Cheez Its are a cracking treat for us humans. Whether it’s a movie night-in or an evening of Monopoly, Cheez-Its are the perfect snack to have on the side!
But are Cheez Its safe for dogs?
While it may be safe to toss one or two into your pup’s mouth occasionally, too many cheesy crackers can be bad for your pet’s health.
Here’s everything you need to know about Cheez Its for dogs!
What Are Cheez Its Made Of?
Ever wondered what your favorite crunchy treat is made of?
- Flour enriched with minerals & vitamins.
- Vegetable oil (say, canola oil)
- Cheese & skimmed milk
- Flavored powders & spices.
A Balanced Dog Diet
An ideal dog diet is well-balanced. High-quality dog food is all you need to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. Sadly, being the quintessential junk food, Cheez IT’s do not offer any nutritional value or health benefits to your little pooch.
From a nutritional point of view, Cheez Its contain a good amount of calcium and iron. While these minerals are important for bone health and immunity, you should not rely on junk food only.
Salt Poisoning
Cheez Its, much like Doritos and pretzels, happen to contain a relatively high amount of salt. The sodium present in salts can be harmful when ingested in large amounts.
As a general guide, dogs should not consume more than 100mg of sodium per day.
In the worst case scenario, salt poisoning can even lead to diarrhea and kidney failure.
So if your dog is acting up after one too many Cheez Its, look out for these symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Excessive thirst
- Diarrhea
- Urine retention
- Tremors
- Seizures
Risk of Dairy-induced Health Problems
Milk is one of the main ingredients in Cheez-Its.
Keep in mind, most dogs are lactose intolerant – which means they don’t produce the enzyme needed to break down milk.
Sadly for the dog-kind, this means that dairy or dairy products are toxic for most dogs. Often causing allergic reactions such as itching, an irritated skin, or hyper -salivation. Remember – humans and dogs digest food in very different ways!
It can also lead to gastrointestinal issues – causing your dog to vomit. If you see these symptoms after your furry friend has munched on some Cheez Its, you should probably call the vet for help asap!
For dogs, way too much milk or cheese can even cause an inflammation of the pancreas. A potentially fatal condition called pancreatitis.
For more information on how to treat allergic symptoms, read our post on the use of Benadryl for dogs.
Effects of Excessive Consumption of Fat
Cheez Its are high in fat content. While your dog does need fat in their diet, there are much healthier ways to meet these dietary needs.
Consuming a high level of calories that come from processed junk foods can also lead to unnecessary weight gain.
An overweight dog is also likely to become lazy an less playful. Not to mention, it can add extra pressure on their bones, affecting their bone health.
In fact, canine obesity can lead to a range of health and medical complications for your dog in their later life!
To read more about the causes and effects of canine obesity, click here.
Precautions:
- If your dog has a wheat or dairy allergy, you should not let them have any Cheez Its. At all. Period.
- Try to avoid extra spicy versions of Cheez Its – as they are more likely to induce dog allergies.
- Always keep a tab on the number of crackers they eat based on body weight & size. As a rule of thumb, for every ten pounds of dog body weight, you should not give them more than 2 or 3 crackers.
- Make sure you don’t leave your box or serving unattended. Chances are your little friend is gonna munch through the whole pack before you know it!
- If you are feeding a small dog or puppy, it’s probably better to break the cracker into smaller pieces – as this will help the dog digest more easily.
Healthier Alternatives
While Cheez Its don’t cause any severe health issue, they are certainly not the healthiest of dog food.
Instead, why not try healthier alternatives (that your dog will hopefully like just as much!):
- Carrots
- Apples
- Bananas
- Brussel sprouts
- Edamame beans
- Cucumber
- Broccoli
Key Takeaway
We know its hard to resist those cute puppy eyes when all they want is another bite of cheesy goodness. But remember, while it may be safe to let them scarf down a few now and then, Cheez Its are no match for healthy dog-food. In fact, excessive use on a regular basis can actually lead to a deterioration in your dog’s health.
