Peanut butter is a common and loved reward for good behavior or a great solution to giving medications. It is a great treat for pets, as long as it is not used in excess. Too much peanut butter can contribute to obesity and pancreatitis.
A new-found danger to be aware of with peanut butter is the use of Xylitol as a sugar replacement. This substance is extremely dangerous for pets, particularly dogs, even in small amounts. It can cause hypoglycemia, or a severe drop in blood sugar, as well as the destruction of liver cells. This can show as staggering, appearing disoriented, weakness and even seizures. So far, Xylitol is known to only be in the following products:

1) Go Nuts, Co.
2) Hank’s Protein Plus Peanut Butter
3) Krush Nutrition
4) Nuts ‘N’ More
5) P28

These products are mostly only sold in nutrition stores and online for now, but it is a good idea to check the ingredients list when purchasing any peanut butter your pet will also be getting access too. Xylitol is also used in things like gum, mints and chewable vitamins.

On a more positive note we have compiled a list of 10 fun Peanut Butter Facts!

1)       It takes exactly 550 peanuts to make a single 340g jar of peanut butter.

2)       Peanuts are an excellent source of protein and are cholesterol free.

3)       If you ever have the misfortune of finding gum stuck in your hair you can use peanut butter to remove it.

4)       Dr. George Washington Carver found more than 300 uses for peanuts! A few included glue, shampoo, and shaving cream.

5)       Are you afraid of having peanut butter stuck to the rough of your mouth? If so than you might have Arachibutyrophobia.

6)       The world’s largest peanut butter and jelly sandwich weighed 610kg!

7)       Peanuts are not nuts at all, they are actually legumes.

8)       To be called “peanut butter,” a product must contain at least 90% peanuts.

9)       According to the National Peanut Board (yes, they have a National Peanut Board!) the amount of peanut butter jars consumed in a year could circle the world 1.33 times!

10)   The average child eats more than 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before turning 18!