---
title: "Can dogs and cats eat peanut butter?"
description: "Peanut butter and pets: fine in small amounts. What it does, whether the dose matters, and how dogs, cats, rabbits and birds differ."
url: https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/peanut-butter/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Can pets eat peanut butter?

**Peanut butter: Fine in small amounts**

Dogs: In moderation · Cats: In moderation

## By animal

| Animal | Verdict | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Dogs | In moderation | Fine — unless it contains xylitol, in which case it is an emergency. |
| Cats | In moderation | Harmless in small amounts and of no nutritional interest to a cat. |

## What it actually does

Plain peanut butter is fat and protein, and a spoonful is a normal training reward. The entire risk sits in the ingredients list: some sugar-free and "no added sugar" brands are sweetened with xylitol, which is one of the most dangerous substances a dog can eat, and peanut butter is the commonest route to it because it is what people use to hide tablets and fill lick mats. Read the jar before every new brand.

No reliable dose threshold has been published for this. Anything presenting a specific safe amount is extrapolating.

## The bit that is usually got wrong

> Check for xylitol — also labelled birch sugar or E967 — every time you buy a different jar.

> Body weight decides almost everything here, so what is trivial for a 40 kg dog can matter for a 4 kg one, and a bird is smaller again. Where a real published threshold exists this page gives it; where none does, it says so rather than inventing one.

## Store cupboard

| Food | Worst verdict | Dogs | Cats |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Macadamia nuts | Toxic | Toxic | Risky |
| Salt, salt dough and sea water | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic |
| Almonds, walnuts and mixed nuts | Risky | Risky | Risky |
| Raw bread dough | Toxic | Toxic | Toxic |
| Bread | Not safe | In moderation | In moderation |
| Popcorn | In moderation | In moderation | In moderation |

## Common questions

### Can dogs eat peanut butter?

Fine in small amounts. Fine — unless it contains xylitol, in which case it is an emergency.

### Can cats eat peanut butter?

Fine in small amounts. Harmless in small amounts and of no nutritional interest to a cat.

### What does peanut butter actually do?

Plain peanut butter is fat and protein, and a spoonful is a normal training reward. The entire risk sits in the ingredients list: some sugar-free and "no added sugar" brands are sweetened with xylitol, which is one of the most dangerous substances a dog can eat, and peanut butter is the commonest route to it because it is what people use to hide tablets and fill lick mats. Read the jar before every new brand.

## Related pages

- [Can pets eat macadamia nuts?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/macadamia-nuts/)
- [Can pets eat salt, salt dough and sea water?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/salt/)
- [Can pets eat almonds, walnuts and mixed nuts?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/nuts/)
- [Can pets eat raw bread dough?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/bread-dough/)
- [Can pets eat bread?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/bread/)
- [Can pets eat popcorn?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/popcorn/)
- [Can pets eat chocolate?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/chocolate/)
- [Can pets eat grapes, raisins, sultanas and currants?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/grapes/)
- [Can pets eat onion, garlic, leek and chives?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/onion-garlic/)
- [Can pets eat xylitol and birch sugar?](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/xylitol/)
- [Everything, for dogs](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/dog/)
- [Everything, for cats](https://atoneplace.net/can-pets-eat/cat/)

## Sources

- Animal Poison Control Center — toxic and non-toxic lists — ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control)