Have you ever run out of treats just when you were about to reward your dog for learning new tricks? Better yet, did you run out of dog food and couldn’t find an alternative? A pack of Cheez-Its may look like the perfect alternative – but can dogs eat Cheez-Its?
In this post, we’ll look at the ingredients used to manufacture the snack and if serving Cheez-Its to your dogs can cause harm. We’ll also walk you through what to consider before confidently feeding it to your canine friend.
The Short Answer
Yes, dogs can eat Cheez-Its. The cheese snack comes in small sizes with holes drilled in the middle of each cracker, so it’s easy to pop a handful in your dog’s mouth.
Cheez-Its are coated in salt, giving them a unique taste that makes them appealing to dogs. Other ingredients used in manufacturing this popular snack include skimmed milk, cheese, salt, and vegetable oil.
However, precisely because of those ingredients, Cheez-Its isn’t exactly the most nutritious snack for your dog. It contains some small amounts of protein and calcium, but you can get other more nutritious snacks for your dog, and we’re about to tell you why.
Are Cheez-Its Harmful to Dogs?
Although Cheez-Its might be a good treat for your dog, they can also be harmful to their well-being because it contains cheese and milk, which can be unsafe.
If your pet is lactose intolerant, giving them snacks like Cheez-Its that contain milk isn’t a good idea because their system won’t break down the milk and cheese. Dogs lack lactase, an enzyme that helps the body break down lactose in milk and other dairy products.
Giving Cheez-Its to your lactose-intolerant dog can cause gas problems such as chronic flatulence, which will make your dog uncomfortable all day. In addition, if taken in large quantities, it can cause pancreatitis and excessive weight gain due to its fat content. So if your dog is allergic to these substances, it’s advisable to exclude them from their diet.
In addition, Cheez-Its have a high salt content which might not be suitable for your dog. Too much salt can cause diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, sodium poisoning, and kidney damage. Did you know that dogs also go through depression due to high salt content?
If you notice your dog reacting negatively after taking Cheez-Its, call your veterinarian immediately. Medical attention is also needed when your dog ingests a large amount of Cheez-Its.
Why Are Dogs Drawn to Cheez-Its?
Perhaps you’ve noticed your dog is in love with Cheez-Its, and you’re wondering why. Dogs will eat anything as long as it’s tasty and looks appealing.
Manufactured by the Kellogg Company in factories across America, Cheez-Its are crunchy snacks that have become quite popular among both adults and children. So it comes as no surprise that dogs are equally interested in Cheez-Its as well!
Cheez-Its have a chewy texture which makes them a favorite among dogs. The snack comes in small pieces, just like other dog treats, making it easy for dogs to consume. Plus, the cheese flavor adds to the unique taste of the snack.
Can Eating Cheez-Its Benefit Your Dog?
Yes, Cheez-Its can benefit your dog, although not in a tangible way. Although it contains some protein and calcium, it’s not enough to impact your dog’s health in any significant way.
As mentioned earlier, the cheese snack comes in small pieces, so you don’t have to worry about your dog choking or gagging as you would with other snacks, like cookies and chocolate. In other words, dogs can easily swallow Cheez-Its.
You can use the snack to reward your buddy, especially when they put on their best behavior. Just like any other dog treat, it can be a way of patting your dog on the back. However, serving them Cheez-Its should be done in moderation. It shouldn’t become part of your dog’s feeding routine.
Plus, the snack provides a way to introduce new treats into your dog’s diet, giving them a break from the usual dog treats.
Tips for Giving Your Dog Cheez-Its
If you want to give your dog Cheez-Its, here’s a list of tips and guidelines for feeding your dog the snack.
- Give your dog Cheez-Its once in a while. It isn’t advisable to include it in their regal diet.
- Keep the snack somewhere safe where your dog can’t have access to it. Your dog might not be able to differentiate between healthy and harmful food.
- Avoid giving the snack to dogs if they’re lactose intolerant. It’ll cause stomach upset.
- To not disrupt their appetite, you should serve Cheez-Its to your dog after having their main meal.
- You should study your dog and note how they react to dairy products before giving them Cheez-Its.
- If you have children, you should let them know the dangers of giving your dog Cheez-Its regularly or when you’re not around.
- Dogs can’t handle spicy foods, so you should avoid giving your dog hot and spicy Cheez-Its.
- For puppies, break the crackers into smaller pieces to aid in easy swallowing and digestion.
In addition to these tips, you should talk with your veterinarian about whether giving your dog Cheez-Its is safe. Your dog might have allergies you aren’t aware of.
Final Words
Although Cheez-Its contain some amounts of protein and calcium, it isn’t enough to cause any significant change to your dog’s body. Cheez-Its might make great treats for your dog once in a while, but it isn’t advisable to make it a daily affair.
Also, Cheez-Its shouldn’t replace dog food that’s prepared with their nutritional needs in mind. Therefore, if you aim to feed your canine pal with healthy food, you should give them dog treats instead.