Dog owners love to give their furry friend a treat every now and then. Your dog might be watching you eat some cookies and be giving you those puppy dog eyes. So, can dogs eat cookies? It all depends on the ingredients used and how big your dog is. Cookies containing raisins or chocolate chips are toxic to dogs, causing an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.

Dogs can consume the majority of cookies - but only once in a while. Given to your dog on a regular basis leads to weight gain and obesity. Many cookies have too much sugar for dogs to eat safely, while others contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. If you do decide to feed your dog cookies, exercise moderation and be sure that they do not contain any toxic ingredients.

Risks Of Giving Your Dog Cookies

There's always the risk that the cookie that you give your dog contains toxic substances that will make your dog sick. The following is a list of the dangers that cookies pose to dogs:

Allergic Reaction

Certain ingredients in cookies, such as wheat flour, may cause an allergic reaction in your dog. Avoid giving your dog any food that isn't their regular dog food to reduce the chances of your dog developing food sensitivities.

Diabetes

Cookies have a high sugar content. Regularly consuming large amounts of sugar may cause diabetes in your dog, which can be dangerous if blood sugar levels grow too high.

Choking Hazard

Cookies could be a choking hazard for your dog depending on its size. Most dogs get overly excited about food and treats and there's a good chance your dog will scarf down a cookie as fast as possible. If you give your dog a cookie, break it up into small pieces first.

Obesity

Cookies are high in fats. Obesity in dogs can be caused by consuming too much fat on a regular basis. Obese dogs may exhibit signs of lethargy and are more likely to develop cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure.

Upset Stomach

If your dog consumes too much human food, it may cause intestinal problems. Consuming cookies, for example, may cause your dog to vomit and experience gastrointestinal pain.

Xylitol Toxicity

Sugar-free cookies should not be given to your dog since they are likely to contain xylitol, a sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs.

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats A Cookie?

If your dog simply ate a small bit of a cookie, their digestive system should be able to handle it. However, you should keep a close eye on your dog for any of the following symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Rapid & Shallow Breathing
• Seizures
• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Increased urination
• Vomiting

If notice any of these signs or symptoms in your dog after they have eaten a cookie, call your veterinarian for instruction on how to care for you dog. You vet may want you to bring your dog in for a checkup.

Review: Can Dogs Eat Cookies?

Cookies, unfortunately, do not contain any ingredients that are healthy to dogs. You should avoid giving your dog cookies. Some cookies contain toxic ingredients for dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, and macadamia nuts. If your dog consumes a cookie that contains a harmful component, you should contact your veterinarian for help.

With that being said, giving your dog a small piece of cookie that does not contain the toxic ingredients listed above should be fine every once in a while. Most dogs digestive system can tolerate cookies just fine.

Certain human foods might trigger bad responses in dogs, so always check with your veterinarian to see if adding these items to your dog's diet is safe.