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The 10 Best Peanut Butter for Dogs

Your furry friend will love this stuff

Dilly’s Poochie Butter
Credit:

Amazon

Peanut butter is a popular dog treat, and useful for reinforcing positive behaviors, calming anxious pets, or camouflaging medication. It pairs well with many dog toys, including lick mats, which are textured surfaces that many dogs find relaxing to lick. Dr. Lisa Lippman, director of virtual care at Bond Vet, tells The Spruce Pets that veterinarians even use peanut butter as a distraction to administer fear-free exams and nail trims. 

While peanut butter is a pantry staple, the jar you already have at home isn’t necessarily the best option for your dog. Peanut butter can be high in sugar and salt, and may contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs and can lead to hypoglycemia, liver failure, or even death, depending on the dose. 

Instead, look for peanut butter with a limited list of ingredients. “They don't need the salt or the sugar or anything else like that,” says Dr. Lippman. “So as simple as possible is going to be your best bet.”

What We Like
  • One-ingredient recipe

  • Human-grade

  • No added oil

  • Smooth consistency

What We Don’t Like
  • High in calories compared to other treats

Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter, a popular recommendation of veterinarians and dog owners we surveyed, is our top choice for dogs. The human-grade recipe contains one ingredient: dry-roasted peanuts. There is no added oil, salt, or sugar in the all-natural recipe. Yet, customers praise the flavor, meaning it’s a safe pantry item to keep on hand for your entire family (humans and dogs included).

Dr. Lippman says that while giving your pet a product marketed for dogs can give you peace of mind, there’s actually less regulation around treats and even supplements, so sometimes she prefers giving “people stuff.” She adds, “I like giving them things that I know I would eat.” 

Teddie Peanut Butter has a smooth consistency and is easy to spread on lick mats or feed on a spoon. It’s not likely to get runny or separate either. This peanut butter comes in a 1-pound jar and is more affordable than some other options.

It is also sold in a 1-pound, 10-ounce size and can be purchased in a pack of six. Teddie Peanut Butter also comes in a Super Chunky variation with similar natural ingredients.

Primary Ingredients: Dry-roasted peanuts | Size/Volume: 16-ounce, 26-ounce jars

Dilly’s Poochie Butter
Credit: Amazon
What We Like
  • Simple human-grade recipe

  • Non-GMO

  • Contains coconut oil

  • Donates 10 percent of profits to dog shelters

What We Don’t Like
  • Thin texture

Dilly’s Poochie Butter, which was formulated for dogs, has five simple ingredients: dry roasted peanuts, flaxseed, turmeric, parsley, and ginger. There’s no added sugar or salt in the human-grade recipe. 

“I and other vets recommend it because it contains natural nuts and coconut oil,” Dr. Dawn Filos, a veterinarian of over 30 years, tells The Spruce Pets. “Ginger helps with settling stomachs, and, along with turmeric and cinnamon, is also anti-inflammatory. Parsley helps with dogs’ breath, and is said to help with urinary health and itch relief, as well as being loaded with vitamins A and C, folic acid, and antioxidants.” 

Dilly’s Poochie Butter comes in a 1-pound jar and has feeding recommendations for dogs weighing both under and over 25 pounds. Ten percent of all profits are donated to animal shelters and similar organizations, according to the brand.

Primary Ingredients: Dry-roasted peanuts, flaxseed, turmeric, parsley, ginger | Size/Volume: 16-ounce jar

What We Like
  • Only dry-roasted peanuts

  • Pantry-safe

  • USDA-certified organic

  • Real peanut taste

What We Don’t Like
  • Can separate

Whole Foods Market Peanut Butter is also recommended by Dr. Filos as a peanut butter that is safe for both dogs and humans. The simple recipe has one ingredient (USDA-certified organic dry-roasted peanuts) and is free of preservatives, salt, and sugar. It has a creamy texture and a real peanut taste.

The 1-pound jar of this peanut butter comes in three variations: organic creamy, sweetened crunchy organic, and sweetened smooth organic. We recommend the Organic Creamy Peanut Butter for dogs because it is the simplest recipe. The other two variations include added salt, sugar, and oil, which should be avoided.  

Primary Ingredients: Organic dry-roasted peanuts | Size/Volume: 16-ounce jar

What We Like
  • Safe for the entire family

  • Ultra creamy texture

  • No added oil, sugar, salt, or xylitol

What We Don’t Like
  • Can get runny

Spread The Love NAKED Organic Peanut Butter has a one-ingredient recipe of organic peanuts. It has no added salt, sugar, or oil and is USDA-certified organic. 

The texture is ultra-creamy, so it might get runny, but it can be thickened by stirring and then storing the tub in the refrigerator. It can be spread on a lick mat or spoon for your dog and is a human-marketed product that your entire family could enjoy. This peanut butter is available in a 1-pound jar and can also be purchased in a pack of six. 

Primary Ingredients: Organic dry-roasted peanuts | Size/Volume: 16-ounce jar

What We Like
  • Unique flavor combinations

  • Made with human-grade ingredients

  • Simple recipes

  • Can be thickened in the refrigerator

What We Don’t Like
  • Runny texture

Bark Bistro Buddy Budder is a great option because of its unique flavor offerings. While each one has a slightly different recipe, they all have a peanut base and are free of artificial sugar, salt, hydrogenated oils, xylitol, and alcohol. The Pumpkin Pup, for example, contains pumpkin, cinnamon, and honey in addition to peanuts.

This wide variety of flavors means you can choose a peanut butter with added ingredients you know will appeal to your dog, ensuring they will consider it a high-value treat. Our favorite—Bangin Bacon—contains peanuts, bacon, and honey. Although this peanut butter has a runny texture, it will thicken when stored in the refrigerator.

Primary Ingredients: Peanuts, apple, cinnamon, honey (Awesome Apple); peanuts, banana, strawberry, honey (Banana Split); peanuts, bacon, honey (Bangin Bacon); peanuts, carob, vanilla, honey (Brownie Batter); peanuts, pineapple, carrot, honey (Carrot Cake); peanuts, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, honey (Superberry Snoot); peanuts, pumpkin, cinnamon, honey (Pumpkin Pup) | Size/Volume: 17-ounce jar

What We Like
  • Portable

  • Easy dispensing

  • Three-ingredient recipe

  • Healthy dose of fiber

What We Don’t Like
  • Need to massage tube to soften contents

WholeHearted Loveable Lickables Peanut Butter Dog Treats are packaged in a squeezable tube that can be easily taken on the go. It has been specifically formulated for dogs, similar to our other recommendations, and has a simple recipe. In addition to peanuts, oatmeal and pumpkin add healthy fiber to this recipe.

“I really do like the easy use of this, especially when dispensing it into Kong toys, which can be hard to fill with a spoon or knife,” says Dr. Filos. “The pumpkin also makes the peanut butter softer and easier to dispense from a squirt tube.”

This peanut butter can be purchased in 2-ounce or 8-ounce tubes or in packs of 6. The brand recommends refrigerating it for a creamy texture and massaging the tube to soften it so it’s more spreadable. 

Primary Ingredients: Peanuts, oatmeal, pumpkin | Size/Volume: 2-ounce, 8-ounce tube

What We Like
  • Contains only peanut flour

  • Control over consistency and texture

  • Can add to yogurt or smoothies

  • Non-GMO

What We Don’t Like
  • Only comes in one size

The PBfit Powdered Peanut Powder is our top recommendation for a peanut butter in powder form. You add water to thicken it to your desired consistency, giving you more control over the texture. Made of peanut flour, PBfit is formulated for humans and has a simple dog-safe recipe.

This powder comes in a 1-pound, 8-ounce jar, which is slightly bigger than most of the options on our list. In addition to using the PBfit Powdered Peanut Powder as a treat for your dog, it can also be added to smoothies and yogurt. 

Primary Ingredients: Peanut flour | Size/Volume: 24-ounce jar

What We Like
  • Oven-baked

  • More pliable for senior dogs

  • Natural ingredients

  • Real peanut butter and banana base

What We Don’t Like
  • Comparatively higher in calories than other chewable treats

  • Contains a preservative

Bocce’s Bakery is known for simple recipes, natural ingredients, and small-batch preparations. These Soft & Chewy treats in Peanut Butter & Banana flavor are the best chewable peanut butter treats for dogs. They are oven-baked and have a simple recipe that includes peanut butter, oats, flaxseed, banana, and carob chips. 

The Bocce's Bakery Soft & Chewy Peanut Butter & Banana Recipe is sold in a 6-ounce resealable bag. Each treat contains 14 calories but has a crumbly texture that makes it easy to break into smaller pieces to reward your dog.

The softness of these chews makes them good to give to senior dogs as well. These treats come in four other standard recipes, and Bocce’s Bakery also tends to release seasonal flavors.  

Primary Ingredients: Oat flour, peanut butter, rolled oats, cane molasses, flaxseed, banana, carob chips | Size/Volume: 6-ounce bag

What We Like
  • Ergonomic

  • Dense but not too heavy

  • Infused with real peanuts

  • Five different sizes

What We Don’t Like
  • Made of nylon (which should not be ingested)

After testing 25 dog chewers and comparing Benebone to Nylabone, we recommend the Benebone Peanut Butter Flavor Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy. While it is made of nylon, which should not be ingested, it’s a great option for pet parents looking to satisfy their dog’s urge to chew. It has been infused with real peanuts, giving it a taste that will keep your dog engaged. 

The Wishbone Tough Dog Chew comes in four sizes: small, medium, large, and giant. It is shaped like a wishbone, and this ergonomic design makes it easy for dogs to hold on their own. It is dense, but not too heavy for dogs to maneuver. The Wishbone Tough Dog Chew Toy is available in bacon and chicken variations as well, which have also been infused with real flavors. 

Primary Ingredients: Peanuts | Size/Volume: Tiny, small, medium, large, giant

What We Like
  • Long-lasting

  • Three flavors

  • Made without wheat or corn

  • No need to freeze or chill

What We Don't Like
  • Longer ingredient list than other options

Designed to work in tandem with the Woof Pupsicle—a treat dispenser for lickable treats—these peanut butter-based pops are a mess-free alternative to the DIY versions made in silicone pop molds. They come ready to use; no need to freeze or refrigerate them to set. Each pop can last up to 40 minutes of playtime.

Although the ingredient list is longer than most of the other options here, they are all wholesome, human-grade and relatively familiar; there's also no salt, sugar, or xylitol. Plus, they're made without wheat or corn.

The Woof Pupsicle Refill pops come in three flavors—beef, birthday cake, and chicken—and three sizes. Each pop is 85.6 calories.

Primary Ingredients: Peanut butter (roasted peanuts), chicken plasma, beef tallow, date syrup, brewers dried yeast, beef gelatin, blueberry | Size/Volume: Small (10 count), small (20 count), large (10 count), large (20 count), x-large (10 count), x-large (20 count)

Final Verdict

Our overall top pick is Teddie All Natural Peanut Butter, Unsalted Smooth. When selecting a peanut butter for your dog, you have the option of a product formulated for humans or dogs. As Dr. Lippman notes, there’s something nice about feeding your dog a product that you know you’d eat yourself. Plus, these brands tend to be more affordable, and you can store them in your house with peace of mind.

While some brands have been enriched with additional ingredients, Dr. Filos notes that they are not a necessity. “Overall, you would need to feed a fairly large amount of these peanut butter products to dogs long-term to get these benefits, which might be found in other foods or supplements in higher concentrations,” she says. We recommend finding a dog-safe recipe you are comfortable with and that your dog considers a high-value treat. Bark Bistro Buddy Budder, which has the best flavor variety, is a great option for pickier eaters.

What to Know About Peanut Butter for Dogs

Peanut Butter Uses and Benefits

“The point of peanut butter is to have this spreadable high-value treat,” says Dr. Lippman. Peanut butter is most commonly used as a reward for dogs and can be a helpful aid for behavioral training, such as for a dog with separation anxiety. If your dog takes any sort of pill, you can also use peanut butter to disguise the medication.

Since it takes time to eat, peanut butter can also keep your dog occupied when needed. “In addition to using [peanut butter] to train dogs and medicate them, it can also be used to fill Kong toys, or put on some entertaining toys that help keep active pets busy, and make them work for their treats,” says Dr. Filos. “It is the equivalent of putting a video on to have some peace and quiet while you are trying to manage a work call. It buys you quiet time while your pet is working on getting at their peanut butter.”

Xylitol and Other Risks

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in plants that’s safe for human consumption, so sometimes it is used as a sugar substitute in peanut butter. “Especially any diet or sugar-free peanut butter potentially can have xylitol in it,” says Dr. Lippman. However, it is not safe for dogs and can cause a range of health issues from low blood sugar to death. 

According to Dr. Filos, xylitol is sometimes listed under the following names, which should be avoided at all costs as well:

  • 1,3-Anhydro-D-xylitol
  • Anhyrdroxylitol
  • Birch bark extract
  • Birch sugar
  • D-xylitol
  • Xylite
  • Xylitylglucoside
  • Zylatol

In addition to looking out for toxins, Dr. Lippman says to avoid peanut butter with added salt and sugar and to be mindful that it can be high in calories. “Some dogs have allergies or gastrointestinal issues, and so that all has to be taken into account,” she adds.

Nutrition

In moderation, peanut butter can be a great occasional treat for dogs. It’s rich in protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin, so it has some nutritional value for your dog in addition to being delicious. 

However, keep in mind that treats should be no more than 10 percent of your dog's diet, says Dr. Lippman. She recommends looking at your dog food bag to see how many calories you’re feeding your dog a day and going from there.

“It's so easy to overdo it in a tablespoon of peanut butter; it can be 100 calories easily,” she told The Spruce Pets. “So let's say your dog eats 1,000 calories a day, treats should make up no more than 10 percent of their diet, so it should be no more than 100 of those calories.” However, she notes, average-sized dogs eat closer to 500 calories a day. 

How many treats a dog can consume a day depends on your dog and their body condition, as well as how many calories they’re eating. “It can be hard without having professional guidance on exactly how much, so I would say everything in moderation,” advises Dr. Lippman.

FAQ
  • Is peanut butter good for dogs?

    “It certainly can be safe and it could be a good treat when fed in moderation,” says Dr. Lippman. Peanut butter should be given occasionally as a high-value treat, keeping in mind your dog’s overall calorie intake. A peanut butter with simple ingredients, free of salt, sugar, and xylitol, can be a fun addition to your treat arsenal. 

  • Can dogs eat peanuts?

    “Peanuts are dog-safe,” says Dr. Lippman. “You just want to make sure that they're fresh and not moldy.” As with any treat, veterinarians recommend giving your pet a small amount at first to make sure they don’t have an allergy or intolerance. When feeding peanuts, make sure they're shelled, unsalted, and unseasoned.

  • Can cats eat peanut butter?

    Peanut butter is safe and nontoxic for cats, as long as you follow the same guidelines outlined here, but that doesn’t mean they’ll want to eat it. “I've never seen a cat eat peanut butter,” says Dr. Lippman, noting that cats typically gravitate towards salty treats over sweeter flavors like peanut butter. Be mindful that peanut butter is not the most healthy choice for cats, and they should consume only a small amount of the high-calorie treat at a time, due to their size.

Why Trust The Spruce Pets?

Rebecca Shinners is a writer with more than nine years of editorial experience. She brought home her first puppy, a cavapoo named Gemma, in 2022. As a first-time dog mom, she’s become an expert at asking questions, researching products, and seeking vet approval. Now, as a writer for The Spruce Pets, she’s using her knowledge to help other dog owners make informed decisions for their own pets.

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