be delayed up to 12 to 18 hours when xylitol is in a food that slows its absorption, and a thick spread fits that description.

The ASPCA's advice depends on how your dog is doing:

• If your dog is acting normally, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or your vet for advice.
• If your dog has any signs, go to your vet or an emergency clinic now.
• Bring the jar or packaging, so the team can work out how much xylitol was eaten.

Prompt care makes a real difference. Merck describes the outlook for uncomplicated low blood sugar as good when treatment starts early.

A review in Frontiers in Veterinary Science describes 192 dogs seen after eating xylitol. About one in five showed signs, and all of them went home.

Call your vet promptly if your dog:

• ate any product listing xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar
• is vomiting after eating peanut butter or another spread
• seems weak, wobbly, sleepy or uncoordinated
• collapses or has a seizure (go to an emergency clinic straight away)
• has repeated vomiting or diarrhea after a large amount of peanut butter

Questions dog parents ask

Can puppies eat peanut butter?

The same label rule applies. Puppies are small, so their calorie allowance for extras is small too. Offer a fingertip's worth, and ask your vet if you're unsure.

Which peanut butter brands contain xylitol?

Brands and recipes change, so a list goes out of date quickly. Read the ingredients on the jar in your hand, every time.

Can dogs eat peanuts?

Plain, unsalted peanuts in small amounts are the safer choice. The ASPCA warns that nuts are high in fat, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

Is xylitol dangerous for cats?

Merck says cats are not at risk, and the FDA says it doesn't seem as dangerous for them. Keep sweets away from all pets anyway.

Can I give my dog peanut butter every day?

A small daily lick is fine for most healthy dogs, as long as it stays within the extras allowance and the jar is xylitol-free.

Sources

• FDA: Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual: Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs
• ASPCA: Updated Safety Warning on Xylitol: How to Protect Your Pets
• ASPCA: Sharing is Caring: Foods You Can Safely Share with Your Pet
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Feeding Treats to Your Dog
• WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Calorie Ranges for an Average Healthy Adult Dog in Ideal Body Condition
• Cortinovis C, Caloni F. Household Food Items Toxic to Dogs and Cats. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2016

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.