Walk into any home with children, and you are guaranteed to find one thing – a jar of animal crackers. These teeny cookies come in different fun animal shapes and are just as fun to munch on as they look. In fact, nowadays, kids and adults alike find much pleasure in eating this delicious snack. But can dogs eat animal crackers?
Yes, dogs can eat animal crackers. However, that comes with a caveat – only feed dogs animal crackers in moderation. These tasty snacks contain sugars, unhealthy fats, and other potentially harmful ingredients for dogs when overconsumed.
Lined up for you today is everything you’ve ever wanted to know about feeding dogs animal crackers – Are animal crackers okay for dogs to eat? How many animal crackers should your dog eat? Can animal crackers make dogs sick? Are chocolate animal crackers safe for dogs? And so much more! Keep following closely to learn more!
Are Animal Crackers OK For Dogs?
Yes, animal crackers are okay for dogs provided that they don’t contain Xylitol or any other harmful substance to dogs. Dogs usually won’t develop any adverse effects after eating the non-toxic form of animal crackers.
You probably know that not all human snacks are okay to share with canines. Some ingredients safe for humans to eat can be harmful to pups. As such, before you feed your dog human snacks such as animal crackers, always do a little research just in case they contain anything toxic.
While most animal crackers are non-toxic, one type you have to avoid is any ‘sugar-free’ animal crackers. Sugarless animal crackers usually contain xylitol, a common sugar substitute that’s safe for humans but fatal to dogs.
But xylitol isn’t the only danger in animal crackers – this tasty treat is high in carbs and sugars. Neither of the two is healthy for dogs, especially in the long term. And yes, that’s where the issue of considering the quantity and the frequency at which you offer animal crackers to dogs come in.
Are Animal Crackers Healthy For Dogs?
Animal crackers aren’t as healthy for dogs compared to some human foods that dogs can eat safely. Nonetheless, animal crackers have high concentrations of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous, all of which are beneficial to dogs.
You likely will agree with me that animal crackers are among the tastiest treats one can offer to their dogs. However, animal crackers aren’t the healthiest. Thus, it’s necessary to pay attention to the number of such biscuits you give to dogs.
Dogs need foods rich in nutrients. That’s one way to keep them healthy and immune from diseases. Animal crackers still offer vitamin B, magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium, but they aren’t the kind of treats you will want to give your dog more often.
Giving your dog animal crackers more often will take the place of regular food. Apparently, that’s the last thing every dog owner will want for their canines. So again, when giving animal crackers to dogs, keep the number moderate. Now comes the question – what’s the ideal number of animal crackers for dogs to eat?
Well, there’s still much more to come, and that includes the answer to that question. But before we handle anything else, let’s take a quick look at something slightly different but equally essential.
Can Dogs Have Frosted Animal Crackers?
Yes, dogs can have frosted animal crackers if the treats don’t contain anything toxic. But again, much like with the other animal crackers, keep the intake levels low and ensure that they don’t come very frequently.
You see, frosting won’t change the nutritional value of animal crackers. They still remain low in most essential nutrients but high in sugars and unhealthy fats. So yes, still keep the amount as low as possible.
Another reason to monitor the intake level low is that frosted animal crackers are high in calories. A small number of animal crackers will offer more calories than your dog needs to get from snacks, which is generally unhealthy. You don’t want your dog to pay so hard for eating more calories than necessary, so monitor how much they take.
How Many Animal Crackers Can A Dog Eat?
About how many crackers a dog can eat, no dog should eat more than three plain crackers, presuming that the treats don’t contain Xylitol or anything harmful to canines. Three will likely look too little, but don’t think about offering anything more than that.
When offering treats, most dog owners opt to follow the 10% rule. That’s still a reliable way to ensure that your pup doesn’t eat more calories from treats than necessary. However, this rule should only apply to healthy treats.
Unfortunately, we can’t put animal crackers in the category of healthy snacks. The high loads of sugar and carbohydrates in these treats will definitely cause trouble when taken in large amounts. So yes, the 10% rule for treats shouldn’t apply here.
If you don’t know what amount to give to your canine, it’s best to seek advice from a licensed vet. That also applies if you have pups with chronic conditions or exceptional dietary needs. The vet will tell you whether or not animal crackers are safe for your dog and how many of these dog treats your dog should eat.
Can Dogs Eat Animal Crackers Every Day?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat animal crackers every day. Animal crackers are mostly sugar and oils. That obviously disqualifies them from being the kind of treat you can offer your canine day in day out.
And just so you know, no dog treat should ever be incorporated into a dog’s everyday diet. Not even the healthiest snacks. Pups need varieties of treats to stay happy. The different types will also mean eating a wide range of nutrients, and that’s essential for dogs.
So yes, don’t offer animal crackers as a daily treat for your lovely Fido. Make them come as less often as possible. You don’t even need to plan on how frequently you should give them to your canine. Once in a while will keep your dog happy and healthy at the same time.
Every canine nutritionist will confirm to you that canines need protein, fiber, fats, and carbohydrates for their overall health. Healthy eating also calls for close monitoring of the calories dogs eat.
We have three determinants of a dog’s caloric intake: bodyweight of the dog, resting energy requirement (RER), and maintenance energy requirement (MER). You can also consult the vet on the ideal amount of calories for your dog.
Animal crackers don’t contain much of the essential nutrients, but they are very high in calories. Just an ounce of animal crackers usually offers a whopping 126 calories. With that said, these treats are more likely to cause weight gain in dogs than they will benefit them healthwise, and that explains why dogs shouldn’t eat animal crackers regularly.
Are Animal Crackers Bad For Dogs?
No, animal crackers aren’t bad for dogs till taken in large amounts or more frequently. They may not be the healthiest snack for dogs, but that doesn’t mean animal crackers are bad for dogs either.
You see, for something to be bad for dogs, it has to be toxic. Animal crackers usually aren’t. They may come with xylitol and other dangerous elements, but that’s not very likely. As a result, most dogs won’t develop any issues after eating these delicious treats.
But again, being not bad alone doesn’t make them a good treat for dogs. These delicious snacks don’t offer much nutritional benefit to pups. For that reason, we are safe to say that they aren’t essential for dogs. So yes, animal crackers aren’t bad for canines, but neither are they a necessary treat for dogs to eat!
Can Animal Crackers Make Dogs Sick?
Yes, animal crackers can make dogs sick when eaten in large amounts or more frequently. The high amount of sugar will cause diarrhea in dogs in the short term. However, in the long haul, animal crackers can lead to obesity.
Of all pets, dog arguably has the most sensitive stomachs. Your furry friend will develop gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and upset stomach from just about any food they eat. That’s especially true when the food comes in large amounts than they can tolerate.
Speaking of animal crackers, the high amount of sugar in these treats will likely cause an upset stomach for dogs. Sugar will also give dogs diarrhea, especially with high ingestions. However, that will most of the time happen when you exceed the amount recommended by the vet.
Obesity
In the long haul, you can expect dogs to develop obesity from eating animal crackers. But again, as with any other treat, obesity will only happen when dogs eat these tasty treats in large amounts and more frequently.
Dogs are among the animals with a high susceptibility to weight gain. As such, sugary treats like animal crackers will increase their risk of developing obesity. And as we all know, obesity marks the beginning of a series of health issues.
An obese dog is more likely to develop diabetes, joint problems, heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. All these conditions are life-threatening and will cost you much on treatment and management.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one surefire way to keep dogs entirely immune from all of these conditions. Nonetheless, you can reduce the risk of your pup developing any of these diseases. And what other way is there than keeping your dog’s sugar intake in check?
If your dog has to munch on animal crackers, offer the treats in the tiniest quantities possible and as a rare snack. That’s the only way for dogs to enjoy this super-tasty treat without developing health issues from it.
Will Animal Crackers Hurt Dogs?
Yes, animal crackers will hurt dogs when you don’t do things with precaution. Animal crackers can give dogs digestive issues in the short term. They can also make canines overweight with time, so just be careful to stick to precautions.
A lot of animal crackers in one day won’t make your dog obese or give them cavities. However, it can make them develop gastrointestinal problems, and that can attract other health issues. For that reason, always ensure that animal crackers are safe for your dog and that you give the right amount.
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Animal Crackers?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat chocolate animal crackers. The chocolate part contains theobromine and caffeine. Each of these compounds can cause rapid heart rate and stimulation of the dog’s central nervous system (CNS). So, much like sugarless animal crackers, avoid chocolate animal crackers for your dog.
For chocolate poisoning to happen in dogs, the amount of chocolate eaten needs to translate to at least 0.13 ounces per pound of body weight. That’s for dark chocolate, the most lethal form. Milk chocolate will need about 0.5 ounces per pound of weight to cause poisoning.
Sure, the amount of chocolate in these crackers is too insignificant to cause anything serious in dogs. But again, when it comes to the health and happiness of your furry friend, it isn’t worth taking even the slightest of risks.
The small traces of chocolate in this type of animal crackers can give dogs an upset stomach. The calories are also denser in this type of animal crackers. As such, avoid giving them to your dog. Not even in the tiniest amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Saltine Crackers?
No, saltine crackers aren’t healthy for dogs to eat. The high sodium content in saltine crackers can cause salt poisoning in dogs. As such, dogs shouldn’t eat saltine crackers even as an occasional treat.
An ounce of saltine crackers contains 290 mg of sodium. That’s a very high concentration. Sodium poisoning in dogs can be lethal. After eating, the high salt content can cause diarrhea, tremors, high temperatures, depression, seizures, and vomiting.
In addition, saltine crackers are rich in sugars and carbohydrates. Each of these also brings along its own set of troubles. It even becomes worse when the three components combine in one treat.
We have tons of healthy treats available for pups. As such, giving your dog something that combines several potentially dangerous ingredients is seeking trouble. But you love your Fido, and that’s why you are here in the first place. So yes, keep them away from saltine crackers.
Are Stauffer’s Animal Crackers OK For Dogs?
Yes, Stauffer’s Animal Crackers are perfectly alright for dogs to consume. Usually, these crackers don’t contain anything toxic to dogs. However, much like other animal crackers, always ensure that these snacks are fed in moderation.
There’s nothing wrong with sharing Stauffer’s animal crackers with your dog. However, they are high in calories but low in nutrients. As such, they can make your dog overweight with time when they eat them more often.
