As dog owners around the world know, dogs love peanut butter! Many vets use it as a suggested additive to convince your pooch to take his medicine. Often, owners add peanut butter to dog toys to give their dog some entertainment throughout the day.
In recent years, it has come to light that many peanut butter brands contain an ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs and will cause significant issues even in small amounts. Surely, no dog owner would knowingly subject their dogs to these toxins. However, your dog loves a peanut butter treat now and then. How are you to be certain that you are keeping him safe from harm?
Jif Peanut Butter is one of the leading names in the peanut butter industry. According to the official Jif website, Jif Peanut Butter does not contain any xylitol. Although, the company does not claim to be safe for dogs. They only recommend you speak to your veterinarian before giving your dog Jif Peanut Butter.
Below, we will break down all the details of xylitol, peanut butter, and what is safe to feed your dog.
What Happens If Dogs Eat Peanut Butter with Xylitol?
A dog’s body reacts differently to xylitol than humans. In fact, xylitol stimulates a dog’s pancreas. In a very short amount of time, your dog will become hypoglycemic from consuming xylitol.
Many owners do not see the signs until it is too late. Soon after consuming anything with xylitol, your dog will become lethargic, lose coordination, and have diarrhea. If they consume a large enough amount, your dog will suffer from seizures and may risk death.
This recall was isolated to our Lexington, KY, manufacturing facility, and does not impact our other peanut butter-producing facilities. In addition, there is no impact to Smucker’s Uncrustables, Santa Cruz Organic, Laura Scudder’s, Adam’s, Smucker’s Natural, Smucker’s Goober or any other J.M. Smucker Co. brand. While our other peanut butter-producing facilities and brands were not impacted, we will take learnings from this event and apply them across our manufacturing facilities, as appropriate.
We are working as efficiently as possible to return our products to store shelves. We have resumed accepting orders from our retail customers for peanut butter and products should be back on shelves a few weeks after orders are placed. We suggest referring to your preferred retailer for the best availability information locally.
Our Simply Jif® Peanut Butter has a fresh-roasted peanut taste with low sodium* and 33% less total sugar** than Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter. *17g fat and 3.5g saturated fat per serving. **Simply Jif Peanut Butter contains 2g total sugar per serving. Regular Jif Peanut Butter contains 3g total sugar per serving
Separately, the grand-prize winner of the 2018 “Imagine If, With Jif” Contest is specifically focused on food allergy awareness. Elena Gallegos from Corona, California, founded Unicorn Kids, a business that raises awareness for kids with food allergies and promotes food allergy safety through one-of-a-kind T-shirt designs. Elena received a $15,000 grant to help her continue supporting and inspiring kids with food allergies and helping them navigate life.
It is possible that recent concerns around coronavirus are impacting the availability of our products where you shop. Please know that we are committed to supplying our products to all our retail partners, and our teams are working to minimize any disruption. We also recommend looking to purchase online to have our products delivered to you.
Is Jif Peanut butter safe for dogs?
Let’s start with the generic concept of peanut butter. Is peanut butter safe for your dog? The short answer is yes, in moderation. Peanut is a wonderful treat for your dog in a kong or on a lick mat. However, it is just that — a treat. Peanut butter is high in fat.
Too much fat in your dog’s diet will cause weight issues and put him at a higher risk of pancreatitis. There are some breeds that are naturally prone to pancreatitis. Before adding peanut butter to your dog’s diet (even as a treat), speak with your veterinarian.
The official Jif website lists some frequently asked questions. This question is one of the highest ones on the list. However, the company does not make any claims to being safe for dogs.
One thing is certain, Jif is at least safe for your dog from the xylitol standpoint. Jif does not contain any xylitol.
While Jif is safe from xylitol, it is not all natural. Even their “natural” recipe contains added sweeteners. There is added sugar and oils in all varieties of Jif Peanut Butter. Both ingredients are unhealthy for your dog.
Jif Peanut Butter is safe for your dog, but it has other ingredients that should be avoided. If you want to feed your dog peanut butter as a treat or pill hider, it is advised to find a different brand of peanut butter.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener derived from the birch tree. According to the veterinarian medicine department at NC State University, manufacturers add xylitol to gum, candy, and cookies. While it looks and tastes like sugar, it may cause mild intestinal issues. Furthermore, it is very poisonous to dogs.
Manufacturers are now adding xylitol to toothpaste, jellies, energy drinks, and beauty products. Be wary of products claiming to be sugar-free, especially if they seem like something that would need a sweetener.
Even though xylitol is toxic for your dog, Carolyn Pierini (a clinical laboratory specialist) states that xylitol is a significant change in the dental industry. Manufacturers have added it to many toothpastes and mouthwashes. It adds sweetness and even inhibits plaque.
FAQ
Does Jif peanut butter have xylitol in it?
Is Jif peanut butter OK for dogs?
Which brands of peanut butter contain xylitol?
Does Simply Jif have xylitol?