Lifestyle

Can cats and dogs eat peanut butter?


Dogs are known to love peanut butter (Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty)

It’s no secret cats and dogs enjoy peanut butter but their indulgence may be doing more harm than good.

Animals lovers may be hesitant to feed their pets peanut butter, especially given the fact that misinformation is often circulated online.

Here’s what you need to know about peanut butter, and the effect it has on cats and dogs.

Can cats and dogs eat peanut butter?

While peanut butter won’t kill your pet, it’s definitely worth reading the ingredients label on the jar.

Cats have difficulty digesting peanut butter (Picture: Jen Mills)

This is because many brands of peanut butter includes a sugar substitute known as xylitol, and while it’s perfectly fine for human consumption, it can be toxic for cats and dogs.

Even a small serving of the sweetener can prove fatal to pets so be sure to check before letting your pets lick a peanut butter-covered spoon.

While peanut butter free of xylitol is perfectly fine for cat and dog consumption, it should only be given to a pet in moderation and as a treat.

Too much can lead to obesity, diabetes and other health-related problems.

Xylitol is found in low sugar or sugar-free products (Picture: Tim Graham/Getty)

Cats especially can suffer adverse reactions to too much peanut butter as they have trouble swallowing and digesting the spread.

A feline who’s eaten too much of the treat can suffer diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as indigestion.

And although peanut butter holds nutritional value for humans, it offers no sort of health benefits to pets.

In conclusion: peanut butter without xylitol is totally fine for your pet sparingly and once in a while, but shouldn’t form part of their daily diet.

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