August 26th is National Dog Day! I hope you are celebrating your dog today :)
As a Co-founder of Spread The Love and a lifelong dog lover, I get asked this question often: “Is peanut butter safe for dogs?” The short answer is yes.. If you pick the right one! Peanut butter with no xylitol, sugar, or palm oil can be a delicious, protein-packed way to reward your pup. But the wrong jar can lead to hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, or obesity.
I believe our pets deserve the same care and clean ingredients we give ourselves. That’s why our NAKED Organic Peanut Butter and single-serve packets (perfect for on-the-go snacks, or sneaking a pill into your pup’s treat) are just peanuts—nothing more.
Why Xylitol is Dangerous for Dogs
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that causes a dangerous insulin spike in dogs, leading to life-threatening hypoglycemia within minutes. Always check for “xylitol,” “birch sugar,” or “wood sugar” on labels. If you see it—don’t buy it!
Other Ingredients to Avoid
When choosing peanut butter for your dog, steer clear of:
- Added sugar → contributes to obesity and tooth decay
- Palm oil → tough on digestion, can trigger pancreatitis
- Artificial preservatives → unnecessary and irritating
- Excess salt → can strain kidneys
Our philosophy at Spread The Love is simple: if it’s not good enough for our family, it’s not good enough for yours (dogs included). That’s why we’ve never added palm oil, fillers, or sweeteners.
Nutritional Benefits of Peanut Butter for Dogs
When clean and simple, peanut butter is more than a tasty treat. It provides:
- Protein → supports muscle repair
- Healthy fats → keep skin soft and coats shiny
- Vitamin E & B vitamins → protect cells and fuel energy
Moderation matters, though: no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories should come from peanut butter.
Recommended Peanut Butter Brands for Dogs
- While there are several safe, xylitol-free peanut butters on the market, here are a few trusted options:
- Spread The Love® NAKED Organic Peanut Butter – single ingredient, organic, drizzle-worthy
- Spread The Love® NAKED PB Packets – the same clean peanut butter, now in portioned, travel-ready packs
- Crazy Richard’s – peanuts only
- Adams Natural – unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
- Teddie – peanuts and a little salt, non-GMO
Of course, I’ll always reach for ours first as it is organic and truly has the highest quality. We’ve had countless customers tell us their pups go crazy for it compared to other brands. We love knowing it’s as safe as it is delicious.
Fun Ways to Treat Your Pup with Peanut Butter
- Stuff a KONG toy with Spread The Love for playtime enrichment
- Smear on a lick mat to reduce anxiety
- Freeze PB & Greek yogurt bites for a summer snack
- Hide medicine in a spoonful for stress-free dosing
My Final Thoughts
Our pets give us unconditional love, and they deserve the same care we show our families. By choosing xylitol-free, sugar-free, and palm-oil-free peanut butter—like our Spread The Love NAKED Organic Peanut Butter—you’re treating your dog to pure, wholesome goodness.
Because when we say Spread The Love, we mean it—for people, for pups, for everyone at the table (or under it, waiting for a spoonful 😉).
Ready to treat your pup the clean way? Shop our NAKED Organic Peanut Butter or grab a box of PB Packets for snack-time convenience. If you are feeling like spoiling your dog, check out our Spread The Love Dog Lover Gift Set. It's perfect for any dog occasion like today!