Sunflower butter is generally safe for dogs as long as it’s given in recommended amounts. It’s an excellent addition to their diet. It comes with a lot of benefits, especially when it comes to their skin and coat.
However, human foods, such as sunflower butter, should be given to dogs in moderation. Alongside its wide array of benefits are potential risks.
To ensure your dogs get the most out of the health benefits, sunflower butter can give, stick to this guide until the end. Learn the pros of feeding sunflower butter to dogs, the risks that may come with it, feeding tips, and more. Read on!
Is Sunflower Butter Healthy for Dogs?
Sunflower butter is a healthy treat for dogs, provided that it’s given in recommended amounts. This type of butter comes nowhere else but from sunflower seeds. Some of its health properties include improving and maintaining your dog’s skin and coat conditions.
This is because sunflower butter is packed with antioxidants. Alongside these are vitamins, such as vitamin A, responsible for skin cell growth. It also contains vitamin C for faster skin healing and vitamin E for healthy hair growth.
Overall, its effect on the skin and coat makes your dog look moisturized and vibrant in its fur.
And while it has significant effects on your dog’s appearance, sunflower butter also has an impact on its immune system.
With omega-6 fatty acids in this butter variety, your dog will reduce inflammation, thus improving its immune system’s response. On top of this, its cardiovascular system is also enhanced.
It was shown that sunflower has long been linked to lower rates of diseases related to the cardiovascular system. Vitamin B3 and niacin are among the properties that help reduce cholesterol in your dog’s body.
How Much Sunflower Butter Should Be Given to Dogs?
As a rule of thumb, feeding dogs sunflower butter should only take 10% of their total calorie intake. The lesser the amount, the better to be safe. To achieve this, vets recommend giving dogs one or two tablespoons once in a while.
Too much of it or feeding dogs sunflower butter too often can lead to various health issues. Instead, think of this as a variety of dog treats. That said, sunflower butter should be given occasionally.
The amount may vary according to the kind of sunflower butter you give to your dog. Ready-made or commercial sunflower butter is sometimes manufactured with high salt, fat, and sugar content. They may also contain additives, which aren’t healthy for pets.
However, if this is a more convenient option, take time to read the label and the ingredients. You may be tempted to opt for sugar-free sunflower butter, but it may contain xylitol instead. This is far more harmful to your pet.
High levels of xylitol can cause hypoglycemia, seizures, liver failure, or worse, death for dogs.
With that, opting for homemade sunflower butter is ideal. This assures you that your dog is not digesting food with many chemicals.
If you make homemade sunflower butter, it’s best to hold back on adding too much salt and sugar.
Risks to Be Aware of When Feeding Sunflower Butter to Dogs
While sunflower butter has many health benefits, dog owners should know that this human food also has risks. This is why feeding it to your dog in moderation is advised.
Below lists the risks of feeding too much sunflower butter to dogs:
- High on Fats: Sunflower butter is rich in oil. While it’s not necessarily harmful, your dog that consumes too much sunflower butter may have an upset stomach or diarrhea. That tells owners that giving it every day is not ideal.
- Too Much Alkaline: Sunflower butter bought from the market is likely high in salt content. This can lead to salt poisoning, a severe emergency for any dog. Some salt poisoning symptoms include lethargy, diarrhea, dehydration, and vomiting.
- Potential Allergic Reactions: Your dog can be allergic to some of the elements contained in the sunflower butter. To be safe, get your dog tested to see what it’s allergic to, or give it a minimal amount and see if there are any reactions.
- Possible Gastrointestinal Issues: The high salt and sugar content of sunflower butter can cause gastrointestinal issues for dogs, especially those with sensitive stomachs. Moreover, if the butter is made with sunflower shells on it, chances are that there are shell pieces that can lead to blockage or choking.
In case any of these risks occur, it’s recommended that you bring your dog immediately to your local veterinarian. Some can be fatal and life-threatening, requiring immediate attention from a medical professional.
Sunflower Butter Feeding Tips
The last thing you want your dog to experience is being brought to the veterinarian’s office due to gastrointestinal issues caused by sunflower butter. Not only does too much feeding of this human food risk your dog’s life, but it also puts you at unnecessary financial risk.
Here are some feeding tips to remember to keep sunflower butter feeding safe for your dog:
- Consult With Your Vet First: Consulting your vet concerning this diet addition is crucial. One of the methods that can be done is to determine if your dog is allergic to it or if it has reactions to some of the butter’s contents.
- Use It as a Treat Alternative: Sunflower butter shouldn’t take up a considerable portion of your dog’s daily food consumption. Instead, it has to be deemed a specific type of dog treat that can only be used occasionally or during training.
- Stick To Small Portions: Although dogs love to have it their way, don’t fall into their big, soulful eyes, asking for more sunflower butter treats. Strictly stick to small portions to secure their health and well-being.
Take note of these feeding tips to keep your dog from making frequent vet trips. Any human food you give it shouldn’t be given with liberty. Moderation is always the key to guaranteeing a healthy, blissful life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Dogs Be Allergic to Sunflower Butter?
Some dogs can be allergic to sunflower butter, while some will do fine consuming a small amount. If you’re unsure if your dog is allergic to it, you can have it undergo the radioallergosorbent test, commonly referred to as the RAST test.
This way, it would identify what particular allergens your dog is allergic to. This should be done by a licensed veterinarian for accurate test results.
Is Sunflower Butter Healthier Than Peanut Butter?
Sunflower butter is healthier than peanut butter. It contains more vitamins, antioxidants, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, and magnesium than peanut butter, which mainly contains small amounts of potassium and iron.
Sunflower butter works skin-deep. Aside from keeping your dog looking healthy, it also boosts the immune system and helps in dodging heart diseases.
Are Sunflower Seeds Safe for Dogs?
Sunflower seeds are safe for dogs. However, these should be given without shells to avoid any choking hazards. These must also be natural and unsalted for a nutrient-filled, nutty seed snack.
Around 10 to 20 seeds can be given to small dogs per week and 20 to 40 seeds for large dog breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. To be on the safe side, going for lesser numbers of seeds is preferred.
