Goldfish Crackers is one of the most famous snacks for kids.
Well, they are basically biscuits that are shaped like fish, so what is not to love about them?
Aside from this, they come in different flavors, which is an excellent hook for diverse taste buds.
As mentioned, kids love this food.
And kids with dogs may probably feed this snack to their pets without knowing it is possible effects on dogs.
Understanding what is healthy and safe for dogs is one thing, but dogs suffering in health due to unhealthy food choices is another.
So, we must know if what we feed our pets is healthy for them or not.
With that in mind, let us look into the answer to the question: can dogs eat Goldfish Crackers?
Let us find out.
What are Goldfish Crackers Made Of?
Wheat is not inherently bad. In fact, it is a good source of energy in protein.
However, that is not always the case for our furry friends (and even humans).
Wheat and other grains and grain-based products usually contain gluten, a protein commonly present among grains.
There are plenty of instances that dogs exhibit gluten intolerance.
This poses a danger when gluten-sensitive dogs are fed with food containing gluten.
Some of the effects of feeding glutenous food to gluten-intolerant dogs are the following:
- poor coat
- dull coat
- hair loss
- persistent diarrhea
- chronic ear infections
- itchy paws (as shown when dogs always lick them)
In extreme cases, gluten causes inflammation in the small intestine resulting in the immune system counteracting against this foreign protein.
This results in the linings of the small intestine being damaged.
Learn More:
Why Goldfish Crackers are not Dog-Friendly?
Among the ingredients, what stands out are the following: salt, sugar, and onion powder.
These three are not toxic to people. However, these are also not healthy for dog consumption.
Salt, or sodium chloride, is a great ingredient to give taste and life to food.
But there are limits to how much of the condiment dogs can consume.
The limit for dogs is 10mg of sodium per day.
Since the Goldfish Crackers contain a substantial amount of it, feeding dogs large amounts of the snack can potentially harm dogs.
Sugar, on the other hand, is a source of carbohydrates.
Coupling sugar with wheat flour creates a carbohydrate plus carbohydrate equation for dogs.
This is not healthy. Carbohydrates are excellent sources of energy, undoubtedly. But excessive amounts will just result in weight gain, which may escalate to arthritis or teeth cavities.
Lastly, onion powder contains a compound called N-propyl disulfide, which causes red blood cell degradation in dogs.
This may cause anemia in our dogs.
Conclusion
Goldfish Crackers are an excellent human snack. But for dogs, it is just too much to handle.
But they can be given a bite or two occasionally as treats.
This would keep them from drooling and whining while watching you eat Goldfish Crackers, and the amount would not pose a danger to them.
It is a win-win.
Just remember to keep things in minute amounts and not on the regular to ensure our furry friends’ safety and well-being.
