Can dogs eat saltine crackers?
Dogs shouldn’t eat saltine crackers. A small bite of saltine cracker is fine but avoid them in large quantity. They are high in salt, which is not good for dogs. It can lead to sodium poising resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, tremors and even kidney failure.
While saltine crackers are not suitable for your dogs, there are some healthier alternatives.
Moreover, we will look into the ingredient list of saltine crackers and talk about why saltine crackers are actually toxic and whether you should feed them to your dogs or not.
Table of Contents
Can Dogs Eat Saltine Crackers?
A small bite of saltine crackers probably won’t make your dog sick, but I do not recommend it.
Usually, saltine crackers are made with while flour, baking soda and yeast and then coarse salt is sprinkled on the top for extra saltiness.
A single piece of saltine crackers contains about 30 mg sodium, which is way too high for dogs.
If your dog eats sodium-rich food often, it can cause sodium poisoning resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, tremors, kidneys damage and even death in extreme cases.
Moreover, saltine crackers are high on calorie, a 100-gram pack of saltine cracker consist around 420 calories. High-calorie food is not good for a dog; it will unnecessarily fill the stomach and lead to gain few pounds.
Thus, if your dog loves to have saltine cracker, do share a couple of pieces but not more than that and that too occasionally.
Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Takis? (Is it Dangerous?)
Is Saltine Crackers Safe For Dogs?
If safety is your main concern, then yes, dogs can safely eat saltine crackers, but it should be in moderation.
A couple of saltine crackers won’t harm your dog, but they are a good snack choice for dogs. Mainly saltine crackers consist of three ingredients: white flour, yeast and baking soda, and then sprinkled with coarse salt.
When it comes to saltine crackers, the biggest concern is salt and carbohydrates. They are highly dangerous for dogs, leading them to obesity, heart diseases and diabetes.
In addition, a dog’s digestive system is too sensitive to eat human food. Giving saltine crackers can upset the stomach, resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Thus, you should avoid giving saltine crackers to your dogs and opt for some real dog-friendly treat.
My Dog Ate Saltine Crackers, What Should I Do?
Probably, you won’t have to do a thing.
As I mentioned earlier, eating a couple of saltine crackers won’t likely harm your dog but avoid them in large amounts.
However, if your dog has ingested a large number of saltine crackers, then it is a matter of concern. Salt is the core ingredient for most snacks, but it’s highly toxic for dogs.
The foremost thing you should do is observe your dog for few hours and look for sodium poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and dehydration.
And if your dog is experiencing any of the above sign after having saltine cracker, you should immediately take your dog to a vet. Please don’t take it lightly, sodium poisoning is lethal, and your dog’s life is at stake.
Can Dogs Eat Unsalted Crackers?
Dogs can safely eat unsalted crackers, but it should be in moderation. However, unsalted crackers aren’t a great snack choice for dogs.
They have no health benefits for dogs; instead, feeding unsalted or plain crackers will likely cause more harm than good.
Since they are unsalted crackers, there is no chance of sodium poisoning. Still, they are high in fat, potentially harmful to dogs, leading them to unnecessary weight gain and other related health problems.
However, unsalted or plain crackers are more likely to be the safest option if you want to feed crackers to your dog.
Can I Give My Dog A Ritz Cracker?
Ritz cracker in a small amount won’t probably harm your dog, but they are not good for your dog’s health. They are made with wheat flour, vegetable oil, baking soda, sugar and salt.
They contain a blend of carbohydrate, fats and salt which can cause several long-term health issues if eaten regularly. Treats like ritz crackers are good in moderation as they are high in sodium.
The high amount of sodium is harmful to dogs, as they are associated with vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and other long term health issues.
Moreover, the refined flours, sugar and fat in ritz crackers aren’t good either. The high amount of carbohydrates with added salt and fat can cause weight gain, diabetes, pancreatitis and other heart-related issues.
As a general rule, snack and treats should be more than 10% of their diet. Still, I recommend feeding some other whole grain dog-friendly treats rather than ritz crackers.
Can Dogs Eat Goldfish Crackers?
A small bite of goldfish crackers won’t probably make your dog sick, but it should be in moderation. They are made with flour, spices, oil, sugar, salt and autolyzed yeast.
High carbohydrate, salt and spices are not good for the health of dogs, and you should keep them away from your dog.
Eating high amount of carb, salt and spices can cause several health issues like vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and a burning sensation in the stomach.
And some flavors may contain garlic and onion powder; they both highly toxic for your dog. Even a small amount of garlic and onion powder can be lethal; they destroy the red blood cells of your dog and cause anemia.
Moreover, goldfish crackers are high in calories which will unnecessarily lead to weight gain, and autolyzed yeast is highly addicted as well.
However, sharing a few goldfish crackers once in a while probably won’t harm them, but I highly recommend you to opt for healthy dog-friendly alternatives.
Alternatives to Saltine Crackers
By now, you should have understood that saltine crackers are not healthy for dogs, and you should avoid them.
But don’t worry, there are plenty of nutritious and dog-friendly snack options available, and I can assure you that your dog will love to have them.
Apple – This fruit is a highly nutritious and healthy snack option for dogs. They are full of fibers and other essential nutrients. Feeding a few slices of apple can clean their teeth, freshen their breath.
However, you should cautiously remove their seeds; they contain a cyanide chemical, which is harmful to dogs.
Multigrain Crackers – Made with wheat, these crackers are usually safe in a small amount. They are cheap and not harmful for dogs.
However, when you opt for wheat crackers or multigrain crackers, make sure they are dog-friendly and shouldn’t contain much fat or sodium.
Green Peas – Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, green peas are a perfectly safe and healthy treat for dogs.
In fact, they are highly nutritious and quite handy but avoid the salted ones. Dogs salt tolerance is relatively low than us which meant feeding peas with added salt can lead to several health issues.
Watermelon – For dogs, watermelon is highly beneficial and probably the best snack choice. Watermelon is water-dense fruit packed with fiber, and essential nutrients.
Feeding a slice of watermelon (not the rind) can keep your dog hydrated and energized for a longer period, but ensure there is no seed left in them.
Dog-Friendly Biscuits – They are usually made with wheat flour, eggs, and butter. These biscuits generally won’t likely harm your dogs and somehow healthy.
There are many different varieties of biscuits available in the market, but you should opt for a dog-friendly biscuit. However, I strongly recommend you go through the ingredient list and ensure that there are no harmful or toxic chemicals in the biscuit.
As always, before making any major change to your dog’s diet, consult with your vet. And if your dog has it for the first time, start with a small bite and observe your dog.
If your dog is experiencing adverse effect, immediately discontinue it and inform your vet.
Final Thoughts
Saltine crackers are delicious and tempting, but they are not a good choice for your dogs; they are high in salt, fat, and preservatives.
Eating a high amount of salt is dangerous for dogs; they often lead to salt poisoning, which is lethal.
However, a small bite of saltine crackers won’t probably harm your dog, but I don’t recommend you to feel them to your dogs. Instead, opt for some high-quality dog-friendly food.
More Useful Articles: