When your pup has diarrhea, it can be stressful. Your dog may experience dehydration, tiredness, and intestinal discomfort. There are many remedies that have been suggested, and one of them is peanut butter. However, you may be wondering, is peanut butter ok for dogs with diarrhea?
In this article, we will discuss whether or not this common food is safe for a dog with stomach issues, how much you can give your pup, as well as other ways to help your dog feel better.
Is Peanut Butter Ok for Dogs With Diarrhea?
Peanut butter is a safe food to give to dogs with diarrhea, and it can help them regain their energy levels. However, you should always consult with your veterinarian before giving any new foods to your pup.
The amount of peanut butter that you should give your dog will depend on its size and weight. Generally, you should give your dog between one-half and two tablespoons of peanut butter.
Another option is to mix the peanut butter with rice or oatmeal. This provides extra fiber for your pup, who may not be regular yet due to their illness. It will also make them feel fuller longer, so they are less likely to experience hunger pangs.
Many dogs treat peanut butter as a tasty treat, so this may be a good way to get calories down for your pup when they don’t have much of an appetite.
If your dog isn’t responding to or eating the peanut butter immediately, that’s OK. It’s actually quite normal for dogs to fast when they are sick. This can help their stomachs to calm down, and they may even begin eating again once the diarrhea subsides.
If your dog isn’t eating, encourage it to drink water and allow it to fast for 24 hours. If your dog’s appetite hasn’t returned after this period of time (or if it isn’t drinking water), contact your vet.
Is Peanut Butter Good for Dogs?
Outside of bouts of diarrhea, peanut butter is a great snack for dogs. Peanut butter is packed with protein and healthy fats, which can help keep your pup’s coat shiny and its skin healthy. It also contains niacin and vitamin B-complex, both of which are essential in helping your dog to break down food properly.
Peanut butter also has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to keep your dog’s immune system strong and reduce the risk of cancer.
Peanut butter is also high in fiber, so it will help with regularity if given as a treat outside of diarrhea bouts. However, peanut butter does contain salt and sugar, so make sure to only give your dog a small amount as part of their regular diet.
Many dog owners like to use peanut butter as a quick and easy way to give their pup medication. If you are looking for a way to get your dog to take pills, peanut butter is the solution!
Can a Dog Get Diarrhea From Eating Too Much Peanut Butter?
Technically speaking, too much of any substance can cause diarrhea. However, it is rare that a dog would eat enough peanut butter to have this happen. If you control the portion size and only give your dog what is recommended, you don’t have to worry about them getting sick from the peanut butter.
You can give a dog up to a tablespoon of peanut butter per day, or one smear of peanut butter on a toy such as a Kong. Keep in mind that these small amounts will add up over time. This could cause weight gain or obesity if given in large quantities over a long period of time.
When feeding peanut butter to puppies, it’s best not to give them this snack every day. This is because it is high in fat and protein, and could interfere with their developmental growth.
What Type of Peanut Butter to Give Dogs?
The best type of peanut butter to give dogs is the one that is organic, doesn’t have any added sugar, is salt-free, and doesn’t have any xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is toxic to dogs and can cause liver damage. If you are unsure whether or not the peanut butter you have contains this ingredient, it’s best to avoid giving it to your pup altogether.
What Type of Peanut Butter is Bad for Dogs?
Some people may wonder if all types of peanut butter are bad for dogs. Here are the three varieties you should steer clear of:
Xylitol Peanut Butter:
This peanut butter contains the sugar alcohol xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is used in many foods and products. Since xylitol is toxic to dogs, you should avoid giving them dog food that contains it or any other product with this ingredient in it. If your dog does eat something with xylitol in it, immediately contact your vet.
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Chocolate is also toxic to dogs and should not be given to them under any circumstances. It causes seizures, heart problems, and even death in some cases. Even small amounts of chocolate can poison dogs.
Some peanut butter brands may have chocolate swirled into them, or the flavor may be added to the whole jar. Some peanut butters also have chocolate chips in them. If you’re not sure whether or not the peanut butter has chocolate in it, avoid giving it to your dog.
Chunky Peanut Butter
Peanut chunks aren’t as toxic to your dog as chocolate and xylitol are. However, this isn’t a great choice when you’re looking for a smooth and easily digestible product for your pup’s diarrhea.
Furthermore, a smaller dog may have an issue with choking or gagging on the chunks, so you may want to avoid this variety for them.
What Can I Give a Dog With Diarrhea?
In addition to peanut butter, there are other things you can do to help a pup who is experiencing diarrhea:
Pumpkin
If you have canned pumpkin, give your dog a tablespoon of this daily. You can feed it to them on its own or mix the pumpkin into their food. The fiber content in pumpkin helps firm up loose stools and get things moving through your pup’s digestive tract quickly again. It also contains vitamins and minerals that can help boost their overall health.
Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep the digestive system in balance. They can be found in yogurt, kefir, fermented vegetables, and probiotic supplements. You can give your dog a probiotic supplement or add some of these items to their regular food.
Bananas
Bananas are high in fiber, potassium, and pectin. These nutrients help firm up loose stools quickly. You can give your dog a banana on its own or mix it into their food. Another option is to make homemade popsicles with bananas for them to enjoy at home while they’re suffering from diarrhea.
Rice
Rice is a starchy carbohydrate that can help firm up loose or watery poop. If your pup’s diarrhea isn’t too bad, you can give them some white rice on its own as an easy-to-digest food. Otherwise, mix the rice into their regular dog food to increase its fiber content and make it more filling for them.
Chicken Broth
If your pup is willing to drink it, chicken broth can help rehydrate them and replace some of the fluids they’re losing from diarrhea. You can give them a little bit at a time or pour it into their food. Adding a small amount of salt to the broth will also help replenish electrolytes that have been lost.
Chicken Pieces
If you have cooked chicken pieces on hand, these can also be a good choice for your pup. The protein and fat in the chicken will help them feel fuller and more satisfied, while the moisture content will help rehydrate them. You can give your dog the chicken plain or mixed into their food.
Mashed Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, & Potatoes
Carrots, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes are all good choices for a dog with diarrhea. They’re starchy carbs that will help firm up loose or watery poop quickly. You can give your pup plain cooked vegetables on their own as an easy-to-digest treat or mix them into their regular food to increase the fiber content of their diet.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a fiber-rich carb that’s beneficial for dogs with diarrhea. It’ll help firm up loose stools and get things moving through your pup’s digestive tract quickly again. You can give them plain cooked oatmeal on its own or mix it into their regular food to increase the fiber content of their meal.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a great choice for dogs with diarrhea because it’s high in water content and contains electrolytes that can help rehydrate them. It also has fiber and potassium, which are beneficial for restoring balance to the digestive system. You can give your pup plain watermelon or mix it into their food.
Green Beans
Green beans are another high-fiber carb that can help firm up loose stools quickly. They’re also rich in vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy choice for your pup’s diet. You can give your dog plain cooked green beans or mash them into their regular food to increase the fiber content of their meal.
Boiled Eggs
Eggs are a good source of protein and nutrients, making them ideal for dogs with diarrhea. They’re also gentle on the digestive system and easy to digest. You can give your pup boiled eggs either plain or mixed into their food.
Prescription Food
If your pup’s diarrhea is caused by a specific issue like pancreatitis or intestinal worms, your vet may prescribe them a special diet to help manage their condition. This food will be low in fat and fiber and easy to digest. You can either feed it to them as prescribed or mix it into their regular food.
Water
Of course, the best way to help a pup with diarrhea is to make sure they’re drinking plenty of fluids. Offer them fresh water frequently and add a little salt if you’re using chicken broth as well. This is especially important if your dog is fasting and avoiding food altogether because of its upset stomach.
Keep it Bland
You should also avoid giving your dog any spicy foods, rich treats, or table scraps. These could irritate their stomach and worsen diarrhea. The best option is to keep things nice and bland for them until they’re feeling better again.
Dogs can’t eat seasonings such as garlic, onion, or chives. You should also avoid salt and sugar because these could worsen a pup’s diarrhea.
Why Does My Dog Have an Upset Stomach?
There are many reasons why a dog might experience diarrhea, from something as simple as eating too much grass to a more serious issue like intestinal parasites.
Stress can also cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. If your pup appears nervous, anxious, or agitated when it usually doesn’t act this way, it may be due to stress.
If your pup’s diarrhea doesn’t improve after a few days of treatment, or if it becomes worse, take it to the veterinarian for an evaluation.