VET APPROVED
REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY
Dr. Lauren Demos
DVM (Veterinarian)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
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Is there anything dogs love more than peanut butter? Well, maybe a few things, but peanut butter is likely in the top three things dogs love most! After all, peanut butter is delicious and fun to eat since it’s messy and gets everywhere.
But are there actual health benefits of giving your favorite four-legged friend peanut butter? It turns out there are a few! Keep reading to learn about these health benefits and the good they do for your pup.
The 6 Health Benefits of Peanut Butter for Dogs
1. High in Protein
You already know that protein is a key part of your pup’s diet—in fact, it’s recommended your dog get 18–22% dietary protein each day. This protein is essential to helping maintain tendons and ligaments, as well as in forming blood, muscle, hair, and skin. Providing your pet with a spoonful of peanut butter every now and then ensures that it’s receiving a significant amount of protein, as peanut butter contains approximately 25% protein. That’s a lot!
2. Contains Healthy Fats
Peanut butter is rich in fat, but fortunately, it’s the beneficial kind of healthy fat. These fats, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, play a role in preserving healthy skin, improving dry and irritated skin and coats, and supporting growth and immunity. Nonetheless, healthy fats are still fats, so it’s important not to overfeed your dog to prevent weight gain.
3. Contains Niacin
Peanut butter is packed with essential vitamins for your dog, with one of the most crucial nutrients being niacin or vitamin B3. This vitamin is particularly advantageous for your pup as niacin helps break down fat and sugar into energy. Therefore, if your dog is feeling low on energy, this vitamin can help boost its energy levels. Additionally, niacin contributes to maintaining a healthy digestive tract, especially beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
4. High in Fiber
You might not have been aware, but peanut butter is an excellent source of insoluble and soluble fiber! While your dog doesn’t require a large amount of fiber in its diet, it does need some to regulate its digestive system. Fiber can prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, reduce instances of diarrhea, and potentially lower the risk of colon cancer for your pup.
5. Has Important Vitamins
In addition to niacin, peanut butter contains other essential vitamins that your dog needs. It is a good source of Vitamin E, crucial for maintaining the health of the eyes, skin, and muscles, as well as regulating metabolism. Peanut butter is also abundant in biotin and folic acid (Vitamin B7 and B9), which aid in promoting healthy skin and coats while assisting in red blood cell production.
6. Contains Vital Minerals
Alongside essential vitamins, peanut butter includes various vital minerals necessary for your dog. Magnesium is a key mineral that helps in energy production and reduces the damage caused by free radicals. Peanut butter also provides manganese, which supports carbohydrate and protein metabolism in your pup. Lastly, peanut butter serves as a good source of phosphorus, a mineral that, together with calcium, strengthens your dog’s teeth and bones.
Is Peanut Butter Bad for Dogs?
While peanut butter offers several health benefits to our furry friends, are there any drawbacks to giving it to your dog? There can be if you aren’t careful about your choice of peanut butter.
Primarily, opt for all-natural peanut butter to steer clear of harmful additives and chemicals. One common additive present in some peanut butters is xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. Ingesting xylitol can lead to a life-threatening situation within hours.
It is also advisable to select sugar-free or low-sugar peanut butter as added sugar, though it enhances the taste for humans, is not suitable for dogs. This is especially critical for dogs dealing with diabetes or obesity.
In addition, it’s essential to limit the amount of peanut butter your dog consumes since it’s easy to overindulge in treats. Remember the 10% rule—treats should constitute no more than 10% of your furry friends’ diets!
Conclusion
Peanut butter can provide numerous health benefits for our canine companions, containing essential minerals and vitamins crucial for our dogs’ diets. Peanut butter is a rich source of protein (an important component of your pet’s diet), as well as fiber and healthy fats. However, it’s essential to use peanut butter in moderation and ensure it is dog-safe, free of added sugar and xylitol.
See Also:
- 6 Best Protein Sources for Dogs (Vet Approved)
- Can Dogs Eat Peanuts? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ
Sources
- PetMD
- My Pet Nutritionist
- AKC
- Healthline
- Care First Animal Hospital
- AKC
- PetMD
- PetMD
- VCA
- PetMD
Featured Image Credit: Josfor, Shutterstock
