National Peanut Butter Day

January 24.  Today is National Peanut Butter Day.  Mmmmmmm.  We dogs LOVE peanut butter.  And yes – it is safe in moderation because it is a good source of vitamins, protein and healthy fats.  It can be great in a Kong – because it will keep us occupied for quite a long time.  There has been some info in the news lately warning people about peanut butter containing something called Xylitol – a sugar substitute found in many food products.  While Xylitol is supposedly safe for humans – it is NOT safe for dogs.  It can be found in a number of food products including gum, candy and jam.    It can also be found in peanut butter – but not ALL peanut butter contains it.  Read the label. If it says Xylitol, obviously it contains it – and if is says sugar alcohol, you can probably assume it contains Xylitol.  Do not use those products!!!!

My human has used peanut butter in the past when a dog does not want to take a prescribed pill.  We dogs are pretty darn smart – and if we don’t like the taste of a pill – we won’t forget it.  So getting us to take it can be a challenge.  Burying it in our food does not work.  We smell that pill.  Sometimes those pill pocket things work.  Initially.  But we also figure those out.  But what DOES work is putting the pill in some peanut butter and sticking it quickly on the roof of our mouth. I actually can’t believe I am revealing this secret.  We lick the peanut butter off the roof of our mouth – and down the pill goes.  Yes.  Sometimes humans can be clever.

And speaking of dogs and health – did you know that a recent survey revealed that nearly 3 million dogs in the US are on anti-anxiety medication!  Seriously!  For things like separation anxiety.  Some argue that medication should be used as a last-ditched effort – and try behavioural methods first.  But because humans live in a fast-paced-let’s-fix-this kind of world, they often go right to medication before they even TRY anything else.  Seems to me a bunch of Kongs with peanut butter and cheese might be a first step to try!  But what do I know?

You know - I’d like to blame my bad behaviour on anxiety – but the reality?  I confess.  I’m just plain old bad!

Well it looks like we dodged the big snowstorm that hit the US – for a change.  Some snow forecast here – but nothing like the Eastern US.  My human texted a good friend in Washington, whose Saint Bernard was afraid of all the snow – and didn’t want to poop.  I kid you not!  They had to go out on the road where the plow had gone through and there was much dancing and singing when he finally “did his thing.”  Good thing Dudley doesn’t live in Nova Scotia.  He would be VERY constipated!

Well time to stare at my human so she will either take us out for another run, or  will play games with us.  And maybe I can convince her to bake us some peanut butter biscuits!

Have a great Sunday!

© Linda Wozniak