But before we hand over a tasty treat, we should be sure that what we are giving our dogs is safe.
Some people-food may seem safe to give our dogs, but remember some foods we eat are toxic to dogs, like grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, and garlic.
We may not always check for xylitol, but we should since it is found in foods like baked goods, peanut butter, and pancake syrup.
Though crackers may seem fine to give to our dogs, there are a few things you should know before you hand over this crunchy treat.
Though dogs need salt in their diet, they get the required amount from their dog food.
A little extra salt here and there is fine, but dogs have been known to suffer from salt ion poisoning.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual[2], salt poisoning is unlikely in healthy dogs with access to water.
The acute lethal amount of salt for dogs is about 4 grams of salt per 2.2 pounds of body weight.
Most crackers are made up of unbleached enriched wheat flour, sugar, fat, salt, flavorings, seasonings, onion and garlic, and artificial ingredients.
The bottom line is that though these yummy snacks are appealing to our pups and likely will not make them horribly ill, they are not good for our dogs either.
Are Ritz Crackers Good for My Dog?
Despite all of the bad ingredients, there are a few ingredients that may be helpful to your pet.
What kind of crackers can dogs eat?
The wide variety of crackers that are available in the market make it difficult to answer in one word if dogs can have crackers or not. Crackers which have dog-safe ingredients and are not excessively high in sugar and salt can be consumed by dogs as a treat. Many crackers also contain high amounts of carbohydrates and gluten which can often lead to allergic reactions in dogs. Additionally, the high carbohydrate and fat content can also be a reason for weight gain in dogs which can further lead to a number of health issues.
Let us take a look at some common cracker types and see which ones our pet dogs are able to eat. Saltine crackers are one of the most common types of crackers in our cupboards, however they are not very safe for dogs owing to the high salt content. Consuming high amounts of salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning and some other complications as well, so it is best if dogs eat these crackers only once a week in small quantities. Some of the other crackers your pup can have as a treat include Club Crackers, Ritz Crackers, plain Wheat Thins, and Goldfish Crackers. All these crackers, especially Goldfish Crackers, should be fed in very small amounts only as treats as excessive consumption can turn out to be dangerous due to the high salt content and amount of carbohydrates.
How can I feed my dog Ritz Crackers?
Before we discuss how Ritz Crackers should be fed to a pet dog, let us first take a look at what do these Ritz Crackers contain. Dogs enjoy the taste of Ritz Crackers and the change in taste it brings to them is a positive as well but its composition might be a potential red flag for your dogs health.
Ritz Crackers contain 0.38 oz (11 g) of carbohydrates which in the first instance might not seem a lot, but dogs consume the majority of their carbs from their staple dog food and meat. The extra carbohydrates from these crackers could be a concern. Serving these Ritz Crackers also means an increased amount of fat, salt, and sugar in your dogs diet which isnt actually required. Although on a positive note, these crackers also contain protein, calcium, and iron, however, it still isnt enough to include the food in the diet of a dog. The best way to feed these crackers is to offer them as occasional treats. The salt, sugar, and sodium levels stay in a check this way, and your dogs health is maintained.
FAQ
What happens if my dog eats Ritz crackers?
Are crackers OK for dogs?
Crackers aren’t healthy for dogs and any nutrients from the crackers can be found in regular dog food. Thus, dogs should avoid eating crackers and Peanut butter since the store-bought ones are loaded with fat, salt, and sugar.
What kind of crackers can dogs eat?