Most crackers contain no fancy ingredients, are small enough to eat in a few bites, and are good for people on a diet.
So does this mean it’s safe to feed dogs crackers?
It depends on the kind of crackers. Plain crackers won’t poison your pet, but they’re still not healthy treats as they lack the nutrients canines benefit from. And then there are types of crackers that can harm your dog.
Read on as we discuss the ins and outs of crackers as food for dogs!
Are crackers good for dogs?
Crackers aren’t healthy for dogs. If you want your pet to enjoy a treat, they’re better off consuming natural treats such as watermelons, broccoli, bananas, strawberries, cucumbers, carrots, and blueberries. These delicious fruits and vegetables contain nutrients essential to canine health.
However, if you insist on having your pooch try crackers, your best bet is to give them the plain, unsalted, and unflavored varieties. One or two of these now and then won’t harm your dog.
Feeding your dog crackers regularly or feeding them other types of crackers can lead to the following issues:
Salt poisoning
The average cracker contains salt – the ingredient that makes this snack tasty.
Unfortunately, it’s bad for a dog to eat too much salt. A dog weighing 33 pounds needs only 100 mg of salt daily. So if they have too many crackers, they could end up exceeding the required daily salt intake.
When a dog ingests excess salt, their cells lose great amounts of water too quickly, resulting in drastic, rapid dehydration. This affects the muscles and even destroys brain cells, leading to dizziness, seizures, and other issues. If this salt toxicity isn’t treated quickly, it can kill your dog.
The symptoms of salt toxicity include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Reduced appetite
- Incoordination
- Extreme thirst, causing excessive drinking and urination
- Confusion
- Respiratory problems
- Rapid heartbeat
As the toxicity grows worse, a dog can even experience:
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Coma
- Death
These symptoms typically emerge a few hours after the ingestion of excess salt. If you observe these symptoms after your dog eats salty crackers, call a vet for assistance immediately.
Fat and carbohydrates
Crackers are high in unhealthy fats and carbohydrates. If your dog eats them frequently, they can gain unnecessary weight and maybe even grow obese.
Obesity increases the risk of serious health concerns such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancer, heatstroke, osteoporosis and joint pain, and other serious issues. And as if all that isn’t bad enough, obesity makes moving around uncomfortable for a dog, discouraging them from engaging in the exercise they need to lose weight and become healthy.
In short, obesity negatively impacts a dog’s quality of life and can even shorten their life span.
Wheat allergy
Crackers are often made of wheat flour, and it just so happens wheat is the third most allergy-provoking ingredients dogs can consume.
A dog having an allergic reaction to wheat will display the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Asthma-like symptoms
- Sneezing
- Inflamed ears
- Itchy skin
- Excessive scratching, licking, and/or chewing of the paws and other body parts
- Rubbing the face on a surface (e.g. the carpet)
- Seizures
Take your dog to the vet if they experience a severe allergic reaction after consuming crackers.
Some crackers contain sugar. Unfortunately, the sugar found in processed foods is bad for dogs.
If your dog has a low tolerance for sugar, ingesting sugar-rich crackers can cause digestive issues such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
The long-term effects of feeding your pet sugary crackers regularly are much worse:
- Obesity
- Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar level)
- Pancreatitis
- Dental problems
- Sugar addiction
To prevent the above issues, it’s best to feed dogs crackers that lack sugar.
Chocolate poisoning
Some crackers contain chocolate. Chocolate is toxic to dogs thanks to containing a substance called theobromine, which in large amounts can kill a dog. Don’t forget to take your dog’s size into account; what’s a small amount for a big dog may be too much for a tiny dog.
If you feed your dog chocolate-flavored crackers, they may experience:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, then vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Increased urination
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hyperactivity
- Excessive panting
- Reduced appetite
- Dehydration
In the worst of cases, a dog could even suffer:
- Internal bleeding
- Tremors
- Epileptic seizures
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart attack
- Death
Never give dogs any food that contains chocolate. If your dog exhibits any of the above symptoms after eating chocolate-flavored crackers, rush them to the vet for emergency treatment.
Other potential dangers
Crackers come in a wide range of flavors, and many ingredients and additives are bad for dogs.
Garlic, onion, mustard, and almonds, for example, are toxic to dogs, so feeding your pet crackers containing these ingredients can lead to disaster.
Ingredients such as butter, cinnamon, and cheese may not be toxic to dogs, but they can cause digestive issues. If eaten regularly, they can lead to serious chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
Dogs are also allergic to many artificial flavorings.
FAQs about crackers for dogs
Here, we answer more frequently asked questions about crackers for dogs.
My dog ate crackers. What should I do?
Stay calm and determine the type and number of crackers your dog ate.
Read the crackers’ ingredients list. Do they contain chocolate or other toxic ingredients? Did your dog eat a significant amount of crackers? If your answer to both questions is “yes,” contact a vet immediately; your dog may need to be taken to a pet clinic for treatment. If only a few crackers were eaten, monitor your dog for symptoms and call a vet for advice.
Remember that salt, in large amounts, can also cause toxicity in a dog, so observe your dog for salt poisoning symptoms. Watch out for allergic symptoms, too. At any signs of problems (such as vomiting, diarrhea, shivering, etc.), contact a vet.
If your dog consumed plain, unsalted crackers, your dog will likely be fine.
If you can’t reach a vet, those in North America can also call the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 or Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
Can dogs eat Honey Graham Crackers?
One or two Honey Graham Crackers probably won’t harm an average-sized dog. However, these crackers are high in salt, sugar, and fat, which means they can cause your dog problems if they’re eaten often or in large quantities.
Can dogs eat Triscuits?
A few Triscuits won’t harm your pet. However, as these crackers are high in salt, fat, and carbohydrates, they’re unhealthy for dogs especially if eaten regularly or in large quantities.
Can dogs eat Belvita Crackers?
One or two Belvita Crackers won’t cause your dog problems. As these crackers are high in sugar and carbs, however, consuming them regularly or in large quantities can make your dog ill.
Can dogs eat Wheat Thins?
If your dog isn’t gluten-intolerant or allergic to wheat flour, then they can eat a few Wheat Thins occasionally. Avoid varieties with ingredients such as onion or garlic powder, however, as these are toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat Ritz Crackers?
Your dog should be fine eating a few Ritz Crackers occasionally. Keep in mind, however, that crackers, in general, don’t make healthy dog treats. Also, make sure you don’t feed your dog Ritz Crackers that contain ingredients that can harm them.
Can dogs eat cheese crackers?
A few cheese crackers won’t harm your pet, but we still wouldn’t recommend them as treats for dogs. These contain many ingredients that can make a dog ill if eaten in large quantities or regularly.
Can dogs eat wafer crackers?
Because wafer crackers are thin, they’re less fattening than the average cracker. While your dog can eat these in small amounts, they’re still better off consuming healthier foods such as dog-friendly vegetables and fruits.
Can dogs eat rye crackers?
Rye crackers are high in sodium, so eating too many can cause salt poisoning in a dog. They may also cause problems in dogs allergic to gluten.
Can dogs eat prawn crackers?
Prawn crackers are less fattening than other types of crackers, so your dog can eat them in moderation. To ensure your pet’s health, feed them low-salt varieties that contain no toxic ingredients.
Can dogs eat crackers with seeds?
It depends on the seeds. Sesame seeds are fine in small amounts. Poppy seeds are toxic to dogs. You should also keep in mind that these crackers are often high in salt, so they should only be eaten occasionally.
Conclusion
Whether or not your dog will get sick after eating crackers depends on the kind of crackers.
Never feed dogs crackers containing toxic ingredients; these can make your dog seriously ill or even kill them. Other ingredients can cause digestive issues, allergic reactions, and a slew of other problems.
While you can feed your pet plain, unsalted crackers occasionally, all canines are better off snacking on healthier, natural options such as cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli. Remember: when choosing what treats to feed your dog, always choose wisely!