Peanut butter has very quickly become one of the most popular dog treats. It’s being spooned into Kongs, smeared on the side of the bathtub during bath time, used to hide pills, and is even listed as a key ingredient in most doggy biscuits. As the popularity of peanut butter amongst dog owners has grown, new doggy specific peanut butter has begun to appear on pet store shelves - but does your dog need dog-specific peanut butter? 

Is Peanut Butter Good For Dogs

Before we go any further, we want to address the elephant in the room - is peanut butter even good for dogs? 

Peanut butter, when it’s made solely from peanuts, can be a great high-value reward. It’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and vitamins, but we can’t overlook the fact that it’s also high in calories. For this reason, peanut butter is best used as an occasional high-value reward rather than a regular daily dog treat; otherwise, you risk overfeeding your dog and causing weight gain. 

What About Peanut Allergies?

Like humans, some dogs are allergic to peanuts and should never be fed peanut butter. If you’re feeding peanut butter to your dog for the first time, then only give them a very small amount and keep a close eye on them in case they develop peanut allergy symptoms such as itching of their face or coughing. If they haven’t developed any of these symptoms after 30 minutes, then they are likely not a peanut allergy sufferer. 

Is There A Difference Between Doggy Peanut Butter And Normal Peanut Butter?

The real difference between doggy peanut butter and many human brands of peanut butter isn’t the ingredients added to it, but what isn’t. While many human peanut butter recipes contain extra salt, sugar, oils, or flavorings, dog peanut butter tends to only contain peanuts. So if you’re shopping for peanut butter for your dog, read the back of the jar and take a look at the ingredients label before making your decision. If the pot contains extra sugar or salt, then you may want to make a different choice. 

The Healthiest Peanut Butter For Dogs

As with most pet treats, the healthiest peanut butter for your dog will always be the one you make yourself. By making your own peanut butter, you remain in control of the ingredients and can ensure there’s no sneaky added salt, sugar, or fat. Another bonus of making your own peanut butter is that you can add in additional dog-friendly healthy ingredients like flax seeds or chia seeds. 

How To Make Your Own Dog Peanut Butter

You will need: 

• 1.5 cups of unsalted roasted peanuts 
• 1 tbsp of chia seeds

Method: 

1. Add your peanuts to a high-speed blender or food processor and process until you reach your desired consistency. 
2. This can take some time, so grab a drink and be patient. It can take three minutes or longer for the oils to be released from the peanut paste and for the peanuts to form butter. 
3. Stir through the chia seeds and transfer your peanut butter to an airtight container.