Cheez is a popular human snack. Everybody is a fan of the cheesy treat. But, can dogs eat Cheez-its? In short, yes your dogs can have cheez-its but in moderation.
We humans cannot resist the cheesy goodness and we are sure it is hard for your pup to resist too. Your pooch may love a bite or two. Did you do the right thing after giving cheez-its to your pet?
This is one important question that you should ask yourself before feeding it to your doggo.
What Are Cheez its?
The 10×10 inch cheesy squares with an iconic hole in the middle are to die for! These cheese crackers are salt-coated, manufactured under Kellogg company in American factories.
Although we don’t know the exact recipe the ingredient list is quite long.
However, some of the elements are; skimmed milk, vegetable oil, and aged cheddar cheese. These ingredients don’t pose any lethal effects like chocolates or raisins. But, they are harmful to dogs.
There are many other additives and food colorings. These components increase the shelf life of the cheez its and aren’t suitable for pups.
1) Can Dogs Eat Cheez-its?
Cheez-its is a junk food designed for humans. It doesn’t provide the desired minerals and vitamins to dogs. It is somewhat similar to Cheetos which is also not suitable fo dogs
Dogs can eat cheez-its, but they shouldn’t. The reason? We stated above!
Giving small amounts of cheez its to your canine is fine. It won’t provide essential vitamins but will remove their appetite. It contains a lot of salt and additives which makes it an unhealthy option for a regular diet.
Dogs require a well-balanced diet. Adequate nutrients keep their digestive and immune system well.
Feeding them junk food will only make them happy but not healthy.
2) Do Cheez-its Provide Any Benefit To Dogs?
Cheez-its don’t provide any health benefits to dogs. As stated above it is junk food that doesn’t add value to their diet.
If your dog looks at you with begging eyes and wants some of it from the packet, give him a bite or two. But, you shouldn’t fall for those “puppy eyes” every time.
It is suitable that you give them as a treat or a reward when they obey your command. This will create a sense of achievement in your pet’s mind.
This method is the operant learning behavior. It also helps in training a dog if he wants to sit on your lap every time.
If you are careless about your pet’s needs. And, give them every food you eat, you will see their deteriorating health in a few weeks.
3) Why Cheez-its Are Harmful To Dogs?
Let’s talk about the logic here – is it any good for humans to solely depend on junk food?
No, it isn’t. Then how can you expect any good for your pooch?
Dogs have a different digestive system than us. We can easily munch a bag of chips or cheez-its, but dogs can’t. It can cause health problems for dogs.
One packet of cheez-its has 27 crackers. It is equal to 150 calories and that is about 1/5th of a 30-pound dog’s requirement.
Have a look at some other reasons why cheez-its are bad for your pup:
1) High Salt Level:
One pack of this junk food contains 8 grams of salt.
High sodium levels are injurious for dog’s health. Too much salt can cause “salt poisoning” and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Other snacks like Doritos and pretzels also have a high salt level. Hence, you should avoid giving them regularly.
Most dogs do not lack sodium in their body, so giving them salty foods or treats isn’t necessary.
2) High-Fat Content:
Cheez-its contains 2-gram saturated fats as well. This ingredient also makes the crackers a no-no for pups.
Too much fat leads to obesity in dogs. An overweight dog tends to become lazy. Too much weight also puts pressure on their bones. Hence, affecting bone health.
3) Made Up Of Dairy:
The majority part of cheez-its contains dairy elements.
Most dogs are lactose-intolerant. It means their body doesn’t produce an enzyme “lactase”. It is responsible for digesting lactose.
A heavy concentration of milk causes digestive upsets. In some cases, it leads to an allergic reaction like itchy fur or coat.
4) Cheese Isn’t A Good Idea For Dogs:
As cheese is a dairy product, it makes it harmful for dogs.
Too much cheese can cause pancreatitis. It is normally called inflammation of the pancreas. This condition requires immediate vet attention.
Vomiting and diarrhea are other issues whose culprit is cheese. Moreover, it can make your dog obese.
4) How Much Cheez-its Are Okay For Dogs?
You should serve them after they have eaten their meal. In this way, you won’t disrupt their appetite.
While you munch on the bag of cheez-its and enjoy your Netflix, your dog might hoover around.
Why? Because they want your snack!
Sharing 2-6 crackers with your furry friend is okay. But, it depends upon the size and weight of your dog. Smaller breeds do well with a small amount of junk food and vice versa.
Ensure that you don’t leave the box unattended. There are a lot of chances that your pooch eats all of it in one go.
If you want to give it to a younger dog, break it into small pieces. This will help them to digest it easily.
Healthy Alternatives For Canines
Can dogs eat cheez-its? Yes, but they shouldn’t. There are plenty of other options available if you want to give human food to them.
Check the list of healthy fruits and vegetables listed below:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Edamame beans
- Cucumber
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
Apart from these, many dog treats are also available in grocery stores. These treats are specifically designed keeping in mind the need for nutrients by the dog’s body.
Bottom Line:
Being a pet owner is all about being vigilant. One must keep a check on what their pet is eating.
Loving a pet unconditionally doesn’t mean that you let them eat whatever they want. Along with physical connection, you need to maintain a well-balanced diet for your pup.
Cheez-its and other junk food are not just harmful to dogs but to humans as well.
Hence, you must ensure that your pup doesn’t eat more than 6 or 7 cheese crackers at a time.
For more guidance, it is best you should contact a vet. Because they will guide better after looking at the size and weight of your dog.
