Peanut butter is a fun treat pet owners often let their dogs lick off a spoon. A low in calories and high in energy snack, this is a healthy choice for many people and an often safe snack for larger dogs. While peanut butter is healthy for us, it’s essential to be cautious when giving it to your Yorkie.
Many veterinarians advise against giving Yorkies peanut butter except as an occasional small treat or incentive during bath time or nail clipping to distract your pup.
Yorkie owners should be extra mindful. Yorkies are prone to digestive disorders and pancreatic problems, making it harder for them to process some of the ingredients found in many human foods.
If your Yorkie has any digestive problems, you probably shouldn’t be giving them peanut butter at all. For owners who decide to provide the occasional treat, the recommended amount is about one teaspoon.
What if my Yorkie has an allergic reaction?
As many of us know very well, peanut butter is a common allergen. Nuts, in general, can be sensitive to dogs and, in particular, Yorkies.
Not only do they risk potentially being allergic, but they may also have digestion sensitivities to peanut butter.
It’s advisable to test your Yorkie for a peanut allergy before giving peanut butter to them as a treat to be safe.
Place a little bit of peanut butter on the tip of your finger and let them lick this off. Watch for the next 2 to 3 hours, and if your Yorkie isn’t showing any signs of a reaction, then it is probably safe to give them the recommended amount.
Symptoms Your Yorkie is Having an Allergic Reaction
- Digestion problems such as constipation, diarrhea, or discolored feces
- Nausea and vomiting, which can lead to eating grass and excessive and unusual chewing
- Hives on the skin and itching. They may rub against things excessively
- Eye redness and facial swelling
- Thinning of the fur and shedding of their coat
- Development of an ear infection
- Seizures and potential loss of consciousness
It is important to note that if your Yorkie begins experiencing any symptoms on this list, call your vet or emergency animal clinic right away.
Does the size of my dog impact how much peanut butter I give?
Yes, definitely! Yorkies are a tiny breed; remember, they only weigh on average 5-7 pounds. Their stomachs are more than half the size of a human’s.
Think about the size of a golf ball and smaller. As puppies, they can get about one teaspoon of peanut butter occasionally.
For grown Yorkies, it is safe enough to give them a teaspoon as a more occasional or consistent treat. Again, be mindful.
As parents, we usually know our pets better than anyone, so it’s always important to be on the lookout if your dog’s behavior changes when letting them try out a new human threat.
What kind of peanut butter can my Yorkie eat?
When you decide on the occasional peanut butter treat, it’s essential to ensure your Yorkie is getting only peanut butter made with natural ingredients. Ultimately, making your own peanut butter at home is the most ideal.
You can do this by blending up crushed peanuts, honey, sugar, and a dash of salt. Of course, not everyone has time to make homemade peanut butter, so it’s crucial to choose store-bought ones that come with organic ingredients.
Please stay away from chunky or crunchy peanut butter as they may have pieces your Yorkie could choke on. The best is always a smooth and creamy texture that makes it easy to lick for your terrier.
Ingredients to Avoid When Buying Peanut Butter
Trans–Fats: Too much trans-fats is unhealthy for humans, so it’s imperative to stay clear of giving it to your Yorkies. They are highly prone to digestion problems, and trans fats can lead to chronic inflammation. This not only worsens their digestive tracts but can also lead to inflammation around the heart that can cause cardiac problems.
Nickel: This is an ingredient found in some crunchier and long-lasting peanut butter. Experts advise against nickel in large amounts for humans, so it should be avoided in your Yorkie. It can be detrimental to their organs.
Aflatoxins: This is honestly an ingredient that any pet owner should avoid. Studies have shown aflatoxins can influence cancer in both humans and larger animals. Yorkies also risk over-excretion of the liver in processing aflatoxins.
Xylitol: Do not ever buy peanut butter with this ingredient. Xylitol is a natural sugar and sweetener used in peanut butter, and it is also used in other nut butter and some cookie butter. This ingredient is highly poisonous to tiny, sensitive Yorkie stomachs. A small amount of this can cause serious side effects such as fainting and collapse in dogs, respiratory distress, and seizures. Stay away from this.
Sugar: This is an ingredient that should be avoided or at least highly restricted in your Yorkie. While it isn’t as poisonous as some of the other ingredients on this list, it has the potential to cause some severe side effects. Yorkies may have a hard time processing sugars and high carbs. This also raises their risk of diabetes, which no pet owner should have to go through.
Safe Peanut Butter Brands
Some over-the-counter brands xylitol-free and generally safe for dogs are Jif and Skippy. However, these still contain low sugar, so it’s good to go with sugar and trans-fat-free versions.
Some good brands to check out are our Bark Bistro and Big Spoon peanut butter for dogs.
The safest and most recommended is to either make homemade peanut butter or invest in dog-friendly peanut butter. These are ideally homemade peanut butter specifically for dogs containing zero of the ingredients listed above.
What other food should my Yorkie not eat?
Our Yorkies’ stomachs aren’t adjusted to the high fat and oils we eat in our everyday diets. Peanut butter aside, it is essential to always keep in mind the sensitivity of your Yorkie’s digestive system.
If it gives you a stomachache, it will probably be a disaster for your little one. Check out below to see some foods to avoid giving your Yorkie.
- Onions and Garlic: These vegetables should be avoided in the table scraps you may be handing over to your begging Yorkie. They can potentially cause allium toxicosis, which damages Yorkies’ red blood cells. Symptoms can take a few days to appear. They may show up as vomiting, fatigue, mucous and heavy breathing. If you see signs of this in your Yorkie, it’s essential to give them activated charcoal to induce vomiting and help clean them out.
- Bones: Probably not one that most expected to be on here but bones can actually be hazardous to small dogs. Now, this isn’t the kind of bones sold in the dog stores explicitly made for your Yorkies. Bones from chicken or pork that have been cooked are known to splinter easier. Little pieces of bone could come off and get into your Yorkie’s digestive tract. This could cause a severe obstruction. Vets advise if you give your small dog a bone, one larger than the pup’s mouth that they can’t swallow from raw beef is the best. There are also many great choices for organic and raw-hide bones out there specifically made for Yorkies and their small sizes.
- Chocolate: Most pet owners know that chocolate is dangerous to dogs. It contains a chemical known as “theobromine”. This is metabolized exceptionally slowly in dogs and is more dangerous the smaller the breed. So, it is best to keep your chocolate bars out of reach from your Yorkies.
- Grapes and Raisins: Grapes are another pretty well-known food to avoid by pet owners. Grapes and raisins have been shown in research to cause kidney failure and distress in dogs. And again, the smaller the breed, the higher the risk. Vets aren’t sure why this is yet, but they advise against giving any dog breeds grapes or raisins.
- Dairy: Be mindful of some dairy products as this can potentially trigger inflammation and stomach pain in Yorkies.
So are there any human foods that are safe for my Yorkie?
While most of this article has revolved around what your Yorkie should avoid eating, there are many natural human foods Yorkies love as special treats. It is always stressed to Yorkie owners to be cautious about their diet.
Quality dog food, nutritious, rich ingredients, and supplements are the best ways to keep your Yorkie healthy and running with a smooth digestive tract. Some fruits and vegetables are incredibly healthy to add to your Yorkie’s diet, and this also helps clean their teeth, which is an added benefit.
Safest Human Foods to Feed Your Yorkie
- Apple slices or apple sauce (non-processed)
- Green beans, either raw or cooked. Just remember to not add any onion or garlic to them.
- Cooked pumpkin for a sweet treat
- Raw carrots support bone health and gum hygiene
- Cooked chicken (grilled is best recommended) without any bones or fat.
As we now know, our Yorkies are pretty sensitive, and there’s a lot to be careful about when caring for their diet. Peanut butter is a great, safe treat as long as it is given in regulated amounts and avoids harmful ingredients.