First things first; is peanut butter safe for my dog? The American Kennel Club (AKC) tells us "Most peanut butter is safe for dogs to eat, and in moderation peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein and healthy fats, vitamins B and E, and niacin. The healthiest option is unsalted peanut butter or homemade peanut butter, as high sodium levels can be problematic for dogs, and as an added bonus, homemade peanut butters do not contain extra sugar and other additives."

Beware of Xylitol. The AKC website informs that "Xylitol is a sugar substitute often found in sugar-free products like chewing gum, toothpaste, breath mints, chewable vitamins and baked goods. It is safe for people, but toxic to dogs". It's consumption can be life threatening if left untreated so if you suspect your dog has ingested xylitol, contact your veterinarian immediately and watch for signs of xylitol poisoning such as staggering, lack of coordination and seizures. Xylitol is easy to avoid, just check the ingredients label on your jar of PB.  

How much is too much? The general rule is that treats should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet, so make sure to take their standard meals into consideration when treating. 

Now that we've got that info out of the way, its time to have some fun with this week's theme, Peanut Butter, in the Pet Photography 52 Week Project. Why Peanut Butter now? Because November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month! I decided to go all in the PB theme by bringing our brown dog Gracie over to the studio, putting her on a brown background and then spreading some peanut butter on the roof of mouth, watching the fun and snapping away. 

(click on any image to view full screen)