Can Dogs Have Butter? What Every Pet Owner Should Know

While you’ve probably never looked at a stick of butter and thought it would be a tasty treat for your dog, they may have snuck the snack off your countertop or out of your fridge, leading you to ask: Can dogs have butter?

The good news is that butter isn’t toxic for dogs. The bad news is that it’s extremely high in fat and made from dairy, and both of those things can cause problems for dogs. Keep reading to learn all about the complicated question: Can dogs eat butter?

Can Dogs Have Butter?

No, dogs should not have butter. While it isn’t toxic, butter’s high fat content can cause numerous problems for dogs, who tend to be lactose intolerant and may struggle with butter due to it being dairy, as well. While your pup will probably be OK if they sneak a tiny amount, you should keep a close eye on your dog if they eat more than a tablespoon or two of butter since it may trigger pancreatitis or other problems.

The Unhealthiness of Butter for Canine Diets

Butter can cause a variety of problems for dogs ranging from a simple upset stomach to potentially life-threatening pancreatitis.

Upset Stomach

Once they stop drinking their mother’s milk, many dogs lose the ability to digest lactose, which is a sugar found in milk. As a result, they become lactose intolerant and may suffer from an upset stomach after eating butter or other dairy products (except goat milk, which is lower in lactose and easier to digest than many other dairy products). Dogs who eat butter may experience stomach cramps, bloating, or diarrhea.

Choking or Bowel Obstruction

If your dog eats a stick of butter in its wrapper, they could choke on it. Or, if they manage to swallow the wrapper, it may become lodged in their intestines, potentially requiring surgery to remove it.

Poisoning

Some types of butter might be made from artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. If you check the ingredients of the butter your dog ate and see either xylitol or birch sugar, you should contact your veterinarian.

Obesity

Due to butter’s high fat content, giving it to your dog regularly increases the chances that they will struggle with obesity, which can shorten your pup’s life.

Pancreatitis

Butter’s biggest risk is its high fat content, which can cause the pancreas to become inflamed. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and insulin, and pancreatitis can be life-threatening.

Salted Butter vs. Unsalted Butter in a Dog's Diet

Another issue specific to salted butter is that it may cause dehydration. If your dog has eaten a large amount of salted butter, you should contact your dog’s veterinarian immediately.

Specific Buttered Foods and Canine Health Implications

So it’s clear that dogs shouldn’t eat butter by itself, but what if the butter is used on other food items?

Buttered Popcorn: Is It Safe for Dogs?

While you can safely give your dog plain, unbuttered, unsalted, and unseasoned popcorn without any unpopped kernels, buttered popcorn poses all the same risks as butter by itself, so you shouldn’t share it with your dog.

Margarine as an Alternative—Is It Safer?

Although margarine is made from various oils rather than milk, it still poses many of the same health risks as butter due to its high fat content, so you shouldn’t give your dog margarine, either.

The Complications of Feeding Dogs Buttered Bread

Since bread is high in species-inappropriate carbohydrates, it isn’t a great snack to share with your dog, and adding butter to it just makes it worse. A tiny bite every once in a while may be fine, but it’s better to avoid giving your dog buttered bread at all.

How Almond and Sunflower Butter Measure Up for Dogs

These days, there are many vegan alternatives to traditional butter available, as well as various nut butters besides peanut butter. Are these any safer for dogs than regular butter?

Can Dogs Have Almond Butter?

If the almond butter doesn’t contain any sweeteners, salt, or preservatives, you can share a little with your dog. However, almond butter still contains a lot of fat, so it should be a limited treat for your pup.

Is Sunflower Butter a Healthier Option?

A spoonful of sunflower butter every now and then is safe for dogs, as long as it doesn’t contain the artificial sweetener xylitol (also known as birch sugar). But again, sunflower butter is high in fat, so don’t make it a regular part of your dog’s diet.

What to Do if Your Dog Consumes Butter

If your dog eats a large amount of salted butter or any butter containing xylitol, you should contact a veterinarian immediately. If your dog just eats a little bit of butter, keep an eye out for mild to moderate digestive upset.

Symptoms to Watch After Butter Ingestion

If your dog displays any of the following symptoms of pancreatitis within about 4 days of eating butter, you should take them to the vet:

• •Lethargy

• •Reduced appetite

• •Vomiting

• •Abdominal pain

• •Diarrhea (with or without blood)

Considering the Fat Content in Butter for Dogs

A single tablespoon of butter contains 12 grams of fat—which is the total amount of fat that a 30-pound dog should have in an entire day and likely gets from their regular food. That’s why even relatively small amounts of butter can cause big problems for dogs.

Beyond Butter: Why Raw Is the Best Food for Dogs

You want the very best for your dog. Did you know that dogs are meant to eat a raw diet rather than highly processed kibble? While dogs have developed some ability to digest carbohydrates, their digestive systems are still nearly identical to wolves’ digestive tracts, and they have no need for carbs in their diet.

We Feed Raw makes it easy to give your dog the species-appropriate raw food they’ll thrive on. Our pre-portioned patties are nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages, including the growth of large-breed puppies. We deliver frozen patties to your door; you just thaw and serve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can dogs eat butter?

Dogs should not eat butter because its high level of fat can trigger pancreatitis. However, butter is not toxic for dogs, so a small amount of butter licked off the floor is unlikely to cause any problems.

Can dogs eat almond butter?

Dogs can eat small amounts of almond butter as long as it doesn’t contain salt, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol or birch sugar.

Can dogs have sunflower butter?

Yes, dogs can have a spoonful of sunflower butter every now and then as long as it doesn’t contain xylitol. However, dogs should not have large amounts of sunflower butter because it is relatively high in fat.

Choose We Feed Raw for A Healthy, Natural Diet

Ready to ensure your furry friend enjoys a diet that's as natural and healthy as possible? We Feed Raw provides a convenient solution to meet your dog's nutritional needs without the risks associated with butter and other high-fat, processed foods. Our raw, species-appropriate meals are perfectly portioned and packed with the nutrients essential for your dog's well-being. Plus, you can rest assured knowing you're feeding a diet free from the unnecessary fats and dangers found in butter and other human snacks.

Start prioritizing your dog's health with We Feed Raw. It's not just a meal; it’s a step towards a longer, happier life for your pup. Take the quiz on our website today, and begin the transition to a balanced, raw diet delivered straight to your door—because your dog deserves the very best. Visit wefeedraw.com now to tailor a raw diet plan that aligns with your pup's needs and watch them thrive!