Peanut Butter Day: Dog-Safe Treat Ideas (Plus the #1 Ingredient to Avoid)

Peanut Butter Day lands on January 24, and it’s a fun excuse to lean into one of the most “high-value” flavors in the dog world, as long as you do it safely. If you’ve ever watched your dog laser-focus the second they smell peanut butter, you already know why it works so well for training, enrichment, and calm “busy time” at home.

Before you celebrate, there’s one safety rule that matters more than anything else: avoid xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in some sugar-free products, and it can be dangerous for dogs. That’s why Peanut Butter Day is less about scooping from any random jar and more about choosing dog-appropriate peanut butter treats (and always checking labels if you’re using human food).

A simple way to keep Peanut Butter Day both fun and worry-free is to celebrate with dog-made peanut butter products designed for stuffing and training. If you want something that’s easy to use without turning your kitchen into a sticky crime scene, KONG Stuff’N Real Peanut Butter Treat is made for mess-free stuffing with a long nozzle (great for toys and lick mats). Pair it with a classic enrichment toy like the KONG Classic Dog Toy, then make it last longer by freezing it after stuffing so your dog gets a longer-lasting “project,” and you get a quieter living room. If your dog loves a longer chew challenge, KONG Peanut Butter Marathon Treats are another option designed to fit KONG toys and keep dogs engaged.

If your Peanut Butter Day vibe is more “quick rewards” than “long projects,” go for crunchy peanut-butter-forward treats that you can break into tiny pieces. The key is keeping rewards small, so you can reinforce good behavior without overdoing calories. Options like Loving Pets Peanut Butter Dog Treats, Three Dog Bakery Puppy Butters Peanut Butter Dog Cookies, and Buddy Biscuits Grain-Free Oven-Baked Crunchy Peanut Butter Treats all fit that easy, treat-jar routine, especially if you’re practicing sits at the door, loose-leash walking, or calm greetings.

For dogs who find licking soothing (and for pet parents who want enrichment without a lot of effort), a lick mat turns Peanut Butter Day into a calming ritual. Spread a thin layer of a dog-safe peanut butter treat and let your dog work at it slowly. HardyPaw options like the Spot Soothers Multipurpose Lick Mat, the Spot Soothers Belgian Waffle Lick Mat, or the more durable LickiMat TUFF Buddy make it easy to build a quick “busy moment” during Zoom calls, post-walk wind-down, or crate time.

Finally, if your dog prefers chewing over licking, Peanut Butter Day can still be on-theme with a longer-lasting chew that keeps jaws busy. Purina Busy Bone Peanut Butter Flavor Chews are built for that chew-and-occupy style of reward, and CollaChews Rolls Peanut Butter & Collagen add a peanut butter twist to chew time. As always, match chew size to your dog, supervise, and keep fresh water nearby.

FAQs

Q1: Is peanut butter safe for dogs?

Ans: It can be, as long as it’s fed in moderation and does not contain xylitol.

Q2: What should I do if my dog eats something with xylitol?

Ans: Treat it as urgent and contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic right away. Xylitol toxicosis can cause serious, rapid effects in dogs.

Q3: What’s the easiest Peanut Butter Day treat idea that isn’t messy?

Ans: Use a squeeze-style stuffing treat like KONG Stuff’N Real Peanut Butter Treat inside a KONG Classic, then freeze it for longer-lasting enrichment.