Cheez-Its are so much loved by doggies and our furry companions will do anything to get the most out of them. However, before our doggies have their next Cheez-Its crackers let’s find out whether dogs can truly eat Cheez-Its.
Yes, dogs can eat Cheez-Its but in moderation or much lesser quantities. This is because Cheez-Its contain higher salt and fat contents than most regular dog treats. Should our furry friends overconsume Cheez-Its, conditions, like pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal problems, may occur.
As we proceed in this article, we shall see if Cheez-Its are poisonous to dogs, and what to do in case your canine buddy ate Cheez-Its. We shall also look at other alternatives to Cheez-Its. But before that, let’s have clarity on if dogs can eat Cheez-Its.
Can Dogs Eat Cheez-Its?
Yes, our furry friends can eat Cheez-Its, but it should only be in moderation, carefully, and selectively as stated by the Cheez-Its company itself.
As a well-known cheese cracker in the United States, it is not surprising our furry companions also take part in the deliciousness of these crackers.
However, their consumption of this cracker should be done moderately. This is because of the high salt and fat content in it, which can cause pancreatitis, bloating, diarrhea, and obesity in dogs.
Cheez-Its should be given selectively to doggies that are not obese or prone to being obese, and those that have no history of stomach problems and that are tolerant to lactose.
Finally, as a doggie owner, you should be careful to note any symptoms shown by your pooch when fed Cheez-Its and withdraw if need be.
Can Dogs Eat White Cheddar Cheez-Its?
Yes, dogs can eat White Cheddar Cheez-Its. They should only be fed in moderation like the regular Cheez-Its.
White Cheddar Cheez-Its are a special type of Cheez-Its crackers. They have similar ingredients to that of normal Cheez-Its but are less flavored. Hence, they are even more suitable than the regular Cheez-Its, and our furry companion can eat them in moderation.
How Much Cheez-Its Can Dogs Eat?
The amount of Cheez-Its dogs can eat depends on their size, weight, and age. The quantity should be about 10% of their total calorie intake needed daily. This is about 20 to 30 calories per day.
From the nutritional label of the Cheez-Its pack, a cracker of Cheez-Its is about 5.6 calories. Hence, you should not attempt to feed your furry companion more than 5 Cheez-Its crackers. 2 to 3 Cheez-Its crackers are okay for younger doggies, while 4 to 5 pieces are fine for older ones.
And this should only be done occasionally, as with every treat or human food given to our beloved furry friends.
Benefits Of Cheez-Its For Dogs?
Your furry companion can enjoy quite some nutritional benefits of Cheez-Its when they eat it. They can obtain proteins, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B complex vitamins.
It can be a good dietary source of these nutrients when fed as a treat occasionally.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Cheez-Its?
If your furry friend ate Cheez-Its in your absence, you should not panic. All you have to do is to determine the number of Cheez-Its crackers consumed by your furry friend and note if it is sufficient to cause harm.
If it is many, for instance, greater than 5 crackers, it may be harmful and will call for your attention.
In this case, you should monitor your pooch’s behavior and observe for any signs of gastrointestinal disturbances throughout that day. Also, you should give your Fido plenty of water as this will allow it to excrete excess salt in its system.
On the other hand, if the number of Cheez-Its crackers consumed is less than 5, then everything should be just fine. You should simply keep the Cheez-Its pack out of accessibility to prevent Fidos from reaching it again.
Having the pack of Cheez-Its locked away in a cupboard or stored in a top cabinet is a good way to stop your furry friend from reaching it.
What Happens If A Dog Eats A Cheez-Its?
When our furry friends eat Cheez-Its, their digestive systems will attempt to process them.
Depending on the amounts of Cheez-Its crackers consumed, their digestive system may process it easily or with difficulty.
With a little Cheez-Its consumed, your pooch’s digestive system will have no difficulty processing it. On the other hand, when a large amount of Cheez-Its is eaten, the excess fat and high salt content can result in gastrointestinal disturbances, like bloating and diarrhea.
Is Cheez-Its Poisonous To Dogs?
No, Cheez-Its crackers are not considered to be poisonous to dogs. They only become poisonous to your furry friend when consumed in large amounts due to salt poisoning, resulting in severe dehydration.
The basic ingredients of Cheez-Its, which are cheese, flour, and vegetable oil, are not poisonous in themselves. These ingredients have no known toxicity in canines, unlike that of disulfide in onions, raisins in grapes, or theobromine in chocolates.
However, it’s important to note that Cheez-Its contain paprika. Paprika is a source of the active ingredient capsaicin that causes hot feelings or irritations when pepper is eaten.
However, the amount of paprika, as stated on the Cheez-Its label, is less than 2%. Hence, the effect of capsaicin is negligible.
Will Cheez-Its Make My Dog Sick?
Cheez-Its will not normally make your doggie sick. And your pooch should be fine when it consumes Cheez-Its in moderate amounts.
As mentioned earlier, Cheez-Its are primarily made of flour, salt, and vegetable oil. These ingredients are not harmful to make dogs sick.
When Is Cheez-Its Not Okay For My Dog?
Cheez-Its are not okay for your dog if your furry friend has a history of gastrointestinal tract problems, is lactose intolerant, or is allergic to a wheat-based or flour-based food.
Additionally, if you are trying to cut down on the number of calories taken by your pooch, you should not give it to your furry friend.
Why Does My Dog Like Cheez-Its?
Dogs like Cheez-Its because it is salty, soft, and delicious.
Our canine friends are known to like salty things, and having Cheez-Its, which is salty and at the same time chewable, will be awesome for them.
Also, it is delicious being made of flour and milk, and this explains why they will always come for more.
My Dog Is Addicted To Eating Cheez-Its- What Should I Do?
Our furry friends can so much love Cheez-Its crackers to the point where they become addicted to them. When this does happen, it’s important to control their craving for it.
To do this, you should gradually decrease the amount of Cheez-Its they consume by replacing some of the crackers with other treats, such as kibbles or even veggies.
What Are The Alternative To Cheez-Its?
There are alternatives to Cheez-Its, such as kibbles and even some veggies that are okay for your dog as a treat.
For example, carrots, watermelons, strawberries, and commercial canine foods, like Pet Plate’s prepackaged options, are also recommended.
Additionally, low-fat cheese is a better option for doggies that are lactose intolerant or have the risk of obesity. Examples of such low-fat cheeses are cottage cheese and mozzarella. They are also low in milk.
Hence, there are better cheese options for preventing obesity or other gastrointestinal problems.
