Yes, dogs can eat crackers but as occasional treats. It has very little nutritional value for your dog. While you sit for a tea and snack on tasty crackers, there is every possibility that your furry friend is innocently watching you. How can a pet lover ignore this and munch on the crackers further? Crackers are not kibbles or vegetables that provide your dog with vitamins and minerals. Thus, it cannot make a wholesome dog’s diet and can be limited to treats in minimal amounts.
Table of Contents
What Are Crackers?
Crackers generally are flat, dry baked foods prepared using flour. In contrast, a plain cracker contains only a few essential ingredients. In addition, some crackers have seasonings and flavors, which can be unhealthy for dogs.
Are Crackers Safe for Dogs?
Crackers are safe for dogs, provided they are not store-bought or flavored with dog-toxic ingredients like xylitol, seasonings, spices, or preservatives. However, limiting this tasty snack to occasional dog treats is necessary. Some crackers contain seeds that are good for dogs. You can consider feeding such crackers to your dogs as they are healthy. Some seed-flavored crackers that are safe and good for dogs are:
Brush your dog’s teeth after you serve him crunchy munchy crackers. They tend to stick to your dog’s teeth and may pose dental issues.
Why Are Crackers Good for Dogs?
Neither crackers have essential nutrients for your dogs, nor are they toxic to consume once in a while. Hence, plain crackers are “good” only as an occasional treat for your dogs since they contain zero nutritional value.
Why Are Crackers Bad for Dogs?
Some ingredients in crackers make them terrible for dogs. The cons of feeding crackers to dogs are:
High Sugar Content: Crackers contain sugar. Prolonged sugar consumption can lead to obesity and issues like diabetes. If your dog has diabetes, then it is best to avoid it. Avoid sugar-free crackers, too, as they may contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol.
Xylitol, an artificial sweetener in sugar-free snacks, is used in crackers. It is hazardous for dogs and causes hypoglycemia. In addition, xylitol can also cause severe liver damage. Therefore, ensure the brand which you buy doesn’t contain xylitol. Some similar names of xylitol that you can find on the labels include:
4-Anhydro-D-xylitol
Xxylite
Anhydroxylitol
D-xylitol
Xylitylglucoside
Rich Calorie Content: Crackers are a high-calorie food that can be tough on the dog’s digestive system. Dog’s sensitive digestive system can not process high-fat foods. Some immediate side effects of eating high-calorie food are:
Stomach upset
Bloating
Digestive issues
Hip dysplasia
Heart disease
Long-term side effects include:
A high risk of heart disease
Pancreatitis
Zero-Nutritional Value: Except for a few ingredients in crackers, for example, eggs, other elements are less good when seen from the nutrition point of view. However, eggs are good for dogs and can be added to a dog’s diet in other ways.
Other Ingredients: Some crackers are made in a variety of flavors, and some ingredients that are highly toxic for dogs include:
Nuts
Chocolates
Choco chips
Cocoa
Dry fruits
When your dog takes a bite of these ingredients accidentally, he is sure to get the following health issues:
Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Salt: Salt is the main component in any cooking process. Dogs should not consume above 100 mg of salt each day. Dogs consuming excessive salt can face sodium ion poisoning. The symptoms of sodium ion poisoning are:
Dehydration
Disorientation
Pancreatitis
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Frequent urination
Kidney issues
Blood pressure
Blood-thinning
Seizures
Convulsions
Tremors
Coma
Muscle tremors
Spices and Seasonings: Some store-bought crackers may contain flavors like chives, garlic, onion, green onions, and other spices harmful to dogs. Vegetables in the allium family have thiosulfates, and consuming such seasonings and spices can cause:
Damages to red blood cells
Hemolytic anemia
Weakness
Inactive
Lethargy
Vomiting or nausea
Diarrhea
Pale gums
Elevated heart rate
Red or brown urine (discolored)
Breathlessness
Gluten Allergies: Some flours like wheat flour contain gluten and can cause gluten allergies in dogs. Symptoms include:
Crackers should be served only occasionally as treats to your dogs as they contain almost all the harmful ingredients to your dog’s health. However, maybe one or two pieces of crackers can be offered, depending on your dog’s size and age.
How to Serve Crackers to Your Dog?
It is best to serve your dogs a small piece of crackers. If you wish to offer crackers, let the crackers be prepared with gluten-free dog-safe ingredients.
What if My Dog Ate Crackers?
Symptoms of accidentally feeding too many crackers to your dog are:
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Constipation
Fatigue
Heartburn
Anxiety
Anemia
Increased heart rate
Vomiting
Retching
Bloating
Weakness
Low blood pressure
Lethargy
Respiratory problems
Seizures
Coma
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Stomach soreness
You should see a vet instantly if your dog suffers from the above or other dangerous side effects after eating a piece of crackers.
Alternatives to Crackers
Dog-safe natural foods like vegetables, fruits, meat, and grains, also sold commercially as kibbles, are healthy and can be offered to your canines. You can feed the following fruits and vegetables to your furry friend:
No. Dogs should not eat animal crackers as they don’t contain nutritional value. Further, these crackers contain sugar, soybean oil, and salt that are toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Unsalted Crackers?
Yes, dogs can eat unsalted crackers, provided the flour used to make the unsalted crackers are gluten-free.
Can Dogs Eat Honey Graham Crackers?
Honeygraham crackers in small amounts (1-2 pieces occasionally) are safe to offer. Honey does have some health benefits but is also high in sugar.
Can Dogs Eat Club Crackers?
No. Dogs can not eat Club Crackers. This is because they are high in salt, which is unhealthy for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Crackers?
Cinnamon graham crackers in minimal amounts are okay to offer. However, they are not a healthy food to provide regularly.
Can Dogs Eat Cream Crackers?
No. Dogs should not eat cream crackers. They contain high fat and calories.
Can Dogs Eat Oyster Crackers?
Yes. Dogs can eat oyster crackers in limited amounts. This is because they are small and are easily chewable by dogs.
Can My Dog Eat Honey Maid Graham Crackers?
Yes, dogs can eat Honey Maid graham crackers but in moderation.
Can Dogs Eat Prawn Crackers?
Yes, dogs can eat prawn crackers as they are low in calories and salt.
Can dogs eat Triscuits?
Yes, dogs can eat Triscuits as an occasional dog treat. However, they are high in fiber and can be allergic to pets with gluten issues.
Final Thoughts
Amalgamating the pros and cons of crackers, dogs can eat crackers in moderation as an occasional treat during training. However, it is recommended to consult your dog’s veterinarian before offering such delicacies.
