Move over Peanut Butter, there is a better creamy spread for your pet. And as you know from our tagline, we are ready to Better Your Pet’s Wellbeing.

Studies have shown that certain foods cause inflammation in not only humans but animals too. Inflammation is a catalyst for cancer, heart disease and arthritis, all things that can afflict your furry friend. Over 50% of dogs over the age of 10 yrs. old develop cancer and diet can play a key role. SunButter actually has properties that can reduce inflammation, so we are already winning on that note.

Sunflower Seed Butter has been around since the 80s and has been growing in popularity lately with all the attention on wellness. It’s made from mild nutty tasting sunflower seeds! No way, PB lovers everywhere are thinking. Nothing can replace peanut butter. But, if it was a healthier treat for your pup, would you reconsider?

While it’s true that the nutty deliciousness of Peanut Butter is hard to beat, let’s look at why sunflower seed butter might be a better choice not just for your pet but even for you – especially if you have nut allergies.

Why Sunflower Seed Butter?

For starters, one tablespoon of SunButter has only 93 calories and it’s a good option for anyone allergic to nuts. Moreover, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sun butter has significantly more unsaturated fat, magnesium, zinc, iron, and Vitamin E than Peanut Butter.

Vitamin E, one of the body’s favorite antioxidants, balances cholesterol levels and reduces free radical damage. Just one tablespoon of seed butter provides a whopping 24 percent of our body’s daily needs. And, while that same size serving has 9 grams of fat, in a 1-tablespoon serving, almost 90 percent of the fat is unsaturated which is the good kind that and helps lower cholesterol and fight inflammation.

A Pet’s Best Friend

What else makes SunButter such a superstar? Seed butter is a safer spread that has proven to be more curative for animals that have food allergies or are yeasty. So many pets suffer from both of these conditions. Does your dog have teary eye stains, super smelly paws and ears, or skin irritations? Much of it, if not all, can be tied back to diet.

Peanut Butter Can be Toxic

Did you know that peanuts are not really nuts but instead belong to the legume family which includes bean, peas, and lentils? This means that like their species, peanuts grow underground and tend to be colonized by a common ubiquitous mold called Aspergillus. This mold is a source of aflatoxins which are poisonous carcinogens that naturally grow in the soil and decay vegetation, hay, and grains. The aflatoxins can wreak havoc on your pup’s allergies and yeast growth.

Exposure to mold and mold components is well known to trigger inflammation, allergies, asthma, and immune dysfunction. Dr. Barbara Royal, a veterinarian based in Chicago and known nationally in integrative pet care, goes over her top foods to stop feeding your pet and peanut butter is #1. 

The USDA does monitor the amounts of aflatoxins in foods to ensure they don’t go over recommended limits, but why run the risk? The only way to guarantee that they are really low is if the company producing the peanut butter performs a mold test. We can tell you from experience that most companies do not perform their own test.

Choosey mothers may choose JIF as they want you to believe, but a horrible option for pets and you! While Peanut Butter in its purest form is just peanuts ground into a paste, it’s the commercial brands that add sugar, vegetable oil, and even trans fats which cause health issues like heart disease. And, again, another reason to choose SunButter.

Blooming Culture wants healthy pets and that’s why we chose SunButter to be the star ingredient in our CBD TREAT ME™ snack. It’s not only more nutrient-dense but considered to be a Superfood. The seeds are certified organic USA grown and produced in a nut-free facility.

Make the Choice

Some people rely on Peanut Butter as their "go-to" treat for their pet and we understand the reluctance to try something new. But knowing there is a better alternative that aligns with a healthier food regime - might be worth trying. After all, it's your best friend's wellbeing at stake.

*If you are feeding your dog copious amounts of Peanut Butter, PLEASE make sure it is from a trusted source and you have done your research. When choosing Peanut Butter or Sunbutter, read the label to make sure it is free of added salt, sugar, or any artificial sweeteners. Xylitol is a very popular one that is showing up in more and more Peanut Butters and can be deadly to a dog. When reviewing both Sunbutter options at Trader Joe's neither were good - one had added salt and the other contained Xylitol.*