Sometimes we do want to opt for non-dog food choices for our dogs. This may be because of unavailability such as when your typical go-to store has no current stocks of your chosen dog food. This can also be just due to random reasons.
There are some food choices we can feed our dog that may serve as their treat. Some of these can be corn, fruit salad, and one of the most common, pretzels.
For this very reason, a great number of you may ask yourselves, can dogs eat pretzels? Well, look no further, here in this article, let me give you the details and the answer to your question. Read along.
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Can Dogs Eat Pretzels?
Well, without further ado, let us get down to the bottom of it. Can dogs eat pretzels? Well, unfortunately, the answer is that it is not recommended.
It is not a very solid no but allow me to explain later. But for now, I am going to have to say pretzels are not recommended. And this is due to a specific reason.
Sometimes, because of our hectic lives, we may be tempted to share with our dogs whatever we have on our plates. This can be very dangerous thinking and may lead to serious repercussions. Quality comes at a price.
Moreover, you should also take note that one piece of pretzel may not cause any harm. However, you should still do this with certain precautions.
Remember, if you are too preoccupied, you may not notice your dog munching on way too many pretzels already. This is one of the reasons why you should be careful with instances like this one.
Why is Pretzel Not Recommended?
Now, I have said before that pretzels are not totally bad for your dogs but they are still not recommended. So what makes them not recommended but not totally bad at the same time?
If you look at a bunch of pretzels, what is the first thing you notice about them? Sure, they are just pieces of bread, essentially. But if you take a hard look at them, they are covered in small sprinkles of little white elements.
These elements are what you call salt. Or to be more specific, these elements are usually and more often than not, rock salt.
What are the Possible Health Issues?
So what about salt that turns pretzels into something dangerous? Well, you might have heard of salt poisoning. If you have not, it’s perfectly understandable.
Salt poisoning is not a known case but it is real and it occurs. It is a fact that humans can get poisoned for too much intake of salt. This means that all the more that dogs are vulnerable to too much intake of salt.
Do also take note that salt is still essential to making sure your dog stays healthy. However, a little goes a long way. As compared to humans, dogs have relatively smaller systems. This means that dogs are not able to process and digest a high amount or quantity of salt.
This can result in what you can call salt poisoning or sodium chloride poisoning. The occurrence of poisoning may also eventually lead to death.
So how exactly is salt poisoning deadly? Well, the accumulation of salt in your dog’s internal system begins to absorb water from your body which can be in great quantity. As a result, a strain is placed on your dog’s organs such as the circulatory system or your dog’s kidneys.
The dangers that come with too much intake of salt are a lot. And the symptoms of sodium chloride poisoning are also different and come in a great number. But they can also be misleading. Some symptoms have been disguised as a simple upset stomach.
Furthermore, do take note that the symptoms of salt poisoning may include but are not limited to excessive peeing, vomiting, uncontrollable thirst, disorientation, swelling in some areas of the body, diarrhea, and even pronounced lethargy.
What About Unsalted Pretzels?
By saying unsalted pretzels, I also mean sweet pretzels. So if too much salt is the reason why pretzels are not recommended, does that mean that sweet and unsalted pretzels are safe for your dogs?
Well, the answer can still depend on a great number of things. For example, some sweet pretzels may be just as dangerous and toxic to your dogs. One great example of this is raisins. A mixture of raisins is also typically used to season pretzels which may end up harming your dogs as well.
If you are gonna opt for sweet pretzels, make sure they are not the toxic kind. A good example of seasonings that are not toxic would have to be sesame seeds. They are not toxic and a good alternative for other seasonings of pretzels that may otherwise poison or harm your dogs.
Check out our review of the best cheap dog foods for more food options for your dog.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, pretzels are really not recommended. Do not be tempted to feed them pretzels in replacement for high-quality dog food such as when you are in a rush because feeding your dogs pretzels may cause them salt poisoning.
This is also what you call sodium chloride poisoning. This health issue may come in the form of a great number of symptoms. Watch out for diarrhea, excessive peeing or thirst, pronounced lethargy, swelling of some body parts, and disorientation among some other symptoms. You may also read our guide on what to do if your dog eats gum.
And while there are sweet pretzels that exist, you may still have to watch out for them because sweet seasoning can just be as toxic as raisins mixture. Instead, look for alternatives that are not toxic such as sesame seeds.
So there you have it, guys! I hope you find this post helpful. If you have any more questions, suggestions, or just recommendations, do not hesitate to leave them down below!