We show our love to our pets in many ways and one of those ways is through food. A full pet is a happy pet. Many people like to show their love through treats, food, supplements and more. Nothing feels better than offering your pet their favorite treat. That’s where the topic of peanut butter comes in. Many dogs love it, but is it really OK to give to them? Yes, but keep reading to find out more.

According to the American Kennel Club, most peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin. The healthiest option is unsalted peanut butter or homemade peanut butter, as high sodium levels can be problematic for dogs, and as an added bonus, homemade peanut butters do not contain extra sugar and other additives.

NOTE: Most peanut butter is safe, but some can be deadly. Recently, some peanut butter manufacturers switched to using the sweetener xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute often found in sugar-free products like chewing gum, toothpaste, breath mints, chewable vitamins and baked goods. It is safe for people, but toxic to dogs. ¹ 

We love treating our pets because seeing their tails wag and their eyes get wide is awesome. Dogs can’t determine what is in a lot of the prepared foods and treats we offer them and whether or not something is good for them. It’s our job to do the research for them.

What can we feed our dogs?

The topic of feeding your dog table food is a highly debated topic. Many people and veterinarians believe you should not give your dog table food. There are many reasons for this. One being that human calorie needs do not exactly equate to canine calorie needs. Giving dogs certain human food can cause pet obesity, begging or other unwanted outcomes. Another common reason to abstain from giving pets human food is because some are poisonous or extremely unhealthy for your pet. Read a recent blog post from the Paw Print about human foods you can give your pet.

Everything in moderation – the 10% rule.

Just like with humans, you don’t want to overdo anything you give your pet. In fact, treating your pet too much can be a bad thing. Even with peanut butter. So how much is the right amount? In general, treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet. Simply measure how much food your dog gets daily, and remember that it might be a good idea to alternate between peanut butter and healthier treats, such as dog friendly fruits or vegetables.¹

Have fun with peanut butter!

There are many peanut butter recipes online. Have fun and make your pet homemade peanut butter treats. Consider checking out Pinterest and other social media outlets to find your favorite peanut butter recipe.

Try this recipe from The Cookie Rookie

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (see note below for substitutions)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup natural peanut butter

1 cup water

2 tablespoons honey

1 egg

***NOTE: some dogs are allergic to flour/wheat. if you want to make these wheat-free, you can use rice flour of coconut flour as a replacement. they will work, but might change the consistency a bit. thanks so much to the readers who wrote it about this!

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INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350F

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, and the egg. Add peanut butter, water, honey and stir until you have stiff dough. the dough becomes very firm and sticky. you may need to use your hands, or the paddle attachment on your mixer.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/2-inch-thick and use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes. the treats barely spread and rise, so get creative with your shapes.

Bake for 20 minutes, until golden.

keep in an airtight container or give as gifts!

¹The American Kennel Club 

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