It’s National Peanut Butter Day!
We can all agree, peanut butter came straight from heaven. No matter if you are canine or human, it makes us all happy.
Our staff at Animal Medical Center want you and your pets to enjoy peanut butter but we do have some precautions to tell you before savor the sweet stickiness!
PB can be a great treat for your pooch, but please do not give your dog large amounts of peanut butter since it is high in fat. Dogs have a hard time digesting a lot of fat, this can cause diarrhea or a painful condition pancreatitis. Make sure you share this wonderful creamy goodness in little quantities.
IMPORTANT WARNING ABOUT PEANUT BUTTER:
Recently, some peanut butter companies have been trying to make peanut butter healthier for us by making them sugar-free and lower in calories. By doing this they have added a sugar substitute called Xylitol. Xylitol is VERY dangerous for your dogs, it’s even more toxic than chocolate! The effects of Xylitol can be very immediate and very severe. You need to call Animal Medical Center immediately if you think your dog has ingested Xylitol, it can be usually be found in gum and candy.
When your dog ingests Xylitol, it results in a sudden insulin release from your dog’s pancreas, which causes hypoglycemia, a life-threatening emergency situation. In large quantities, it can cause acute hepatic necrosis which is severe liver failure.
It is truly an emergency situation when your dog ingests Xylitol, so we ask everyone to check your peanut butter right now! Some brands that have included Xylitol in their ingredients are:
- Nuts ‘N More
- Go Nuts
- Krush Nutrition
- Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter
- P28
Now that we’ve all checked our peanut butter, here are so fun ways to celebrate National Peanut Butter Day:
It can keep dogs busy for hours when put inside a toy such as a Kong. The stickiness of peanut butter is hard to lick off the insides of a Kong, so if your dog needs some busy work, this could be the perfect solution. This can help with separation anxiety too. To add a little more fun, mix kibble or treats in with the peanut butter before you stuff it in the Kong. If you don’t mind possibly causing a little bit of mess, play hide and seek. Cover a treat or toy with a little bit of peanut butter and hide around the yard or in the house to have your dog find their special treat!
PB can also be a way to hide medication and your dog wouldn’t be the wiser. Cover the medication into some peanut butter and then place it on their tongue towards the back of their mouth. Just make sure it’s ok with your Animal Medical Center veterinarian to use with the specific medication your dog is on.
How about making some treats for your dog!
Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Cookies
Ingredients
1 egg
1 mashed banana
1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp honey
1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
1 egg white, lightly beaten, for brushing (optional)
Directions
Preheat oven to 300ºF.
Lightly beat the egg then mix in the peanut butter, mashed banana and honey. Blend thoroughly. Add the flour a little at a time, until mixture is evenly combined.
Turn out the dough on a floured board and roll until ¼ inch thick. Using a cookie cutter of your choice, a biscuit cutter or the rim side of a glass, cut the dough into desired shape. Brush tops with egg white (optional).
Place cookies on a lightly greased baking sheet or one fitted with a silpat silicone baking sheet liner.
Bake cookies for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. (Cook time will vary based on size of your cookie. Bake less for smaller cookies, more for larger cookies.)
Cool cookies on a wire rack. Leaving them out overnight will produce a crunchier cookie. Storing them in a sealed container will keep the cookies softer.
Recipes from: Veterinary Pet Insurance
You can also make your own peanut butter pupsicles! How fun would that be for your pet during the summer!
Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats Recipe
Ingredients:
4 cups plain yogurt
½ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey
1 ripe banana, mashed
Directions:
Melt peanut butter in microwave for about 30 seconds
Place all of the ingredients into a blender, mixer or food processor and mix well (until smooth)
Pour into ice cube trays or Popsicle trays.
Freeze until firm.
Pop out of the tray (you’ll need a knife) and let your dog enjoy this frozen treat!
Recipe from: Pet Guide
Animal Medical Center wishes you and your pet Happy Peanut Butter Day! If you have any questions about what is safe for your pets, don’t hesitate to call us! Enjoy!
