Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

Can dogs eat peanut butter? Yes — 8 easy-to-make treats your pup will devour

Gabrielle LaFrank
By

It’s just the truth: dogs love peanut butter. It’s become a popular flavor of dog treat in commercial foods, and an even more popular ingredient for DIY dog treats. What a lot of people don’t know, though, is how to prepare this beloved delicacy.

Luckily, peanuts are not at all toxic to dogs like some other nuts. That doesn’t mean they’re without their risks, though, so be mindful when preparing any kind of peanut butter treat for your pup. With a little bit of focus and some fun recipes on hand, you and your buddy are in for a fun day of canine-friendly cooking.

Josfor / Shutterstock

Are peanuts bad for dogs?

As a rule of thumb, whole or diced nuts are not good for your dog. Not only can they pose a risk of choking or intestinal blockage, but they can be hard to digest too. Still, some nuts tend to be more dangerous for dogs than others due to high levels of certain toxins, like juglone in walnuts. Peanuts, though, do not contain any harmful chemicals or toxins.

Recommended Videos

The American Kennel Club lists unsalted, dry-roasted, or raw peanuts as the only safe type for pups to eat. Regardless, veterinarians advise against feeding your dog whole peanuts. There are safer ways for your dog to enjoy this treat — like eating peanut butter!

A person shares peanut butter toast with their dog
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can dogs eat peanut butter — yes or no?

Since peanuts are not toxic to dogs, explains Dr. Laura Gaylord and the National Peanut Board (NPB), most peanut butter types, smooth or chunky, are safe for dogs to eat. You’ll want to make sure there are no other dangerous ingredients hiding in your favorite brand of sandwich spread, though, as artificial sweeteners like xylitol (AKA birch sugar, which is toxic to canines) can hide in the trickiest of places. Many major brands of peanut butter, such as Jif, do not use xylitol in their products, but you’ll still want to be on the lookout.

Any nut or nut product should be fed to your dog sparingly — only as a treat and not a regular meal. The high-fat content in nuts can cause pancreatitis and other complications in severe situations, though practicing moderation will just about erase this chance (unless your dog has preexisting health issues, of course).

What happens if a dog eats peanut butter?

If a healthy adult dog eats xylitol-free peanut butter in moderation, nothing negative will happen! It’s as simple as practicing moderation and knowing the basics of canine nutrition. Don’t worry if it sounds like a lot — you’re practically already there!

How much peanut butter can a dog eat?

Now that we’ve established how essential moderation is in anyone’s diet — human or canine — it’s important to understand exactly what that looks like. The tricky part is that it will look different for every dog, so don’t hesitate to consult your vet or a canine nutritionist if you’re unsure how much peanut butter is a good amount.

Dr. Gaylord and the NPB advise dog owners to limit treats to 10 percent of their pup’s total daily diet. This ensures that the majority of their diet is nutritionally complete, which is important for a healthy, happy dog.

A close up of a dog licking in front of the camera
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Peanut butter dog treat recipes

There are so many ways to prepare this yummy treat for your fur baby, but these are some of our favorites.

Slightly sweet peanut butter biscuits

Instead of relying solely on peanut butter for taste and sweetness, this fun recipe utilizes applesauce and your broth of choice to bring out the flavor palette. You will need to set aside some time for mixing the dough and cutting out individual cookies, but your pup will appreciate the effort, especially with these flavors!

Peanut butter and jelly for dogs

Did you know this popular sandwich recipe is safe for dogs, too? As long as the peanut butter and fruit preserves are free of xylitol and other harmful ingredients, you absolutely can share this snack with your pup (via NPB). Just keep moderation in mind!

Frozen PB&B

For the cooler summer months, you can try the AKC’s recipe for frozen peanut butter as a treat for your dog. All you’ll need is peanut butter and bananas: just mash or blend them together, spoon into drops on a tray or in an ice cube mold and freeze! The waiting will be the hardest part.

Peanut butter cinnamon treats

This simple recipe requires only three ingredients: peanut butter, coconut oil, and cinnamon. You’ll want to melt the ingredients together on a double boiler, pour them into a mold, and let them freeze. Your pup will love the sweet taste and creamy texture!

DIY peanut butter cookies

Following this recipe will look and feel exactly like preparing cookies from scratch, including using a cookie cutter. You’ll start by combining peanut butter, eggs, whole wheat flour, and water into a dough, then rolling it flat for you to cut out. Then bake, cool, and serve!

Pumpkin peanut butter cookies

For a slightly more complex version of a peanut butter dog cookie, try out this recipe which features pumpkin and cinnamon, too. This combination of flavors is perfect for autumn, evenings, or anytime you and your pup are ready to get cozy.

PB & Bacon cookies

What could be better than peanut butter biscuits? What about peanut butter biscuits with bacon? These cookies are just as easy to make as any basic dog treat, but their special ingredient helps them go above and beyond. Dogs who love meat will be especially excited about this treat.

Which recipe are you going to try? You truly can’t go wrong with any of the choices here, but every dog will have a preference. You might have more fun with certain recipes, too, so why not give some a try?

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank
Contributor
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Can dogs eat mango? Read this first
Find out if this tropical fruit is safe for your pup
A dog in the kitchen looking up at woman drinking coffee

As humans, we love to share with our dogs. Perhaps your pet snuggles up to you in bed, sharing — or stealing — your blankets. Sharing experiences, like holiday activities, can also be a fun way to bond.

Food can get dicier, though. Some human-favorite items, like chocolate, are toxic for dogs. Others make fine (and even healthy) treats. If mango is your favorite fruit, you might want to slip your pet some. Also, your dog might always be around the fruit and sneak some off your plate. Can dogs eat mango safely? Generally, the answer to this question is yes, but there are some caveats. Also, correctly serving a mango is critical. Before throwing your dog a piece of this sweet fruit, here's what to know.

Read more
What to do if your dog keeps throwing up with no sign of stopping
Here's what to try first and when to call the vet
A dog sleeping in a bed with a water bottle on his head and a thermometer in his mouth.

If you're like most pet parents, the sight of your beloved dog throwing up sends shivers of fear down your spine. Just like us, dogs occasionally eat something that disagrees with them and causes them to vomit. In most cases, your dog's vomiting will resolve on its own, but if your pup keeps throwing up, it could be cause for concern.

We'll give you the rundown on everything you need to know about why your dog keeps throwing up, from potential reasons why your pet might be vomiting to when you should take your pooch to the vet. 

Read more
Can dogs eat celery? The do’s and don’ts you should know
Your pup will probably love a veggie snack now and then
Woman chops up veggies including celery for her dog

Your dog's favorite snacks might include dog biscuits, fancy chews, or even that bacon you dropped on the floor one time, but can dogs eat celery? The truth is lots of dogs like veggies, even bland ones such as celery. While you wouldn't want this green and healthy nibble to become a staple in their diet, you can absolutely give your pup a celery snack now and then — and they might grow to love it.

Can dogs have raw celery?
As omnivores, our pet dogs need a balanced diet of both meat and plants. That's likely because their domestic history made them into scavengers thousands of years ago when our ancestors were still in the hunter-gatherer phase. In modern times, this diet preference has huge benefits because you can throw in some healthful treats that will give your pup a nutrition boost and keep them full.

Read more