Goldfish crackers are crispy, cheesy, and delicious snacks many people love to take occasionally. Sometimes when having some, your dog could come around begging to taste this delicious snack. Many dog owners can attest that dogs are not picky with food. However, the question is, are goldfish crackers safe for dogs? Let us find out!
Dogs can eat goldfish crackers; however, it is not a healthy or safe snack. Goldfish crackers are not safe for dogs because of the ingredients; they contain garlic and onions, which are toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Gold crackers should be given to dogs once in a while.
The fact that dogs will eat anything should make you cautious, and this is to ensure the dog does not eat anything that will affect its health.
Can Dogs Eat Goldfish Crackers?
Goldfish crackers are not one of the best snacks to feed your dog. There are many foods we humans take and digest completely well with no resulting adverse effects. So, we sometimes assume these foods are okay for our dogs too. However, we need to understand that our digestive systems and dogs are not the same.
Also, certain ingredients are used to prepare human foods that are not healthy for dogs. In preparing goldfish crackers, some needed ingredients are wheat, cheddar cheese, oil, salt, onions, and garlic.
This snack might not be best for your dog because some of the ingredients used in its preparation are not good for dogs’ consumption. Below, we will be explaining each of these ingredients and their effects on dogs.
Enriched Wheat Flour
In preparing goldfish crackers, enriched wheat is the most important ingredient needed. This form of processed wheat lacks natural nutrients gotten from wheat. So, it only provides a kind of carbohydrate that does not have any form of nutritional value to your dog.
Although enriched wheat is not toxic to dogs, it is usually not advised to feed dogs either. Too much of its intake would only increase dog calories, without any other health benefits, and could even make your dog gain weight. The implication of this is that it could cause diabetes and obesity.
In addition, a dog’s digestive system might not be able to process the grains properly. So, dog owners are better advised to feed their dogs other healthy foods and vegetables that have nutritional values and can easily be processed in their system.
Cheddar Cheese
Perhaps, this is one of the food ingredients that is safe and healthy for dogs’ consumption. Cheddar cheese is a high source of calcium and protein and contains other nutrients like vitamins A and B. It is essential to state that some dogs are lactose intolerant, and their digestive system cannot handle dairy products well.
So, since cheddar cheese is a dairy product, it is essential to know if it is healthy for your dog before feeding it to avoid developing some side effects. Some of the side effects lactose intolerant dogs can experience are diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating caused by an upset gut.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil is another essential ingredient in preparing goldfish crackers. However, this oil is not good for dog consumption. Some dogs suffering from food allergies often experience side effects whenever they take soybean oil and canola oil from food, snacks, or any substance.
The kind of oils that are quite healthy for dog consumption are sunflower oil, flaxseed oil, olive oil, and coconut oil. In addition, it is important to state that dogs do not need additional oils. Feeding them a well-balanced diet will provide every necessary health nutrient required.
Salt
A goldfish crackers pack contains about 250 milligrams of salt. So, when a dog consumes this high salt content, it could lead to health complications. Too much salt is not healthy for dogs and could result in weakness, excessive thirst, seizures, diarrhea, and muscle tremors.
There is an actual limit of salt dogs are expected to take per 100g of food consumed. The range is about 0.25 grams to 1.5 grams of salt. Anything more than this would amount to sodium poisoning. So, if your dog ever gets a hold of a yummy goldfish cracker and begins to develop any of these symptoms, it is important you quickly call on a vet to avoid seizures or even death.
Onions
In every form, be it raw, cooked, or powder, onion is not good for dog consumption. The effect of onions on a dog is that it often affects the red blood cells and could lead to the development of anemia. So, regardless of how little or much onions are, always ensure your dog does not feed on anything cooked with it.
Now, to goldfish crackers, the onion powder used in preparing it has more toxic effects on dogs than fresh onions. Common symptoms of onion toxicity include weakness, pale gum, reddish urine, fainting, and reduced appetite. So, once your dog begins to display any of these symptoms after eating out of your goldfish crackers, ensure you contact your vet.
Garlic
Just as onion is not healthy for dogs, garlic is another ingredient used in preparing goldfish crackers that is toxic for dogs. Truly, garlic has some health benefits to humans, like protecting brain health, boosting the immune system, and stabilizing blood sugar. However, garlic is not suitable for dogs due to thiosulfate in them.
Garlic is also capable of causing hemolytic anemia in dogs. If you notice your dog acting weak, breathing rapidly, and having dark-colored urine, it is an indication that the dog is suffering from garlic poisoning. When this happens, ensure your dog stops eating garlic food and ensure it gets vet care.
Can Dogs Eat Goldfish?
One question dog owners ask is if they can feed their dog’s goldfish. Well, it is not advised to feed dogs goldfish at all. Goldfish are dangerous to dogs’ health because they contain coccidia infection and tapeworms that can infect the dog. Goldfish are among the most common fish found in aquariums.
While they are kept as pets in fish tanks because they are nice, cute, and comical, they should be left in the fish tank and must not get to your dog’s meal. If your dog eats a goldfish without your knowledge, you should not panic. You need to monitor the dog’s situation as there might be side effects like diarrhea and vomiting.
Although there is no possibility that your dog will die if it consumes a goldfish, even if it regularly does, however, your dog will experience diarrhea and vomit constantly, and with time your dog will be dehydrated. Moreover, dehydration can result in kidney failure, unconsciousness, and death in extreme cases.
Can Dogs Have Crackers?
Crackers are one of the go-to snacks for humans; they are easy to find, tasty, and satisfying. Crackers are available in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and they come in all types of flavors. If you own a dog, it is not unusual to see the dog pleading for some crackers. Is it safe to feed crackers to your dog? Let us find out!
Dogs can eat crackers, but it is not best to give crackers to them regularly. Crackers are made from flour which has zero nutritional value for dogs, and they also contain high sodium content, which is unhealthy for dogs. Many crackers contain garlic, onion, and sugar; dogs do not need any of these.
More like this: Can Dogs Eat Strawberries? Is It Safe? [GUIDE]
Final Thoughts
It is risky to feed your dog human food; it can cause various health problems, including heart disease, obesity, skeletal and joint issues, and even allergic reactions. Dogs have a different digestive system from humans and do not need many nutrients and vitamins humans need.
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Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
