Can Dogs Eat Goldfish Crackers?

Can Dogs Eat Goldfish Crackers and would it do harm to their health? Most of us humans enjoy the delicious flavor of the popular Goldfish crackers that are bite-sized and so perfectly crunchy!

The sound of opening a new pack of Goldfish crackers is enough to grab your canine friends’ attention. The smell of these crackers is very indulging, so don’t be surprised if your dog is begging for a taste.

Can Dogs Eat Goldfish Crackers?

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Many pet owners do not see any harm in giving their dogs human snacks from time to time. And in most cases, a taste here and there won’t do any damage.

The same goes for Goldfish crackers. A small amount will probably not hurt your dog.

So the answer to “Can dogs eat Goldfish crackers” is, yes, they can in small amounts, but it is best if they don’t! The ingredients in Goldfish crackers are harmful to your dogs’ health.

Most of us are perfectly fine with the idea of putting toxins in our bodies. But why risk it with our dogs, who are more sensitive to unhealthy ingredients?

In many cases, your dog will eat what you feed him. Therefore the health of your dog is at the mercy of your hands.

To be fair, it is not easy to say no to your dog while he is staring at you while you snack away. However, if you want your dog to live a long and healthy life, you need to be firm.

There are many human “snacks” that can add nutritional value to your dog’s diet. Therefore it is best to find an alternative and skip junk food altogether.

Goldfish crackers are just that, junk food for your dog!

Why Are Goldfish Crackers Bad For Dogs?

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Goldfish crackers contain garlic powder, onion powder, and plenty of salt, hence the reason why they are so yummy.

But these ingredients are also the reason why you should keep them away from your dog.

Garlic powder and onion powder are at the top of the list of what dogs should NOT eat!

If your dog consumes too much garlic or onion, it can cause vomiting, blood in urine, and even anemia. These are just a couple of signs that your dog is not responding well to the ingredients.

Furthermore, Goldfish crackers contain high levels of salt. Yes, dogs need some salt in their system, but too much can have a negative impact on their blood pressure.

When your pup gets too much salt, then it can lead to hypernatremia. This condition causes a significant amount of water loss.

Dogs with hypernatremia will lose a major amount of water, which results in urination issues and dehydration.

Sodium-ion poisoning is another concern when your dog ingests too much salt. This is a severe condition that will cause an immense thirst in your dog.

Excessive urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy are some other signs to watch out for.

Many of these symptoms can be fatal to your dog if it is not taken care of on time. Whether it is Goldfish crackers or any other non-doggy food, always look out for strange behavior.

So, if you see any of these symptoms in your dog, it is best to contact your vet immediately.

Goldfish Crackers Nutritional Value

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Besides the onion-, garlic- and salty-flavored composition of Goldfish crackers, there are other reasons why Goldfish aren’t suitable for dogs.

Here are their nutritional values to understand why it’s best to keep these crackers away from your pup.

High Carbohydrates

Protein should be a primary part of a canine’s diet and not carbs. Nonetheless, carbs found in fruit and vegetables are beneficial to your dog, which means they are a safe choice.

However, when it comes to Goldfish crackers, the carbohydrates come in the form of grains. To be exact, these crackers are made of wheat, which is a type of grain.

Your dog’s digestive system is not designed to process grain and therefore will turn it into sugar. It also could lead to some unwanted processes.

While one or two Goldfish crackers might not hurt, a larger amount regularly is not a good idea. This includes carbohydrates from other food sources, such as bread and pasta.

Any dog whose diet consists of a significant percentage of carbohydrates will struggle with health issues. On top of the list are weight gain and diabetes.

Gluten

Apart from carbs, Goldfish crackers contain gluten as well. The gluten from wheat or any other source is bad for our furry friends.

Goldfish crackers are toxic for dogs if they are allergic to gluten. Allergies associated with gluten can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and skin irritation.

Dogs who are allergic to gluten will most likely have an allergic reaction if they eat Goldfish crackers.

Therefore if you already know that your dog can not handle gluten, it is best not to introduce these crackers at all.

Sugar

Most snacks contain at least some amount of sugar, and be assured that Goldfish crackers are one of them. Sugar is harmful to dogs, and therefore, they do not require sugar in their daily diet.

Once again, a little bit of sugar found in Goldfish crackers or any other sweet treat won’t be fatal. Nevertheless, it should be kept to a minimum or not given at all.

If your dog intakes sugar, his blood sugar levels will increase, resulting in unwanted weight gain or diabetes. One more thing to keep in mind is that sugar is addictive to dogs as well.

Other Ingredients

Goldfish crackers contain other ingredients, like protein, calcium, iron, potassium, thiamine, and folate, good for dogs.

However, the amount of these is so small that it is not enough to provide your dog with good nutrition. Overall, the bad ingredients outweigh the good!

And therefore, Goldfish crackers do not offer any nutritional value for your dog.

Goldfish Crackers Are Toxic For Dogs If They Consume Too Much

If your dog is allergic to any ingredient in Goldfish crackers, even the smallest amount can be toxic. In such a case, you should be keeping this treat far away from him.

However, even if your dog is not allergic to these crackers they can be toxic if they eat too much. If it so happens that your pup has demolished a bowl of Goldfish, here is what you need to do.

The first thing you need to do is to help your dog wash away the salt. Give your dog plenty of water! Since salt can cause hypernatremia and sodium-ion poisoning, it is best to be on guard.

If you notice any symptoms (excessive urination, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy) associated with these conditions, call your vet!

How To Keep Your Dog From Begging For Goldfish Crackers?

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The answer is simple: don’t ever introduce these yummy crackers to your dog. Your dog won’t continue to beg for something he does not know, so eventually, he will settle down.

Of course, it is easier said than done. Our dogs are manipulators when it comes to food. Sometimes they scratch the carpet and make anything just to get something to eat.

Those big sad eyes and floppy ears are enough to give in and give them what they want. However, keep in mind that your pup does not need a taste of your Goldfish crackers to be satisfied.

If your dog is fed a healthy balanced diet daily, snacks are not needed. On the contrary, snacks are never required, but you can include a healthy treat now and then.

After all, we all love spoiling our pets, but as long we keep their health in mind.

Train your dog

You can train your dog to obey your command. Once you have him under your control, it is easy to let him know when food begging is a no-no.

While it is easier to train puppies, it is never too late to start. Being firm to your dog when it comes to food begging is a must.

Discipline is the only way you will get rid of his bad habits.

Keep Your Dog Occupied

If you know your dog will want your crackers, then give him something to do before you indulge.

If your dog is chewing on a toy or running around in the yard, it will be easier to enjoy your Goldfish in peace.

Don’t Snack In Front Of Him

While hiding your snacks is not the best option, sometimes it is the only one. So if you know that you will be tempted to give in to his moans, remove him from the room.

Let your dog play outside or put him in another room with a toy. This way, your dog will not know what he is missing, and you won’t feel guilty for saying no.

Give Him A Healthy Treats

There are many alternative food options you can give your dog instead, from healthy doggy treats to some human foods.

Several low-calorie fruits and vegetables are safe for dogs. Food like goji berries, apples, carrots, broccoli, blueberries, and bananas are and are excellent sources of vitamins and minerals.

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Final Thought

If you have ever wondered, “can dogs eat Goldfish crackers” the answer should be clear by now. Yes, they can, but it is unhealthy!

Goldfish crackers, just like plenty of other human snacks, are not suitable for dogs.

Dog food and doggy treats are specially made for dogs because they contain the nutritional value your dog needs.

Feeding your pup human food can harm their health and even shorten their life expectancy.

If you are still not convinced that Goldfish crackers are bad for dogs, then you should take the discussion up with your vet.

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