Can your dog eat peanut butter? And can diabetic dogs have peanut butter?
So… can your dog eat peanut butter?
And what if your dog is diabetic – can diabetic dogs have peanut butter?
The short answer is yes, both diabetic and non-diabetic dogs can have peanut butter.
But with caution!
This is why you need to know:
- Is peanut butter safe for diabetic and non-diabetic dogs?
- What is the best peanut butter for diabetic and non-diabetic dogs?
- What are the possible side effects of peanut butter?
But there is more you need to know!
- What exactly you should feed a diabetic dog?
- What not to feed diabetic dogs?
- How to make homemade peanut butter treats?
Let’s do this.
Let’s quickly find out if your dog can have peanut butter – and more.
Is peanut butter safe for diabetic dogs?
Yes, peanut butter is safe for dogs with diabetes (for most dogs).
But first, you need to get approval from your vet before giving peanut butter to a diabetic dog.
This is because a bad reaction to peanut butter can seriously harm your doggy.
Our Doberman (Jack) has diabetes.
And yes, Jack loves peanut butter.
So we took our dog to a vet.
After getting approval from the vet that our dog can have some peanut butter, we also needed to find out:
- What is the best peanut butter for a diabetic dog?
- What else to feed your diabetic dog?
- What not to feed a diabetic dog?
This is why this article will answer all these questions and more.
DID YOU KNOW?
If your dog hasn’t been properly socialized, the poor thing may suffer from behavior problems.
These behavior problems may include:
- Eating disorders
- Excessive barking
- Anxiety
- Hyperactivity
- Aggression
This is why we created this FREE Puppy Socialization Checklist
Peanut butter is great for all dogs
Yes, peanut butter is good for both diabetic dogs & non-diabetic dogs.
- Packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Contains magnesium (diabetic dogs usually have low magnesium levels)
- Comes with healthy oils and fiber that can help control blood sugar levels
Possible side effects of peanut butter for diabetic dogs
Our vet told us that many peanut butter brands add tons of sugar, fats, and calories to their products.
This can greatly raise blood sugar levels in a diabetic dog.
Here are the possible side effects of peanut butter in diabetic dogs:
- Weight loss
- Obesity
- Excessive hunger
- Cataracts
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Urinary tract infections
- Wounds that can’t heal
- Weakness of hind limbs or “dropped-hock” gait
Xylitol warning!
Many peanut butter brands also add xylitol to their products.
Xylitol is a sugar substitute.
Xylitol is manufactured into a white powder – it looks and tastes just like sugar.
Xylitol is not only used in peanut butter but also in sugar-free gum, candies, baked goods, and more.
Xylitol is fine for people.
Unfortunately, xylitol is poisonous to dogs!
When a dog consumes xylitol, the xylitol is quickly absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream.
This causes a rapid and powerful release of insulin from the pancreas.
This rapid release of insulin causes a massive drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This happens within 10 to 60 minutes after xylitol ingestion.
If untreated, hypoglycemia can be life-threatening to a dog.
Every year, Pet Poison Helpline receives thousands of calls from pet owners, whose dogs ingested xylitol!
Important
If your dog consumed a xylitol-containing product, contact your vet or Pet Poison Helpline immediately.
We asked our vet what were the signs of xylitol poisoning.
Our vet explained that the initial signs of xylitol poisoning are usually due to low blood sugar, which can develop within an hour of xylitol consumption.
Here are the signs of low blood sugar (your dog may show any or all of the following signs):
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Liver failure
- Coma
Best peanut butter for diabetic dogs
Our veterinarian told us that the best (and safest) peanut butter for a diabetic dog is homemade peanut butter (more on homemade peanut butter treats later).
You can also consider commercial, dog-friendly peanut butter brands.
When choosing commercial peanut butter for your dog, make sure it meets these requirements:
- No added sugar
- No added salt
- Low carbohydrate content
- Organic peanuts only
- Minimally processed
- No artificial preservatives or additives
- No human-intended peanut butter
- No xylitol (artificial sweetener)
- No chocolate
- No hydrogenated vegetable oils or palm oil
Monitoring a diabetic dog after giving it peanut butter
Monitoring a diabetic dog after giving it peanut butter will ensure that you know if your dog is experiencing any side effects (blood sugar levels too high or too low).
To monitor your dog’s glucose at home, you’ll need:
- Dog glucose monitor
- Glucose test strips
- Lancets
- Lancing device (for collecting blood samples)
- Sharps container (for used needles & syringes)
- Blood glucose levels in healthy dogs range from about 80 to 120 mg/dl.
In a diabetic dog, the highest glucose reading should be around 200 mg/dl.
You can also consider a Glucose curve test, which can be performed at a veterinary office to establish a baseline of your dog’s glucose levels over 12 hours. We’ve done this test for our dog – it was very useful.
DOG TRAINING COLLARS CAN HELP
So you should know:
- What are the key benefits of dog training collars?
- Are there any risks?
- What are the best dog training collars on the market?
Check here for the answers.
Pro Tip
You can use peanut butter to distract your dog during a bath – just smear some peanut butter on the bathtub or shower wall to distract your dog during the bathing torment.
You can also distract your dog with peanut butter while trimming your pup’s nails. You dog will be so busy licking peanut butter that it won’t notice or care that you’re cutting its nails.
As always, moderation is key when giving your doggy peanut butter.
What else to feed a diabetic dog
As you can imagine, feeding a diabetic dog is different from feeding a dog without diabetes.
To start with, a dog with diabetes must stay in shape!
But if your diabetic pooch is already obese, your first task is to help your dog lose those extra pounds. Fast.
Our Doberman was slightly overweight when it was diagnosed with diabetes.
So we consulted our vet.
The vet determined the exact number of daily calories, based on our dog’s age, weight, activity levels, and overall health.
The veterinarian also recommended what to look for when choosing dog food for our diabetic dog:
- Low fat
- Low-medium carbohydrate
- High-medium protein
- High fiber
Our veterinarian also insisted that our dog drinks plenty of water, especially when on a high-fiber diet.
The veterinarian also recommended that we feed our diabetic dog consistently:
- Consistent amount of carbs
- Consistent ratio of protein / fat / carbs
Such consistency will ensure there will be no dramatic changes in glucose levels.
Here are the ingredient guidelines for a diabetic dog (as recommended by our vet):
Protein
When choosing dog food that is suitable for a dog with diabetes, look for high-quality protein sources.
Beef, turkey, chicken, and fish are such high-quality protein sources.
It’s always best to pick low-fat dog food formulas, including lean meats such as chicken and red meats.
Pro Tip
Beef and lamb contain L-Carnitine (amino acid), which helps control diabetes in dogs.
L-Carnitine protect muscles, improves fat metabolism, and helps maintain lean body mass.
Based on our personal experience, we recommend that you provide L-Carnitine in your dog’s diet, rather than in the form of supplements.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are responsible for the biggest changes in blood sugar levels, including blood sugar spikes.
This is mostly because carbohydrates are digested way faster than fats and proteins.
IMPORTANT: Our veterinarian advised us that the source and type of carbohydrates are not as important as the meal timing and amount of carbohydrates in each meal of a diabetic dog.
Why the source and type of carbohydrates is not that important?
Because most carb sources will always cause blood glucose spikes.
Still, make sure to always avoid simple carbohydrates with a high glycemic index (GI). This is because this type of carbohydrates will trigger rapid glucose spikes.
So yes, you should only feed your dog wholesome foods and carbohydrates with low GI.
And yes, you should always pay attention to GI of any given food when creating a diet for a dog with diabetes.
This will help you determine the effects of carbohydrates (in a given food) on your dog’s blood sugar levels.
For your reference:
- Low-GI foods will ensure a steady and slow increase in blood glucose levels
- High-GI foods will cause a faster increase in blood glucose levels
Here are some of the low-GI foods:
- Whole grains
- Legumes
- Vegetables
- Fruits
Here are foods with an average GI:
- Brown rice
- Potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Honey
And here are some of the high-GI foods:
- White bread
- White rice
Fiber
Our vet also told us that fiber is one of the most important ingredients in the diet of a diabetic dog.
Fiber can be found in many fruits and vegetables.
Here are the key benefits of fiber for diabetic dogs:
- Slows down gastric emptying
- Slows down the digestion of carbs
- Slows down the release of glucose
- Prevents rapid spikes in blood sugar levels
Gastric emptying is the process by which the content of the stomach is moved into the first part of the small intestine.
Note that moderate amounts of fiber are enough for most dogs with diabetes.
Look for green leafy vegetables (foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories).
The following vegetables work wonders for our diabetic dog:
- Broccoli
- Celery
- Kale
- Asparagus
Fats
A dog with diabetes should be fed a low-fat diet.
Some veterinarians also recommend fish oil for diabetic dogs.
But be very careful with fish oil!
Current research shows that fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, can in fact increase blood glucose.
Fish oil can also thin your dog’s blood and can also cause bleeding. We spoke to our vet about this and she recommended that we avoid fish oil for our diabetic dog.
Probiotics
Our vet also recommends adding probiotics to the diet of our diabetic dog.
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that live in your pup’s gut.
Here are some of the key benefits of probiotics:
- Increase beneficial bacteria and decrease harmful bacteria
- Support digestive health
- Stimulate appetite and growth in puppies
- Improve absorption of vitamins and minerals
- Enhance metabolism
- Stabilize upset stomach
- Increase protection against bacterial and viral infections
- Help with the removal of toxins
- Strengthen the immune system
A good source of natural probiotics for dogs is yogurt and kefir.
But be careful with yogurt and kefir – they may contain artificial sweeteners, which can be dangerous to your dog (more on this later).
This is why our vet recommended a probiotic supplement for our dog.
A probiotic supplement will join the probiotics already existing in your dog’s body. This will increase the number of beneficial microorganisms and decrease the number of harmful microorganisms.
Pro Tip
Our vet recommended that we give a small amount of peanut butter to our dog before meals.
Why before meals?
Peanut butter slows down glucose absorption into the dog’s bloodstream.
This is great because slow absorption provides energy without causing spikes in blood sugar levels. This means that peanut butter can help maintain stable blood glucose levels in your dog.
How much peanut butter can dogs eat?
Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter.
But don’t overdo it.
Too much peanut butter can contribute to obesity and even cause pancreatitis.
The exact amount of nut butter you can give to your dog will vary, based on your dog’s:
- Health
- Age
- Activity levels
The type of peanut butter also matters (make sure to check the caloric count on the label).
Generally, a small dog should eat no more than 1/2 tablespoon of peanut butter per day.
A larger dog should consume no more than 1 tablespoon of peanut butter.
If you give your canine peanut butter as a treat, remember that treats should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily diet.
Also, it’s a good idea to alternate between peanut butter treats and healthier treats, such as dog-friendly fruits and vegetables.
But talk to your vet, especially if your dog has diabetes or food sensitivity.
Did you know?
In dogs with chronic pancreatitis or increased risk for developing chronic pancreatitis (like Miniature Schnauzers and Yorkshire Terriers), even a very small amount of peanut butter can be enough to cause pancreatitis or worsen the existing pancreatitis.
Best homemade treats for diabetic dogs
Yes, commercial dog treats for diabetic dogs are more convenient.
But there is something special about making homemade treats for your diabetic furry friend.
Homemade treats are also cheaper, especially compared to prescription diets.
Homemade treats are also safer (if you know what you’re doing).
As mentioned earlier, we have a diabetic Doberman (Jack).
And we love spoiling (responsibly) Jack with treats.
Here are four sugar-free treat ideas for a diabetic dog (our dog loves them all):
- No-bake coconut balls
- Frozen peanut butter bites
- Beefy dog biscuits
- Veggie dog treats
IMPORTANT
Make sure the ingredients you’re using are 100% safe for dogs.
For example, make sure peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol (an artificial sweetener – toxic to dogs).
Just look for all-natural peanut butter.
Note that sweeteners such as aspartame, stevia, and saccharin are considered safe for dogs (in small quantities).
Please also note that some of the ingredients in our recipes may contain small amounts of sugar. So if your pup has diabetes, consult your vet first to ensure your dog is allowed to consume small amounts of sugar.
No-bake coconut balls
Coconut peanut butter balls require no baking!
This is perfect if you’re in a rush.
Time to prepare: Just a few minutes.
Time to serve: 30 minutes to cool and harden in the refrigerator.
Main ingredient: Coconut (sweet but low in carbohydrates)
- 1/3 cup of coconut oil
- 1/3 cup of shredded coconut
- 2-3 tablespoons of peanut butter
- 2 1/2 cups of rolled oats
- Place peanut butter, rolled oats, and coconut oil into a food processor – and blend it really well
- Scoop out spoonfuls of the blended mixture – and roll them into pretty balls
- Roll each ball in shredded coconut – until nicely coated
- Place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes – until cool and harden
- Serve to your doggy!
Frozen peanut butter bites
These treats will keep your dog cool on hot summer days.
Just make sure the yogurt you choose for this treat is all-natural (and free of xylitol).
- 1/2 cup of peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons of chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl
- Spoon out the mixed ingredients into ice cube trays
- Place the ice trays in the refrigerator – for about 12 hours (until frozen solid)
- Serve to your happily panting pup
Beefy dog biscuits
These treats take a bit longer to make… but your dog will love you forever for just one bite of a beefy dog biscuit!
These beefy dog biscuits use beef baby food – rather than fresh meat. Not only beef baby food is easy to cook, but dogs seem to really like it.
Plus, beef is a great source of protein.
We sometimes use turkey or chicken baby food instead (it works just as great).
Important: Make sure the baby food doesn’t contain onion powder (it’s toxic to dogs).
- 2 1/2 cups of sifted whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup dry of milk powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup of grated carrot
- 1 egg
- 1 cube of beef bouillon (crumbled)
- 2.5 oz jar of beef baby food
- 6 tablespoons of shortening (any fat that is solid at room temperature)
- 1/2 cup of cold water
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit – and lightly grease 2 cookie sheets
- Mix & stir together in a bowl: milk powder, whole wheat flour, beef bouillon, and salt
- Gradually add baby food, shortening, egg, and carrot to the mixture, while adding cold water. This should result in a stiff dough.
- Roll out the stiff dough on a lightly floured surface – until about a 1/4 inch thick.
- Use a cookie cutter (or a knife) to cut out the cookies (you can reroll bits of remaining dough to form more cookies).
- Place the cookies on the cookie trays – you don’t have to worry about spacing out the cookies (they won’t expand much).
- Bake for about 25 minutes (or until brown at the bottom).
- Leave the biscuits to cool on a wire rack before serving them to your eagerly-waiting doggy.
Veggie dog treats
These treats contain pumpkin, which is great news for dogs!
Pumpkin:
- Helps lower blood sugar levels (great for a diabetic dog)
- Contains tons of fiber and nutrients
- Helps regulate digestion
These treats also contain broccoli, considered by many vets as the best vegetable for diabetic dogs (low in sugar, high in fiber).
Regarding peanut butter for this recipe, you can use peanut, cashew, or almond versions.
But note that almond butter can upset the stomachs of some dogs (speak to your vet if unsure which nuts are best for your dog).
- 1/4 cup of all-natural peanut butter
- 2/3 cup of pumpkin puree
- 3 cups of almond flour
- 1 cup of finely chopped broccoli
- 1-2 carrots (peeled & shredded)
- 2 eggs
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray
- Blend peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and egg in an electric mixer
- Add gradually flour (half a cup at a time)
- Mix in the carrots and broccoli
- Shape the dough into a ball – let it cool for 1 hour in the refrigerator (this will make it easier to roll out and cut)
- Roll out the dough and use a cookie cutter (or a knife) to make cookies. We recommend that you dip the cookie cutter in flour first (so the cookies won’t stick).
- Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper – then bake for 25 minutes (or until golden brown).
- Place on a wire rack to cool before serving.
Important: Not all dogs with diabetes can tolerate peanut butter. So always consult your vet before giving your dog peanut butter.
Pro Tip
You can give commercial treats to a diabetic dog.
But make sure the treats meet these guidelines:
- Low in sugar, fat, starch, and grains
- High in fiber
- High in protein (lean meat is best)
- “Low glycemic index” written on the label
- Complex carbs only (no simple carbs)
What NOT to feed a diabetic dog
Avoid most human foods, especially junk and baked food (they are high in sugar).
If you want to give your dog baked foods, you can prepare delicious and diabetes-friendly treats yourself (discussed earlier in this article).
Still, if you allow your dog to occasionally snack on human foods, make sure to avoid:
- Cereal
- White bread
- White rice
- Crackers
All the above human foods will cause spikes in blood sugar levels (bad news for a diabetic dog).
Also avoid foods that contain corn.
We also recommend that you avoid most canned foods. This is because canned dog food often contains more carbohydrates than dry kibble. Especially avoid canned foods that contain corn gluten, corn, and wheat gluten.
What exactly is diabetes in dogs?
Diabetes, also known as sugar diabetes (diabetes mellitus), is a chronic condition that affects how a dog’s body processes glucose.
Glucose is the body’s primary energy source (glucose is regulated by insulin).
In a dog with diabetes, the pancreas is not producing enough insulin or the dog’s body can’t use insulin effectively. This leads to increased blood sugar levels.
Unfortunately, very high blood sugar levels can cause life-threatening issues in dogs such as:
- A body starts breaking down fat as a source of energy, causing cells to starve for fuel
- Damage to vital organs (eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels)
Here are the main signs suggesting your dog may have diabetes:
- Excessive thirst
- Cloudy eyes
- Change in appetite
- Lethargy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Urinary tract infections
- Increased urination
- Sweet-smelling breath
- Chronic skin infections
If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Did you know?
Female dogs are at greater risk of diabetes than male dogs, especially at later stages in life.
Also, some dog breeds are more prone to diabetes than others.
The breeds at higher risk of diabetes include Poodles, Dachshunds, Schnauzers, and Australian Terriers.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog be allergic to peanut butter?
Yes, some dogs can be allergic to peanut butter.
So if you’re giving peanut butter to your dog for the first time, serve only a small amount and monitor your dog’s reaction.
Note that peanut butter allergy is the result of an allergy to peanuts.
If peanut butter contains xylitol (an artificial sweetener – toxic to dogs), a dog may also become sick. But this is in reaction to xylitol, not due to an allergy to peanut butter.
What type of peanut butter allergy can my dog have?
There are two types of peanut butter allergies in dogs:
- Atopic dermatitis (skin allergies)
- Anaphylactic shock (immediate response to consuming peanut butter)
What are the symptoms of peanut butter allergy in dogs?
Symptoms of peanut butter allergy in dogs may include:
- Excessive licking of the skin
- Red and itchy skin
- Hotspots
- Bald spots
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Hives
- Swelling
- Collapse
- Agitation
Note that the symptoms of peanut butter allergy may show up over time, as you continue giving peanut butter to your dog as treats on a regular basis.
But peanut butter allergy can also occur immediately after giving peanut butter to your dog (anaphylactic shock).
How can I tell if my dog has diabetes?
Here are the main signs suggesting your dog may have diabetes:
- Cloudy eyes
- Change in appetite
- Excessive thirst
- Lethargy
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased urination
- Urinary tract infections
- Sweet-smelling breath
- Chronic skin infections
What should I do if my diabetic dog ate peanut butter?
One or two bites of peanut butter are usually fine for a diabetic dog.
Just make sure your diabetic dog doesn’t consume more than this.
Contact your vet immediately if your dog is showing worrying symptoms after consuming peanut butter.
How much peanut butter can my diabetic dog have in a day?
We advise against daily feeding of peanut butter to a diabetic dog.
Peanut butter should only be given to a diabetic dog as an occasional treat.
And remember that less than 10% of the daily allocation of nutrients should come from treats.
What foods should my diabetic dog avoid?
Avoid giving a diabetic dog:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Honey
- Cereals
- White bread
- White rice
- Crackers
- Foods that contain simple carbs (sucrose and fructose)
Is chicken fine for a diabetic dog?
Yes, chicken is fine for most diabetic dogs.
But remember not to season the chicken.
Also avoid butter or oil when preparing chicken for your diabetic dog.
Just boil the chicken without seasoning.
Are apples good for a diabetic dog?
Apples are not recommended for diabetic dogs.
Apples contain sugar, which is not good for a diabetic dog.
Can diabetic dogs have peanut butter? CONCLUSION
So, can diabetic dogs have peanut butter?
The short answer is yes, diabetic dogs can have peanut butter.
But with caution!
This is why this article told you about:
- Is peanut butter good & safe for diabetic dogs?
- What is the best peanut butter for a diabetic dog?
- What are the possible side effects of peanut butter?
This article also told you everything you need to know about:
- What exactly you should feed a diabetic dog?
- What not to feed diabetic dogs?
- How to make a homemade peanut butter treats?
Our team wishes your dog a good appetite!
DOG TOYS CAN HELP YOUR DOG
Dog toys are not a luxury, but a necessity.
Dog toys:
- Promote healthy teeth & fresh breath
- Prevent boredom (can keep your dog busy for hours)
- Provide comfort during sleep
- Help relieve anxiety
- Reduce barking, whining, and nervousness
- Provide company when left home alone
- Provide comfort during stressful times
- Provide mental & physical stimulation
Check here for the best dog toys for your dog.
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Check out our Editorial Process for details on how we research and review pet products and topics.
And don’t forget to visit our About page for more details about our editorial team.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of illness, pain, or distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.