Bulldogs can eat peanut butter, yes. Peanut butter can be a great snack you can offer on its own or in a slice of bread or crackers. Still, when feeding peanut butter, you should provide the ones without any added salt or sugar. You should also avoid sugar-free commercial brands, as it contains xylitol, which is toxic for bulldogs and other pets.
Peanut butter may not be one of the usual snacks for our dogs. However, if you’re someone who takes pleasure in this nutty spread, it might be tempting to share it with your pet.
For this reason, I researched some essential things to help you be aware of the pros and cons of feeding peanut butter.
Let’s get into it!
Contents
Can Bulldogs have peanut butter?
Peanut butter is a safe food that you can offer your bulldog, but only as long as it does not contain toxic components.
Peanut butter is rich in natural fats and proteins, both of which can be beneficial to your dog’s health.
Still, when feeding such, you need to consider your dog’s health and the type of peanut butter you’re about to give.
First, you need to be aware of your dog’s health, especially if it’s sensitive to unfamiliar food.
If it’s your first time offering peanut butter to your pet, it’s important not to give it a large amount.
Introduce the nutty snack first by giving your dog a taste. Afterward, give your pet a few hours or a day, and observe if it shows any allergic reaction.
You can continue feeding if your pet likes it, and you should switch to another if it shows an adverse reaction.
Another thing you need to consider is the type of peanut butter you are offering.
While most peanut butter out there is safe, you need to be aware of the ones containing xylitol.
What peanut butter contains xylitol?
Many kinds of peanut butter are safe for our pets. However, some manufacturers put xylitol in their products, a component harmful to dogs.
Xylitol works as an artificial sweetener that is safe for us, but not for our dogs.
According to The Boston Globe’s news, these are five brands that use xylitol in their peanut butter:
- Nuts Co.
- Krush Nutrition
- Nuts ‘N More
- P28 Foods
- Protein Plus PB
These brands offer peanut butter that is safe for us, but not for our dogs.
Thus, if you have any of these nutty spreads at home, be sure to keep it out of your dog’s reach.
To stay on the safe side, always read the ingredients on the label, and see if your peanut butter has xylitol.
You can buy peanut butter from some new-age yogi health store, or you can make peanut butter on your own.
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Is peanut butter fattening for dogs?
While xylitol-free peanut butter is safe for your dog, it doesn’t mean you can feed it as much as you want.
Peanut butter can make your dog fat, mostly if you feed it more than the appropriate amount.
Generally, peanut butter treats should not exceed 10% of your dog’s diet. Further, it would be best if you didn’t offer this nutty treat daily.
Another thing to mind is that most types of peanut butter that don’t contain xylitol have sugar. Such a component can make your pet fat if you feed it too much.
It would be best to keep peanut butter only as a treat and not a part of your pet’s regular diet.
To give your dog a variety of treats, you can switch peanut butter with some fruit or vegetable snacks. It will provide your dog options and different nutrients.
What happens if your dog eats peanut butter?
The effects of peanut butter will depend on your dog’s health and the type of spread.
As long as you feed xylitol-free peanut butter in moderation, your pet will have no issues. Moreover, your bulldog can even enjoy the protein and natural fats it contains.
Still, most xylitol-free peanut butter contains sugar, and it’s not a good idea to give it in large amounts.
The best thing you can do is to make your peanut butter at home.
If your pet ate peanut butter with xylitol, it would likely whine and howl in pain or discomfort.
Xylitol can cause dogs a quick drop in their blood sugar level, diarrhea, seizures, and even death.
For this reason, try to be careful and avoid feeding such to your dog. If it has eaten any by accident, consult a vet immediately.
You May Also Read – Can bulldogs eat tomatoes?
What peanut butter is safe for dogs?
Any peanut butter that doesn’t contain xylitol and chocolate is alright for dogs.
Peanut butter is rich in protein and fats, and your dog will undoubtedly love its taste. However, if it contains toxic ingredients, it can do great harm to your pet.
Both xylitol and chocolate, which usually come mixed in peanut butter, are both toxic food.
For this reason, avoid feeding such products to your dog.
To stay on the safe side, make your peanut butter at home and avoid feeding peanut butter with ingredients you are unsure of.
With homemade peanut butter, you can be sure that it doesn’t have toxic ingredients.
Is skippy peanut butter safe for dogs?
Skippy is a famous peanut butter brand that is xylitol-free. Thus, it’s a safe brand you can share with your dog.
Other brands that offer xylitol-free peanut butter are:
- Jif
- Smuckers
- Peter Pan
If you are looking for safe peanut butter to give your bulldog, you can start with these brands.
At the same time, you can make your peanut butter at home. It would be safer, and you can be sure it only has safe ingredients for your dog.
What peanut butter has xylitol?
As I said earlier, some manufacturers put xylitol in their products. Such a component is what makes the peanut butter unsafe.
While we can tolerate xylitol, our dogs can’t. Thus, be aware and avoid the following brands that have xylitol:
- Nuts Co.
- Krush Nutrition
- Nuts ‘N More
- P28 Foods
- Protein Plus PB
Summary
Peanut butter is a protein and fat-rich food that can be beneficial even for our bulldogs. For this reason, they make a great snack or treat, as long as you feed it in moderation.
At the same time, some kinds of peanut butter may contain toxic ingredients. Being aware of this and preventing your pet from eating such will help them stay safe and healthy.
Besides peanut butter, you can offer other treats and snacks to give your bulldog various options.
Resources
The Boston Globe’s news on peanut butter brands that are toxic to dogs
Image Credits – Photos by Rodolfo Sanches Carvalho and Tania Melnyczuk on Unsplash
