Can dogs eat saltine crackers? You love to have crackers. Right? Your dog always wants his share whenever you have them as a mid-morning snack. Would you feed your dog crackers?
Can dogs eat saltine crackers? Do they offer any benefit to your canine companion? Well! Yes, your puppy can have saltine crackers only in moderation and as an occasional treat. Do you want to know more about dogs and saltine crackers? Read on!
What Are Saltine Crackers?
Before answering, “Can dogs eat saltine crackers? “First, you should know about saltine crackers.
Another word for them is soda crackers. They are made of flour, yeast, baking soda, oil, and salt. Moreover, they are lightly weighted, crispy, and tasty snacks.
People with an upset stomach can have them too. They have a smooth surface with small holes; some even have a few grains of salt sprinkled on the top.
Apart from that, the dry texture and yummy taste have made them the most demanding snack.
Are Saltine Crackers Good For Dogs?
Can dogs eat saltine crackers? How are the saltines good for your four-pawed canine companion? Do saltine crackers have any nutritional importance for dogs? Let’s discover!
In moderation, dogs can eat saltine crackers, as told earlier. They contain essential nutrients like folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, and fiber. But you know what?
Dogs get all these and a lot more nutrients from their regular meals. They do not need these extra nutrients.
Moreover, the saltines have a high amount of salt, which makes them unsuitable snacks for puppies if given daily. That’s why experts don’t recommend saltine crackers for canines.
What Are The Cons Of Feeding Saltine Crackers To Dogs?
Like every human food, saltine crackers also have some side effects. They are addressed below:
Salt poisoning
Dogs do require salt for the proper functioning of their cells. But the safe amount is between 0.25 – 1.5 grams per 100g of food. The dog’s regular food already fulfills this requirement.
Whereas saltine crackers have a high amount of salt. A dog’s body cannot handle such a high sodium intake. As a result, you’ll notice an upset stomach, vomiting, lethargy, lack of coordination, frequent thirst, and convulsions in dogs. If left untreated, your puppy can even die.
Did you Know?
We have written many articles about what dogs can eat. But did you know about this one? Can Dogs Eat Arugula?
Wheat allergy
Wheat flour is the common and major ingredient of crackers. Unfortunately, many dogs are allergic to wheat.
Giving saltine crackers to such dogs causes health problems like a disturbed gastrointestinal tract, loss of appetite, and abdominal discomfort.
So first, you need to check your dog for wheat allergy by taking him to a vet or feeding him a small amount of wheat-based food.
Soy allergy
Another allergen to dogs is soybean. You might be wondering about soybean in crackers. Right? Well! Crackers do not contain soybean; instead, some include its oil.
Some brands add soybean oil to the crackers, making your canine ill. Therefore, read the ingredient list before offering saltine crackers to pooches.
Baking soda is bad for puppies
Baking soda is unsuitable for your puppy’s stomach. It causes bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and other abdominal issues. That’s why you need to feed crackers in only small amounts to your canine companion.
Raw yeast is toxic
If you are thinking of making crackers at home, keep the dough away from your puppy. It contains raw yeast, and if your dog eats it, the yeast will increase in his stomach.
It can even cause the death of your canine companion. So, you need to be very careful while making crackers at home.
What’s The Right Amount Of Crackers For Your Dog?
Can dogs eat saltine crackers? Yes, but what’s the right amount for them? In other words, how many crackers are okay for dogs? It’s time to learn about the right amount.
The right amount of food for dogs depends on the weight and the health of the dog. If your dog is 30 pounds, giving him just one cracker is the safe limit.
One cracker is enough as he is already getting the required sodium from his diet. Also, feed only once or twice a week. Not more than that, if you want to be on the safe side.
The Bottom Line
Can dogs eat saltine crackers? Well! The answer is yes. Yes, dogs can munch on these crisps. However, the problem with saltine crackers is that they contain too much salt. Such a high amount of sodium is bad for dogs.
Moreover, they also have several other ill effects. That’s why saltine crackers are not considered a good treat for dogs. Still, if your dog begs for them, you can feed only one cracker once or twice a week.
