Peanut butter is one of the tastiest snacks around, and our dogs can't get enough of it. If you want to motivate your dog during training or reward them when they're extra good, the best peanut butter dog treats are full of the delicious good stuff.
We talked to veterinarians to find out what makes a great peanut butter treat for dogs. With their guidance, we selected a variety of soft chews and crunchy biscuits. Like our picks for the best dog treats, these recommendations have packaging that's clearly labeled with a full ingredient list and calorie content, so you know exactly what you're feeding your pet. Tuna For Cat
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Yes. Dr. Mondrian Contreras, veterinarian and owner of Carol Stream Animal Hospital, says it's safe to give dogs peanut butter in moderation. Unlike other treats that dogs eat quickly, small amounts of peanut butter take a while to lick. Contreras says this makes peanut butter a useful dog treat during times of potential discomfort, such as a nail trim or crate-training because a dog will focus on the peanut butter rather than the source of stress.
Just be sure to purchase peanut butter without xylitol, birch, or wood sugars, which are toxic for dogs, says Dr. Carlos Lloveras-Fuentes, lead veterinarian at Veterinary Center of Parker, Inc. He recommends choosing treats with short ingredient lists. If you want to avoid unfamiliar ingredients that may upset your dog's stomach, he says homemade treats may be a good option. The best dog treat molds are a good place to start when making homemade peanut butter goodness for your pup.
Because peanut butter is high in calories, Contreras says feeding pre-packaged treats may be a good way to track your dog's caloric intake. But he cautions against feeding too many treats, a common issue that he and Lloveras-Fuentes say contributes to pet obesity. "We're using them almost all the time where it should be very intentional," says Contreras. He recommends that treats, peanut butter or otherwise, make up no more than 5% to 10% of your dog's diet.
You can feed your dog peanut butter daily, but moderation is key, according to Lloveras-Fuentes. He says it's generally OK to feed peanut butter when a high-value treat is needed, such as during stressful events like nail clipping. Whether you give your dog regular chews, the best organic dog treats, or the best dog training treats, you should give them only occasionally and always with the guidance of your veterinarian.
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