You'll almost certainly find a jar of animal crackers stowed somewhere in the kitchen or pantry of any family with children. Children love these animal-shaped crackers - and why wouldn't they? Animal crackers are always a crowd favorite.

Because dogs are frequently rewarded with cookies and biscuits, some dog owners feel that animal crackers are safe for their dogs as well. So, can dogs eat animal crackers? Are animal crackers safe for dogs to eat?

Animal crackers are safe for dogs to consume every once in a while. As a precaution, it's a good idea to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any new food. Milk and wheat in animal crackers might cause gastrointestinal discomfort in dogs who are lactose intolerant or allergic to gluten.

What Are Animal Crackers Made Of?

Animal Crackers are comprised of flour, sugar (or corn syrup), water, hydrogenated vegetable oil, baking soda, salt, and lecithin. They are close to traditional cookies in terms of ingredients.

When it comes to Animal Crackers, they're aren't many health benefits for dogs. Animal Crackers contain little to no nutritional benefits for dogs. The sugar content can cause weight gain and obesity in dogs if they are given often.

Animal crackers contain traces of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are beneficial to dogs. There's also a lot of vitamin B, which could help with brain function. They're also high in fiber, which can aid with digestive problems.

Animal crackers are sometimes used as training rewards for dogs. However, because they are high in fat and sugar, they are not the ideal choice for frequent training.

Risks Of Giving Your Dog Animal Crackers

Animal crackers are not toxic to dogs, however, they may endanger your dog's health over time, especially if you give him animal crackers on a frequent basis. Giving your dog an animal cracker every now and then is not a problem.

Carbohydrates

All-purpose flour is used to make animal crackers, which has a high carbohydrate content. Animal crackers can be dangerous for your dog if consumed in large quantities because a dog's system cannot handle high carbohydrate levels.

While carbohydrates are beneficial to dogs, their carb intake should be limited. Furthermore, extra carbs are frequently converted to glucose by a dog's digestive, which can contribute to weight growth and diabetes.

Sugar

Animal crackers contain sugar — a single packet of animal crackers contains between 15 grams of sugar. For your dog, this is a lot of sugar. Allowing your dog to eat too much sugar can lead to a variety of health problems, including weight gain, diabetes, abnormal blood sugar levels, and behavioral problems.

Salt

Animal crackers contain a good amount of salt. Dogs have a relatively low salt tolerance when compared to humans. Allowing your dog to eat animal crackers on a daily basis can lead to electrolyte imbalances, high blood pressure, and hypernatremia, among other problems. Excess salt can cause sodium poisoning, which can be fatal in a worst-case scenario.

Allergies

One of the key ingredients of Animal Crackers is wheat flour. Keep Animal Crackers away from your dog if he is sensitive to wheat products or has a wheat allergy.

If you're not sure if your dog has a wheat allergy, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian or taking your dog to the doctor for a check-up. Your vet will be able to identify the allergy your puppy has after a series of tests.

What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Animal Crackers?

If your dog ate a large amount of animal crackers, keep an eye on him for a few hours to see if he has any negative side effects. Because animal crackers are high in fiber, your dog may become gassy or have an upset stomach after eating them.

Make your dog as comfortable as possible while the food is being processed. For the next 12 hours, don't give him food or water. After 12 hours, give him a bland diet of rice and chicken to help settle his stomach.

If your dog is still in distress or has symptoms of an allergic reaction, bring your dog to the veterinarian and explain what your dog ate, how much, and when. Your veterinarian will be able to better care for your dog.

Review: Can Dogs Eat Animals Crackers?

Animal Crackers are not healthy for dogs. They're high in carbohydrates, fats, sugar, and salt - all of which are bad for dogs. It's fine to have two or three Animal Crackers as a treat every now and then, but it's not a good idea to do so on a daily basis.

The food we feed our dogs and how active they are have a big impact on their health. If you have a little dog breed or one that isn't very active, Animal Crackers should be kept away from them.

Our furry friends will eat anything you feed them, even if it isn't healthful or safe for them. If you have any questions about what you should and shouldn't feed your dog, consult your veterinarian.