Butter. Mmmm, butter!
This is a staple in pretty much all households in North America, Europe, and around the world. Despite being a fatty food, butter is a delicious spread (though one that should be consumed in moderation!)
It adds flavor to a bland plain pancake in the morning. It is the key ingredient to a delicious garlic butter bread. Butter also provides the oil with which you pan sear a meaty steak.
Not to mention the combination of bread and butter cannot be beat! And a certain amount of butter can provide you with the energy that you need to complete your day.
But what about our canine friends? Similar to us, they cannot resist the temptation of butter. But can dogs eat butter?
In this article, we will tell you whether butter is safe for our furry pooch to eat.
Can Dogs Eat Butter?
The short answer to that is no. Your dogs should not eat butter.
First off, just to be clear, butter is not a toxic food for our dogs. So, that means that eating a bit of butter would not put your dog in an emergency situation.
However, butter is much worse for a dog than it is for us. Since we are already mentioned that humans should only consume butter in moderation, consider how little dogs should consume.
Are There Any Benefits to Dogs Consuming Butter?
That being said, particular types of butter could provide some benefits to our dogs.
Naturally cultured butters have higher amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin B12. But even though that is the case, the risks still outweigh the benefits when it comes to dogs.
Health Precautions To Take When It Comes To Dogs and Butter
Butter is bad for our dogs because it is a very fatty food. Butter is about 80 percent fat. And in particular, the fat is saturated, thus it contains unhealthy cholesterol.
Too much cholesterol alone puts our dogs’ health in jeopardy. Butter can be the source of weight gain and obesity for dogs. Overconsumption of butter can also cause pancreatitis in dogs.
It is important to know and recall that butter is made from dairy. This may not sound all that significant, but for dogs who are lactose intolerant, this is very bad.
So if your dog ate butter and it is lactose intolerant, this could cause an upset stomach. The same thing could be said with other dairy products like milk. This could lead to symptoms such as intestinal gas, bloating, diarrhea, or nausea.
But do not panic if your dog managed to eat butter. It is not a toxic food and it will not put your dog in a hospital.
So in conclusion, while butter may be a delicious treat for us and our dogs, it is certainly something you should avoid feeding to your dog or allowing them to eat.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
Looking for a better food options for your dog than butter? Check out this article: Can Dogs Eat Lettuce?
