The Hidden Dangers of Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter! A favorite snack for people and dogs alike! Who hasn’t had the pleasure of watching their pup lap peanut butter from their nose or favorite Kong toy; always a pleasure. And as far as I can remember, there has not been any reason to worry about giving peanut butter to my favorite fuzzy little homie. Peanut butter is great for your dog, but there are some hidden dangers to look out for.
Peanut butter, as we know, comes from peanuts. Peanuts are a healthy source of protein, for sure; but it is also rich in other elements that are great for your pup! Peanuts have Vitamin E, something that is very healthy for dogs. Peanut butter also has heart healthy fats like omega-6, which is considered one of the most essential fatty acids, helping with skin health and protecting the outermost water barrier. There is also oleic acid, a great aid for maintaining good cholesterol and healthy blood sugar levels. But that’s not all! Peanut butter also has selenium, manganese, copper, and niacin (Vitamin B3). There are so many great health factors included with peanut butter that it’s hard to see the downside. And it isn't the peanuts themselves that can be the danger, it is the additives and additions that can really play a factor.
Out the gates, it is most important to know if your dog is allergic to peanut butter. It happens, like any allergy. Peanuts are a legume that is rich in calories and fat. Once the peanuts are made into peanut butter, there is consideration of density with those fats and how it can add to canine obesity. At best, peanut butter should be a special snack or treat, not a daily part of their intake or diet. In general, a pet should get no more than 10% of their calories from treats daily. One of the main things to look for when shopping peanut butter for your pets is xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in peanut butter. Although it is harmless to humans, it is highly poisonous to dogs. Xylitol is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. This can set up a dangerous release of insulin from the pancreas, where the blood sugar is regulated. It is important to ensure the absence of xylitol in peanut butter that will be shared with your dog.
Another concern to take into account when purchasing peanut butter is the salt content. A lot of peanut butters are high in sodium, leading to your pup’s cells to dehydrate very quickly. Keep that sodium down! This dehydration can lead to confusion, lethargy, and other issues related to brain swelling. It is important to make sure that when getting peanut butter to share, that you are only getting peanut butter with peanuts in them. A lot of these dangers are scary, but can be avoided with vigilance in label reading and consumption levels for your dog. Humans have a physiological makeup that lessens or completely negates these dangers, but dogs we have to look out for.
Shop all natural, all peanuts and keep your pup happy and healthy!