When it comes to snacks for our canine companions, dog owners want to make sure they are giving their furry friends something delicious but also safe and healthy. Human crackers may seem like an easy treat to toss your dog, but not all types are created equal when it comes to canine consumption. Knowing what people crackers dogs can and cannot eat will help you make the best snack selection for your pup.
Can dogs eat plain saltine crackers?
Saltine crackers are a type of thin, square cracker made from wheat flour, yeast, and salt. The ingredients are quite simple, but are basic saltines safe for dogs to eat? The answer is yes, plain saltine crackers are generally safe for dogs to eat in moderation. Saltines contain no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners, just simple wheat and a touch of salt. Too much salt can be harmful to dogs, so be sure to limit the quantity. Just 2-3 plain saltines as an occasional snack should be fine for most dogs.
Can dogs eat graham crackers?
Graham crackers are another classic cracker humans love to snack on. But what about giving them to your pup? Graham crackers are typically made from graham flour, wheat flour, sugar, oil or butter, and honey or molasses. Some types may also contain cinnamon and artificial flavors. The ingredient list can vary slightly for different brands. The main concerns when giving graham crackers to dogs are the sugar content and the potential for artificial ingredients. Too much sugar is unhealthy for dogs and artificial sweeteners like xylitol are toxic. If giving your dog graham crackers, choose a plain, all-natural brand and give just 1-2 at a time in moderation.
Can dogs eat Ritz crackers?
With their crispy, buttery taste, Ritz crackers can be awfully tempting to share with your dog. However, most vets recommend avoiding giving dogs Ritz crackers, due to the high levels of salt, fat, and artificial flavors they contain. Ritz crackers list wheat flour, sugar, soybean oil, butter, salt, leavening, and artificial flavors as their main ingredients. The saltines and graham crackers are a better choice if you want to give your dog a snack cracker.
Can dogs eat Cheez-It crackers?
Cheez-It crackers are a cheesy, crispy snack people love, but they are not a safe choice for dogs. Cheez-It ingredients include enriched flour, sunflower and/or canola oil, cheese made with skim milk, and salt. The high salt content can cause excessive thirst and urination. Dogs should not consume excess salt. The cheese flavoring is also most likely from artificial cheese powder, which contains ingredients that may upset your dog’s stomach or even be toxic.
Can dogs eat Goldfish crackers?
Many dog owners are curious if dogs can eat Goldfish crackers, since they are a favorite snack for kids and adults alike. Goldfish crackers contain enriched flour, oil, salt, cheese, yeast, and artificial colors and flavors. Like Cheez-Its, Goldfish are highly flavored with artificial cheese products and contain significant salt. They also often contain potentially harmful dyes. It is best to avoid feeding your dog Goldfish crackers.
Can dogs eat oyster crackers?
Oyster crackers, tiny round crackers often served as a soup accompaniment, are usually made from wheat flour, oil, milk, salt, leavening agents, and other artificial flavors. The high sodium and artificial flavor risks mean it is best not to share these with your canine buddy either.
Can dogs eat buttery round crackers?
Round buttery crackers often contain enriched flour, soybean oil, partially hydrogenated oils, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, whey, salt, artificial flavors and colors. The high fat content, artificial ingredients, and sugar make these unhealthy for dogs and they should be avoided.
Can dogs eat sandwich crackers?
Sandwich crackers like Ritz Bits Cheese Sandwich Crackers and Oreo Cheddar Cheese Sandwich Crackers have an inner cream or cheese filling between two crackers. Avoid feeding these creamy cracker sandwiches to your dog. The crackers contain many artificial flavors and harmful fat while the creamy center can pose a significant choking hazard to your pup.
Can dogs eat crackers made for dogs?
Instead of feeding your dog crackers made for human consumption, choose dog-friendly crackers specially formulated to be safe and appealing for canines. Several major dog treat brands now produce crackers made just for dogs. These crackers are typically made with whole wheat flour, vegetable oils, cheese products formulated for dogs, and minimal artificial additives.
Made specifically for dogs, these crackers will list dog safe ingredients on the packaging. Some popular options include:
- Milk-Bone MaroSnacks Dog Treats
- BLUE Baked Treats Crunchy Dog Biscuits
- Old Mother Hubbard Classic Crunchy Natural Dog Treats
- Pedigree Marlowe’s Oven Baked Dog Treats
A few bites of any of these doggie crackers can give your pup a satisfying, crunchy snack. Just be sure to check the calorie count and adjust portion sizes accordingly if your dog needs help with weight management.
Can puppies eat crackers?
In most cases, it is best to avoid giving crackers to puppies under 1 year old. Young puppies have developing digestive systems and may have trouble properly digesting wheat crackers. Instead, choose healthy puppy treats made just for training puppies. If you do want to give an occasional cracker, wait until your puppy is at least 6 months old and select an option from our list of dog safe crackers above.
Conclusion
Plain crackers made from wheat flour and salt, like saltine crackers, are generally safe options dogs can eat in moderation. Avoid crackers with high fat, salt, sugar, and artificial flavors, like Cheez-Its, Goldfish, and sandwich crackers. Your best bet is to choose dog treats and crackers made by pet food companies to provide a healthy, pet-safe snack for your furry best friend.