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Nutter butters are a classic peanut butter sandwich cookie many of us grew up eating. But can dogs eat nutter butters too?
In short, no, dogs shouldn’t eat nutter butters. Peanut butter is safe for dogs in moderation, but nutter butters are high in sugar and fat and contain additional ingredients that can harm dogs. They aren’t considered toxic but can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and upset stomach in dogs.
Below we will go into more details about dogs eating nutter butters, the dangers, what to do if they overeat, and much more.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
What Are Nutter Butters?
Nutter butters are a sandwich cookies composed of two wafers with peanut butter filling in the middle.
They were first introduced in 1921 by the Brooklyn-based Nabisco company and have been a favorite cookie ever since.
The cookies come in different shapes and sizes, including bite-sized, mini, regular, goober, and even a giant version.
Nutrition Facts
Per 2 cookies (28g): 130 calories, 5g fat, 10mg sodium, carbohydrates 20g, fiber 1g, sugar 8g, and protein 2g.
Ingredients
Wheat flour, sugar, peanut butter (peanuts, glucose solids, hydrogenated vegetable oil, salt, peanut oil), shortening (vegetable oil, modified palm oil), icing sugar, whole wheat flour, glucose-fructose, modified palm oil, salt, baking soda, soy lecithin, monocalcium phosphate, artificial flavor. Contains: wheat, peanut, soy.
Can Dogs Eat Nutter Butters?
The answer is no, dogs should not eat nutter butters.
Processed foods designed for human consumption are never a recommended treat for your furry friend, no matter how much they beg.
While peanut butter is safe for dogs in moderation, nutter butters contain additional ingredients that can be harmful to your pup.
The main things to worry about are the sugar, fat, and artificial flavorings. All of which can cause gastric distress and pancreatitis in dogs if they overeat.
In addition, wheat flour and whole wheat flour are common allergens in dogs.
So, if your dog is allergic to soy or gluten, they should not eat nutter butters.
3 Dangers Of Dogs Eating Nutter Butters
Nutter butters are not considered toxic to dogs but can be dangerous for dogs in other ways.
In addition, the more often dogs eat these types of food, the more risk you are taking.
Here are a few concerns with feeding dogs nutter butters:
High In Fat
Nutter butter is high in calories and fat. Just two cookies contain 130 calories and five grams of fat.
While a little bit of fat isn’t going to kill your dog, too much fat can lead to pancreatitis.
Overeating
Dogs overeating any processed foods is never a good thing.
Nutter Butters are high in sugar and fat and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and an upset stomach.
If your dog does overeat Nutter Butters, it is important to keep an eye on them and contact your veterinarian if they experience any adverse effects. While it is rare, a dog that overeats a fatty food like Nutter Butters could end up with pancreatitis, a severe health condition.
Artificial Flavorings
Nutter butters are a processed food designed for human consumption. This means they contain artificial flavorings and preservatives, which can harm dogs.
Artificial flavorings enhance the taste, smell, or appearance of food. But, they weren’t designed for a dog’s body.
Some common side effects of overconsumption of artificial flavorings in dogs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
There are even some artificial sweeteners like xylitol that are highly toxic to dogs.
While xylitol isn’t a listed ingredient in nutter butters, it’s important to check the labels of all processed foods before feeding them to your dog, just to be safe.
This artificial sweetener is often found in peanut butter, so be careful when giving your dog food designed for humans.
My Dog Ate Nutter Butters What Should I Do?
I reached out to my father, Dr. Littlejohn, to find out what a vet would do if a dog ate Nutter Butters.
Here’s what he had to say:
If your dog eats nutter butter, the first thing you want to do is monitor them for any signs of distress. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and lack of appetite.
When dealing with a dog that overeats, the first thing ill ask is about the ingredients in the food, the amount consumed, and the dog’s size.
Suppose your dog ate a small amount of nutter butter and shows no signs of distress. In that case, you likely don’t have anything to worry about. But, if your dog ate a lot of Nutter Butters for their size or is showing signs of distress, you should take them to the vet immediately.
Nutter Butters aren’t toxic to dogs but can cause gastric distress and pancreatitis if they have overeaten. So, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Every situation is slightly different depending on the size of your dog, how much they ate, and what ingredients are in the nutter butter.
99/100 times, a dog will be fine. However, they may experience minor symptoms of gastrointestinal distress.
Common symptoms may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
These symptoms are usually short-lived and will resolve on their own. However, if your dog shows any severe signs of distress or symptoms that have lasted longer than 48 hours, contact your veterinarian.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Are Nutter Butters Toxic To Dogs?
Technically no, nutter butters are not toxic to dogs. However, they can cause stomach issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
They may also contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol which is toxic to dogs. So be sure to check the label of all processed foods before feeding them to your dog.
Also, if they contain any chocolate coating they would be considered toxic for dogs.
Do Nutter Butters Contain Real Peanut Butter?
Nutter Butters usually contain a peanut-flavored filling, but it’s not real peanut butter.
The filling is usually made with sugar, hydrogenated vegetable oils, and artificial flavors.
What Kind Of Nut Butter Can Dogs Eat?
The best nut butter for dogs is all-natural, sugar-free, and made with no artificial ingredients.
You should also avoid giving your dog nut butters that contain xylitol or chocolate.
Can Dogs Eat Nutty Buddy?
No, Nutty Buddy is not safe for dogs to eat. It usually contains chocolate and other ingredients that can be dangerous for dogs.
It also has loads of sugar which are not suitable for their health.
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Can Dogs Eat Sherbet? Dangers + Tips If They Do (Vet Answers)
Can Dogs Eat Squid? Raw, Fried, or Dried Squid? (Vet Answer)
