By Hugh Montgomery

Many people wonder if you can make dog treats that contain peanut butter. I believe that this question is often asked because many people have heard that nuts are not good for dogs. It has been written that several types of nuts like macadamia and walnuts are extremely harmful.

Some problems with nuts include the levels of toxicity they can cause over time and the high phosphorus content which can cause kidney failure, bladder issues and even death. The same would hold true for chocolates containing nuts. ”Dogs should not eat nuts or foods containing nuts because nuts can be fatal“.

There is good news for those of us that like to use peanut butter as an aid in giving medicine, rewarding our dogs with peanut butter dog treats or just sharing a bit on the tip of our finger. Peanuts are not really nuts! In fact, peanuts are actually a species in the legume family (Fabaceae) to be exact. In other words, peanuts are actually a type of bean!

That being said, dogs can have food allergies just like people. As with any new food item, it should be given in moderation and discontinued if an allergic reaction is suspected. Although there are many good nutrients in peanut butter, it is also high in calories. If you are concerned about preservatives, consider organic brands which can also be lower in sugar.

In summary, peanut butter is not known to be bad for dogs. Like any food or dog treats we give our dogs, we need to look at the label and consider the other ingredients used in the manufacturing process. This is great news for my dogs since they love a KONG® filled with peanut butter from the freezer.