Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter?

Yes, most peanut butter is safe for dogs in small amounts, but always check the label for xylitol first. Xylitol, also called birch sugar or wood sugar, is a sweetener that is toxic to dogs and is used in some sugar-free and low-sugar nut butters.^1,2,3 Plain, unsalted peanut butter with no added sweeteners is the best choice.¹ Peanut butter is very high in fat and calories, so a little goes a long way.^2,4

Peanut Butter Nutrition for Dogs

Peanut butter is about half fat by weight. It also has protein and a little sugar. Salted versions add sodium.^4,8

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for smooth peanut butter with and without salt.^4,8

How Much Peanut Butter Can a Dog Have?

A healthy adult dog's treats, including fruit, should be no more than about 10 percent of daily calories.^9,10 Using the Merck Veterinary Manual's energy formula for a neutered adult, that works out to roughly 35 calories of treats a day for a 10-pound dog, 59 for a 20-pound dog, 98 for a 40-pound dog, 150 for a 70-pound dog and 196 for a 100-pound dog.¹¹ Your dog's real needs depend on age, activity and body condition. PetMD's suggested starting amounts are below.² Treat them as the most to give in a day: even these amounts use about a third to half of a dog's daily treat allowance, so it's better to give peanut butter a few days a week rather than every day, and to count what goes into toys and lick mats.

Share of treat allowance is our calculation for a 10, 20, 40, 70 and 100 pound dog.

What Is the Best Peanut Butter for Dogs?

• Ingredients: peanuts, and maybe salt. Unsalted is better.¹
• No xylitol or other sweeteners. "No sugar added" and "sugar-free" labels can mean a substitute sweetener has been used.^2,3
• "Natural" peanut butter usually has fewer additives, but still check the label for salt and sweeteners.²
• Fresh: don't feed moldy, rancid or very old nut butter.¹²

Fat, Weight and Pancreatitis

Too much peanut butter can lead to weight gain and pancreatitis.¹ Dogs with pancreatitis or on a low-fat diet should avoid it unless their vet approves.² A tablespoon smeared in a toy is about 96 calories, almost a 40-pound dog's whole daily treat allowance.⁴

Peanut Butter in Toys and Lick Mats

Peanut butter is great for stuffing hollow toys or spreading on a lick mat to keep dogs busy.^1,2 Use a thin layer, or stretch it by mixing with plain canned pumpkin or plain, xylitol-free yogurt. Freezing a stuffed toy makes it last longer. Supervise your dog with any new toy.

Is Aflatoxin in Peanut Butter a Concern?

Aflatoxins are toxins from molds that can grow on peanuts and grains, and they can damage the liver.^13,12 Peanut butter sold for people is regulated by the FDA for aflatoxin levels.¹⁴ Reported aflatoxin deaths in dogs have involved contaminated pet food, not peanut butter, and no source has measured a risk to dogs from store-bought peanut butter.¹³ Keep amounts small and throw out any jar that smells off or shows mold.

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Peanut Butter?

It's possible but uncommon.¹⁵ Signs include itchy red skin, hives, licking or scratching, ear infections, vomiting and diarrhea. Swelling of the face or throat is an emergency.^2,15 See food allergies.

Powdered Peanut Butter and Other Nut Butters

• Powdered peanut butter: no veterinary source covers it. Plain defatted peanut flour has far less fat than peanut butter, but retail powders often add sugar, salt or sweeteners, so the same xylitol check applies.^16,3
• Macadamia nut butter: no. Macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs. Watch for mixed nut butters.^17,18
• Almond and cashew butter: not better than plain peanut butter. Both are high in fat, and there's little veterinary information on them.^19,20
• Chocolate hazelnut spreads and peanut butter cups: no. Chocolate is toxic to dogs.²¹ See dog ate chocolate.
• Peanut butter and jelly: skip it. Jelly is high in sugar, and grape jelly is a grape product.²

Can Puppies Eat Peanut Butter?

Yes, puppies can have a small lick of plain, xylitol-free peanut butter. Start slowly and watch for any reaction.^2,10

When to Call the Vet

Call your vet, an emergency clinic or a pet poison hotline right away if your dog ate any product that might contain xylitol, even if he seems fine. Signs such as weakness, staggering, collapse or seizures can start quickly or be delayed.^3,1 Also call for facial swelling, repeated vomiting, or a dog who ate a large amount of peanut butter or a nut butter with macadamia.^2,17

Ask Our Team a Question