Cookies are a popular human snack, but can our furry friends eat them too? Dog owners often wonder if it’s okay to give their pets a cookie from time to time. In this article, we’ll explore whether cookies are healthy for dogs and which ones they can and cannot eat.
Can dogs eat cookies?
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat some types of cookies in moderation. Cookies that are designed specifically for dogs and contain dog-safe ingredients are generally fine to give as an occasional treat. Human cookies, however, may contain ingredients that are unsafe or unhealthy for dogs, so those should be avoided.
Here are some general guidelines around giving cookies to dogs:
- Choose dog cookies made with wholesome, dog-friendly ingredients like whole grains, peanut butter, and yogurt.
- Avoid cookies containing chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol, and abundant fat or salt.
- Only give 1-2 small cookies at a time, not a whole box or batch.
- Cookies should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
- Supervise your dog when eating to prevent choking or overeating.
As long as you choose dog cookies wisely and offer them in moderation, they can be an okay occasional snack for most healthy adult dogs. Puppies, older dogs, and dogs with medical conditions may have more restrictions on what foods are safe for them, so check with your vet.
Are human cookies safe for dogs?
In general, cookies made for human consumption should be avoided for dogs. Many ingredients commonly found in cookies meant for people can be hazardous to canine health. Here are some of the biggest concerns:
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, two stimulants that are toxic to dogs. The darker the chocolate, the more concentrated these compounds usually are. Ingesting even small amounts of chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, and in severe cases, death.
Raisins and grapes
Grapes, raisins, and currants, even in small quantities, have the potential to cause kidney failure in dogs. Experts still aren’t sure exactly why, but these fruits are considered very dangerous and should never be fed to dogs.
Macadamia nuts
Macadamia nuts can also be toxic. They can cause muscle weakness, vomiting, tremors, hyperthermia, and swollen limbs if eaten by dogs.
Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in many human foods, including sugar-free cookies. For dogs, xylitol can stimulate insulin release and cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar. Even small amounts of xylitol can be harmful.
Fat and salt
Many cookies contain high amounts of fat and salt compared to their size. Too much of these ingredients can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other health problems in dogs.
The takeaway is that you should avoid sharing cookies baked for human consumption with dogs. Stick to treats specifically made for canine companions if you want to share a cookie-style snack.
What to look for in dog cookies
When choosing a cookie treat for your pup, read the ingredient labels carefully and look for these markers of a healthy formula:
- Whole food ingredients: Meat, whole grains, veggies, peanut butter, yogurt, etc.
- No chocolate or raisins: Should go without saying!
- No artificial colors or flavors: These provide no nutrition and may cause allergies.
- No added salt or sugar: Too much can be unhealthy.
- Calorie-conscious: Low in fat if your dog needs to lose weight.
- Allergy-friendly: No wheat, corn, soy if your dog has allergies.
Higher protein, fiber, and moisture content are also beneficial. Just be sure to account for cookie calories if your dog needs portion-controlled meals.
7 dog cookie recipes to try
If you can’t find store-bought dog cookies that you’re happy with, baking them at home can give you more control over the ingredients. Here are some tasty and nutritious dog cookie recipes to try:
1. Peanut butter cookies
Most dogs go nuts for peanut butter! These crunchy, peanutty treats get tails wagging.
Ingredients:
- 2 1⁄4 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, egg, peanut butter, yogurt and vanilla.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Use a fork to flatten each ball into a cookie shape.
- Bake for 12 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool before serving.
2. Banana bites
Dogs go bananas for these banana-tastic bites!
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 egg
- 2 cups oats
- 1⁄4 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together all ingredients until well combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool before serving.
3. Pumpkin gingerbread cookies
Pumpkin and ginger make these cookies irresistible for pups.
Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 1⁄2 cup canned pumpkin
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1⁄2 tsp allspice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the egg, pumpkin, molasses, ginger, cinnamon and allspice.
- Gradually stir in the flour until a dough forms.
- Roll dough into walnut sized balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool before serving.
4. Bacon and cheese cookies
These savory, cheesy cookies satisfy any dog’s cravings.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 eggs
- 3 slices cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1⁄4 cup vegetable or olive oil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, eggs, bacon crumbles, cheese and oil.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool before serving.
5. Sweet potato biscuits
The sweet potato in these biscuits adds vitamin A for healthy eyes and skin.
Ingredients:
- 1 small cooked sweet potato, mashed
- 1 egg
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1⁄4 cup plain yogurt
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the mashed sweet potato, egg, yogurt, flour, baking powder and oil until a dough forms.
- On a floured surface, roll out dough 1⁄2-inch thick and cut into rounds with a biscuit cutter.
- Place biscuits on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake 15 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool before serving.
6. Carrot cake cookies
Bursting with flavor and nutrition, these carrot cake cookies are a hit with pups.
Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1⁄2 cup shredded carrot
- 1⁄4 cup plain yogurt
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 1⁄2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1⁄2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a bowl, mix together eggs, shredded carrot, yogurt and honey.
- Stir in flour, cinnamon and nutmeg until combined.
- Drop tablespoon-sized dough balls onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until lightly browned. Let cool before serving.
7. Oatmeal cookie bites
These no-bake, fiber-filled bites are great for sensitive tummies.
Ingredients:
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 cup oats
- 2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 egg
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together all ingredients until a thick batter forms.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls.
- Place on a baking sheet or plate. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Healthy cookie tips
To make store-bought or homemade cookies as nutritious as possible for your pup, keep these tips in mind:
- Substitute whole grain flours for refined white flour.
- Use natural peanut butter without added salt or sugar.
- Add shredded vegetables like carrots or sweet potato.
- Try lower-calorie sweeteners like banana, pumpkin, or yogurt.
- Avoid too much fat; dogs don’t need it.
- Bake treats on the lower end of the temperature and time.
- Let cookies cool completely before serving to prevent burns.
- Crunch up cookies and mix into their regular food for variety.
Are cookies a balanced snack for dogs?
Cookies on their own are not a complete and balanced food for dogs. As an occasional snack, they’re fine for most healthy pups. But cookies shouldn’t make up the bulk of your dog’s diet or replace balanced commercial dog food.
Dog food contains all the proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals dogs need in the right proportions. Cookies are typically higher in carbs and sugar but lower in complete protein compared to dog food.
To ensure your dog’s health, make cookies no more than 10% of their total daily calories. The majority of their diet should still consist of complete commercial dog food appropriate for their life stage and activity level.
Should diabetic dogs eat cookies?
Cookies are generally not a great idea for diabetic dogs who need to carefully regulate their blood sugar. Many types of cookies contain high amounts of carbohydrates that can spike blood glucose.
There are some low-carb cookie recipes formulated for diabetic dogs using ingredients like almond flour. But these should only be fed occasionally and blood sugar should be monitored, especially when first introducing them. It’s best to discuss any special diabetic dog treats with your veterinarian.
Instead of cookies, some healthier snack options for diabetic dogs include:
- Fresh green beans
- Sliced carrots
- Apple slices
- Plain yogurt
- Sugar-free peanut butter
- Lean protein like chicken or turkey
Should puppies eat cookies?
In most cases, cookies should be avoided for puppies under 1 year old. Young puppies have developing digestive systems and require food designed for growth. Cookies are not a complete food and may lead to nutritional imbalances.
Too many treats in general can also undermine potty training, as puppies may think they’re getting rewarded for having accidents indoors. It’s best to use another reward like praise or play for training puppies.
If you do want to occasionally offer a cookie, choose a recipe made just for puppies, and only give a few tiny bites. Puppies over 6 months who are transitioning to adult food may be able to tolerate more treats, but ask your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Not all cookies are created equal when it comes to dogs! Cookies made specifically for canine companions with wholesome ingredients can be an acceptable occasional snack for most adult dogs. But human cookies, especially those containing chocolate, raisins, nuts or artificial sweeteners should be off limits.
When giving any treats, be mindful of your dog’s health, weight, and any allergies. Homemade dog cookies can allow you to control the ingredients. Just be sure to consult your vet if you have any concerns about introducing cookies or other new foods to your dog’s diet.