Graham crackers are a typical snack for people. Kids love them, and dogs would love to get a hold of some. If you’ve ever dropped one on the floor, your pup probably ate it before you had the chance to pick it up. If this sounds like a situation that happens to you, you might constantly be on Google looking to see if your pup can eat all kinds of human food. Mostly it’s a precaution dog owners take so they know their dog isn’t harmed by the food they eat. So can dogs eat graham crackers? Yes, but only in moderation. This means not too many at once and not too often. In this article, the risks of letting them indulge in graham crackers will be discussed, as well as the long-term health effects. So grab some milk for those graham crackers and enjoy this quick read that’ll help you learn more about these tasty treats and how they affect your pup.
Dogs Can Eat Graham Crackers
If your dog has a gluten intolerance, most of these may not be a good option. There are several types of graham crackers that contain ingredients that may not be safe for your dog. The toxic ones will be covered later. This section will discuss the different types and if your dog can eat them. Some of the common types are cinnamon and honey. Nabisco is the most popular brand for these crackers, so the nutrition is based on that brand. Let’s go over the types.
Original
Regular graham crackers are okay for dogs to eat occasionally. They do not offer wild health benefits and can be a safe treat for your dog. There are 8g of sugar per serving and 170mg of sodium. The little benefit here is the 60g of potassium. Electrolytes like potassium are essential for your dog’s well-being. But there are much better options to give your dog potassium.
Honey
Honey is safe for your dog to eat, and these crackers basically have the same nutrition as the others mentioned in this section. In all of these varieties, the calories for one serving are 130. Since a 22-pound dog shouldn’t have more than 400 calories a day and graham crackers can take up 130 of that in one serving, they do not prove to be an excellent treat option. They will be extra calories for your dog, and they’ll still be hungry because it’s considered empty calories.
Cinnamon
These are similar to the original but have cinnamon in them. Cinnamon is safe for dogs in moderation and shouldn’t cause any more harm than the original. There is also 8g of sugar per serving, with 160mg of sodium in these crackers. Dogs weighing around 30 pounds shouldn’t exceed 200mg of sodium per day. It has 50 mg of potassium and 2g of protein. Occasionally, healthy dogs can enjoy these.
Why Too Much Too Often is Bad
Pet owners know that food is one of the most important things to consider when caring for their animals. What may be safe and healthy for humans can often be dangerous for pets and vice versa. Graham crackers can pose a few long-term risks for dogs. While they may seem harmless, graham crackers can contribute to dental decay, weight gain, and high blood sugar levels. As a result, it’s essential to be mindful of what you feed your furry friend and to talk with a vet if you have any questions or concerns. Let’s go into greater detail about the effects.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is a severe problem for dogs. Dogs can develop cavities and tooth decay like humans if they overeat sugar or have it too often. The sugar feeds the bacteria inside the mouth, producing acid that attacks the tooth enamel. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay and even tooth loss.
Weight gain
While a small amount isn’t likely to cause any problems, too much sugar can lead to weight gain in dogs, which can, in turn, cause joint pain and even diabetes. Obesity and excessive carbohydrate consumption are the leading causes of type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body produces a lot of insulin, but because too much sugar is consumed, the body develops a resistance to it.
Heart Disease
Dogs are susceptible to several heart diseases. While many of these conditions are genetic, a poor diet can also contribute. One study found that dogs who consume a diet high in sugar are at an increased risk of developing heart disease. The study’s authors believe that sugar interferes with the dogs’ ability to metabolize fat, leading to increased fatty acids to collect in the blood.
Dangerous Graham crackers
Various things can cause allergic reactions in dogs, but food is one of the most common triggers. The symptoms of a food allergy can vary depending on the dog, but they often include itchiness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. There is always a chance that they can respond poorly to even safe human foods. Now we’ll go over the toxic graham crackers and why to avoid them.
Chocolate
A lot of people think it’s because chocolate has caffeine in it. While chocolate contains trace quantities of caffeine, the issue is another related compound called theobromine. Similar to how caffeine operates as a stimulant, theobromine is an alkaloid. However, dogs lack the particular enzyme needed by humans to break down theobromine. Theobromine can overstimulate a dog’s circulatory and central neurological systems, resulting in high blood pressure, vomiting, seizures, and sometimes death.
Sugar-Free
There are sugar-free versions that might sound like a great idea, but often sugar-free means it has a sugar substitute. Xylitol is a common one. Dogs and people respond to this sugar replacement differently. In humans and dogs, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. In dogs, xylitol can trigger an insulin release, despite not doing so in humans. Because of how quickly insulin is released, a condition known as hypoglycemia results in a sharp decline in blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
As any pet owner knows, dogs love sweets. However, while a little treat from time to time is perfectly fine, feeding your dog too much sugar too often can lead to serious health problems. For one thing, sugar can cause tooth decay. Like in humans, the bacteria in your dog’s mouth feeds on sugar, leading to cavities and other dental problems. In addition, sugar can cause weight gain in dogs. While a little extra weight might not seem like a big deal, it can lead to other health problems, including joint problems and diabetes. So next time you’re tempted to give your furry friend a graham cracker, make sure you didn’t give them a sweet treat the day before, or you’ll fall into a bad habit. They are not okay for your dog to eat if you’re giving them other sweet treats; staying aware of this will keep your doggie healthy.
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