Is Peanut Butter Healthy?
So, you asked your human to make some peanut butter dog treats for you. After all, you deserve it don’t you? And peanut butter is healthy right? What human wouldn’t want to make you treats? So, you show them this tasty recipe and they gather all the ingredients and then they wonder, should dogs eat peanut butter? My owner decided to conduct some research first. (Oh no! Will I still get my tasty peanut butter treat?) As they are reading they think, I can’t give peanut butter to my dog. It can kill them! But my vet made some delicious peanut butter dog treats for their customer appreciation day. Shelley finally got the recipe and here it is for you. They can’t be too harmful if the vet made them, right? Shelley read a few things that she thought you should know as well. Read on to discover what she learned.
The Dangers of Aflatoxins
This is a poisonous carcinogen produced by certain molds that grow in soil, hay and grain. When certain foods such as corn, peanuts, rice and wheat are improperly stored, aflatoxin can be created. Aflatoxins can be found in human and pet foods. If you read the ingredients in almost all, cheap, dry dog food, corn is almost always listed. Corn is the #1 producer of aflatoxins and peanuts are second. But, there are many other ingredients in cheap dog food that are also worrisome such as meat by products, grains, preservatives and coloring. You shouldn’t feed your dog any of these. The savings on vet bills from feeding your dog a healthy dog food will far outweigh the savings you will have when you feed your dog bad dog food and they have health issues.
How to Avoid Aflatoxins
Though many people cannot afford to feed their dogs a raw diet or human grade canned food, many affordable, grain free dog foods are available for around $2 a pound. One way to save is to sign up for subscribe & save from Amazon and save 5% on your shipped order, plus shipping is free. You can also sign up to receive coupons from your favorite brand. Just visit their website. Check out one of my favorite resources I frequently use to compare dog food brands, Dog Food Advisor. They provide an unbiased review of many dog foods that is easy to understand and provides a list of all the ingredients and why they are or are not good for your dog.
Back to the peanuts. Dogs can be exposed to aflatoxins when they eat peanuts their humans are eating, in peanut butter treats and in meat and dairy products from animals whose feed was contaminated and then used in dog food. What will happen to our loving pets if they are exposed to aflatoxins? They could get liver cancer.
Sugar or Sugar Free (Xylitol)?
Sugar is harmful to both humans and dogs and can cause diabetes and other health issues. So, you decide you will purchase sugar free peanut butter since it should be healthier, right? Don’t buy it. Don’t even have it in the house. A child or a dog sitter may inadvertently give your dog peanut butter from the wrong jar.
In order to get the sweetness back in, xylitol is added. It is a sugar alcohol and will have very dire consequences for dogs. Even a small amount can cause low blood sugar, liver failure, seizures and death. Regular peanut butter doesn’t have this, but check the label just to be sure. The creamy, Jif Peanut Butter, we used does not have xylitol. It still has sugar which isn’t good for a dog or humans, but as long as you aren’t eating the entire batch of treats or jar of peanut butter in one sitting, you and your dog will be fine.
Harmful Fats
Hydrogenation is a process that converts liquid vegetable oil into solid fat. Partially hydrogenated oils, such as shortening and soft margarine, are semi-soft. Also, known as trans fats. You have heard of that term right? All the places that serve french fries and onion rings and other fried foods used to use oils that were high in trans fats. Those aren’t very good for anyone, so the government made them use other oils such as peanut or other vegetable oils.
Oils that are fully hydrogenated don’t contain any of the dangerous artery-inflaming trans fat found in partially hydrogenated oils. So what does all that mean? Products with fully hydrogenated oils are better for you and your dog than those with trans fats. Where will you find fully hydrogenated oils? In baked goods, sweets and Jif Peaut Butter, which we all know isn’t good for us, but tastes oh so good. Just eat them in moderation.
To Eat or Not to Eat?
Aflatoxins in peanut butter have not caused liver cancer in humans in the United States, only in lab animals. It is unknown whether aflatoxins cause liver cancer in dogs and although it is a risk, it is a slight risk. It may be less risky to buy peanut butter and dog food made by commercial brands as the FDA tests these items, than from a natural food store. So, go ahead and enjoy! Just remember to enjoy in moderation.
To see your dog smile as big as I do after eating peanut butter, click below to make this peanut butter treat that he can enjoy. It is simple to make and only uses a few ingredients.
Do you have a favorite peanut butter recipe you make for your fur friend that you would like to share? Comment below.
Hi, I’m Trixie! I love treats, sleeping, chewing up my toys and I especially like chasing small critters that enter my yard. (Don’t worry, my mom makes sure that I don’t catch any of them.) I was rescued when someone dumped me in the driveway, expecting 10 little puppies. Though my mom had dogs as a kid, she realized there was a lot she didn’t know.
We decided to create this website to help you with issues that you may not be aware of and to share information about the best foods, toys, treats, and places to explore with your fur friend. You’ll learn all about raising your dog to be happy and healthy and we will have some fun along the way!
If you want to find out how my mom makes money from home so she can spend more time with me, just click here.
P.S. This site may contain affiliate links, but know that I only recommend products that I believe in. Since this is a for-profit business, you should assume that any website I refer you to, I may earn money either directly or from an affiliate relationship.
A helpful article! We must read labels for all things these days.
I wonder if buying peanuts in the shell means there will not be mold on them?
Thanks for the tips and recipe!
Dianne,
Thanks for your comment and question. Actually, peanuts in the shell does not necessarily mean you are safe from mold. In this article, How to Choose and Cook with Peanuts they discuss what to look for and they also mention, read the label. Let me know how your fur friend likes the dog treat recipe!
Hi Trixie, I had no idea that sugar-free peanut butter would have something worse than sugar.
But it’s great to know I can still give peanut butter treats to my pet, in small quantities though.
Kim
Hi Kim, Yes, even though the food may be safe for humans, it can be deadly for us dogs. There can be many hidden dangers in dog food and even dog treats. Did you see my article 2018 List of Bad Dog Treats? Before I learned otherwise, I thought my treats were safe. So did my dog mom. Turns out, I had eaten over half of these “bad” treats. Check out the article to see which ones aren’t so good for your fur friend.
And don’t forget to visit my recipes for healthy and safe treats. There’s even one using peanut butter your fur friend is sure to love! Let me know how she likes it.
My dogs love peanut butter treats so this was a very good read. I normally buy Smuckers natural because I love the taste. Now I am skimming the label. Unfortunately, the label is not going to tell me about mold 🙁 I think I may need to start growing my own peanuts and learn to make own natural peanut butter. I like to garden but have never grown peanuts nor made peanut butter. Something new to try 🙂
Hi Christina! Thanks for the comment. I have always been a Jif fan myself (only because that is all Shelley buys). I told her to check out the ingredients in the Jif and Smuckers and she will now be buying Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter. It has fewer calories, sugar and salt and nothing else added like the Jif. No, the label won’t warn you about mold, but the FDA does conduct checks on peanut butter and tests for mold. Of course, nothing is fool proof, but there are many dogs that eat peanut butter and are fine. As of 2012, no human illness has been attributed to aflatoxins, according to the FDA. My Healthy Peanut Butter Dog Treat recipe mentioned in the article, only has 1/2 cup of peanut butter. The amount your dog will receive in a treat will be small.
Before you start your peanut farm, mold is more likely to be found in natural food store peanut butter, since it is made on site. And aflatoxins are not only found in peanuts, but rice, peppers, figs and other nuts when not properly stored, harvested or processed. You may be safer sticking (no pun intended) on the Smuckers. If you do decide to grow your own peanuts, I hear humans in the south loooove boiled peanuts. They are easy to make and freeze for later. I’m not allowed to have them due to the salt content.
Don’t forget to try the peanut butter treat recipe Shelley posted. They are yummy!
I didn’t know peanut butter could be bad for your dog. I feed my dog peanut butter, not much but some. I wonder if that vet was just trying to get business, makes you think.
Hi Fred! There are many things that could be bad for your fur friend, but eaten in moderation, should be safe. Even food for humans, if you eat too much or has become contaminated can be unhealthy. We have safeguards in place, but sometimes, unfortunately, they do fail. Feeding your dog a peanut butter treat once in awhile should be fine. Just make sure to check the label. As I discovered, even the Jif brand isn’t as healthy as the Smuckers Natural brand that Christina mentioned. Shelley is going to switch to that unless she finds something better, but the ingredient list looked pretty good. Thanks for commenting.
Lovely article, really liked the peanut butter face your dog has!
And really important information about Aflatoxins in peanut butter – I never heard of that possibility and to think that we eat that too!!
Thanks for the information on this – will look at peanut butter again!
Hi Orion, If you liked my peanut butter face here, you should see my lip licking video I posted with the Peanut Butter Treat recipe! Yummy! Looking at the label on your peanut butter won’t help with the aflatoxins of course, and they are found in many foods, but will help you stay clear of the very dangerous xylitol. When you check out peanut butter again, look at the Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter. Christina mentioned it in her comment and it only has peanuts and salt. That is what my next treats are going to be made out of.
We didn’t know about alflatoxins either. It is sometimes scary when you don’t know what you don’t know. That is why Shelley and I created this website. To help other dog owners learn how to keep their dog happy and healthy. If we prevent someone from giving peanut butter with xylitol in it and becoming sick, it will be worth it.
Great Post! Jake is not as big on Peanut butter treats, but other pups like it. Love the pictures of your dog too!
Thank you Tara. It’s ok that Jake doesn’t like peanut butter. He can try my Watermelon Pupsicle Treats. It is already warm here in the south and these are cool, refreshing and healthy. Shelley made some this past summer and vacuum packed them for now, when it is hard to find a watermelon. It sure cools me off and gets more fluids in me after I have been hunting and digging for mice. Feel free to try with other fruits like blueberries and strawberries. Let me know if Jake likes them.
P.S. Since you joined my pack, you won’t miss when my new recipes are posted. I have some new fruity, frozen treats coming soon. Need the cold ones due to the heat. Be on the look out!
Oh no!! I didn’t know that peanut butter could be bad for dogs. I thought that all human food could be OK (except chocolate) This is a great article and it really opened up my eyes.
I did not know what Aflatoxins were before, but now that I do I will keep my eye out for them.
Hi Glenys. Peanut butter can be bad for dogs, but if you check the ingredients on the labels and feed in moderation, peanut butter should be safe. You won’t be aware of aflatoxins in jar peanut butter, but if you or your dog snack on peanuts, check the shells and try to get ones that are undamaged, not discolored and without wormholes. Also check the sell by date and make sure they don’t smell rancid.
Also, there are many other human foods other than chocolate that are hazardous to your fur friend. Raisins and grapes of any quantity are a definite no, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, gum, fat and avocados, just to name a few. Join My Pack to make sure you don’t miss an upcoming article on Human Foods Dogs Can’t Eat.
A very informative article. I still would not feed my dog peanut butter or even a snack that contained it. I think it would be a dangerous habit to get into. Read all labels and only feed your pets good wholesome pet food. Avoid additives etc. Balance nutrition.
Thanks for your comment James. The only way to avoid aflatoxins in peanut butter, of course, is to avoid it all together. You certainly have the choice to not feed it to your dog and he probably won’t miss it. There are many other choices for us four legged friends. And you are correct, we need to read all labels. Since I am a dog, I have to rely on Shelley to do that and keep me safe, since lately, even the supposed “good” dog treats and food we have been eating are coming under fire with unhealthy ingredients being added. Does your dog have a favorite snack that you make that I can share with everyone?
My dogs Love PB too!
Great Kristen! You should make my Healthy Peanut Butter Dog Treat recipe. Your fur friend will love you for it!
Hi, Trixie and thanks for your post.
Oh my, I had no idea peanut butter was dangerous for dogs. We’ve only given it a few times as a treat but will consider the ingredients from now on.
We’ve always given our animals high-quality pet food recommended by our vet. It’s nice to know why, now.
Cheers,
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne, Glad you liked my post. I didn’t want to scare you, just make you aware of the dangers that may be out there. I didn’t know about them either. That’s why I created this site for those issues that we might not know about. I haven’t found anyone that knew about aflatoxins. Just check your labels on your dog food and your human food to be safe.
Don’t rely on your vet though. My vet recommends Hill’s Science Diet dog food. It has corn and wheat in it. Not so good for your dog if he has tummy issues. One of my favorite reference sites is Dog Food Advisor. They list the ingredients of most dog foods, what is good or bad about it and provides a rating. The Hill’s Science Diet is only 3 stars. We found we could do much better and still at a reasonable price. You may want to compare your pet food.