An estimated billion Nutter Butters are consumed in households yearly, and it’s a good bet our dogs get their fair share. If you worry about the safety of feeding something so sweet to your dog, we have your answers.
As with other sweets made for human consumption, giving a Nutter Butter to your dog is not a good idea. Although it is not currently known to be toxic to your dog, it can be harmful in the long run. Read on to see why these delicious cookies are a no-no for fido.
Why You Shouldn’t Give Your Pet Nutter Butters
Nearly all pet parents are aware of the dangers of offering your pet sweets. There are many reasons you shouldn’t give your pet Nutter Butters, such as:
High Sugar Content
Nutter Butters have high sugar content, which is dangerous for you and your pet. Dogs that eat sugar can develop many problems, including diabetes and dental issues. Even pets not prone to diabetes can suffer a blood sugar spike after the consumption of Nutter Butters. You should not feed your pets treats with a high sugar content due to the following reasons:
1. Digestive Upset
It can upset their stomach. Like us, dogs have a specific balance of micro-organisms in their digestive tract to ensure healthy digestion and promote the health of the digestive system. Foods high in sugar can upset the balance of your pet’s digestive system, causing diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive problems.
2. Dental Problems
Refined sugar is the sworn enemy of teeth. Bacteria in the mouth use sugar to produce acids that slowly deteriorate tooth enamel, leading to dental problems.
Almost everything you feed your dog, including their food, contains some sugar, so it’s a good idea to avoid treats with high sugar content to prevent dental issues. Additionally, regular cleaning of your dog’s teeth promotes good dental health.
3. Obesity
Sugar is primarily empty calories with no nutritional value. Giving dogs sugary treats like Nutter Butters can cause weight gain. Obesity is a growing problem in pets that stresses their joints, reduces activity levels, and puts pets at risk for other illnesses, such as arthritis and heart disease. The best thing you can do is keep Nutter Butters away from your dog.
4. Disturbed Metabolism
Giving your pet a sugary treat causes their body to produce more insulin than usual. This increased secretion of insulin disturbs your pet’s metabolism because it affects the production of other hormones. These metabolic disturbances can lead to issues such as diabetes and obesity in the long term.
5. Blood Sugar Spike
All the other issues discussed above happen after consuming sugary foods for a while. However, even giving your pet a Nutter Butter once can lead to a blood sugar spike. When there is a high amount of sugar in your pet’s blood, their body starts secreting more insulin. Dogs suffering from a blood sugar spike can become nauseous, vomit, have diarrhea, and become extremely thirsty.
High Fat Content
It’s no surprise that Nutter Butters contain a high amount of fats. Along with butter, these cookies have a high amount of peanut butter, so they are pretty rich in fat. Butter is also a dairy product, which can cause an upset stomach for lactose intolerant dogs. Additionally, excess fat can cause pancreas inflammation and high blood pressure. Even if your pet eats a few Nutter Butters, the high amounts of butter and peanut butter can cause issues.
Gluten
Nutter Butters are cookies containing gluten. Although most dogs don’t have trouble digesting wheat, it can cause digestive issues when consumed in high amounts. Some dogs could even have a gluten allergy, so they should not eat Nutter Butters at all. Wheat is not harmful in other cases, and your pet’s food can include it alongside ample meat protein.
Artificial Additives
Commercial human snacks like Nutter Butters can contain artificial additives and preservatives. Since they are usually made in bulk and meant to last a while, artificial preservatives ensure their freshness. These additives and preservatives can harm your dog, even in small amounts. Not only can they cause health issues, but some can also be toxic. It is best to keep Nutter Butters away from your dog if you’re unsure about the ingredients they contain.
Other Harmful Ingredients
Nutters Butters can also contain other harmful ingredients, such as:
Xylitol, an artificial sweetener in many commercial sweets, is toxic to dogs. Many artificially sweetened desserts contain Xylitol. If your dog eats something containing Xylitol, it can cause weakness, low blood pressure, seizures, and even death. Although Nutter Butters don’t list Xylitol as an ingredient, you should avoid giving them to your dog.
Chocolate is also present in some types of Nutter Butters. Dogs cannot metabolize the theobromine content in chocolate. Chocolate is toxic for dogs, and you should never feed some Nutter Butters containing chocolate.
Dairy products such as butter, cream, and milk can cause digestive upset and other problems in dogs. They are also high in saturated fats, which can be hard to digest. Nutter Butters are cookies, so they contain some of these products. And while one cookie may not hurt your dog, why take chances?
Is Peanut Butter Bad For Dogs?
Many of us use peanut butter as a treat or even to feed our pets medication. Peanut butter by itself is not harmful to your pet, but the ingredients it is combined with in Nutter Butter cookies are. You can safely use peanut butter as a treat in moderation. Due to its high-fat content, you shouldn’t feed your pet an excessive amount of peanut butter. Treats should only make up 10% of your pet’s daily food intake since they usually do not contain any nutrition.
Ensure you check the ingredients list before feeding your dog peanut butter. Some peanut butter is artificially sweetened and may contain Xylitol or chocolate, which are unsafe for dogs. Also, keep in mind that most commercial peanut butter can include high sugar content and artificial additives. The best peanut butter for you and your pet is one with all-natural and organic ingredients.
What Happens if My Dog Eats a Nutter Butter Accidentally
If you are lactose intolerant or know someone who is, consider how they feel after consuming dairy products. Although not the most pleasant thought, you can easily imagine that their stomach would not be able to tolerate it.
If your dog has only eaten a single Nutter Butter, it is probably not a cause for worry. You should ensure your pet stays hydrated and monitor them carefully for any signs of discomfort. If you suspect your pet has eaten a lot Nutter Butters, they will probably show symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You should consult your veterinarian immediately in this situation.
Alternatives
If your dog loves peanut butter and it isn’t easy to keep him away from Nutter Butters, you can bake him some peanut butter cookies. Include sugar-free all-natural peanut butter and other healthy ingredients that will encourage digestion. Adding pumpkin puree and flaxseed will give your dog many essential nutrients and promote healthy digestion. You can find many recipes online for peanut butter cookies. Avoid ingredients like sugar and dairy products since they can upset your dog’s stomach.
If you don’t have the time to bake your dog a whole batch of cookies, he will undoubtedly be grateful to have peanut butter. Use a spoonful of peanut butter as a treat to reward good behavior. Your dog should have peanut butter in moderation, so do not feed him more than a few spoonfuls daily.
If you want to buy some healthy peanut butter treats for your pet, many options are available. Stay away from commercial treats as these usually contain high fat and sugar content. Opt for treats made with natural and organic ingredients that are safe and healthy. When buying treats for your pet, please review the list to ensure they contain no corn, soy, or artificial additives. A great option is Buddy Biscuits Peanut Butter treats.
