# Some peanut butter deadly for dogs **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 2, 2015, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423 "2015-06-02T06:50:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/1 "2015-06-02T06:50:36Z")
[Line to article.](http://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/is-peanut-butter-safe-for-dogs) Some peanut butters are using a sweetener called Xylitol. From the article > [@](#): > > Xylitol is a sweetener that’s gaining in popularity because of its dental benefits for people as well as its suitability as a sugar substitute for people with diabetes. Because of its ability to help prevent cavities and tooth decay and its low glycemic index, xylitol is proving to have some good dental and other health benefits for people. Unfortunately, while xylitol appears to be perfectly safe for people, it is extremely dangerous for dogs — even in small quantities. > > ``` > Ingestion of as little as 0.1 gram (g) of xylitol per kilogram (kg) of body weight (0.1 g/kg) can cause a rapid and dangerous drop in a dog’s blood sugar (a condition called “hypoglycemia”). Hypoglycemia can show as staggering, appearing disoriented, collapse, weakness, and seizures. > > Just slightly more than that, approx. 0.5 g/kg xylitol ingestion, can lead to debilitating, and sadly often deadly, destruction of a dog’s liver cells. > > ``` As of now Nuts ’N More - the peanut butter with this sweetener - does not have a warning label. Scary. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/2 "2015-06-02T13:15:23Z")
I thought you meant xylitol wasn’t listed as an ingredient, which would be even more alarming, but it is. You must mean there’s no dog-specific warning. While a dog-specific warning would be better, reading ingredients and looking up what you don’t know is your best defense. This stuff is apparently isn’t even peanut butter, it’s peanut-butter-flavored spread. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/3 "2015-06-02T15:09:06Z")
Why are people even thinking of feeding this stuff to dogs? I for one sure don’t want to see all people food someday labeled with dog-specific, cat-specific, gerbil-specific, etc., warnings. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/4 "2015-06-02T15:58:32Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Why are people even thinking of feeding this stuff to dogs? Well, you know. Dogs. Peanut butter. They lick it off anything. AN-NY-thing. This thread made it to 4 posts before going there. You people disappoint me. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/5 "2015-06-02T16:06:57Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Why are people even thinking of feeding this stuff to dogs? Yeah, because **no dog ever** has eaten anything that it wasn’t specifically fed. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/6 "2015-06-02T16:09:47Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Yeah, because **no dog ever** has eaten anything that it wasn’t specifically fed. Well, clearly we need legislation to require all label warnings are also written in dog. ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/7 "2015-06-02T16:10:23Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Why are people even thinking of feeding this stuff to dogs? > > I for one sure don’t want to see all people food someday labeled with dog-specific, cat-specific, gerbil-specific, etc., warnings. Because the easiest way to pill a lot of dogs is to shove the med into a bit of peanut butter sandwich or a chunk of Velveeta ™. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/8 "2015-06-02T16:22:29Z")
> [@missred](#): > > Because the easiest way to pill a lot of dogs is to shove the med into a bit of peanut butter sandwich or a chunk of Velveeta ™. I hate peanut butter, so I go the Velveeta route. I’ve bought dog toothpaste with peanut butter flavor, and we stick peanut butter inside her chew bones. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/9 "2015-06-02T16:25:49Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > I thought you meant xylitol wasn’t listed as an ingredient, which would be even more alarming, but it is. You must mean there’s no dog-specific warning. > > While a dog-specific warning would be better, reading ingredients and looking up what you don’t know is your best defense. > > This stuff is apparently isn’t even peanut butter, it’s peanut-butter-flavored spread. My wife is a biologist who does medical writing and she was unaware that xylitol was dangerous. I wouldn’t have a clue. We certainly are aware of what dogs can’t eat - chocolate, tomatoes, but you’d think peanut butter was safe. It might appeal to those who have their dog on a diet. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_Child](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b782af/32.png) [@Why\_Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_Child)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/10 "2015-06-02T18:59:14Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Well, clearly we need legislation to require all label warnings are also written in dog. Nice username/post combo! 😃 Getting worried, **wolfman**? > [@Voyager](#): > > … > I’ve bought dog toothpaste with peanut butter flavor, and we stick peanut butter inside her chew bones. They make peanut butter flavored dog biscuits, too. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/11 "2015-06-02T19:29:33Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Why are people even thinking of feeding this stuff to dogs? . . . . If you have a dog who gets in trouble when bored, one thing you can do is shove peanut butter into a [kong](http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/classic-rubber-toys/classic/), or similar toy, to keep them busy for more than a few minutes of trying to lick it all out of there. My dog gives up on trying to get solid treats, but can’t leave the peanut butter alone. Peanut butter gives a hit of protein with the first lick then draws them in as it gets harder and harder to reach while still smelling like it’s right there, just a little further . . . almost . . . almost. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/12 "2015-06-02T19:46:35Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > If you have a dog who gets in trouble when bored, one thing you can do is shove peanut butter into a [kong](http://www.kongcompany.com/products/for-dogs/rubber-toys/classic-rubber-toys/classic/), or similar toy, to keep them busy for more than a few minutes of trying to lick it all out of there. My dog gives up on trying to get solid treats, but can’t leave the peanut butter alone. Peanut butter gives a hit of protein with the first lick then draws them in as it gets harder and harder to reach while still smelling like it’s right there, just a little further . . . almost . . . almost. Yeah, peanut butter, along with cheese and cut-up hot dogs, is one of the standard dog treats, in my experience. One can note that by how many peanut butter flavored dog snacks there are. Our dog goes through a regular sized jar of peanut butter in about 6-8 weeks. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/14 "2015-06-04T11:47:08Z")
Why would anyone buy peanut butter with sweetener in it? My peanut butter has two ingredients: peanuts and salt. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/15 "2015-06-04T11:57:09Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why would anyone buy peanut butter with sweetener in it? My peanut butter has two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Quoted for truth. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/16 "2015-06-04T11:58:40Z")
> [@missred](#): > > Because the easiest way to pill a lot of dogs is to shove the med into a bit of peanut butter sandwich or a chunk of Velveeta ™. [Take heart in the bedeepening gloom That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faU-SK0pHCI) ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/17 "2015-06-04T12:40:16Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why would anyone buy peanut butter with sweetener in it? My peanut butter has two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Jif and Skippy are still the largest selling peanut butters. Lots of sugar and hydrogenated oils there. While this stuff is getting some coverage over xylitol content, there’s still not enough warning about the real danger to dogs - ingestion of mints and gum that contain xylitol. That’s the really deadly stuff. Dogs eat whole packages of gum and can die within a day. So far from what I’ve seen, that’s the worst culprit. It’s the single food item I’ve seen dogs actually die from. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/18 "2015-06-04T12:41:19Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why would anyone buy peanut butter with sweetener in it? My peanut butter has two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Yep, just go with the basics, while avoiding anything for dogs labeled “Made in China”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/19 "2015-06-04T12:53:17Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Why would anyone buy peanut butter with sweetener in it? My peanut butter has two ingredients: peanuts and salt. Because most Americans like it sweet and that’s what we grew up with? And if you’re speaking for dogs, well, me and the dog share our peanut butter. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I don’t like the natural stuff except for cooking. On sandwiches, I want my sweetened peanut butter & crisco spread! ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/20 "2015-06-04T22:07:15Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > [Take heart in the bedeepening gloom > That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faU-SK0pHCI) Thank you for the Melissa Manchester earworm; it’s groovy. _Know what to kiss, and when._ ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423/21 "2015-06-04T22:48:01Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > [Take heart in the bedeepening gloom > That your dog is finally getting enough cheese.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faU-SK0pHCI) I always think of my deity as a cosmic muffin. Only thing I will quibble with - my dog never gets enough cheese. According to her, at least. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-peanut-butter-deadly-for-dogs/721423.md?page=2)