9 Peanut Butter Dog Treats Pups NEED to Try

Most people love warm peanut butter cookies straight out of the oven along with a cold glass of milk. And our canine companions love the taste of peanut butter too, whether on its own or baked into crunchy biscuits or chewy morsels. 

Instead of sharing sugary human snacks with your dog, we’ve compiled a list of the best peanut butter dog treats for your consideration. 

Dogs love the taste, texture, and smell of peanut butter, which is why the pet industry has exploded with hundreds of peanut butter dog treats. “It all boils down to palatability,” says Dr. Adam Christman, chief veterinary officer for the Fetch dvm360 veterinary conference and a practicing veterinarian in Jackson, New Jersey. “However, as with all treats, they should be limited to 10 percent of daily calories so not to upset nutritional balance.”

Is Peanut Butter Good For Dogs? 

Peanut butter is good for dogs. Christman says giving a dog peanut butter during an otherwise unpleasant experience, such as nail trimming or ear cleaning, makes for a more positive experience.

“Peanut butter contains protein, vitamins, antioxidants and more that can be of nutritional value,” he shares. “However, do not load up a Kong toy full of it and expect your dog to have a normal bowel movement the next day because it ‘ain’t gonna happen!”

While most natural peanut butters are safe for dogs, it’s important to keep in mind that any peanut butter you plan to give to your dog must be free of xylitol, a sugar substitute often found in chewing gums and some brands of peanut butter. Dogs who ingest xylitol-containing products require immediate treatment. He says peanut butter brands that contain xylitol include Go Nuts, Co., Krush Nutrition, Nuts ‘N More and P28 Foods. Before giving peanut butter to your dog, be sure to read the label! 

Some dogs may also have an adverse reaction to peanut butter in the form of an allergy. If a dog is allergic to peanut butter, he may have a hypersensitivity reaction resulting with facial swelling or skin reactions. Christman advises dog parents to stop feeding peanut butter if their dog develops any hypersensitivity symptoms and seek veterinary care.

Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats: How To Make Them

Sometimes the best peanut butter dog treats are as close as your kitchen cabinets. Just as people love homemade cookies, dogs love homemade peanut butter treats! 

Not all homemade treats or biscuits are created equal, and there are certain ingredients no dog should ever consume. Never feed your dog salt, nuts, yeast dough, grapes or raisins, or chocolate. Some homemade dog treat recipes are also very high in calories, so pay attention to a recipe’s nutrition info before feeding it to your dog. 

Dog mom Brittany Mullins shares an easy-to-make, easy-to-bake homemade peanut butter dog treat recipe consisting of four ingredients plus a cookie cutter. If you get your paws on a bone-shaped cookie cutter, your dog will be munching on these yummy treats for weeks. Best of all, since you make them yourself, the ingredient list is totally transparent. 

4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Dog Treat Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana
• 1/4 cup vegetable, chicken or beef stock
• One bone-shaped cookie cutter
• Rolling pin

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place all ingredients into a large mixing bowl, add stock, and stir until everything is combined together. 

Step 2: Use hands to knead the dough into a ball. Roll the dough out evenly using a rolling pin. You want the dough to be about ¼-inch thick. 

Step 3: Using the bone-shaped cookie cutter, cut as many treats as desired. 

Step 4: Bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown. Store in an airtight container.

When it comes to homemade treat ingredients, Christman recommends always checking with your veterinarian since some dogs may have disease processes (kidney disease, food allergies and more) that can be affected by peanut butter or other ingredients. Be on the lookout for ingredients that have added sugar and sodium, food coloring and artificial sweeteners, and avoid them. 

Making homemade dog treats can be a fun activity, but if you’re anything like me, you prefer to purchase peanut butter dog treats. Fortunately, pet treat manufacturers have plenty of awesome store-bought options available for canine palates. Here are a bunch of our favorite peanut butter dog treats in a variety of types, sizes, and formulas.

Best Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Our Picks

• Best Peanut Butter Dog Treats – Overall Winner:  Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe
• Best Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Dog Treats: K9 Granola Factory Pumpkin Crunchers Dog Treat
• Best Peanut Butter Dog Training Treats: Bixbi Pocket Trainers in Peanut Butter Flavor
• Best Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats: Zuke’s Crunchy Naturals Baked with Peanut Butter & Bananas
• Best Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Dog Treats: K9 Granola Factory Soft Bakes All-Natural Peanut Butter Cup
• Best Grain-Free Peanut Butter Dog Treats: Old Mother Hubbard P-Nuttier ‘N Nanners
• Best Peanut Butter and Jelly Dog Treats: Einstein Pets PB’N Jelly Time
• Best Peanut Butter and Bacon Dog Treats: Old Mother Hubbard Mini Soft & Tasty Peanut Butter & Bacon Flavored Biscuits
• Best Peanut Butter and Molasses Dog Treats: Riley’s Organics Peanut Butter and Molasses Bones

How We Ranked Our Top Peanut Butter Dog Treats

My dog, Dexter, is a peanut butter connoisseur, so if these treats can pass his taste test, I know they are worth recommending. Second, I looked at mega-star reviews on popular pet retail sites. Finally, we rounded off our “list of peanut butter dog treat must haves” by including high quality, nicely priced products that pet parents can feel good giving to their dog as an occasional snack.

All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author. However, Vetstreet may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Best Peanut Butter Dog Treats: Overall Winner 

Our pick: Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe

At less than three calories per treat, these totally portable and easily chewable morsels pack a tasty peanut butter punch. Most dogs will view these as a “high-value” reward, as I used them as training treats (then and now) in my dog’s AKC certifications and training. 

Flavor aside, this treat’s first ingredient is pure peanut butter followed by barley, rice, and oats. Whenever I want my dog to be on point and have fun with dog dancing, trick training, or just as a general reward, Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats Recipe is a go-to treat staple. 

Highlights

• At calories per treat, they are easy on a dog’s waistline 
• Made in the USA
• Contains no meat, corn, soy, artificial colors or flavors
• Perfect for training dogs of all sizes and ages 
• Even finicky dogs seem to enjoy these
• Chewy for older dogs or those with missing teeth 
• Nicely priced
• Perfect size for indoor doggy board games

Things To Consider

• Because they are smaller, it’s easy to over-treat your dog. Be careful!
• They are very aromatic, so be careful leaving the bag where eager paws can reach it.
• Contains potato protein, a common preservative in pet treats.

Best Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Our pick: K9 Granola Factory Pumpkin Crunchers Dog Treat

Who says peanut butter should be plain and ordinary? The folks at the K9 Granola Factory use pumpkin as the first ingredient in these adorably shaped, crunchy dog biscuits infused with peanut butter, oatmeal, barley flour, oat flour, and more. They tossed in some banana puree so the treat is not only nom-nom delicious for dogs, but it is also rich in antioxidants and beta-carotene.

For dogs who prefer a crunchier texture, these peanut butter treats can be broken up into pieces for sharing in multi-dog households or given whole to an eagerly awaiting dog. They smell so good, I might have been tempted to nibble on a piece or two. My dog actually chewed the treat and didn’t try to inhale it whole. Bonus points for the chew factor. 

Highlights

• Larger than average size and perfect for breaking into pieces.
• Wheat, corn, and soy free.
• Available in other flavors. 
• Not messy in hands or in pockets for training.
• Healthy ingredients you can feel good giving to your dog.
• Smell like they came from a bakery shop. 

Things To Consider 

• Not the cheapest product on our list. 
• They contain fiber so use caution if your dog already gets a fiber supplement. 

Best Peanut Butter Dog Training Treats

Our Pick: Bixbi Pocket Trainers in Peanut Butter Flavor

These small-size training treats pack a lot of peanut butter flavor in a tiny package, and we love them for dogs who are learning new tricks or brushing up on their training regimens. They contain just four calories per treat, making them the ideal choice for rewarding well-behaved pups. Plus, they’re semi-moist, making them chewy and highly palatable. 

Highlights

• Low calorie and small size, ideal for training dogs of all ages and sizes.
• Free of grain, corn, wheat, and soy.
• Perfect size for filling treat toys or playing puzzle games. 
• Made in the USA.

Things to Consider

• These treats do contain a few common and safe preservatives (Sorbic acid, Citric acid, and Mixed tocopherols) to help the treats last longer and stay moist.

Best Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Treats

Our pick: Zuke’s Crunchy Naturals Baked with Peanut Butter & Bananas

These USA-made treats are a mere 10 calories and are great for dogs who like a crunchy treat. Using real peanut butter and real bananas, Zuke’s hits a homerun with its perfectly sized biscuit. Elvis Presley loved his peanut butter and banana sandwiches and these are likely to be a hit with your hound dog, too. 

It’s all about variety in our household, so we keep all of the treats on this list in our doggy snack cupboard. When one of our neighbors was training her Great Dane puppy to walk on a leash, I asked her about his favorite snack. When she told me Mac loves bananas, I suggested she try Zuke’s Crunchy Naturals Baked with Peanut Butter & Bananas treats as a “good boy” reward on his walks. I enjoy seeing him traipse down the street waiting for his reward. 

Highlights

• Healthy, guilt-free, and packs a banana infusion. 
• No wheat, corn, soy, artificial colors or flavors.
• Packed in a resealable pouch. 
• Lower fat for dogs with digestive issues.
• Scored in the center for easy breaking.

Things To Consider

• 10 calories are minimal but adds up if you feed too many at one time
• Peanut butter and bananas are not the first ingredients
• Also available in peanut butter and other flavors (berries, sweet potato, apples)

Best Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Dog Treats

Our pick: K9 Granola Factory Soft Bakes All-Natural Peanut Butter Cup

Made with rolled oats, honey, peanut butter, unsweetened carob chips, and whole dry eggs, you’d be hard pressed to find a dog who turns his nose up at these peanut butter and oat dog treats. We did a lot of “sit, stay” during the photo shoot with this product.

These are hard to stuff into a treat-dispensing ball or Kong toy because they crumble easily. However, they are perfect for hide and seek, doggy brain games, or just because. We play “which hand” with my dog and try hiding the treat in one hand. After he paws at the correct hand, he gets the K9 Granola reward.

Highlights

• Brown bag contains an inner pouch to hold the fresh baked taste longer
• Real peanut butter and real unsweetened carob chips (think canine peanut butter cup)
• Feel like they just came from the oven 
• Sends a dog’s nose into overdrive 
• Perfect for older dogs or those with missing teeth

Things to Consider

• They’re a bit pricey—but our pups are worth it, right?
• Easy to overfeed these, so watch your portions! 
• Check the bag on arrival, some may have extra crumbs from shipping.

Best Grain-Free Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Our pick: Old Mother Hubbard P-Nuttier ‘N Nanners

These classic, crunchy, grain-free oven-baked dog biscuits have been a staple in our household for years. I don’t like eating the same snack every time I feel like munching, and dogs get treat fatigue, too, but we keep coming back to these. We use Old Mother Hubbard P-Nuttier ‘N Nanners as a reward and brain game treat. If your dog is into Kong toys or treat-dispensing balls, these are perfectly breakable for insertion into them. 

I am fussy about the ingredients my dog eats. Of all the peanut butter/banana dog treat combinations we researched, the Old Mother Hubbard brand wins time and time again in taste testing with my dog and his canine pals. Whether dogs can taste the bananas or not is up for debate, but my Cocker Spaniel wags his tail when I shake this grain-free treat bag.

Highlights

• Contains green tea extract and spearmint extract, so it may freshen doggy breath. 
• No artificial preservatives. 
• Well-known brand, established over 90 years ago.
• Perfect sized for treat balls or canine board games.
• Ingredients you can pronounce.
• Great for an alternative to mundane dog treats.      

Things To Consider 

• Peanut butter or bananas are not the first, second, or third ingredients. 
• This flavor is only available in mini size.

Best Peanut Butter and Jelly Dog Treats

Our pick: Einstein Pets PB’N Jelly Time

I wondered why it took so long for brands to come out with a peanut butter and jelly treat for dogs. After all, people love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so it’s a logical next step for dogs to have their own version. Lo and behold, the folks at Einstein Pets make a superfood dog treat called PB ‘N Jelly Time made with real blueberries, real peanut butter, and chia seed. 

Einstein Pets founder, Kelly Ison, says the health benefits of chia seed include more calcium (per ounce) than milk, more antioxidants than blueberries, and 8 times more omega-3 Fatty Acids than wild salmon. My finicky Cocker Spaniel loves all of the chia-infused dog treat varieties from Einstein Pets but the PB ‘N Jelly is a personal favorite. 

Highlights

• Low calorie
• Made in the USA
• 100 percent natural using human-grade ingredients
• Baked in small batches by hand
• Chia seed for nutrition and fiber for healthy digestion
• Heart-shaped treats (swoon!)

Things To Consider

• A bit pricier than other crunchy biscuits (but worth it)
• Grain free

Best Peanut Butter and Bacon Dog Treats

Our pick: Old Mother Hubbard Mini Soft & Tasty Peanut Butter & Bacon Flavored Biscuits

Some dogs love bacon. Okay, most dogs love bacon. Let’s just put it out there: Dogs love bacon. My dog’s face lit up like a Christmas tree when I tossed some Old Mother Hubbard Mini Soft & Tasty Peanut Butter & Bacon Flavored Biscuits in his treat ball.

Using oatmeal, molasses, peanut butter, and bacon, these treats are small but pack a strong aroma. They are oven-baked and nicely sized for seniors, puppies, or any dog who prefers a softer treat on his gums. 

Highlights

• Soft and chewy but not crumbly.
• Nicely priced.
• Allows dogs to have a bacon surprise in their snack.
• Eight-ounce size lasts a while.
• Wholesome ingredients including #1 listed ingredient of oatmeal.

Things To Consider

• Despite the eight-ounce bag, some people complain they want a larger bag.
• Heavy peanut buttery smell.

Best Peanut Butter and Molasses Dog Treats

Our pick: Riley’s Organics Peanut Butter and Molasses Bones

USDA organic certified, these 6-calorie crunchy treats are small but mighty. They are made with human-grade ingredients, with the first being organic peanut butter. Riley’s limits the number of ingredients in these treats, so sensitive dogs may do well on them. 

Riley’s products are non-GMO and they tout themselves as the first to have a full line of certified vegan products all made in the United States.

Highlights

• 100 percent recyclable packaging.
• No wheat, corn, or soy.
• 100 percent human grade.
• Good source of quality fats, protein, antioxidants, and vitamins B and E.
• Nice crunchy texture.
• Available in mini and large sizes. 

Things To Consider

• 5-ounce bag doesn’t last too long in multi-dog households