Cheez-It crackers are a popular snack food made by the Kellogg Company. With their cheesy flavor and crunchy texture, it’s understandable why dogs may be tempted to munch on them if given the chance. However, are Cheez-It safe for dogs to eat? While the occasional Cheez-It likely won’t cause any harm, there are a few things pet owners should know before sharing this snack with their four-legged friends.
Nutritional Content of Cheez-It
Cheez-It crackers are made primarily from enriched flour, oil, and cheese. They also contain additional ingredients like salt, yeast, and artificial colors. Here is an overview of the main nutritional contents of Cheez-It per serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Fat | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Sodium | 250mg |
As you can see, Cheez-It are high in calories, fat, refined carbohydrates, and sodium compared to the nutritional needs of dogs. The crackers don’t offer much protein, fiber, or other valuable nutrients for canines.
Potential Health Risks for Dogs
Given their poor nutritional makeup, regularly feeding Cheez-It to dogs could pose some health risks, including:
– Weight gain – The high fat and calorie content could easily lead to obesity if overfed. Obesity is unhealthy for dogs and can cause joint problems, heart disease, and diabetes.
– Gastrointestinal upset – Cheez-It may be difficult for some dogs to digest properly. The high fat content could cause vomiting or diarrhea. The crackers are also hard and could irritate the GI tract or get lodged in the esophagus.
– Salt toxicity – The high sodium levels in Cheez-It could potentially lead to sodium ion poisoning if a dog consumed a very large quantity of crackers.
– Allergies – Some dogs may have allergic reactions to the artificial colors or preservatives in Cheez-It. Reactions could include itchy skin, ear infections, vomiting, and diarrhea.
So while an occasional Cheez-It or two isn’t likely to harm an otherwise healthy dog, regular consumption could lead to some adverse health effects. It’s best to avoid making Cheez-It a habitual snack for dogs.
Are Any Types of Cheez-It Safer for Dogs?
Cheez-It crackers come in a variety of flavors and varieties beyond just the classic cheesy original. Are any of these types safer options to share with your dog from time to time? Here is a breakdown of some common Cheez-It flavors/products:
Original Cheez-It
The traditional cheesy flavored Cheez-It contain no conspicuously harmful ingredients for dogs beyond the moderately high sodium levels. An occasional original Cheez-It or two should be fine for most healthy dogs. But the crackers have minimal nutritional value and could still aggravate allergies or GI issues in sensitive dogs.
Reduced Fat Cheez-It
These crackers have 25% less fat than regular Cheez-It. The lower fat makes them a slightly better option by reducing the risk of pancreatitis and obesity. However, reduced fat Cheez-It still contain high sodium and refined carbs with minimal nutrients. They should still only be fed in moderation.
Whole Grain Cheez-It
Made with whole grains, these crackers offer a bit more fiber than original Cheez-It. The added fiber aids digestion. However, whole grain Cheez-It also still contain high sodium, fat, and calories with few other nutrients. So they aren’t much safer than other varieties.
White Cheddar Cheez-It
White cheddar Cheez-It have no major differences in nutritional content compared to original Cheez-It. They contain similar levels of fat, carbs, and sodium. The flavorings shouldn’t be any more problematic either. Overall, white cheddar Cheez-It have no advantages over original Cheez-It for dogs.
Extra Toasty Cheez-It
Extra toasty Cheez-It have a darker color and richer taste from being baked longer. This longer baking time shouldn’t create any new risks. However, burnt cracker particles could potentially be harder on a dog’s digestive system if they are more difficult to break down. Otherwise, extra toasty Cheez-It are comparable to original Cheez-It for canine health.
Other Flavored Cheez-It
Cheez-It are also available in a variety of other flavors like pizza, buffalo, and hot & spicy. These seasoned crackers often have added spices, peppers, or onion and garlic powders. These strong flavor elements could potentially irritate some dogs’ stomachs and cause gassiness or upset digestion. It’s probably best to avoid boldly flavored Cheez-It for dogs.
Cheez-It Grooves
Grooves have a crisscross indentation pattern but are otherwise nutritionally similar to original Cheez-It. The groove shape shouldn’t pose any additional risks to dogs. However, the grooves could potentially harbor more bacteria if the crackers aren’t freshly opened. Extra care should be taken not to feed dogs stale grooves Cheez-It.
Cheez-It Snap’d
Snap’d are a thicker, crunchier version of Cheez-It meant to be snapped apart and eaten piece by piece. Their nutrition content and risks are essentially identical to original Cheez-It. There’s no evidence the “snap” pieces would be safer or more dangerous for dogs to eat.
Are There Any Benefits to Feeding Dogs Cheez-It?
Given the minimal nutritional value of Cheez-It, are there any potential benefits these crackers could offer dogs if given as an occasional snack?
Dental Health
The crunchy, hard texture of Cheez-It could help clean tartar off dogs’ teeth as they chew – similar to dental chews. This effect could freshen dog’s breath and potentially reduce plaque buildup. However, plain Cheez-It should not replace regular brushing and veterinary dental care.
Mental Stimulation
Having to manipulate and chew the Cheez-It properly could provide dogs some extra mental stimulation. This could be beneficial for energetic, intelligent dogs that need an outlet for their minds. However, there are far more engaging dog treats and chews designed specifically for this purpose.
Training Rewards
Small pieces of Cheez-It could serve as training rewards for dogs, thanks to their palatable taste. However, high sodium intake isn’t ideal for hard-working dogs, and there are many healthier training treat options on the market, like chicken and frozen banana slices.
Overall, any potential benefits of Cheez-It for dogs are relatively minor and situational. Any nutritional value or health advantages are far outweighed by the risks and poor macronutrient profile of Cheez-It crackers. There are better human foods and formulated dog treats to provide benefits with fewer disadvantages.
Are Certain Dogs More Prone to Health Issues From Cheez-It?
While most healthy adult dogs will likely experience no major issues from eating the occasional Cheez-It, some dogs may be more prone to health problems from these crackers. Dogs at greater risk include:
Overweight/Obese Dogs
Dogs struggling with weight issues are very prone to intensifying obesity and diabetes when fed high-calorie, high-carb snacks like Cheez-It on a regular basis. Limit treats and stick to a veterinarian-prescribed weight loss diet plan for overweight dogs.
Senior Dogs
Older dogs are more likely to have sensitive digestive systems that have difficulty breaking down fatty, hard human foods like Cheez-It. Senior dogs also tend to be more inactive and prone to weight gain. Stick to senior-formulated treats.
Young Puppies
Puppies under 1 year old should not be fed any people food, including Cheez-It. Their digestive systems and nutritional needs are still developing. Stick strictly to puppy formulas and treats until adulthood.
Dogs Prone to Pancreatitis
Dogs with a history of pancreatitis often cannot tolerate high-fat foods due to the risk of triggering another painful inflammation flare-up. Avoid Cheez-It and other fatty snacks with dogs prone to pancreatitis.
Dogs With Kidney Issues
For dogs with kidney disease or prone to kidney stones, the high sodium content of Cheez-It could exacerbate electrolyte imbalances and kidney problems. Stick to low-sodium dog snacks.
Dogs With Allergies
Dogs with food allergies or intolerances often do better on restricted, hypoallergenic diets. Don’t introduce allergy-triggering foods like Cheez-It without first consulting their veterinarian.
While most healthy adult dogs can handle an occasional Cheez-It or two, owners of dogs with the above health conditions should be very careful and limit or avoid these crackers altogether. Check with your vet if you are unsure about the safety of Cheez-It for your pup.
What Are the Dangers of Dogs Eating Too Many Cheez-It?
If a dog managed to get into an entire box of Cheez-It, they could be at risk for some serious health consequences including:
Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Consuming a very large quantity of Cheez-It at once could potentially cause an intestinal blockage or esophageal obstruction depending on how well the crackers are chewed. Surgery may be required to clear the obstruction.
Salt Toxicity
Too much sodium at once could cause salt poisoning, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures, coma, and even death in extreme cases.
Rapid Weight Gain
The extra high calories of an entire box of Cheez-It, which is over 1,000 calories, could quickly lead to unhealthy weight gain if make a habit of overindulgence. Obesity makes dogs prone to many other health risks.
Pancreatitis
The high fat content of too many Cheez-It could trigger a painful, potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas in some dogs.
Overall, limiting Cheez-It to just a few small crackers at a time is vital to prevent toxicity and obesity risks. Keep Cheez-It well out of reach of counter-surfing canines.
Tips for Safely Feeding Dogs Limited Amounts of Cheez-It
If you wish to share the occasional Cheez-It with your dog as a snack, follow these tips to reduce risks:
Choose low-sodium varieties
Look for Cheez-It made with less salt to reduce sodium exposure. Or serve your dog original Cheez-It broken into very small pieces to limit total sodium intake.
Avoid additional salty foods
Don’t feed any other high-sodium people foods or treats on days when you give your dog Cheez-It to prevent sodium overdose.
Limit to 1-2 small crackers
Just a single or couple small Cheez-It is plenty for a dog-sized treat. This limits calories, fat, and sodium exposure.
Break into bite-sized pieces
Break the crackers into small pieces to reduce choking risk and make them easier to digest.
Supervise chewing
Watch to ensure your dog chews the crackers thoroughly before swallowing to prevent obstructions.
Brush teeth after
Brushing your dog’s teeth after eating Cheez-It can remove plaque and food debris.
Avoid giving daily
Cheez-It should only be given occasionally, not daily, to prevent obesity and overexposure to unhealthy ingredients.
By following these precautions, you can more safely allow your dog the occasional Cheez-It as a snack. But they should not become a regular part of your dog’s diet. Consult your vet if you have any concerns about the safety of Cheez-It for your individual dog.
Conclusion
Cheez-It crackers aren’t toxic to dogs and most healthy canines will likely suffer no major ill effects from eating a few crackers here and there. However, Cheez-It offer minimal nutritional value for dogs while posing risks like weight gain, salt toxicity, dental damage, gastrointestinal upset, and triggering food allergies if over-fed. While the occasional Cheez-It broken into small pieces is unlikely to harm dogs, these crackers should never become a regular part of a dog’s diet. There are far healthier snack options for dogs on the market. Check with your veterinarian before introducing any new people foods like Cheez-It to your dog. With judicious feeding, the rare Cheez-It can be a safe snack, but moderation is key.