They have peanut butter in them, but can dogs eat Nutter Butters? Before you share them with your pup, read this guide.
These peanut butter sandwich cookies seem like a good idea for dogs. Dogs love peanut butter, right? But there is a lot that you should consider first. Keep reading to find out.
For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating Nutter Butters.
What Are Nutter Butters
Nutter Butters are a brand name of a crunchy peanut butter sandwich cookie. These cookies are formed in the shape of a peanut and they’re produced by Nabisco.
Nabisco doesn’t make any health claims about the cookies. They’re marketed and sold as cookies, a dessert or snack.
One glance at the nutrition label will show that they are more of a dessert.
In one serving of 2 cookies, there are:
- Total Fat – 5 grams
- Saturated Fat – 1.5 grams
- Sodium – 100 mg
- Carbohydrates – 20 grams
- Added Sugars – 8 grams
Is Nutter Butter Real Peanut Butter
Yes, the filling in the Nutter Butter cookies is made with real peanut butter. But that’s not the only ingredient.
The peanut butter filling is made with peanut butter, corn syrup solids, and different types of oil (and probably a few other ingredients). It’s not made for canine consumption. Corn syrup is bad for your dog’s blood sugar levels.
Safe Nut Butters
As you can tell, this article is about the Nutter Butter cookies, not about different nut butters. But, if you ended up here looking for whether dogs can eat nut butter, I’ll answer that really quickly, then get back to the Nutter Butter cookies.
As long as your dog doesn’t have any allergies to the main ingredients, these types of nut butters are safe for dogs in moderation:
- Peanut Butter – unsalted is best
- Cashew Butter
- Almond Butter
- Sunbutter – it’s a seed butter, but it’s sold next to other types of nut butters
Remember, do not let your dog eat nut butter made with macadamias, pistachios, or walnuts. Macadamia nut butter contains a toxic chemical that could harm your dog’s brain.
Now that you know that, let’s get back to the Nutter Butter cookies.
Safe But Not Nutritious
Nutter Butter cookies don’t contain any toxic ingredients for dogs. So, they are safe for dogs to eat in moderation, as long as your dog doesn’t have any gluten or peanut intolerances.
Just because they are safe for dogs to eat doesn’t mean they are a nutritious snack. They contain so much sugar and fat that it could cause health issues later on if your dog eats too many of them.
How many Nutter Butter cookies can dogs eat? Since they are so high in sugar, it’s best not to give your dog any cookies like Nutter Butters. In fact, Volhard Dog Nutrition states that the only sugar dogs should eat should come from natural sources like the grains and sugar in fruits and vegetables.
One cookie once in a great while might not hurt your dog. But there are some things to watch out for.
What To Watch Out For
If you give your dog a Nutter Butter – or they steal one from the floor – watch out for a few different things. Is your dog sensitive or allergic to gluten? How much sugar do they eat? Are the peanut butter cookies made with xylitol? Here’s why those questions matter.
Gluten
Nutter Butter cookies are made with wheat flour, so they contain gluten. If your dog hasn’t ever had gluten before and you don’t know how they will tolerate it, be careful with these cookies.
The signs of gluten intolerance in dogs are:
- Bloating
- Stomach Ache
- Loss of Fur
- Scratching or chewing their paws
- Inflamed skin
- Loose stools or diarrhea
- Weight Loss
If you notice these symptoms, please contact your dog’s veterinarian.
Sugar
Sugar is a big danger of human foods, like cookies. Dogs that eat added sugar are at a higher risk of weight gain. And yes, dogs can become obese!
Obesity in dogs is very dangerous. It puts them at risk for diabetes and heart disease. And all that excess weight can also cause skin and joint issues.
This is why it’s so important to keep sugary foods away from your dog.
Xylitol
The classic Nutter Butters on the shelf do not contain Xylitol, but be careful with any “sugar-free” varieties sold by other brands. Xylitol is toxic to dogs, don’t let them eat anything that contains this calorie-free sweetener.
It’s best to keep anything made with artificial sweeteners – of any brand or type – away from your furry friend.
My Dog Ate A Whole Package of Nutter Butters
You should always contact your veterinarian with any questions you have about your dog’s health. If you have a healthy dog, they will probably be just fine, even after eating all those cookies.
They might have gastrointestinal upset or stomach issues. You might notice them having to poop more or they might even have diarrhea. Just give them plenty of water and trips outside.
Dog-Safe Peanut Butter Cookies
It’s ok to share some peanut butter sandwich cookies with your dog, as long as they are made without any added sugar and they are made with dog-friendly ingredients, like natural peanut butter.
I have a recipe for easy peanut butter sandwich cookies for dogs. The filling is made with peanut butter that’s thinned down with Greek yogurt so it’s easier to spread. Read that recipe, I included a lot of ingredient substitute ideas if you need them.
I can tell you one thing – my pups love those homemade peanut butter dog treats! I bet yours will too!
Final Thoughts
As a dog owner, you already know that cookies made for humans have potential risks for your furry companions. And you’re right. Even though peanut butter has healthy fats, don’t add these cookies to your dog’s diet.
The high amounts of sugar in this tasty treat put them at risk for weight gain. And the whole wheat flour contains gluten that could upset your dog’s stomach. Instead, make your canine friends some homemade dog treats.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more articles about other types of human cookies and whether they are safe for your dog to eat.
Find lots of articles on sweets dogs can and can’t eat right here on Spoiled Hounds!
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