• Daily Dig
  • Posts
  • šŸ• Why do dogs go nuts for peanut butter?

šŸ• Why do dogs go nuts for peanut butter?

Friday, 9/6: Sponsored by Brad's Deals and Finance Buzz - why dogs love PB, 5 ways to give it, DOTD

šŸ¾ Start your day on the right pawā€¦

Peanut Butter Dog GIF by BuzzFeed

ā€¦ and see the world through your dogā€™s eyes šŸ¾

  • šŸ¶ Why do dogs go nuts for peanut butter?

  • šŸ„° 5 fun ways to give PB to your pup

  • šŸ¾ Enhance your Amazon Prime membership

  • šŸ¦“ Watch 20 dogs share the gift of peanut butter

  • šŸ¾ How to tackle credit card debt

  • šŸ•ā€šŸ¦ŗ DOTD - Meet Trixie

  • ā¤ļø A special word from our pups

ā

Dogs are great. Bad dogs, if you can really call them that, are perhaps the greatest of them all.ā€

John Grogan

True or False?

Dogs canā€™t taste salt.

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

Why Do Dogs Go Nuts for Peanut Butter?

I remember the first time I gave my blind dog peanut butter when he was just a little peanut himself. To say that it was love at first taste is an understatement. His eyes widened, he jumped up on his doggy siblings to reach for more, and he couldnā€™t stop licking in an attempt to taste more deliciousness. I think it might have been the best day of his life to date.

It seems like a universal truth that dogs go absolutely nuts for peanut butter. But why? Well, there are a few interesting theories. Letā€™s learn together!

  1. They Crave the Fat and Protein Combo

Dogs, just like us, are naturally drawn to foods that provide the nutrients they need to thrive. And when it comes to peanut butter, they know whatā€™s up. PB is loaded with protein and fat, two things that dogs instinctively crave.

Protein is just as important, if not more, than the fat component. Dogs need it for so many vital body functions, and peanut butter delivers ā€“ 8 grams of protein per two-tablespoon servings for a plant-based snack.

It makes sense, really. Evolution has wired them (and us) to seek out these nutrient-rich foods because, back in the day, those who did were more likely to survive and stay strong.

Veterinarian Dr. Susan Wynn has chimed in on why dogs love peanut butter so much in multiple articles. She believes itā€™s all about the scent. During the roasting process, the cooked fats and protein give off an aroma that smells a lot like caramelized meat. As we know, any meaty scent is irresistible to our pups!

  1. Itā€™s a Tasty Treat

The combination of sweet, salty, and fatty flavors in peanut butter is a winning formula for both humans and dogs. We even seek out this flavor blend with our snacks whether itā€™s chocolate-covered pretzels or honey-roasted nuts, so we know how tasty it is. Once they've experienced this taste, the scent alone can trigger a strong craving, making peanut butter a treat they never forget.

Beyond its deliciousness, peanut butter is set on a high pedestal by us dog parents. Many of us use it as a treat or reward for positive reinforcement and good behavior. Naturally, dogs come to see PB as something good ā€“ exceptional, really. This experience also becomes a cherished part of their bond with you. With such positive associations, itā€™s no wonder peanut butter holds a special place in their heartsā€”and their taste buds!

  1. They Want What Weā€™re Eating

This one is simple: our pups want what weā€™re eating. We see this every time they beg for table food. As pack animals, dogs see us as the leader of their pack, and naturally, they want whatever weā€™re eating. Most of the time, what we eat isnā€™t shared with them. But for some reason, peanut butter is one of the few foods that we dog parents collectively agreed is okay to share. And that makes PB even more special to our pups.

So, why do dogs go nuts for peanut butter? Whether itā€™s the nutrient-rich profile, the taste like nothing else, or because they want to be like us, one thingā€™s for sure: peanut butter is top-notch in the dog world. Do you have any fun pictures of your pup devouring peanut butter? Weā€™d love to see them!

Ellie

5 Fun Ways to Give PB to Your Pup (Stitcher and Minnie Approved)

We know our pups donā€™t require peanut butter in a fancy wayā€”theyā€™d lick it straight from the jar if we let them. But since they enjoy it so much and itā€™s a healthy snack in moderation, why not make it more fun or surprise them in a new way? Here are 5 fun and tasty ways to share peanut butter with your dog:

1. By Itself: Sometimes, simple is best! Spread a little peanut butter on a spoon or your finger and let your dog lick it off. You can also mix it into their regular food or drizzle it on as a tasty topper. For even more fun, you can hide some PB under their food to make mealtime enticing and rewarding. However, if you have a pup that will start expecting PB in every, scratch this idea and stick to the spoon!

2. In Toys: Adding peanut butter to your pupā€™s playtime can be a blast, especially if your pup isnā€™t much of a toy fan. Smear peanut butter inside Kongs, chew toys, or hollow bones to keep your dog happily occupied. If you have a voracious PB monster and need to buy some more time, stuff the toy with kibble, seal it with peanut butter, and freeze it for a few hours. Now, itā€™s a long-lasting, engaging snack that will keep your dog busy and entertained.

3. Puzzle Feeders: Puzzle feeders and lick mats are awesome tools for turning snack time into a mentally stimulating activity with PB. Just spread some peanut butter on them, and youā€™ve got a built-in brain game that doubles as a treat dispenser. Incorporating mental stimulation can help reduce boredom and behavioral issues. Plus, your pup will be wagging its tail the entire time, with all of their senses fully engaged.

4. To Hide Medicine: Peanut butter is a great way to disguise the taste of medication. Just dab a small amount on the pill, and your pup will likely take their medicine without a fuss. I do this with my dogs and itā€™s without a doubt their favorite time of the night. They start lining up in the kitchen every night at 8:00 pm for their medicine timeā€¦or PB time in their eyes.

5. In the Bath: If you have an anxious pup during bathtime, you can make it a bit more enjoyable with peanut butter. Spread a small amount of PB on the side of the tub, and itā€™ll keep them busy and distractedā€”they might even start liking bathtime. There are also products for this if youā€™d prefer not to have peanut butter directly on your tub or wall.

Dog licking LickiMat

Hidden Amazon Prime Benefits

Remember the days of paper lists and mall marathons? Now it's Amazon Prime time. While free shipping and exclusive shows are a given, these 10 hidden perks can enhance your membership in unexpected ways.

Thank you to Brad Dealā€™s for sponsoring Daily Dig.

20 Dogs Share the Gift of Peanut Butter

We couldnā€™t dedicate a whole newsletter to dogs loving peanut butter without showing you just how adorable they look while indulging!

This video takes place at a dog mom and dadā€™s home, called The Farmā€”because with 20 dogs, it might as well be one! The Farm began as a doggy daycare business and evolved into rescue work, and more (their story is incredible). This loving bunch of pups are treated to peanut butter that was generously gifted to them by their followers.

Feel free to skip around as you watchā€”there are plenty of funny faces and sounds as the pups tackle the sticky peanut butter. You wonā€™t be able to help but smile and laugh at those close-ups: some have PB on their boopable noses, and others have it stuck to their chin hairs. Most of the pups run straight to the heaping spoonful of peanut butter, smacking their lips, while a few prefer to savor the moment solo.

Itā€™s adorable to see how content they are to stay in the moment; they donā€™t know when itā€™ll end, but theyā€™ll keep licking non-stop until itā€™s over. Itā€™s surprising how calm this pack isā€”no guarding, no pushing or shovingā€”just a whole lot of happy dogs focused on one thing: getting their tongues in that peanut butter jar!

Tackle Your Credit Card Debt with 0% Interest Until Nearly 2026

If you have outstanding credit card debt, getting a new 0% intro APR credit card could help ease the pressure while you pay down your balances. Our credit card experts identified top credit cards that are perfect for anyone looking to pay down debt and not add to it.

Thank you to Finance Buzz for sponsoring Daily Dig.

DOTD - Meet Trixie

Trixie is a Golden Retriever living her summer days at her grandmom and grandpop's pool. She loves sunbathing and playing in the water. No matter the temperature, you can bet she'll stay outside by the pool ā€” it's her happy place. Her mom says the only way to get her inside is with a treat. But can you blame her? Just look at those stylish glasses... it looks like she was born to be a pool girl! Thanks for sharing!

Image Courtesy of Daily Dig Reader Megan

Give Your Pup a Shout-Out!

Want to get your pup a shout-out in the next edition of the Daily Dig? Refer 3 friends to Daily Dig and you can get rewarded! Hereā€™s how:

Click below to share with your friends

Enter your friendā€™s email (and donā€™t forget to let them know to look out for our email!)

Repeat and claim your reward!

A Special Message From Our Best Buddies

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ā¤ļø

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan šŸ¾

šŸ¦“ A Little Treat

šŸ¤” True or False: False; dogs can taste salt, but not as well as humans. They have fewer taste buds and less developed salt receptors because they evolved to eat meat, which naturally contains enough salt to meet their needs.

šŸ¶ DOTD: Give your pup the spotlight by submitting them for the dog of the day! This month's theme is dogs and their furry friends. Reply to this email with the best pics of your dog with a buddy, a short description, and their name to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

šŸ„° Spread positivity: Do you enjoy starting your day off with our community? If so, please consider forwarding this email to help us spread our love of all things dogs!

šŸ’Œ Reply for a surprise: If you are reading this reply with your dogā€™s favorite peanut butter treat for a surprise in your inbox!

šŸ¶ Is this your first time here?

Welcome to Daily Dig! Weā€™re a small team of dog lovers who strive to bring a pawsitive dose of pup content to your inbox every morning. Join our pack of over 180,000 paw pals when you subscribe today!