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Why Peanut Butter is Dangerous For Dogs

Many people share food with their dogs on a regular basis. It’s really common but can also be deadly. A big culprit is peanut butter. Most companies add ingredients to their peanut butter to enhance the taste or lower calorie or sugar content. However, these small sneaky ingredients can prove deadly to dogs. Knowing which ingredients to look out for and how they affect your dog is crucial in preventing accidental poisoning.

Giving some peanut butter to your dog is fine as long as you know that the ingredients aren’t going to cause any harm. Peanut butters made especially for dogs. Below you’ll find the most common peanut butter ingredients that are very harmful to dogs.

Chocolate

Chocolate is dangerous for dogs because it contains a natural alkaloid called theobromine. People process theobromine without any trouble but it processes much slower in dogs which means it builds up in their systems and poisons them. It affects a dog’s central nervous system, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems. It can take anywhere from 2-24 hours for symptoms to appear. Some of the symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs are:

  • Vomiting
  • Excessive panting
  • Muscle twitching
  • Seizures
  • Death

You always want to ensure that your dog doesn’t consume any chocolate. If you regularly share your food with your dog always check ingredient labels for chocolate or cocoa. The darker and purer the chocolate the more dangerous it is for dogs. The amount of chocolate that is deadly to a dog depends on their size and the quantity eaten. The bigger the dog the more his body can handle. Smaller dogs only need to consume a little bit of chocolate for it to become seriously dangerous. Keep in mind though that just 1 ounce of dark chocolate is enough to poison a 44-pound dog.

Xylitol

Worse than chocolate is xylitol. This common sugar alcohol is used in products that promote low GI, low sugar or no sugar. It’s used to sweeten products without the use of sugar which also lowers calories and carbohydrates. Most foods labeled as “diet” or “sugar-free” contain sugar alcohols.

In people, sugar alcohols do not trigger insulin release which means that they do not affect blood sugar levels. This is not the same in dogs. It’s actually quite the opposite. When dogs consume sugar alcohols it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and triggers a potent insulin response. This drastically decreases blood sugar levels causing hypoglycemia. This is a life-threatening condition and occurs within 10-60 minutes of consumption. In most cases, just 2 pieces of sugar-free gum will make a 45-pound dog go into hypoglycemia. Some symptoms to be aware of are:

  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Loss of coordination
  • Uncontrollable shaking
  • Seizures

Sugar

Unfortunately, sugar is a common ingredient in peanut butter and is harsher on a dog’s system. Yes, just like in people, sugar causes inflammation, unstable blood sugar levels, tooth decay, cavities, diabetes, and obesity. However, sugar causes stomach pains and digestive issues in dogs much easier than in people. One small sugary treat is enough to give your dog a bad stomach. Which, by the way, you’ll actually be paying for later.

Sugar easily disrupts a dog’s natural bacteria and micro-organism balance within the gut. Since they are not accustomed to eating sugary foods it results in digestive issues including pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Many peanut butters on the market contain added sugars which might seem like a small amount to you but can quickly cause disruptions for dogs. Not to mention all the health risks that come after prolonged consumption of sugar like cavities, diabetes, and obesity. Dogs are equally affected by these health problems and are more tedious to treat in dogs.

Choosing a Peanut Butter

When choosing peanut butter for your dog opt for something as natural as possible. Check the ingredients label for sugar, xylitol, sugar alcohol, or chocolate. Aim for just peanuts and salt. The more natural the better it will be for your dog. You can also buy peanut butter made especially for dogs. HERE you’ll find 6 specialized options.

Offer your dog small amounts at a time. Peanut butter is rather thick and can be hard to swallow so a little goes a long way. You could also try smearing some on a chew toy and freezing it. This offers a nice cool treat but also slows down your dog.

Always keep food away from dogs and watch out for symptoms of illness. Seek medical attention if you believe your dog is ill.

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