Peanut butter is a popular staple food enjoyed by many. However, some peanut butter contains xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs. For dog owners, it is crucial to find a peanut butter brand that does not contain xylitol.
What is xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol commonly used as a sugar substitute in many products, such as gum, candy, toothpaste, and some peanut butters. While xylitol is safe for human consumption, it can be deadly for dogs.
Xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs because their bodies cannot metabolize it properly. When dogs ingest xylitol, it causes a rapid release of insulin from the pancreas, resulting in plummeting blood sugar levels. This can lead to hypoglycemia, liver failure, seizures, and even death in dogs.
The toxicity of xylitol in dogs is well-established. Even small amounts of xylitol can be dangerous, with doses as low as 0.1 grams per kilogram of body weight potentially causing hypoglycemia in dogs. To put this in perspective, just 3-4 pieces of xylitol-sweetened gum could send a 20-pound dog into life-threatening hypoglycemia.
Given how little xylitol it takes to potentially kill a dog, it is extremely important to keep all products containing this dangerous sweetener far away from our canine companions.
Why do some peanut butters contain xylitol?
Some peanut butter manufacturers have started using xylitol as a sugar substitute to reduce calories and carbohydrates. Xylitol provides sweetness similar to sugar, but with a lower glycemic index and fewer calories per gram.
For humans, xylitol is considered safe and even beneficial. In addition to having 40% fewer calories than sugar, xylitol does not spike blood sugar levels and may even improve dental health. However, what is safe for humans can be highly toxic to dogs.
Manufacturers that use xylitol in their peanut butter may list it simply as “artificial sweetener” or “sweetener” in the ingredients label. Always check the label for xylitol specifically before giving any “sugar-free” or “low-sugar” peanut butter to dogs.
Which major brands contain xylitol?
Several major peanut butter brands that sell xylitol-sweetened varieties include:
- Go Nuts, Co.: Go Nuts sells multiple coconut oil-based peanut butters, some of which contain xylitol
- Krush Nutrition: Krush’s Keto Friendly Peanut Butter contains xylitol
- Nuts ‘N More: Nuts ‘N More’s Cinnamon Raisin Peanut Spread contains xylitol
- P28 Foods: P28’s Chocolate Peanut Butter, among other flavors, contains xylitol
- Peanut Butter & Co.: Peanut Butter & Co. has a xylitol-sweetened peanut butter
Always thoroughly read the ingredients label before purchasing, as some varieties from these brands contain xylitol while others do not.
How to find peanut butter without xylitol
When searching for a xylitol-free peanut butter, read the ingredients labels carefully. Avoid products listing:
- Xylitol
- Birch sugar (another name for xylitol)
- “Sweetener” or “artificial sweetener” – this may indicate xylitol
Ideally, the ingredients list should have only peanuts and maybe salt. Avoid peanut butters with added sugars or oils.
Many major conventional peanut butter brands do not contain xylitol, including:
- Jif
- Skippy
- Peter Pan
- Smucker’s
- Smart Balance
Natural peanut butters without xylitol include brands like:
- Teddie
- Justin’s
- MaraNatha
- Trader Joe’s
- Whole Foods 365
Organic and natural peanut butters are less likely to contain xylitol or other artificial sweeteners. But always check, as some “natural” brands do use xylitol.
When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to inquire if their peanut butter contains xylitol. Most are happy to disclose this information to concerned consumers.
Homemade xylitol-free peanut butter
Making your own homemade peanut butter is the best way to avoid xylitol. All you need are 2 ingredients:
- Peanuts
- A pinch of salt (optional)
Here is a simple recipe and instructions for making xylitol-free peanut butter at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups raw peanuts
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread peanuts in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 10-15 minutes, until fragrant and slightly browned.
- Let peanuts cool completely.
- In a food processor, blend peanuts and salt (if using) until it forms a smooth peanut butter consistency.
- Store homemade peanut butter in a jar in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
Be sure to only use plain peanuts with no added ingredients like sugars or oils. This ensures the safest peanut butter for dogs.
Tips for avoiding xylitol exposure
Here are some tips to keep dogs safe from xylitol:
- Always check ingredient labels for xylitol – never assume!
- Closely supervise dogs when eating any peanut butter or commercial treats.
- Keep xylitol-containing products sealed and safely out of reach of dogs.
- Never share food containing xylitol with dogs.
- Warn others not to feed your dog table scraps or shared foods.
- Contact manufacturers to verify if unsure about ingredients.
- Make fresh xylitol-free peanut butter at home when possible.
With vigilance and label-reading, it is possible to enjoy peanut butter with dogs safely. Being informed about products containing xylitol is the key to keeping pups protected. When in doubt, stick to plain old peanuts and make your own.
What to do if your dog eats xylitol
If you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol, immediately call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline. Time is critical. A xylitol ingestion can rapidly result in a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
Inducing vomiting may be recommended if the ingestion was recent. Your vet will advise the best course of action depending on timing.
Dogs will need to be monitored closely, and treatment may include:
- Intravenous fluids
- Glucose supplementation
- Liver protectants
- Vitamin K
The prognosis depends on the amount ingested and how quickly treatment was started. But the toxicity of xylitol in dogs is dose-dependent – even small amounts can be dangerous.
Never wait to see if symptoms develop. With prompt veterinary treatment, many dogs fully recover after eating foods containing xylitol. But sadly, some dog deaths have occurred from delayed treatment or large doses. Prevention is key to keeping dogs safe.
Conclusion
Many major peanut butter brands contain no xylitol and are safe for pups. But some manufacturers have started using this toxic sweetener, putting dogs at risk. Always read labels carefully and if unsure, stick with plain peanut butter. Making your own at home is the best way to ensure no xylitol. While xylitol is perfectly safe for people, it can be deadly to dogs – so keeping this dangerous additive out of reach is crucial. With vigilance and proper veterinary care if exposed, it’s still possible for dogs and peanut butter to co-exist safely.