Dogs are magical creatures that transform our whole lives the moment they enter it. Although we know that they’re animals, we can’t help treating them as a family; that’s how much they mean to us. It is also purely out of love that we share sometimes (or often) share our food with them.
Most of us do not even think consciously before doing it. But did you know that this gesture could potentially harm your little pooch? Dogs have a different lifestyle, physical attributes, and dietary needs. Therefore, it is not surprising that the food we eat might not be well-suited for them.
There are things on our plates that won’t harm our pet friends if fed in moderation. However, not everything we eat is safe for them. What about graham crackers? Let’s find out whether or not dogs can eat graham crackers.
Can dogs eat graham crackers? Graham crackers are a rich source of carbohydrates and can benefit your dog if fed occasionally. As far as human snacks go, these crackers are relatively simply prepared and are thus safer for both us and our pets than most of the other snacks. However, too much of any snack, even if it is dog-specific, can be unhealthy. Therefore, it is best to treat them with these crunchy treats every once in a while.
Do you buy flavored graham crackers for yourself and are wondering if your pet can eat it too? Or are you curious about the potential health problems too many graham crackers can lead to in your dog? Whatever your questions are, you will find their answers in this article.
What are graham crackers made of?
Graham crackers are the crackers made of graham flour and are popularly used as a crunchy snack in many households. People of all age groups prefer these crackers because their ingredients are healthier than other snacks.
The following are the ingredients that are most commonly used by the manufacturers.
- Graham flour
- Lard
- Salt
- Oil
- Sugar
- Shortening
- Cinnamon
- Molasses
However, the ingredients might vary a little from brand to brand and also depend on their varying flavors.
Nutritional value of graham crackers for dogs
If we look at graham crackers from the health perspective of a dog, there are three main nutrients: carbohydrates, sugar, and sodium (salt). Let us look at how these affect your pet.
Carbohydrates
Most dog foods contain between 30-70% of carbohydrates on an average. It certainly means that nutrients are essential for your canine friends.
Carbohydrates are indeed the primary source of energy in dogs. These nutrients often perform the functions of other nutrients, such as proteins and fats, as well. However, while carbohydrates are healthy nutrients for dogs, over-consumption of it is not good for them.
Sugar
Sugar isn’t toxic to dogs when fed in moderation. However, the quantity of sugar in graham crackers is well-above the moderate-levels. Too much sugar can lead to a variety of health problems and is also believed to shorten your pet’s lifespan.
Sodium
Sodium is a nutrient whose deficiency is as harmful as its overdose. Too much sodium can make dogs excessively thirsty, keeps a temperature imbalance in their bodies, and lead to sodium ion poisoning.
Can dogs eat honey graham crackers?
The combination of honey and the crunchy graham crackers is as delicious as it sounds. If you’re worried about feeding these to your dog, don’t be. Honey is safe for dogs to consume. In many cases, it provides a better alternative to sugar. Honey graham crackers are okay to feed your pet friends as long as you stick to moderation.
Can dogs eat cinnamon graham crackers?
Many veterinarians have declared that cinnamon is safe for animals just as it is for humans. Therefore, cinnamon graham crackers are not any more harmful to dogs than regular or honey graham crackers. However, if you’re too anxious about feeding these to your canine friend, a quick call to your veterinarian can’t hurt.
What happens if your dog eats too many graham crackers?
Graham crackers are rich in carbohydrates. And while carbohydrates are healthy for dogs, too much of it can be a bad idea.
Carbohydrates are digested in the form of sugar. Dogs have smaller intestines than us, which is why it is difficult for them to digest vitamin or sugar. As a result, most of the carbohydrate (broken down as sugar) is accumulated in their bodies.
The following are the health problems that eating too many graham crackers can cause in dogs.
Diabetes
Dogs have a much lower sugar tolerance than humans. The amount of sugar generated during the digestion of graham crackers can lead to diabetes in them.
Obesity
Obesity is a common health problem that all the dogs who eat human snacks suffer from. Graham crackers are rich in fats, which results in weight gain in dogs. Overweight dogs are inactive, lethargic, and, therefore, unhealthy.
Respiratory problems
Excess sugar consumption can alter the circulatory system of dogs and lead to heart damage.
Digestive problems
As we already mentioned earlier, dogs struggle with digesting sugar. It can put a strain on their digestive systems and can lead to ulcers or gastritis.
Pancreatitis
The high amount of sugar in the body increases the pancreatic functions of the dog. The pancreas needs to produce more digestive enzymes to metabolize the excess glucose. This can cause inflammation in the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis.
Dental problems
When it comes to the mouth cavity, sugar affects dogs and humans equally. Eating too many sweet treats like graham crackers can cause a cavity, accumulation of bacteria, and bad breath.
Allergy
Some dogs are allergic to cinnamon or wheat and can display symptoms of diarrhea or itchy skin after eating the graham crackers.
Can puppies eat graham crackers?
Unlike human children, puppies grow up quickly and thus, need the right diet to supplement their growth. It is best to avoid feeding your young friend any human food, including graham crackers, until they are at least 3-4 months old.
Avoid using dips
It is not uncommon for humans to eat graham crackers with some sort of dip. These dips add more flavor to the crackers. Are you thinking of giving your pet a bite, too? You must not.
Most of the dips are made from dairy products, and since dogs are lactose intolerant, it is best not to feed them any. Dips also contain added preservatives, food coloring, or other chemicals that are not healthy for your pet friend.
Can you use graham crackers to train your dog?
Dogs are suckers for crunchy, sweet treats, such as graham crackers. Therefore, they are ideal to use as their training treats. However, training is a long process, which means you might end up feeding your pet more graham crackers than you should. Thus, it is best to go with dog treats while training them.
Frequently asked questions
Why should bacon not be fed to dogs?
Bacon should not be fed to dogs because it can lead to pancreatitis in them.
Can I feed my dog chewing gum for its bad breath?
Absolutely not. Chewing-gums are extremely toxic to dogs. Unlike us, dogs are unfamiliar with the process of chewing and then throwing them out.
Therefore, chewing gums can end up being a choking hazard for them. Also, most chewing gums contain xylitol as a sweetening alternative.
Xylitol is lethal to dogs as it makes their blood sugar level drop dangerously in no time. If your dog has bad breath, get them a store-bought mouth freshener.
Can dogs drink soda?
No, it is not a good idea to feed your dog soda. Sodas contain caffeine, fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acid, and artificial flavors, all of which are detrimental to your dog’s health.
Do dogs like ice creams?
If it is a hot summer day, your dog will love ice cream as much as you will. However, if you are feeding them ice cream, stick to moderation. Ice cream is a dairy product, and dogs don’t do well with them. Also, never feed them ice cream with chocolate, raisin, grapes, caffeine, or macadamia nuts in it.
Endnotes: Can Dogs Eat Graham Crackers?
Graham crackers are carbohydrate-rich snacks that are liked by humans and dogs alike. However, carbohydrates can become a problem for your pet if you don’t follow moderation. Feeding them a cracker a week is ideal, but any more than that can lead to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, ulcers, gastritis, etc.