There you are, enjoying your morning coffee with a delicious pretzel. Your pooch comes over, leans their head to one side, and stares at you and the enticing food in your hand.
As you flip over the newspaper, you are wondering if dogs can eat pretzels. Maybe just a small bite would be ok?
Let’s learn about different kinds of pretzels and if any of them are safe for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzels?
Can dogs eat pretzels and other salty foods? Most dogs would love to munch on those salty treats, but they really shouldn’t.
Dogs can eat a bite or two of pretzels once in a blue moon if the pretzels are plain and contain no added salt, sugar, or additives.
However, bear in mind that most pretzels are very high in calories, salt, and carbs. Not the best snack choice for dogs.
Ideally, dogs should not have salty snacks at all.
Salt and carbs are hard for dogs to digest, so if you want your dog to live a long and healthy life — only give them plain pretzels if you absolutely must.
Are Pretzels Bad for Dogs?
Yes, pretzels are bad for your canine.
There is too much salt in pretzels, plus they are also high in carbs.
A dog’s daily sodium intake is relatively low — a 33 lbs dog requires only 100 mg of salt per day. Many types of pretzels exceed this amount.
A pretzels serving (8-43 pieces, depending on the brand) can have as much as 5 times the allowed daily sodium amount! This can seriously damage the dog’s kidneys.
While a few bites shouldn’t hurt your furry friend, overeating pretzels surely will. Salt toxicity, weight gain, obesity, and diabetes are just a few of the risks if a dog eats pretzels regularly.
Besides salt, pretzels can contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol, onion, and garlic powder, all of which are highly toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Have Pretzels?
Ideally, dogs should not have pretzels of any kind. Most of them are very high in salt and carbs. They could contain other harmful ingredients, like xylitol, or garlic, and onion powder. Always check the ingredients.
Eating pretzels regularly could induce salt toxicity in dogs. The high salt and sugar intake leads to weight gain, obesity, and other related health problems.
Different brands and types of pretzels come with different health risks for your furry companion.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzels With Salt?
No, dogs should not eat salted pretzels. Salt is hazardous to dogs since a few bites could lead to a sodium overdose.
Salt toxicity in dogs can cause digestive issues, neurological damage, seizures, and even death.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzels Without Salt?
While these are better than the salted alternative, dogs should not eat unsalted pretzels.
Unsalted pretzels are still very high in carbs and sugar. They could lead to weight gain, obesity, high blood sugar, and diabetes.
Can Dogs Eat Soft Pretzels?
Soft pretzels are a somewhat better option, but still a no-no. You could occasionally give a bite or two to your dog, but they should not be a regular treat.
Soft pretzels are generally low in sodium but still high in carbs and sugar.
Can Dogs Eat Hard Pretzels?
You can give your dog a small bite of hard pretzels, but it’s best to avoid them.
Hard pretzels are an ok treat for dogs, as long as you have checked the ingredients and there are no onions or garlic. They can still be a bit high in carbs and salt, so your dog should not have them regularly.
The salt coating on the pretzel is very hard and can hurt your dog’s mouth and cause internal injuries.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzel Sticks?
Pretzel sticks are not a safe treat for your dog.
One serving (23 sticks) contains twice the allowed sodium intake for a 33 lbs dog. If a dog eats pretzel sticks regularly, they are at risk of salt toxicity, which could lead to the death of a pet.
Smaller dogs are even at a higher risk because their daily sodium intake threshold is lower.
One or two sticks might still be ok, but it’s best to avoid them. Make sure to check the ingredients, since these pretzels can contain harmful and toxic spices, like garlic and onion.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Pretzels?
Can dogs eat pretzels with peanut butter? Dogs can have peanut butter, but you should avoid feeding peanut butter pretzels to your dog.
One serving (11 pieces) contains a whopping 300 mg of sodium, three times more than the allowed daily sodium intake for a 33 lbs dog.
Not to mention that they also have fat because of the peanut butter and are high in carbs and calories.
You should not let your dog eat them.
Can Dogs Eat Yogurt Covered Pretzels?
Yogurt-covered pretzels are not a healthy treat for your dog.
They contain too much sugar — one serving (8 pieces) packs 19 gr of sugar!
Furthermore, the yogurt coating could cause digestive irritation if ingested by your pet in large amounts. Lactose intolerant dogs are especially sensitive.
The best thing to do is avoid them altogether.
Can Dogs Eat White Fudge Covered Pretzels?
Surprisingly, white fudge covered pretzels contain less sugar than yogurt-coated ones. But their sugar content is still too high.
Besides sugar, these pretzels also have ingredients like palm oil and milk, which are unsuitable for your dog.
They will lead to weight gain, obesity, digestive issues and could even contribute to pancreatitis. These conditions are potentially life-threatening for our furry friends.
White fudge pretzels should not be a part of your dog’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Sourdough Pretzels?
No, dogs should not eat sourdough pretzels.
Sourdough pretzels are usually larger than other pretzels. Just one sourdough pretzel boasts 240 mg of sodium, which is twice the amount a 33 lbs dog should eat in a day.
By letting your dog eat pretzels that are high in sodium, you are putting them at risk of developing salt toxicity.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzel Chips?
Pretzel chips can pose quite an insidious health risk to your dog.
Because they are thin, it’s easy for your dog to eat way too many. Just one serving (43 chips) contains a mind-boggling 490 mg of sodium, which is five times the amount a 33 lbs dog should eat in a day!
This is quite an amount and can easily lead to salt toxicity in dogs. To top it off, the chips are also very high in fat.
It’s safest to avoid pretzel chips altogether.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzel Bread?
Bread is generally not the best dog food and should be avoided.
Pretzel bread contains a pretty good amount of carbs and sugar. Carbs and sugar lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes and can contribute to heart disease.
Avoid feeding dog pretzel bread as much as possible.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzel Goldfish?
Goldfish pretzels may be less salty than goldfish crackers, but that still doesn’t make them safe for your dog.
Flour, oils, and salt content pose considerable health risks if you regularly feed your dog pretzel goldfish. While a bite or two won’t harm them, maybe stick to healthier treats.
Can Dogs Eat Dots Pretzels?
The shape of Dots pretzels is super fun, but these pretzels are probably one of the most dangerous.
Not only do they contain loads of salt, but they also have garlic and onion powder. Garlic and onions are highly toxic to dogs. Since powders are a more concentrated form, they are also a more potent poison.
Avoid Dots pretzels by all means.
Can Dogs Eat Mini Pretzels
If your dog is munching on one or two mini pretzels, they should be ok. Since they are mini in size, they make for a solid treat. You can feed dog mini pretzels, but only as a very rare treat.
However, bear in mind that these are still high in carbs and sugars, and could cause a stomach upset, digestive issues, weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.
Can Dogs Eat Gluten-Free Pretzels?
Gluten-free pretzels are convenient for dogs with gluten allergies and gluten intolerance. Still, there is too much salt in them, so you should not feed them to your dog.
The ingredients in gluten-free pretzels typically include corn and potato starch, as well as tapioca starch. None of these are beneficial to your dog and should be avoided.
Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Pretzels?
Dogs should never eat cinnamon pretzels.
Cinnamon is a strong spice that can cause digestive issues, stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested by your dog in large amounts.
Cinnamon pretzels are also high in sugar. Ingesting too much sugar leads to blood sugar fluctuations, weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.
Can Dogs Eat Honey Pretzels?
Technically, honey is safe and beneficial for dogs. Still, avoid giving your dog honey pretzels.
Too much sugar in honey pretzels could cause tooth decay, blood sugar problems, and obesity in dogs, along with a host of other health problems.
Can Dogs Eat Mustard Pretzels?
Your dog should not eat mustard pretzels.
There are better snacks out there that are not as high in salt.
Also, mustard is a pretty spicy condiment, and odds are it will contain added sugar and horseradish. These ingredients are harmful to dogs and are best avoided.
How Many Pretzels Is Safe to Feed a Dog?
It would be best if you didn’t feed any pretzels to your dog because of the high salt content. Too much salt in your dog’s diet will result in digestive issues and salt poisoning.
If you must, one small hard unsalted pretzel is acceptable on a rare occasion.
Pretzels that are low in sodium are the best option, both for humans and dogs.
Make sure to remove salt granules from the pretzel. It will make them more digestible and less dangerous for your dog.
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Pretzels?
If your dog ate pretzels, make sure to stay with them and watch out for any symptoms of salt poisoning. Dogs should always have access to fresh water.
Symptoms of Sodium Ion Poisoning
You need to be able to recognize symptoms of sodium ion poisoning. If your dog ate pretzels, be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Wobbly movement
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Increased heart rate
- Convulsions
- Kidney failure
- Coma
In severe cases, salt poisoning can cause the death of a pet. If you notice any of the symptoms above, contact the vet immediately and ask for further instructions.
Do not try to induce vomiting unless instructed by the pet. In the more severe cases, and if your dog ate copious amounts of pretzels, you might need to take your dog to a vet clinic.
We Just Can Knot With All These Pretzels
Pretzels are undoubtedly savory and delicious food, although far from the healthiest. Can dogs eat pretzels, though? No, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog any pretzels.
High salt content, loads of sugar and carbs, and harmful ingredients like garlic and onion powder make pretzels very unhealthy for your dog. While a small bite won’t send them to a vet clinic, regular ingestion can cause serious health issues.
It’s best to forget about the pretzels altogether and instead focus on the dog’s health and an approved dog diet. There are plenty of excellent treats and options out there that your pooch will enjoy without any health problems.
FAQ
Can dogs eat Doritos?
Doritos are very high in salt and fat. Salty foods can upset a dog’s digestive system and cause salt poisoning. Additionally, some flavors have garlic and onion, which are toxic to dogs. They also contain lactose.
Can dogs eat bread dough?
No, dogs should not eat bread dough. It is toxic to dogs because it contains yeast. Upon ingestion, the yeast continues to grow in the dog’s stomach and releases ethanol. This results in alcohol poisoning and even the death of the dog.
