Our dogs have an impressive nose, often causing them to come running the moment you crack open a snack package. Though all snacks entice our furry friends, a peanut butter cookie is often irresistible.
When seeing how interested our pups are in a tasty Nutter Butter, it may be tempting to reach down and offer them a cookie of their own. Dogs love peanut butter, so Nutter Butters should be safe, right?
In this article we will discuss the reasons why you should keep your Nutter Butter cookies to yourself, and the potential dangers that come along with giving your pup this sugar packed treat.
What Are Nutter Butters Anyways?
Before we dive into why you shouldn’t give your dog Nutter Butters, we should make sure that everyone has a clear idea of the cookie we are dealing with.
A Nutter Butter is a peanut-shaped cookie that is made up of a crunchy peanut flavored outer layer and a sweet cream flavored filling.
They are the most popular peanut butter sandwich cookies in America, so you can find them anywhere from your local grocery store to the nearby gas station. They have the distinct peanut shape and a textured outer layer, so you can’t miss them when you see them.
Is Peanut Butter Safe For Dogs?
Yes, dogs can have some brands of natural peanut butter. They can typically enjoy a spoonful of peanut butter that is free of any high sugar content or preservatives, as long as you make sure that the peanut butter is free of xylitol (a toxic ingredient that can lower a dog’s blood sugar).
As long as you offer your pup a dog-safe peanut butter in moderation, they can typically enjoy this snack without any GI upset.
Some of our favorite peanut butters that are safe for dogs include Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter, Maranatha Organic Peanut Butter, and Adam’s Natural Unsalted Peanut Butter.
If Dogs Can Eat Peanut Butter, Can They Have Nutter Butters?
Unfortunately for our pups, Nutter Butters are not made of the dog-safe peanut butter that our pups can safely enjoy.
Nutter Butter cookies are high in processed ingredients and sugar, and provide no nutritional value to our canine friends. While these sugary snacks are often okay for humans in moderation, our dog’s process ingredients in a different way than you and I.
Even a small serving of a sugary human treat can lead to GI upset for the pups in our home. Even when dogs can eat a Nutter Butter without issues, frequent intake of sugary snacks can quickly lead to weight gain and other metabolic complications.
Though many dogs love the taste of peanut butter, there are better ways to offer it to them.
Why Can’t Dogs Have Nutter Butters?
The main reason why dogs can’t have Nutter Butters is due to the possibility of an upset stomach. As we mentioned above, Nutter Butters contain a high sugar and fat content, both of which can cause GI upset for the dog that eats them.
While they may not be considered toxic or poisonous to our pups, they are still not an ideal snack.
A dog that eats one or more Nutter Butters may experience diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, lethargy, and even abdominal pain.
Even more dangerous than standard Nutter Butters are chocolate covered Nutter Butters that can also be found in stores. These cookies can cause even more severe GI upset, along with symptoms of chocolate toxicity such as elevated heart rate and seizures.
No matter how tasty they may be to us, there are no types of Nutter Butter that are safe for dogs. They may beg and display their saddest pair of puppy dog eyes, but you must be strong and resist their tricks!
What To Do If Your Dog Accidently Eats Nutter Butters
So what happens when a dog accidentally gets into your Nutter Butter stash? Dogs are known for being mischievous and food driven, making this a realistic opportunity if your Nutter Butters are left in an accessible spot.
Though Nutter Butters are not good for dogs, you shouldn’t immediately panic if your pup accidentally eats a few.
- 1-3 Nutter Butter cookies may only cause mild GI upset like diarrhea and stomach gurgling, but most dogs will be just fine within 24 hours.
Just be sure to keep a close eye on them in the hours and days that follow, as some dogs will have more of a sensitivity to sugar and fat than others.
However, if your dog accidentally consumes an entire package of Nutter Butters, they may experience a more severe case of GI upset.
These dogs may encounter frequent diarrhea and vomiting, with some pups even refusing to eat as a result of their stomach pain.
If your dog eats a large amount of Nutter Butters and they have multiple rounds of either diarrhea or vomiting, we suggest having them seen by your vet. Sometimes these pups need a bit of extra support in settling their stomach.
Are There Any Safe Peanut Butter Treats For Dogs?
Thankfully, there are many dog-safe peanut butter treats that our pups can enjoy without the upset stomach afterward. If you want to skip the small serving of all natural peanut butter, you can explore any pet store in search of a peanut butter flavored treat.
Peanut butter is a favorite when it comes to canine snacks, so most pet stores have multiple different types of peanut inspired dog treats. Just be sure to review the ingredient label to make sure each ingredient is okay for your individual pup.
Can Dogs Eat Other Types Of Human Cookies?
We know how tempting it is to offer your dog your favorite sweet treat, but we always suggest steering clear of any human cookies when it comes to our pups. Most cookies are high in sugar and fat, and this will only upset their stomach.
If you want to offer them a sweet treat from time to time, we suggest offering them a dog-safe fruit like bananas, strawberries, or blueberries. This way they can still satisfy their sweet tooth, but they will not have to deal with any uncomfortable side effects.
Final Thoughts
Our dogs may not be able to enjoy Nutter Butters, but they can have the occasional bite of all natural peanut butter. Many pups enjoy the real thing more anyways, and you won’t have to worry about any GI upset to follow!
Disclaimer
Before making any decisions that could affect the health and/or safety of your dog, you should always consult a trained veterinarian in your local area. Even though this content may have been written/reviewed by a trained veterinarian, our advice to you is to always consult your own local veterinarian in person. For the FULL disclaimer Visit HereContent Protection Notice
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