Your dog might just take the bag of pretzels if you leave it alone - pretzels are always a tasty snack. On the other hand, you may be eating pretzels and your furry friend is looking up at you with those puppy dog eyes begging for a bite. Pretzels might seem like a harmless treat, but can dogs eat pretzels? Are pretzels safe for dogs?

Dogs can eat pretzels, but they really shouldn't. What seems like a fairly innocent food to people offers almost no nutrients to dogs. The good news is that pretzels are not toxic to dogs unless they specifically state that they include any amount of garlic, onion, or chocolate coating. If you feed your dog a plain pretzel or two, they will be fine. Avoid any pretzel with toxic ingredients - and don't feed pretzels to your dog regularly as they can cause weight gain.

Why Are Pretzels Bad For Dogs?

Pretzels themselves are not toxic to dogs, but some of the ingredients and additives may be. Beyond that, the salt content of pretzels can be detrimental to your dogs health. Pretzels are unhealthy for dogs for the following reasons.

Salt Content

Both hard and soft pretzels contain a lot of sodium, which can cause dogs to drink and urinate excessively, leading to dehydration, heart disease, or renal failure. If your dog consumes a lot of pretzels, keep an eye on their behavior and watch for symptoms of salt intoxication, such as confusion and vomiting.

Carbohydrates

The high carbohydrate content of pretzels can raise dogs' blood sugar levels and lead to weight gain. Dogs who eat pretzels frequently may get obese. Adding extra carbs to your dogs diet is a bad idea. Your dog should get enough carbs from their normal diet.

Additives & Flavorings

Sweet pretzels may contain yogurt or artificial sweeteners like xylitol, a dangerous substance that can result in liver failure in dogs. Flavored pretzels containing spices like garlic or onion powder are toxic to dogs and should be avoided. Some pretzels may have a chocolate coating - another toxic food for dogs.

What Should I Do If My Dog Eats Pretzels?

If your dog eats one or two plain pretzels, they should be fine. The main concern with most pretzels is the salt content. If your dog eats any pretzel that contains toxic ingredients to dogs like onion, garlic, or chocolate it is best to contact your veterinarian right away. Either way, watch your dog for the following signs and symptoms:

• Dehydration
• Excessive Thirst
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy

These are symptoms of a negative reaction to ingredients used in pretzels. If you notice any of these signs or you are worried about your dogs health, consult your veterinarian. He may have you bring your dog in for evaluation or recommend an at home treatment depending on the severity of the symptoms.

How Many Pretzels Can A Dog Safely Eat?

In general, dog owners should refrain from feeding their dog any amount of pretzels. Stick to dog food with little salt and lots of nutritional value. A few unsalted pretzel sticks can be given to your dog as a snack if you decide to do so. The best pretzels are hard; soft pretzels can be excessively chewy and pose a choking risk. To ensure that this treat is not harmful to your dog's health, keep an eye on them after feeding them a pretzel.

Offer your dog no more than one pretzel every day if you're doing so regularly - even less if its a small breed of dog. This is assuming we're talking about the smaller, harder-baked pretzels. It should go without saying that you shouldn't regularly give pretzels to your dog, even if you bake them at home and are particularly careful about the contents.

These foods contain a lot of carbs, which can accumulate in your dog's system over time and cause just as many health issues as salt. Dogs struggle to digest carbohydrates well, so they frequently turn a large amount of them into fat, which can result in weight gain over time. Obesity in dogs frequently serves as a stepping stone to much worse health concerns, such as diabetes.

Review: Can Dogs Eat Pretzels?

It is better to not share your treat with your dog if they are staring at you with those puppy-dog eyes while you are eating a pretzel. Instead, give them one of their own dog treats. Dogs have a far lower tolerance for sodium than you do, and pretzels are high in salt. A handful of pretzels can be enough to cause digestive issues.

Additionally, if you are eating a flavored pretzel, it may also include other substances that are harmful to your dog. The most likely offenders include cheese, raisins, chocolate, onion, and garlic. All of these could seriously harm your dog.

Even though your dog may be your closest companion, it's vital to keep in mind that because of how they are made, they digest food differently than people - and require a different diet. If your dog ate a pretzel and is experiencing negative symptoms, contact your veterinarian for advice.