Is Peanut Butter Good For Dogs?

You might be concerned that feeding your dog peanut butter or peanut butter dog treats is unsafe. This can be a bona fide concern since various types of nuts are identified to be unhealthy for dogs to ingest. Macadamian and walnuts are identified to be harmful to dogs and should always be avoided.

The problem with giving nuts to dogs is that many of these may become toxic over time. This is due to the high phosphorous levels and other ingredients that become more toxic over time. These levels of toxicity may cause both kidney and bladder issues. In the most severe occurrences these levels can actually become fatal. It should also be noted that many types of chocolate also contain nuts.

For those dog owners that want to include peanut butter for treats, mixing with medication or just sharing, there is welcome news. Although we might believe that peanuts are nuts, they are truly a type of bean. To be more specific, they are part of the legume family (Fabaceae).

That being said, dogs may have food allergies just like humans. As with any untested food item, it should be fed in moderation and stopped if an allergic reaction is suspected. Although there are many beneficial nutrients in peanut butter, it is also high in calories. If you are concerned about preservatives, think about organic brands which might also be lower in sugar.

There is no data I have found that peanut butter is bad for dogs. That being said, we being owners, must always read the labels and be mindful of the items we give our dogs. Now it's time for me to put some peanut butter in a dog treat and share the good news with my dogs!