Pastry Ingredient Safety

Can dogs eat peanut butter?

Use caution

Short answer: Only if the label has no xylitol, and only a little: some peanut and nut butters contain it.

Also called or found in: nut butter, almond butter, powdered peanut butter

Why it matters

The FDA lists some peanut and nut butters among products that may contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs. It advises checking the label before using nut butter as a treat or pill pocket.

Peanut butter is also high in fat, and fatty foods are a pancreatitis risk factor (Merck).

If your dog ate some

If your dog ate a lot of it, or seems unwell afterward, call your veterinarian or an animal poison line: ASPCA (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.

In the kitchen

Look for xylitol, birch sugar or wood sugar in the ingredients, especially on 'no sugar added', 'sugar-free' or 'keto' nut butters.

Sources

  1. Paws Off Xylitol; It's Dangerous for Dogs, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Checked October 22, 2026.
  2. Xylitol Toxicosis in Dogs, Merck Veterinary Manual. Checked October 22, 2026.
  3. Pancreatitis and Other Disorders of the Pancreas in Dogs, Merck Veterinary Manual. Checked October 22, 2026.

Last checked against these sources: October 22, 2026.

Related guides

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Written by VanillaGoods from the cited sources. Not reviewed by a veterinarian. Not a substitute for veterinary advice.