Dog Owners Beware: The Hidden Xylitol Risk in Peanut Butter

Does your dog love the smell and anticipation of a lick of peanut butter? Our pups sure do! But did you know that some peanut butter brands contain an ingredient that’s toxic to canines? Be sure to check that you’re NOT feeding your pup peanut butter with xylitol. You may be surprised by the risks, which we expose in this article. 

Keep reading to learn why your dog should avoid xylitol and which peanut butters are healthy for canines. Lick your chops and let’s get into it! 

What Is Xylitol? 

Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute that has a sweet taste and is considered to have some health benefits for humans. it has a similar sweetness to regular sugar but with fewer calories. Xylitol belongs to a group of compounds called sugar alcohols, which are found in small amounts in various fruits and vegetables. It’s derived from the fibrous parts of plants, such as corn cobs and birch trees. 

One of the significant advantages of using xylitol as a sugar replacement in foods is its low impact on blood sugar levels in humans, making it suitable for people with diabetes or those following a low-carb diet. It also has dental benefits as it doesn’t decay teeth as regular sugar does. Therefore, it’s commonly used in chewing gums, toothpaste, and mouthwashes. 

Despite its benefits for humans, xylitol can cause digestive issues when consumed in large amounts, so moderation is key. 

Which Peanut Butters Have Xylitol? 

Many commercially-available peanut butter don’t contain xylitol. However, it’s important to read the label to be sure, as manufacturers are required to include it in the list of ingredients. Xylitol will appear on the ingredients list often as “natural sweetener (xylitol)” or as “birch sugar.” While these ingredients are fine for human consumption, do NOT feed these peanut butter options to your dog!

Known brands that do use xylitol include Krush Nutrition, Nuts ‘N More, Go Nuts, Co., No Cow, and P28 Foods. There may be others or new ones that arise after the publication of this article, so be sure to read the labels of products you or your dog will be consuming.

Can Peanut Butter With Xylitol Harm Dogs? 

Yes, peanut butter with xylitol can be very harmful to dogs. It’s actually highly toxic to canines, even in small amounts. When ingested, it can cause a rapid release of insulin in dogs, leading to a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycemia. 

The toxic dose of xylitol in dogs is less than that in chocolate. A 1.37-gram dose of xylitol can lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar. If a dog ingested 6.8 grams, for example, it could be enough to severely affect its liver cells. In comparison, for the same level of toxicity, it would take 150 grams of dark chocolate.

Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs can include vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures, and in severe cases, liver failure. It’s important to be aware of the potential risks and to always check the ingredient label on peanut butter before feeding it to your pup.

If you suspect that your dog has ingested peanut butter with xylitol or any other xylitol-containing product, contact your veterinarian right away. Don’t downplay the symptoms your pup is experiencing or think they may go away in time, xylitol poisoning can be extremely serious. Your vet will recommend a treatment plan so that your pup doesn’t have to suffer. 

Suggested Reading: Find out if you should test your dog for food sensitivities.

How Quickly Does Xylitol Affect Dogs?

Xylitol can affect dogs quickly. Symptoms typically appear within 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion but can take up to 12 hours. The severity of symptoms and the speed at which they develop depend on the amount of xylitol ingested and the size of the dog. In some cases, xylitol poisoning can lead to liver failure, which may occur within a matter of hours or over the course of a few days. 

When a dog’s blood sugar drops, a condition known as hypoglycemia occurs. It can lead to a range of symptoms and, if left untreated, can become a serious and potentially life-threatening situation. The brain relies on glucose, sugar, as its primary source of energy. When blood sugar levels drop too low, it can affect the brain’s normal functioning. So, symptoms in dogs can include weakness, lethargy, disorientation, trembling, lack of coordination, seizures, or even loss of consciousness. That’s why it’s essential to address hypoglycemia promptly by providing a source of sugar, such as rubbing a small amount of honey on the dog’s gums. Also, seek immediate veterinary care.

Pro Tip: Learn the best human foods dogs can have.

What Kind of Peanut Butter Is Safe for Dogs?

Fortunately, there are many dog-safe brands of peanut butter that do not have xylitol in them. For starters, we recommend sticking with human-grade, FDA-tested brands of peanut butter, as animal-grade may not go through the same quality control for mycotoxins that could remain after processing. This will be any peanut putters that you find in your grocery store vs. your pet store.

Our personal favorite peanut butter brands are the ones that only have two ingredients: peanuts and salt. We personally shop at Costco, and love their Kirkland Organic Creamy Peanut Butter for both us and our dogs.

Jif peanut butter is without xylitol according to its website. Skippy peanut butter is also known to be xylitol-free. However, they do contain hydrogenated oils which isn’t necessarily good for humans or dogs. So, feeding your pup this peanut butter in moderation is a wise choice.

And while you’re checking the labels, you might as well check for other unhealthy additives. Many peanut butter brands add sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other unnecessary additives that can increase calories, spike sugar levels and increase unhealthy fats.

Check out this video that discusses safe peanut butter in more depth. Please note that this is simply the opinion of the YouTube channel creators and isn’t sponsored by HypePets.

Is Peanut Butter With Xylitol Bad for Other Animals? 

Peanut butter with xylitol can be harmful to animals other than dogs, particularly those susceptible to hypoglycemia. While dogs are known to be more sensitive to xylitol poisoning, other animals can also experience adverse effects if consumed. For example, ferrets and cats shouldn’t have peanut butter with xylitol. As with dogs, if one of your pets ate peanut butter with xylitol and is having symptoms of toxicity, contact your vet for proper care and treatment.

Keep Your Pup Safe From Peanut Butter With Xylitol

Keep your dog away from peanut butter with xylitol. We prefer not to even have it in the house. When your pup is sick because of something you fed it, it can be extremely heartbreaking. So, avoid exposure to toxic food or substances, and your dog will love and lick you for it. But that doesn’t mean you have to deprive your pet of peanut butter, so continue to treat your pup with xylitol-free brands.

Do you feed your dog peanut butter? What kind? Share any feedback or tips you have in the comments below.