Can Dogs Eat Animal Crackers?

Whether your dog has gotten into a box of animal crackers or your toddler likes to feed the dog snacks, you’ll be happy to know that most animal crackers won’t hurt your dog. The exceptions are chocolate animal crackers and those that contain xylitol, a sweetener typically used as a sugar replacement.

This article will discuss whether dogs can eat animal crackers, the risks, and more.

Will Animal Crackers Hurt My Dog?

Animal crackers are generally non-toxic for dogs. Before feeding your dog an animal cracker, make sure it doesn’t contain chocolate or xylitol (also known as birch sugar or wood sugar).

Chocolate won’t usually kill dogs but can make them ill. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, panting, restlessness, increased heart rate, tremors, seizures, and heart failure.

If your dog eats chocolate graham crackers, it’s best to err on the side of caution and call a veterinarian or pet poison hotline. If your dog shows severe symptoms, call your nearest emergency vet clinic and have it seen as soon as possible.

Xylitol is more serious and can be deadly, especially if left untreated. Symptoms of xylitol poisoning in dogs include vomiting, low blood sugar, lethargy, weakness, incoordination, collapse, and seizures.

If your dog eats graham crackers that contain xylitol, call your nearest emergency vet clinic right away. It can take 10–60 minutes for your dog to develop hypoglycemia.

Are Animal Crackers Healthy for Dogs?

Even animal crackers that don’t contain toxins aren’t healthy for your dog because they contain excess fats and sugars that aren’t good for it.

However, it’s not dangerous for your dog to eat graham crackers, so long as they don’t contain xylitol or chocolate. Using them as an occasional high-value treat won’t hurt your dog.

Even if your healthy dog gets into a package, it is unlikely to suffer anything more than a tummy ache.

Make sure it hasn’t consumed the packaging, though, as that can pose larger risks, such as intestinal blockages.

Dogs with health problems such as diabetes or pancreatitis might have more adverse reactions. It is recommended to give your vet a call if your dog has an ongoing medical condition, just to be sure.

Can Dogs Eat Animal Crackers Every Day?

Ideally, your dog shouldn’t eat animal crackers every day, and eating them in large amounts can be detrimental to their health.

But realistically, small amounts are unlikely to hurt your dog. Use discretion and keep your dog’s size in mind–a large dog can easily handle one or two animal crackers, but this can be a lot for a tiny Chihuahua!

And, of course, always check the ingredients before feeding animal crackers to make sure they don’t contain xylitol.

Is There an Animal Cracker Made for Dogs?

Yes! Many dog treats on the market are made in the shape of animal crackers.

It is recommended to double-check the ingredients to ensure they don’t include excess sugars or other ingredients your dog doesn’t need. After all, it’s pointless to avoid human graham crackers because of the sugar and then feed it sugary dog treats!

If you like to bake, you can also make your own animal crackers for dogs. All it takes is finding the right recipe and some animal-shaped cookie cutters.

Making homemade dog treats with tasty and healthy ingredients like pumpkin or sweet potato is suggested. Dogs love them!

Baking your own animal crackers can be fun to do on your own or with kids! It’s also a great way to know what your dog is eating, rather than feeding human animal crackers or even store-bought treats that may be less healthy.

Can Dogs Eat Iced Animal Crackers?

Iced animal crackers pose mostly the same risks as regular ones. They may contain chocolate or xylitol, in which case they aren’t safe for dogs to eat.

If they don’t contain toxic ingredients, iced animal crackers are safe for your dog to eat in moderation. However, they still contain a lot of sugar and fat and aren’t a healthy treat for your dog.

Overall, animal crackers are okay to feed your dog in small amounts, so long as they don’t contain chocolate or xylitol. If they contain these ingredients and your dog eats them, contact a veterinarian. Xylitol poisoning, particularly, can be very serious.

While animal crackers aren’t a healthy everyday snack, it’s okay to give a little when it comes to treats–just like it’s okay for children to eat dessert, candy, and other unhealthy foods from time to time!

The most important thing is that your dog is happy and healthy!

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rita_Kochmarjova/Shutterstock.com