While we have definitely become more aware of the ingredients in our food that can potentially be harmful to us as humans, there are a few things that seem pretty safe and innocuous but are incredibly toxic for our pets. If you have a dog at home, then you will want to know: does Trader Joe’s peanut butter have xylitol in it?
The peanut butter at Trader Joe’s does not contain xylitol. The No Salt Creamy Peanut Butter and No Salt Crunchy Peanut Butter are just made from peanuts and are both considered safe for dogs, while the Salted versions only have salt added.
Read ahead to find out more about the peanut butter on the shelves at Trader Joe’s and why avoiding xylitol is so important when you have dogs at home.
What Is Xylitol and Why Should You Avoid It?
Before we get into the offerings at Trader Joe’s, we should first be clear about what xylitol is and why it can be so dangerous for your dog.
Xylitol might sound like a strange chemical, but it is actually a sugar alcohol that naturally occurs in many different plants. It tastes sweet, it’s low in calories, and it has a low glycemic index, so it’s often used as a sugar substitute.
Sadly, while xylitol is perfectly safe for human consumption, it is incredibly toxic to dogs. Even a very small amount can result in xylitol poisoning, which is when a lot of insulin is released all at once. This causes problems like low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), seizures, liver failure, and even death.
After your dog consumes xylitol, you might notice vomiting, decreased activity, weakness, lack of coordination, or seizures, and it needs to be treated as soon as possible.
If you think that your dog has eaten something with xylitol in it, then you should call a vet, an emergency clinic, or an animal control center immediately.
Is There Any Xylitol in Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter?
Unfortunately, xylitol is an ingredient that is not always clearly listed on packaging, particularly because it is considered natural.
Sometimes, it might be listed under its own name, but it can also be written as “sugar alcohols” or even through the phrase “naturally sweetened”.
When it comes to the options at Trader Joe’s, though, you don’t have to worry. Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter are made with just peanuts and a little bit of salt, so there is no xylitol included at all. The unsalted version is actually considered completely safe to feed to your dog as a treat!
Trader Joe’s has a pretty strong policy for avoiding artificial flavors and preservatives, as well as keeping MSG, genetically modified ingredients, and hydrogenated oils out of their food.
When it comes to xylitol, though, is still worth checking individual products as it is technically derived from natural sources.
What Peanut Butter Does Trader Joe’s Sell?
So, xylitol is something that you certainly want to avoid when you’re shopping for any foods that your dog might be able to get their paws on, particularly something as delicious as peanut butter.
This is an area that Trader Joe’s is particularly famous for, and they have a huge selection of nut butter and fruit spreads on offer.
When it comes to their peanut butter, you have quite a few options in Trader Joe’s stores:
- Creamy No Salt Peanut Butter
- Crunchy No Salt Peanut Butter
- Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
- Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
- Organic Crunchy No Salt Peanut Butter
- Organic Creamy No Salt Peanut Butter
- Organic Crunchy Salted Peanut Butter
- Organic Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
Although that might seem like quite a lot to choose from, the actual ingredients in each of these options are pretty similar. Like many of the products are Trader Joe’s, these peanut butters are about as simple as they can be.
The peanut butter at Trader Joe’s is made from just peanuts, with some of them also containing salt. The difference between the Crunchy and Creamy options is simply how much they have been blended, the Salted options contain a little bit of salt, and the Organic options use organic Valencia peanuts.
You will notice that the peanut butter actually separates out with a layer of peanut oil on top. This oil comes from the peanuts themselves, and it’s a sign that the butter does not include any stabilizers (like hydrogenated oil), so it’s as natural as it can be.
Where Can You Buy Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter?
There are some very delicious things available at Trader Joe’s, but getting your hands on them can be a little tricky if you’re not able to visit a location yourself.
Trader Joe’s does not offer any home delivery service through their website, and they don’t have a dedicated grocery delivery service.
They don’t even do curbside pickup! You can, however, use some third-party services like Dumpling and TaskRabbit to get someone to shop in the store for you.
The other option is to buy your Trader Joe’s goods on Amazon or eBay, but expect to pay a pretty sizeable markup!
To check the current price and availability of Trader Joe’s Peanut Butters, click here to view the selection on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Eat Trader Joes Peanut Butter?
The No Salt peanut butter at Trader Joe’s is considered safe for dogs, although it is high in fat so it should only be offered as a treat.
Which Peanut Butters Contain Xylitol?
There are a number of different brands of peanut butter that are known to contain xylitol, including Go Nuts, Krush Nutrition, P28 Foods, No Cow, Nuts ‘N More, and Hanks Protein Plus.
How Do I Know if Peanut Butter Has Xylitol?
The first thing to do if you want to know whether there is xylitol in peanut butter is to check the label. It is sometimes listed as an ingredient, but it might also be written as “sugar alcohol” or “natural sweetener”. To be sure, you should stick to peanut butter that is made from only peanuts and nothing else.
Final Thoughts
So, does Trader Joe’s peanut butter have xylitol in it? It does not! You and your dog will be happy to hear that there is no xylitol, sweeteners, trans fat, or any other unnecessary ingredients in the peanut butter on offer at Trader Joe’s.
The salted version is relatively high in sodium, though, so it’s healthier to opt for the No Salt peanut butter if you want to feed it to your dog directly.