National Peanut Butter Day


We all know that one of fido’s favorite treats is peanut butter and that’s why we are so excited about National Peanut Butter Day on January 24. What a perfect way to treat your dog! Below is a recipe we love, but before we make this delicious treat, we want to discuss some recent discoveries about peanut butter and the dangers for our dogs. 


Say No to Peanut Butter with Xylitol 

Recently, a lot of information has been coming out that certain peanut butters contain ingredients that can be extremely harmful to our pets. We want to treat our pets, but we also want to make sure that what we are giving them won’t end up harming them. Xylitol is a low-calorie sweetener that is popping up in different brands of peanut butter. It is extremely harmful to dogs when ingested and therefore should not be given to them. This ingredient can also be found in things like yogurt, gum and tooth paste so caution should always be used. 


Most peanut butters are free of the sweetener, but its use as a low-calorie alternative to sugar is increasing, which means dog owners need to be vigilant when it comes to what their pets are eating. Peanut butter brands that contain xylitol include Go Nuts, Co., Krush Nutrition, Nuts 'N More and P28 Foods. Click here for a more extensive list of products containing xylitol.


Use Peanut Butter in Moderation 

Another reason peanut butter can sometimes be harmful to dogs is the amount of fat it contains. Dogs are different than people and therefore metabolize ingredients differently. You’ll know if your dog’s peanut butter contains trans fats if it has hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils in the ingredients. If it does, then don’t buy it! Always be careful and make sure to read ALL the ingredients on products that you are choosing to give to your dogs and pick a more natural, raw product when you can.  


And now for the recipe! We found this recipe on eatingbirdfood.com and absolutely love it. It has simple ingredients (all natural) and is easy to make, plus dogs love it! Try this out for National Peanut Butter Day and you’ll be sure to have a happy pup! 



INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour

  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter (natural)

  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana

  • ¼ cup vegetable, chicken or beef stock

  • bone shaped cookie cutter

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350°.

  2. Combine flour, peanut butter and applesauce in a large mixing bowl. Add stock and stir until well-combined. The dough will be thick. Once combined use your hands to press the dough into a ball. Place dough ball on a flat service (with a sprinkle of flour if needed) and roll out evenly with a rolling pin. Dough should be about ¼ inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut the dough into desired shape and place on ungreased baking sheet.

  3. Bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Store in an airtight container.