Dog-Safe Peanut Butter at the Grocery Store
Disclosure: I am not a veterinary professional. All of the opinions below should not be taken as medical advice. If you are looking for guidance for your specific dog, please contact your vet. If you or your dog are allergic to peanuts, or any products listed within the peanut butter’s ingredient list, please do not consume, or allow them to consume, any peanut butter products.
You can find dog safe peanut butter on Amazon or in pet stores, but it often comes at a much steeper price point than the stuff you can find at the supermarket. I’ve collected a few options you could likely find in your local grocery store and listed out the pros and cons for each option so you can make the best choice finance friendly choice for your furry friend!
What to Avoid??
When shopping for peanut butter for your pup, there are a few ingredients you’ll want to watch out for. Xylitol, also know as birch sugar, can be found in some peanut butter brands and is highly toxic to dogs. Even relatively small levels of Xylitol consumption in dogs can cause hypoglycemia (aka low blood sugar) and can even result in acute liver failure. Xylitol and birch sugar are its two most common names on US labels, however, if you see an ingredient that you don’t recognize be sure to do a google search to make sure its dog safe.
As a general rule of thumb, its typically best to lean toward all natural or low sodium peanut butters as well. Generally, the less additives the product has the better. Also watch out for any added sugar and be sure to grab the creamy version for smaller dogs especially, since its generally accepted that it is easier for dogs to consume and digest. When in doubt, always consult with your veterinarian with questions surrounding your specific dogs health!
(1) Jif Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread
Pros:
Relatively low sodium content
Reasonably priced ($3.12 for a 16 oz jar at Walmart)
4 ingredients (peanuts, palm oil, and less than 2% of sodium and molasses)
Can be bought in a squeeze pouch, which I love for on the go training sessions
Cons:
Contains palm oil, which can cause stomach upset in some dogs and pancreatitis with extended use
Contains added sugar (molasses)
Overall Rating: 5/10
I actually use this peanut butter often with my own pups - the squeeze bottle version is great for on the go. It has less sodium and less additives than many other options on the shelf. However, palm oil can cause stomach upset in some dogs, and the addition of sugar is not necessary for your 4 legged friend.
(2) SKIPPY Creamy Peanut Butter
Pros:
Found in most grocery stores
Comes in a variety of different sizes
Comes in 5lb Jars for bulk purchasing
Cheap ($2.98 for a 16.3 oz jar)
Cons:
>5 ingredients
Has added sugar as its second ingredient
Added oils (vegetable, cottonseed, soybean and rapeseed) contribute to increasing fat content which may upset some dogs stomachs, and can lead to pancreatitis with prolonged use
Overall Rating: 4/10
I added this peanut butter because it was actually listed on my local shelter’s Amazon wish list. As the cheapest option on this list it’s an option for those ballin’ on a budget. The addition of several oils and added sugars, however, may lead to stomach upset.
(3) Crazy Richard’s All Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
Pros:
Only one ingredient: Peanuts!!
Reasonably priced at $3.54 for a 16oz Jar
No added oils, sugars or salt
Cons:
Slightly higher price point than other options
May not be available at all grocery stores
Overall Rating: 10/10
I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for this product the next time I go to the grocery store for sure! With only one ingredient (Peanuts!) this is the perfect option for your pup at a fraction of the cost of the branded doggie peanut butters. I think this one is well worth the extra 60 cents!
(4) Smucker’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
Pros:
Only two ingredients: Peanuts and salt
Slightly lower fat content than some of the alternatives
While more expensive than some of the other options on this list, this is still considerably cheaper than pet branded peanut butter at a pet store
Cons:
Higher price point at $4.12 for a 16 oz jar
Has some added sodium
Overall Rating: 8/10
Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter is another great option for your furry friend. With only 2 ingredients, Peanuts and Salt, you don’t have to worry about potentially harmful oils or unnecessary sugars. However, this peanut butter is the most expensive on my list, and the added salt may taste great to you but earns negative points for your pup.
In Conclusion
Buying doggie branded peanut butter at the pet store or online is always an option - but there are dog safe alternatives at the supermarket that can save you a few dollars. Ultimately, looking for a product with the least amount of ingredients, low in sodium, no or little added sugars and oils, and absolutely no Xylitol, can lead you to some dog safe option on a budget.