No, dogs should not eat pretzels as it is unhealthy for dogs. Pretzels contain excessive salt along with onion and garlic. At times, pretzels are also topped with chocolate. These ingredients are toxic to dogs. As a responsible pet parent, you must ensure your dog is not consuming such poisonous foods.
Table of Contents
What Are Pretzels?
Pretzels are small pieces of bread coated with too much salt and varied toppings such as chocolate, cinnamon, sugar, garlic, parmesan, etc. Pretzels originated in Europe in the Middle Ages. The German and the Swiss brought pretzels to the United States.
Are Pretzels Safe for Dogs?
No, pretzels are not safe for dogs to consume. Pretzel itself is not toxic to dogs, but the added ingredients can cause dogs severe health issues. The entire pretzel hence is toxic due to the elements present in it.
Pretzels in various flavors and forms- soft, hard, pretzel sticks, peanut butter, white fudge-covered, pretzel crisps, pretzel bread, dots, pretzel goldfish, cinnamon, honey, gluten-free, and mustard, all are unhealthy for your pet. Therefore, they should be kept away from your pet’s reach.
Why Are Pretzels Bad for Dogs?
Pretzels are toxic for dogs due to the ingredients it is made with. Let us check out the ingredients used:
Salt: Excessive salt consumption is not preferred for dogs. One hard pretzel contains 40 g of sodium which is excessive for a dog. Large dogs might not be affected as much as smaller dogs. Salt poisoning is one of the common issues in dogs after they consume excessive salt.
The symptoms of salt poisoning are:
Confusion
Coma
Fever
Headache
Convulsions
Lack of appetite
Lack of energy
Extreme thirst
Seizures
Increased heart rate
Fluid buildup
Nausea
Muscle spasm
Vomiting
Tongue swelling
Stomach pain
Respiratory issues
Weakness
Diarrhea
Garlic and Onion: The presence of thiosulphate in garlic and onion is toxic for dogs. This is why dogs are restricted from consuming any food which has garlic and onion.
Chocolate: The presence of theobromine in chocolate is harmful to dogs. Therefore, dogs should refrain from consuming chocolates.
The symptoms of consuming chocolate are:
Obesity
Diabetes
Pancreatitis
Vomiting
Thirst
Panting
Increased heart rate
Excessive urination
Restlessness
Pneumonia
Poppy seeds: Poppy seeds are toxic for dogs and may cause severe damages. Poppy poisoning is common in dogs if they are fed with poppy seeds.
The signs and symptoms of poppy poisoning are:
Sedation
Trembling
Ataxia
Weakness
Depression
Respiratory depression
Coma
Death
Sugar: Excessive sugar is not suitable for dogs. Sugar is thought necessary for dogs, but they receive it from the carbohydrate they receive from their daily kibble. The carb breaks down into sugar which is healthy for dogs. However, the extra sugars (xylitol, artificial sweeteners) can be harmful to dogs.
The symptoms of consuming extra sugar are:
Obesity
Weight gain
Diabetes
Heart issues
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increase in heart rate
Panting
Hyperactive
Muscle spasm
Seizures
Dental issues
Nutmeg: Consuming nutmeg can be very toxic to dogs as it is hallucinogenic. Hence, dogs are not recommended to consume nutmeg.
The consequences of consuming nutmeg are:
Dehydration
High blood pressure
Disorientation
Seizures
Increased heart rate
Buffalo sauce: Buffalo sauce is highly toxic for dogs as it is very spicy. The ingredients it contains are garlic powder, onion powder, excessive salt, paprika, and a lot more. Dogs should not consume anything spicy, especially ingredients such as garlic and onions.
The consequences of consuming buffalo sauce are:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Intestinal issue
Gastrointestinal issues
Throat inflammation
Damaging of RBC
Raisins: Raisins are toxic for dogs to consume. It has potential health threats to dogs. Therefore, it is best to strike raisins out of your choice.
The consequences of feeding raisins to your dog are:
Acute kidney injury
Kidney failure
Anuria (lack of urine production)
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal issues
Chilis: Dogs should not consume chili as it is spicy. Spicy foods are prohibited for dogs.
The consequences of eating chilis are:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal issues
Abdominal pain
Increase in heart rate
Swelling of tongue
Throat inflammation
Gas
Jalapenos: Jalapenos are threatening to your dog. You must not feed your dog with jalapenos as it is toxic for them.
The consequences of consuming jalapenos are:
Dehydration
Excessive thirst
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gas
Bloating
Cheese: Cheese is toxic for dogs because they are lactose intolerant.
The symptoms if your dog consumed cheese are:
Digestive distress
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Intestinal issues
How Many Pretzels to Feed Your Dog?
As we already know that pretzels are toxic for dogs to consume, it is best not to feed any number of pretzels to your dog. Offering pretzels to your dogs can be life-threatening.
What If My Dog Ate Pretzels?
If your dog accidentally consumes pretzels, wait for him to show the symptoms, which includes:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Panting
Increased heartbeat
Lethargy
Abdominal pain
Gas
Bloating
Throat irritation
Tongue swelling
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Take your dog to the veterinarian immediately after he shows these symptoms. The treatment will depend upon the examination the dog will undergo.
Provide your dog with enough water to ease his stomach and keep him hydrated.
Alternatives to Pretzels
Always go for healthy alternatives for your dog. Unhealthy snacks, like other food items, can be fatal to your dog. So let us check out the list of healthy options to pretzels for your dog:
Acana High Protein Biscuits: Contains 85% animal protein and 21 calories. It is tasty and won’t cause any damage to your dog’s health.
American Journey Landmark All-Natural Crunchy Biscuits: It is a low-calorie and high-protein snack which you can provide your dog during the training without causing any imbalance in the diet. It is full of chicken meals.
Rachel Ray Nutrish Treat: It is made with organic elements. It contains no grain. It is low in calories and can be broken into small pieces as required.
PureBites Freeze-Dried Dog Treats: It has only 3 calories and can be fed to your dog without any hesitation. This treat is made with chicken breast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat unsalted pretzels?
No, dogs cannot eat pretzels because of the presence of onion and garlic, if not salt.
Can dogs eat cheerios?
Cheerios have empty calories, as they don’t provide any nutritional benefit to your dog. However, it is low in calories and salt. Therefore, your dog may consume cheerios but on rare occasions.
Can puppies eat pretzels?
No, puppies cannot eat pretzels either. An adult dog faces many health issues after consuming pretzels, which indicates that puppies are more prone to health concerns.
Can dogs eat yogurt-covered pretzels?
No, yogurt-covered pretzels are dangerous for dogs. The store-bought yogurt contains added sweeteners like xylitol. The health condition of your dog will be grave if you offer him pretzels covered with yogurt.
Conclusion
Winding up “can dogs eat pretzels” has given us information about why a dog should not eat pretzels. The ingredients are very toxic to your dog and can be fatal to their health. It is best to depend on healthy alternatives for your dog. Keeping your dog healthy is a responsibility!
