Butter, a dairy product made from the fat and protein components of milk is a semi-solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water. This dairy product has been a topic of hot debate on whether it’s good or bad for humans and dogs alike. Well, butter contains lots of nutrients and beneficial compounds but it also contains a lot of fat. Humans can enjoy the benefits of butter if eaten in moderation, but what about dogs? Can dogs eat butter?
To be honest, yes, your dog can eat butter but you must know that there are no health benefits of feeding butter to your dog at all. Butter is mostly saturated fat. Meaning, it doesn’t provide many health benefits compared to other healthy fatty oils. And most dogs are lactose intolerant. Dogs with lactose intolerance should stay away from dairy products as much as possible. But still, if your dog eats butter, there shouldn’t be any major health issues. However, it is better not to give too much butter to your dog.
Continue reading to learn all about what can happen if your dog eats butter.
Is Butter Good for Dogs?
Frankly speaking, no, butter isn’t good for your pooch. Most dogs are lactose intolerant, so even a small amount can induce painful symptoms in the dog. Still, it usually depends on the amount and type of butter they ate. If eaten frequently, various health problems such as obesity and diabetes may arise. Moreover, the high-fat content might cause irregular bowel movements, diarrhea, and vomiting in your dog. In the worst-case scenario, they may also be likely to fall victim to pancreatitis. And if the butter is salted, it might also cause dehydration in your pooch. Moreover, if your dog is already pre-disposed to certain health conditions such as diabetes, then feeding butter will alleviate the health risks. So, feeding butter to a dog with existing health problems is out of the question. Even though dogs can eat butter it might be better not to feed them any.
Signs Of Lactose Intolerance In Dogs
Most owners are unaware of whether or not their pups are lactose intolerant until they feed some dairy products to their pup. The following symptoms can be seen in a lactose intolerant dog after he/she has eaten any dairy products:
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Intestinal Pain
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Loose Stools
High amounts of fat in dairy products can spell disaster if your dog eats some regularly. Pancreatitis is a severe health condition that can lead to an untimely death in dogs that eat dairy products regularly.
You can determine whether or not your pooch is lactose intolerant in our article, “Can Dogs Drink Milk?”
How Much Butter Can My Dog Eat?
Even though there are quite a few health risks, some dogs may be attracted to the flavor and richness of butter. A stick of butter won’t do much harm to a Mastiff than it would to a Chihuahua. Knowing how much to feed your pup is essential. As mentioned before, butter is very high in fats, containing about 12 grams of fat in one tablespoon. Small dogs usually need just about 12 grams of fat per day to maintain a healthy diet. So, it might be better to include butter only as an occasional treat.
Are There Any Benefits Of Feeding Butter To My Dog?
None, whatsoever. Butter doesn’t provide any essential nutrients for your dog and the nutrients they do provide can be found in your dog’s daily kibble. The demerits of feeding butter to your dog outweigh the merits. So, it might be better not to feed them any. But still, if you do want to give them the taste of butter, it is advised only to give them a little amount.
My Dog Ate Some Butter. What Should I Do?
Your dog ate some butter while you weren’t looking and now, you’re unsure about what to do. Symptoms usually include diarrhea and intestinal pain. Well in most cases the symptoms can be treated with home remedies. Let your dog rest properly and exercise them daily to keep them healthy. But if your dog is lactose intolerant or if the symptoms don’t pass away within 2 to 3 days, contact the vet for a quick visit.
Prevention is better than cure so it’s always better to take proper precautions. Also, make sure that you know how to treat the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Here are some things you must be careful about:
- If your dog is lactose intolerant then you should avoid dairy products completely.
- If you’re feeding them butter then make sure they don’t eat the wrapper as well.
- Make sure that your pooch is healthy and doesn’t have any underlying health problems such as diabetes etc. In the event that your dog takes a bite while you weren’t looking, check the amount they ate first. If it was a small amount you don’t have to fret much but if it was a rather large amount consult the vet immediately. And if any health issues persist, visit the vet.
Conclusion
Simply put, yes, dogs can eat butter but it’s advised not to feed them any. Butter isn’t toxic to them, but even a small amount can lead to severe symptoms in your pooch. The high-fat content and salt can lead to various health problems in your dog such as obesity, dehydration, and pancreatitis. Still, if you want to feed some to your pooch, make sure to do it in moderation occasionally.
Thank you for reading the article.
How often do you feed butter to your dog? Did you know about the harmful effects? Or is your dog lactose intolerant? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community in the comment section below.