🥨 Can Dogs Eat Pretzels? - All The Info

Summary

Pretzels aren’t very nutritious for dogs. The main problem with them is that they’re loaded with sodium. Sodium causes bloating and dehydration in pets. Your dog should be limited to small amounts at one time because of their high fat content. If you have an older or overweight dog who is prone to overeating, it may not be wise to give them too many treats like these.

What are pretzels made of

It’s a type of bread, which has been around for centuries. It’s usually eaten as an appetizer or snack food and it can be found in many different shapes and sizes. The most common shape that you will find on the market today is round-shaped with salt sprinkled all over them. They come in various flavors like chocolate, cinnamon sugar, cheese, etc.

You may also see some other types such as square, triangular, oval, etc. There are even some speciality ones available like bacon flavored, peanut butter flavor, honey mustard flavor, etc.

Are there health benefits?

If you’re looking for ways to keep your pet healthy, then eating pretzels could help with that goal. They contain fiber and protein which can make the digestive tract more efficient. These snacks also provide energy so your dog will feel full longer than if he were just given plain water.

Dangers of pretzels for dogs

If you’ve ever been around an overweight dog who loves nothing more than munching on salty snacks, then you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about ✋.

It’s one thing to give your pet a treat every now and again, but if he or she starts regularly consuming these types of items, there could be serious consequences down the line, the most common being weight gain.

They contain levels of sodium, which means they will cause your dog to retain water and become bloated. Too much sodium also leads to kidney stones and even cancer. So while some people think that giving their dog a little treat every once in awhile isn’t harmful, it really depends on how often they eats them.

This isn’t good news when you consider how much excess weight some breeds carry. A large amount of salt in the body can lead to heart problems as well as other health issues.

Onion powder 🧅

Onion powder is another ingredient found in this snack that should be avoided if at all possible. Onions contain sulfites which have been linked to anaphylactic shock. If your dog experiences any signs of allergy, contact your vet immediately.

High carbs 🍞

There are quite a few calories in pretzels since they’re mostly carbs, this is especially dangerous therefore for overweight dogs. To help your dog lose weight, they are plenty of things you can do to prevent obesity from developing in pets. Here are three tips:

1. Feed your pet a balanced diet. This includes both fruits and vegetables along with proteins such as meat, eggs, fish, poultry etc.

2. Exercise daily, It doesn’t matter whether you’re walking your dog or playing fetch with him/her; get out and move!

3. Keep track of your pet’s food consumption. Make sure you weigh his or her bowl before each mealtime and record the results.

You might find that your dog has developed a taste for these tasty little morsels after all. But remember, moderation is key!

Can dogs eat hard pretzels

Soft pretzels are just as safe as cornbread, so it’s safe to give your dog a bite of a soft one on rare occasions but you shouldn’t make it a regular part of their diet.

My dog ate a pretzel – what do I do

If your dog eats too many, he/she may experience some gastrointestinal upset like diarrhea or vomiting. You shouldn’t worry unless his symptoms last longer than 24 hours.

You don’t want him to get dehydrated because then he will become lethargic and weak. Make sure he gets plenty of water during this time.

Eating too many

As mentioned earlier, you need to limit your dog’s access to these snacks. Don’t let him or her see any until you’ve weighed his or her bowl first. Then place the rest of the bag away where only you can reach it.

How to prevent bloat in dogs from salt-containing foods

There are plenty of things you can do to prevent bloat from happening in the first place. One of those things includes making sure your dog doesn’t get his paws on any food containing excessive amounts of salt.

You can limit the amount of salt in your dog’s diet by using low-salt recipes whenever possible. This will ensure that your dog gets all the nutrients he needs without having to worry about bloating up.

Salt poisoning symptoms 🧂

Your dog could experience any number of different health issues when consuming too much salt. Some common ones include:

• Gastrointestinal upset
• Vomiting
• Excessive thirst
• Increased urination
• Muscle cramp
• Seizure
• Fainting

Are carbs bad for dogs 🙋‍♀️

Carbs aren’t necessarily good or bad for dogs. They provide energy for them to live healthy lives. However, there are certain types of carbohydrates that are better suited for dogs than others. These include:

• Whole grain
• Legume
• Nut
• Vegetables
• Fruit

Other foods to avoid

1. Chocolate

Theobromine in cocoa beans has been linked to seizures in some pets, so if you have an epileptic pup or cat, don’t give them any chocolate. If they do eat it anyway, make sure the chocolate doesn’t contain milk solids — those could trigger diarrhea.

2. Alcohol

Alcohol isn’t great for anyone, including animals. Even small quantities of alcohol can be toxic to dogs' liver cells. So keep alcoholic beverages off the table altogether.

3. Coffee

Coffee contains caffeine, which can lead to anxiety in people who drink large amounts of coffee every day. That same caffeine also affects dogs in a similar way, causing tremors, muscle twitching, hyperactivity, and even heart palpitations.

4. Garlic

Garlic is delicious, especially when roasted over fire. Unfortunately, garlic is poisonous to dogs, when ingested, its chemical compounds can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

5. Honey

Honey is sweet stuff, but it’s dangerous to dogs. Its high sugar content can result in kidney failure, pancreatitis, and diabetes. And honey can burn through a dog’s digestive system very quickly.

6. Hot Peppers

Hot peppers aren’t bad for us, but they can hurt our canine friends They contain capsaicin, which causes intense burning sensations throughout their bodies. It can also irritate their eyes, nose, mouth, throat, skin, and intestines.

7. Onions

Onion skins are extremely irritating to dogs' sensitive tongues. Their strong smell makes them difficult to handle as well.

Can dogs eat unsalted pretzels

Yes, you can feed your dog pretzels without adding extra salt. Just make sure that they aren’t loaded up on sugar as well. Sugar isn’t great for dogs either.

Pretzels come in many varieties. Some are made from yeast while others are baked. The ones that are baked usually contain less sodium than those that are fried.

You want to avoid giving your dog anything that has added sugars like honey or molasses. Those things are very unhealthy for pets. Still, this snack is high in carbs which are likely to cause weight gain alongside their standard diet. It’s safe on a rare occasion but no more than that.

Conclusion

Overall, we don’t recommend pretzels for your dog, as they may pose serious risks to their health, quite simply it’s human food, and a salty food at that! But there are other treats out there that won’t harm your pooch. Just remember to read labels carefully before giving your dog anything new.