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Home » Can Dogs Eat Butter? What to Know About Dogs and Butter

Can Dogs Eat Butter? What to Know About Dogs and Butter

Renee Dobbs · August 10, 2021 · Leave a Comment

whippet dog wondering about butter
sticks of butter on a plate

If you have ever wondered, “can dogs eat butter” then this is for you. You’ll learn what happens if a dog eats butter, and so much more.

As a dog owner, you probably already know the danger of letting your furry friend consume dairy products. But have you ever wondered if there are health benefits? How dangerous is it for your dog’s diet?

We will look closely at dogs and butter – how good or bad it is for them and whether it will hurt your dog. Plus, you’ll learn what to do if your dog eats butter. 

sticks of butter on a platter

For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating butter.

Table Of Contents
  1. Can Dogs Eat Butter
  2. Is Butter Bad For Dogs
  3. Is Butter OK For Dogs
  4. Will Butter Hurt A Dog
  5. Can Dogs Eat Ghee
  6. Can Dogs Eat Margarine
  7. Can Dogs Eat Vegan Butter
  8. Can Dogs Eat Garlic Butter
  9. My Dog Ate Butter – What Do I Do
  10. What Happens If A Dog Eats Butter
  11. Final Thoughts
  12. More Dog Food Resources

Can Dogs Eat Butter

The answer is tricky, but the safest route is to just keep butter away from your dog. Yes, dogs can eat butter, but it isn’t good for them and might even make them sick or upset their stomach.

If a dog has lactose intolerance then butter might give them an upset stomach, loose stools or even just a small stomach ache.

In this guide, I will share important details about how your dog might react to human foods like butter and why it’s a good idea to not let them eat it. Plus, you’ll learn what to do if your dog happens to eat some. 

dog wondering about butter
Luke wondering about butter.

Is Butter Bad For Dogs

Yes, butter is bad for dogs, especially if your dog is lactose intolerant. The worst thing about butter for dogs is that it is made up of mostly saturated fats. The high fat content in butter makes it unhealthy for your pet.

Even small quantities of butter could put your dog at risk for high cholesterol.

These saturated fats are unhealthy for dogs. All canines need to eat a low-fat diet. Dogs that eat fatty foods are more at risk for getting pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or intestinal blockage. Some breeds are more susceptible to it than others, so talk to your veterinarian before you let your dog eat any butter.

Is Butter OK For Dogs

Butter is only ok for dogs if they eat a tiny bit and are not lactose intolerant. If your dog eats food that has butter on it, she will probably be safe.

Even a tablespoon of butter could make your lactose-intolerant pup unhappy.

That level of safety is relative and depends on how much fat they are eating in their regular diet. Dogs should not eat fried foods or other types of food that have lots of saturated fat in them.

Even though it might not hurt your dog immediately, the long-term effects of eating butter are just not worth the risk. Some dogs like to lick the butter wrapper clean, but it might not be worth that small moment of happiness if it gives them stomach upsets.

Will Butter Hurt A Dog

This depends on whether your dog is lactose intolerant, how much butter they ate, and how many high-fat foods they regularly eat.

Yes, if your dog eats significant amounts of butter at once, it could upset its stomach. If they eat too much high-fat food, it could cause heart disease, weight gain, and even pancreatitis. When dogs eat lots of butter, the high-fat content could cause future health problems, including stomach pains.

butter on parchment paper and in a bowl

Can Dogs Eat Ghee

Ghee is clarified butter with the lactose removed. This is a safe option for humans who are lactose intolerant – but dogs should not eat it.

Even though the lactose might not hurt your pet, the ghee still has too much fat in it for it to be safe for them.

Can Dogs Eat Margarine

Margarine is basically vegetable oil flavored to taste like butter. No, do not let your dog eat this spread. It has preservatives in it that are unhealthy for your pet to ingest.

Can Dogs Eat Vegan Butter

Yes, dogs can eat a small amount of vegan butter, but you should not let them eat it regularly or in large amounts. It has far too much fat and sodium to be healthy for your pet to eat more than once in a while.

Can Dogs Eat Garlic Butter

No, dogs should not eat garlic butter. Garlic is part of the allium family and it is toxic to dogs. If you think your dog ate garlic butter, please contact your veterinarian. 

butter slices in a bowl

My Dog Ate Butter – What Do I Do

The first thing you should do if your dog eats butter is to try and figure out how much they ate. This will be important information for the veterinarian to know.

Then, make sure they have access to a safe place to be sick. When my Tiger ate an entire stick of butter, he threw up quickly afterward, all over the carpet. It was an oily mess to clean up.

Call your veterinarian and discuss the symptoms your dog has and they will let you know what warning signs to look out for. Chances are, they will be just fine and they won’t need anything drastic such as iv fluids.

What Happens If A Dog Eats Butter

According to the Pet Poison Helpline, if a dog eats butter it might have any of these symptoms:

  • Delayed Onset Vomitting (1-4 days after eating it)
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Diarrhea (maybe with blood in the stool)
  • Reduced Appetite
  • Lethargy

If you notice your dog displaying any of these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Most healthy dogs won’t get acute pancreatitis after eating just a bit of butter.

Final Thoughts

The short answer is that a lot of butter is unhealthy for dogs and could give them stomach pain or stomach cramps. It isn’t a form of healthy fats, and large quantities are bad for dogs.

Even though a small amount of butter on a rare occasion might not hurt your pet right away, it’s best to just keep butter away from them entirely. It’s a high-fat food that is unhealthy for them to eat.

If you think your dog has symptoms of pancreatitis or other health conditions that you are worried about, please talk to your local veterinarian.

More Dog Food Resources

Here are some more resources about dairy foods dogs can eat and ones that are bad for them.

  • Can Dogs Eat Cottage Cheese
  • Can Dogs Eat Cream Cheese
  • Can Dogs Eat Feta Cheese
  • Can Dogs Eat Sour Cream
  • Can Dogs Eat Whipped Cream

Find lots more articles on food dogs can eat here on Spoiled Hounds!

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butter slices in a bowl

Filed Under: Dog Info, What Can Dogs Eat

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faces of a woman and two whippets. Hey! I'm Renee and these are my hounds, Luke and Milo. I love dogs and created this website to celebrate them. Here you can find dog tips, products, and info. Read more about Spoiled Hounds.

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