Can Dogs Eat Butter? A Full Guide For Pup Parents
As a pup parent, it’s perfectly normal for us to be worried about what we’re feeding our dogs. We want them to share in our yummy treats but we also want them to be as healthy as possible. So, can dogs eat butter? Is this universal fat OK to give dogs? And what do you need to know about it?
Let’s find out in this detailed blog!
In Short, Can Dogs Eat Butter?
The word ‘can’ is a little confusing here. Yes, technically dogs can eat butter (it isn’t toxic to them like other human foods, such as garlic, onions, or cherries) but they really shouldn’t.
Butter is made by churning cream which separates the butterfat from the buttermilk. As you can imagine, butter is high in fat and calories, leading to serious health problems in dogs if given too often.
Is Butter Safe for Dogs To Eat?
If your dog manages to sneak a little bit of butter from your spoon, there’s no need to worry. Butter isn’t toxic to dogs and a small amount shouldn’t cause any major side effects.
But, a large amount of butter or giving your pooch butter as a regular treat is not safe for them. Dogs need to maintain a good weight to stay fit and healthy and lots of butter can lead to weight gain which, in turn, can lead to many health complications.
Risks of Feeding Butter to Dogs
There’s really no space for butter in your dog’s diet. They should be getting most of their nutrients from specially formulated dog food and small amounts can be from healthy human foods – which butter isn’t.
Problems With Digestion
Butter has a really high fat content which not only causes your pooch to put on a couple of pounds but can also cause them digestive issues.
What’s more, many dogs are lactose intolerant so eating butter can lead to them having digestive problems such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation.
Pancreatitis
If you give your dog butter regularly, it can have severe effects on your dog’s health. One of the biggest worries is pancreatitis. The fat in butter can cause inflammation around the pancreas which can stop the organ from producing insulin and other digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis can be life-threatening for dogs.
Toxic Ingredients
How great is garlic butter? Or herb butter? Especially when melted on a warm baguette. BUT, whilst we can enjoy different types of butter, dogs really can’t. Some butter, including garlic butter, contains toxic ingredients and high levels of salt which can be dangerous to dogs.
Even though it’s not the best treat to give your pooch, if you do end up giving your dog a small amount of butter, make sure it’s unsalted butter and that it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients which are bad for our furry friends.
Obesity
Too much fat, especially saturated fat can have a big impact on your dog’s overall health. If you give your furry friend fatty food too often, their cholesterol will rise and they’re likely to suffer from many obesity-related health problems.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Butter?
If your pup eats a small amount of butter (for example, they manage to lick some melted butter from your plate) it’s unlikely to cause any problems. In fact, your pup will probably love it. Problems come when your dog eats butter in large amounts or very regularly.
If your pup eats a whole stick of butter, it’s important to monitor them for any signs of gastrointestinal upset. Large quantities of fatty foods are likely to cause them to be sick so you must monitor them.
If your dog is showing signs of an upset stomach or you’re worried about your dog’s well-being, contact your vet immediately. They’ll be able to advise you on what to do next.
Alternatives to Feeding Your Dog Butter
So, we know that butter, even in small quantities, isn’t something that should be regularly added to your dog’s diet. The good news, however, is that there are plenty of other, healthier human foods that you can give to your pooch as a snack or treat (in moderation, of course)!
These healthy treats help to add a bit of diversity to your dog’s diet. They’ll love the variation of textures and flavors.
So, Can Dogs Eat Butter?
Is butter bad for dogs? It might not be toxic, but it’s certainly not good for them. Adding butter to your dog’s diet regularly can lead to a whole host of health problems that any pup parent would want to avoid.
There are lots of better alternatives that you can feed your dog to keep them healthy, engaged, and happy for much longer.
