If you are a dog owner, you are probably well aware of how useful and versatile peanut butter can be.
Not only can it act as an affordable and relatively healthy dog treat, but it can also be used to disguise pills and other oral medications that your dog might otherwise refuse to swallow.
While peanut butter can be really useful for dog owners, it is important to remember certain brands are healthier for dogs than others.
To help you find the perfect tasty treat for your canine companion, we are going to review seven of the best types of peanut butter for dogs.
We will also explain what makes certain types of nut butter dog-friendly, while others are less healthy for dogs.
See our related article where we look at the Benefits of High-Fiber Dog Foods. Our goal with this article is to help your dog live a long healthy life.
What Makes a Peanut Butter Brand More Dog-friendly Than Others?
If you are wondering why certain types of peanut butter are better for dogs than others, you are not alone.
Watch Out for Xylitol and Other Sweeteners
The truth is, there is really only one major ingredient that you need to look out for when you are shopping for dog-friendly peanut butter – Xylitol.
Xylitol is a calorie-free sugar alternative that can sweeten foods. While it is safe for human consumption, it can be extremely dangerous to dogs.
In fact, Xylitol is responsible for thousands of emergency vet visits every single year, and that number will only rise as Xylitol becomes a more common ingredient in human foods.
While Xylitol is extremely toxic for dogs, and peanut butters that contain it should be avoided at all costs, there are also some other factors that can make one type of peanut butter better for dogs than another.
Look for Natural Ingredients
Generally speaking, the fewer ingredients a peanut butter contains, the better it will be for dogs. This is because the more natural peanut butters tend to have less sugar and artificial preservatives. Both can trigger unhealthy weight gain, as well as kidney and pancreas issues in canines.
What Should You Remember When Giving Your Dog Peanut Butter?
While peanut butter can be a really useful tool for training your dog and administering medications, you should remember that it is fairly high in calories, so you should always practice moderation. Remember, obesity can be really dangerous for your dog’s long-term health!
7 Best Peanut Butters for Dogs
Now that you know what you should be looking for, we can go over our top seven recommendations.
Product | Details | ||
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Best Option: Hyper Pet – IQ Peanut Butter Treat Spread for Dogs | • 100% Xylitol-free and safe for dogs • Made in the U.S. from American-grown peanuts • Excellent source of protein, healthy fats, and Vitamins B and E |
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Runner-up: Bark Bistro – Buddy Budder 100% Dog-Safe Peanut Butter | • Only contains 3 ingredients: peanuts, bacon, and honey • 100% free from Xylitol and other artificial sweeteners • Made in the USA with high-quality ingredients |
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Healthiest Option: Dilly’s – Poochie Butter All Natural Peanut Butter for Dogs | • 10% of profits donated to needy animal shelters • Contains five added ingredients that support your dog’s overall health • 100% free from Xylitol and other harmful ingredients |
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Best for Improving Digestion: Green Coast Pet – Pawnut Butter All-natural Peanut Butter Spread for Dogs | • Made with just two ingredients – peanuts and flaxseeds • Excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids and protein • 100% free from Xylitol, salt, preservatives, and hydrogenated oils |
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Best High Protein Option: Big Spoon Roasters – Wag Butter Peanut Spread for Dogs | • Contains no gluten, soy, or palm oil • Made in the USA • Contains chia seeds for added Omega 3 and protein content |
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Best Budget-friendly Option: 365 Everyday Value – Organic Dry Roasted Creamy Peanut Butter | • Made from 100% organic ingredients • Affordable price • Contains no Xylitol or artificial sweeteners |
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The Best Option: Hyper Pet – IQ Peanut Butter Treat Spread for Dogs
This dog-specific peanut butter spread is an excellent option if you do not want to take any risks. It might be the best peanut butter for dogs. Formulated by Hyper Pet to be the ideal peanut butter dog treat, it contains plenty of essential nutrients that can help improve your furry friend’s overall health.
Not only is it 100% free from Xylitol, – which means there’s no risk of Xylitol poisoning – but it also contains no high fructose corn syrup, stabilizers, or other artificial sweeteners. As a result, you can remain confident that your dog will enjoy a safe and tasty treat that is made from natural ingredients.
Best of all, dogs love the taste, and since it is so safe, it can be used as an ingredient in home-made dog treats!
What We Liked
- Dog-safe recipe
- Dogs love the scent and taste
- Made in the United States from American-grown peanuts
What We Didn’t Like
- More expensive than grocery store brands
The Runner-up: Bark Bistro – Buddy Budder 100% Dog-Safe Peanut Butter
This is another dog-specific peanut butter spread that we highly recommend. It is completely safe for dogs and has a unique flavor and aroma that dogs find irresistible.
Since it only contains a limited number of ingredients and all of them are natural, it will not upset your dog’s digestive system, even if your pooch has a sensitive stomach. We also liked that Bark Bistro added bacon and natural honey to its peanut butter, as we find it makes it even more appealing to dogs.
Overall, this is a high-quality peanut butter spread that is 100% safe for dogs!
What We Liked
- Limited ingredient recipe means there is less chance it will trigger an allergic reaction
- Dogs love the scent
- Free from dangerous sweeteners and unhealthy sugars
What We Didn’t Like
- Somewhat expensive
Healthiest Option: Dilly’s – Poochie Butter All Natural Peanut Butter for Dogs
Not only is Poochie Butter an all-natural peanut butter spread that is perfectly safe for dogs, Dilly’s added a variety of ingredients that help support your dog’s overall health and wellness.
Cinnamon is added to help regulate your dog’s blood sugar, while turmeric acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Dilly’s also added ginger root for its anti-inflammatory properties and natural coconut oil because it can improve skin and coat quality. Finally, parsley extracts help improve your pet’s breath, which can be really helpful if your dog suffers from the dreaded puppy breath.
Overall, it is a great, dog-friendly peanut butter that contains some really healthy extra ingredients.
What We Liked
- Contains highly nutritious ingredients
- It actually improves dog breath
- The brand helps raise money for shelter dogs
What We Didn’t Like
- Can be somewhat watery when compared to other types of peanut butter
Best for Improving Digestion: Green Coast Pet – Pawnut Butter All-natural Peanut Butter Spread for Dogs
This pet-friendly peanut butter is made in a Level 3 Food Safe facility in the United States. It is rigorously tested to make sure that it only contains ingredients that are safe for dogs. Only non-GMO peanuts and two ingredients are used.
Dilly’s also added flaxseeds as a way to add Omega 3 fatty acids to the peanut butter, which is really beneficial for your dog’s digestive health. Overall, it is a fantastic peanut butter that is both delicious and 100% safe for canine consumption.
What We Liked
- One of the safest peanut butter brands we have come across
- Contains added flaxseeds to help improve your dog’s joints and digestive health
- Dogs seems to really enjoy the taste
What We Didn’t Like
- Can separate if kept at room temperature, which means you need to stir before serving
Best High Protein Option: Big Spoon Roasters – Wag Butter Peanut Spread for Dogs
This premium, all-natural peanut butter is specifically formulated for dogs. It does not contain Xylitol or any other ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
In addition to organic peanuts, Wag Butter contains organic chia seeds and virgin coconut oil, which increases the protein and Omega 3 content. Since dogs require plenty of protein and lots of healthy fat in their diets, this dog-friendly peanut butter can be really beneficial for your pooch.
The high Omega 3 and Omega 6 content is also really helpful for long-term joint health, which is really important, especially for more active breeds that are highly susceptible to joint deterioration as they age. As an added bonus, dogs love the taste and smell, so you can use Wag Butter to disguise your dog’s medication or for mental stimulation when you spread it inside a KONG chew toy.
What We Liked
- Contains healthy, dog-safe ingredients
- Works really well for an ingredient in homemade dog treats
- Does not contain added sugar
What We Didn’t Like
- airly expensive, especially when compared to grocery store brands
Best Budget-friendly Option: 365 Everyday Value – Organic Dry Roasted Creamy Peanut Butter
While 365 Everyday Value Organic Peanut Butter was not originally made for dogs, it is proving to be a popular choice amongst dog owners that are looking for affordable, dog-friendly peanut butter.
Since it is made from all organic ingredients, like organic peanuts, sea salt, and organic cane sugar, it is far less harmful than many other peanut butter brands that were originally made for human consumption.
It is also GMO-free and certified vegan-friendly. As with most products from 365 Everyday Value, this peanut butter spread is made in the United States using high-quality ingredients. If you are looking to cut costs, it is a great option; however, you should remember that it was not originally made for dogs, so you should only offer it to your pup in moderation.
What We Liked
- Very budget-friendly
- Made from organic ingredients that are safe for dogs
- Dogs love the taste and smell
What We Didn’t Like
- Contains more sugar than dog-specific peanut butters
Best Single Ingredient Peanut Butter: Teddie Peanut Butter – Old Fashioned Smooth Natural Peanut Butter
For those that would like to offer their dog a pure peanut butter that contains as few ingredients as possible, Teddie’s Old Fashioned Natural Peanut Butter is an excellent choice. Since it only contains non-GMO dry roasted peanuts and small amounts of salt, you can remain confident that it will not contain Xylitol, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives, or any other ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.
It has a simple flavor that dogs really love. Since it does not contain added sugar, it tends to be lower in calories than some of the other peanut butters that are made primarily for human consumption.
The Teddie Peanut Butter brand has been around since 1925, so it is a real favorite amongst American consumers. In the last few years, it has grown to become an extremely popular option amongst dog owners. The fact it is a healthy option for humans, as well as dogs, means you can enjoy a spoonful of peanut butter with your canine companion at any time!
What We Liked
- Made in the United States
- Safe for dogs
- Affordable price
What We Didn’t Like
- Can sperate from the oil, so you need to stir it before use