ChocolateLabs
Can Labs Eat It? Food Safety
Peanut butter is the go-to filler for chew toys and pill pockets, and most Labs would trade anything for it. It’s fine for dogs as long as you check two things: xylitol and calories.
The real danger: xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum, mints, baked goods, toothpaste, chewable vitamins and, per the FDA and the Merck Veterinary Manual, some peanut and nut butters. The FDA notes it may also be labeled birch sugar or wood sugar.
In dogs, xylitol triggers a rapid insulin release that can drop blood sugar dangerously, sometimes within 10 to 60 minutes (FDA). The Merck Veterinary Manual says:
- Doses above about 100 mg/kg (45 mg/lb) have been linked to low blood sugar
- Some dogs eating more than about 500 mg/kg develop severe liver injury or failure
- Signs include vomiting, weakness, wobbliness, lethargy, seizures and collapse
- Liver signs may not appear until 24 to 48 hours later
Check the label every time you buy a new jar, because recipes change. If your dog eats anything with xylitol, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 right away.
The everyday issue: calories
USDA data put plain smooth peanut butter at about 96 calories per tablespoon. A 70 lb neutered adult Lab needs about 1,500 kcal a day by the Merck formula, so the whole 10% treat budget is only about 150 kcal. A heaping spoonful can use most of it.
Too much fat can also contribute to pancreatitis in some dogs (AKC). Labs are prone to weight gain (see our weight guide), so:
- Use a thin smear, not a scoop
- Prefer unsalted, no-sugar-added peanut butter
- Count it in your dog’s daily total with the calorie calculator
Good ways to use it
- A teaspoon in a stuffable chew toy, frozen to make it last
- A dab to hide a pill
- Mixed with a few slices of banana
Other foods to keep away from Labs include chocolate, grapes and raisins, and sugar-free Halloween candy. See the full Can Labs eat it? series.