Can Dogs Eat Pretzel Sticks?

As dog owners we love giving our fur babies treats and snacks, oftentimes we sneak a few things from our own plates to give them. But, have you ever wondered if your dog can eat the human snacks that you give them?

For example, as you chow down on your favorite honey wheat pretzels you may wonder, can dogs eat honey pretzels? Or can dogs have pretzels of any kind? With so many varieties to choose from you may think there is one your dog can have.

Whether you are eating soft pretzels, yogurt-covered pretzels, salted pretzels, unsalted pretzels, or my favorite cinnamon pretzels, it may be best to avoid giving this snack to your dog.

There are many other snacks that are perfect for your dog, like branded treats or even homemade snacks such as bananas or berries.

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Why Can’t Dogs Eat Pretzels?

When you dig deeper into the question of why can’t dogs eat pretzels, you have to think about a dog’s diet. Dogs should eat dog food that contains a balanced amount of protein, carbs, fiber, and vitamins.

When you give your dog pretzel chips or even pretzel bread you could be harming your dog’s health by giving them too much salt or possibly too much sugar.

A dog’s stomach can’t handle too much salt, and oftentimes hard pretzels and flavored salty snacks like honey mustard pretzels contain enough salt that can give your dog salt poisoning.

Salt poisoning is very serious and can cause your dog to have seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, or death.

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Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Pretzels?

You may be used to sneaking your dog nibbles of peanut butter and think that it is not a big deal to also allow them to eat peanut butter pretzels. Peanut butter is something that should only be given to dogs sparingly, and the best peanut butter is a brand specifically made for dogs.

And, a pretzel is still a pretzel, and just like any other variety of pretzels whether it’s plain pretzels, pretzel goldfish, or peanut butter-covered pretzels it could contain too much sugar and salt, which is harmful to your dog’s health.

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Can My Dogs Eat Unsalted Pretzels?

You may think that a healthy snack option would be to let your dogs eat pretzels with no added salt. But, dogs eating unsalted soft pretzels, hard pretzels, or pretzel sticks still cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or possibly death.

Just because you don’t see salt added to the exterior of the pretzel, does not mean that there isn’t salt or sodium added to the dough used to make the pretzel. The added amount of sodium can still cause your dog to have an allergic reaction or sodium poisoning.

Sodium poisoning is a very serious condition that can hurt or even kill your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Pretzel Goldfish?

Pretzels of any shape are still pretzels, even cute little goldfish pretzels. They are full of salt and additives that are not good for your dog. They should be avoided and replaced with healthier snack options.

What Do I Do If My Dog Ate Pretzels?

First, it depends on how many pretzels your dog ate. If your dog eats one or two small pretzels, they should be fine. But, if find your dog eating pretzels by the dozen, it may be best to contact your veterinarian.

Your vet will want to know which type of pretzels your dog ate, how many, and if they are showing any signs of poisoning or sickness. They will advise you on whether or not you should bring them in or simply monitor them at home.

If you see that your dog has eaten any form of pretzel give them water immediately to help them reduce their sodium concentration.

Can Dogs Eat Hard Pretzels Made At Home?

If you insist on letting your dogs eat soft pretzels or letting them eat cinnamon pretzels it is best to make them yourself. Use a recipe that allows you to control the amount of salt, sugar, and additives to the pretzels.

Also, remember that dogs should not have more than 10% of their daily calories come from snacks and treats. Always monitor the number of snacks that you allow your dog to eat.

Obesity in dogs is a very serious concern. An overweight dog is limited in what it can do and it hinders its quality of life. If you choose to be a pet parent you must be responsible and take it seriously. You want your dog to live as long as they can and have the best life possible.

What Is the Best Snack for Dogs?

There are plenty of branded snacks on the market for your dogs. Treats like bones, jerky, and many others are great snacks for your furry friend. These snacks are formulated to have just the right amount of salt, with added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

You can also give your dog snacks such as banana chunks, slices of cheese, and pumpkin purée. Always remember to ask your vet before introducing your pet to a new snack and limit the portion sizes to avoid overfeeding.

My Final Thoughts

Whether to let your dogs eat pretzel chips or not is ultimately up to you. Many dogs eat mini pretzels in moderation with no issues. But, if you let your dog eat pretzels you may regret it later due to the serious complications that can occur. Sodium poisoning can occur with any snack where sodium is hidden in the recipe and pretzels contain a lot of sodium.

Always be smart when giving your pet snacks, choose healthy options that are vet-approved, and limit the serving size.