Can Dogs Eat Pretzels? Are There Any Risks?

We know that our pets love to eat almost everything we eat but, is it safe for them to eat every human food? Can your dogs eat pretzels as well? These and more questions will be answered in this article so make sure you read to the end.

In this article, I will walk you through everything you need to know about dogs and pretzels. Also, we have answered other frequently asked questions related to “can dogs eat pretzels?”

Now, without much ado, let’s get into the details.

Things To Know About Pretzels

Pretzel is a type of baked bread made from dough that is commonly shaped into a knot. It is most commonly seasoned with salt and other ingredients such as mustard, cheeses, sugar, chocolate, cinnamon, sweet glazing, seeds, and nuts. The varieties of Pretzels include soft pretzels, which should be eaten shortly after preparation, and hard-baked pretzels, which have a long shelf life.

History has it that a monk fashioned the traditional pretzel knot by baking his pretzels in the shape of prayer arms. Although the snack is usually associated with Germany, pretzels appear to have spread throughout Europe all through the Middle Ages, especially in Italy, France, and Austria.

Read this also: Can Dogs Eat Cheez-It? How Safe Is It For Dogs?

Can Dogs Eat Pretzels?

No, your dogs must not eat any kind of pretzels at all as it is not healthy for them. We will examine the contents of pretzels later in this article so that you will understand the reason for this answer.

In contrast, there is no cause for alarm if one of your salted, unflavored pretzels falls to the ground and your dog picks it up before you do. However, he may get into trouble if he consumes the entire bag or bites into one of your flavored or chocolate-covered pretzels.

Tiredness, vomiting, weakness, pale gums, diarrhea, and convulsions are all signs of salt and xylitol poisoning, whereas the more severe signs of xylitol poisoning are bloody feces, drooling, confusion, and jaundice.

Do well to contact your veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits any of these signs after eating a pretzel.

If your pup is always pleading for your pretzels, just tell yourself (and him!) that you are doing him a favor by giving him a healthy dog treat instead.

Also, read this article: Can Dogs Eat Cornbread? | How Bad Is It? (A Full Guide)

Can dogs eat pretzels — Image by Freepik

Content Of Pretzels That Makes Them Bad For Your Dogs

Even while a single salted, unflavored pretzel would not necessarily be poisonous, you shouldn’t give your pup pretzels daily.

It is advisable to keep pretzels away from dogs. The excessive salt content, additives, and carbohydrates might endanger your pup’s health in the following ways:

1. Sodium:

Pretzels, both hard and soft, are high in salt, which can make dogs more likely to have excessive thirst and urination, dehydration, heart disease, or kidney failure.

If your pooch consumes a lot of pretzels, keep an eye on their behavior and watch for symptoms of salt intoxication, such as anxiety and vomiting.

2. Flavorings:

Pretzels with flavors can upset your dog’s stomach, and sweet pretzels may include yogurt or dangerous artificial sweeteners like xylitol, which can lead to liver failure in dogs.

Flavors with spices like garlic or onion powder will also disturb your dog’s stomach.

3. Carbohydrates:

Pretzels contain a lot of carbs, which can increase blood sugar levels in dogs and result in weight gain. Dogs that eat pretzels often may get obese.

Check out this article about 3 Best Pet Insurance for Pets with Pre-existing Conditions

How Many Pretzels Can Dogs Eat Daily?

It’s advisable to offer your pet no more than one hard-baked pretzel every day if you’re doing so regularly, or even less if you’re asking about a puppy or a tiny breed of dog.

This is assuming we’re talking about the smaller, harder-baked pretzels that are simpler to throw out like little rewards.

It should be obvious that you shouldn’t frequently give pretzels to your pet, even if you bake them at home and are extremely careful about the contents. These foods include a lot of carbs as well, which can accumulate in your dog’s system over time and cause just as much discomfort as salt.

Dogs struggle to digest carbohydrates well, so they frequently turn a large amount of them into fat, which can result in weight gain over the long run. As you may expect, obesity in dogs usually serves as a stepping stone to much worse dangers and unfavorable health, such as diabetes.

Certainly make sure your pooch has access to plenty of fresh water after eating pretzels, especially if it’s the first time the dog has tasted them. Your pet may find trying new meals frustrating, or at least unexpected, so you should make sure they have everything they need ready at hand.

Also read: Can Dogs Eat Cheerios? Is It Safe For Dogs?

What Can I Do If My Dog Eats Excess Pretzels?

If you find that your dog has eaten a lot of pretzels, make sure they drink lots of water and keep them under your supervision. They could urinate more frequently as a result.

After that, you keep an eye on them to see whether they show any symptoms of salt poisoning. These consist of;

Intoxicated gaits
Seizures
Vomiting
Watery Diarrhea
Tiredness
Increased Heart Rate
Convulsions
Excessive Thirst

Inform your vet if your dog displays any of these symptoms. However, your dog’s health might not be affected by eating a few soft or hard pretzels.

There are several reasons why your dog could consume pretzels without your consent or knowledge. It can be from a large spilled bag that left snacks all over the kitchen floor to a large soft-baked treat being given to your dog at the family picnic.

Only if those pretzels are flavored with onions and garlic or if they are the more unusual chocolate version are they an emergency, at least to some extent.

But, how you can prevent your dogs from eating pretzels knowing how harmful they can be to them? Let’s find out below.

How to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Pretzels?

Keeping pretzels out of your dog’s reach is the easiest method to stop your pet from eating them. Dogs are inquisitive creatures and will attempt to consume whatever they can get their hands on. Hence, you must keep pretzels out of your dog’s reach if you are hosting a party or other event where they will be served.

Another tactics is to teach your dog to drop or leave something. As a result, your pet will learn not to accept food from strangers or pick up food from the ground by obeying simple orders.

Also, making sure your dog isn’t left alone around pretzels is another technique to stop them from eating pretzels.

Furthermore, keep an eye on your dog since it’s common knowledge that dogs get into stuff while their owners aren’t looking. Put your dog in a cage or similar safe area if you can’t be in the same room with them.

Don’t offer pretzels to your dog as a treat because they will be tempted to eat pretzels when they shouldn’t and the tendency will only be reinforced. If you want to treat your dog, pick something safe and nutritious, such as a piece of fruit or a vegetable.

What are the alternatives to feeding your dog pretzels now that you’re aware of the dangers?

What Can I Feed My Dogs Instead Of Pretzels?

Even though your pup might enjoy the flavor of Pretzels, you don’t want to risk the chance of them eating it.

There are other nutritious and safe alternatives for your dog’s treats which can be:

Vegetables (e.g., carrots, celery, green beans)
Fruit (e.g., apples, bananas, watermelon, strawberries)
Plain yogurt
Cooked chicken or turkey
Pumpkin puree
Sweet potatoes
Zucchini sticks
Cucumber slices

What Other Snacks Should I Avoid Feeding My Dogs?

There are other treats than pretzels that, if consumed in excess, might hurt your pooch and these should be given to dogs in moderation. They include;

Chocolate
Popcorn
Caffeine
Cheese
Macadamia Nuts etc.

Conclusion

Even though you might enjoy a wonderful pretzel, it’s better to keep your four-legged pal out of the picture. That’s because, pretzels include hard wheat flour, cheese, salt, sweet glazed, and fat, and they are poisonous to dogs. These components are difficult for dogs to properly digest, which can cause health issues.

Even while giving dogs a tiny bit of pretzels every few months won’t hurt them, pretzels are still not recommended. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any human food.

If you want to treat your dog, pick something safe and nutritious, such as a piece of fruit or a vegetable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Dogs Eat Pretzels With No Salt?

A pretzel does not particularly endanger your dog if it is free of salt and other potentially harmful substances like chocolate, onion, or garlic.

However, it also doesn’t provide them with any nutrients, and because it’s heavy in carbohydrates, dogs tend to keep extra carbs as fat.

It is advisable to give your dog a treat that is made specifically for dogs if you want to spoil them.

Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Pretzels?

It’s not safe for your dog to eat peanut butter Pretzels because they are high in Sodium and contain harmful ingredients like Xylitol.

However not all brands are bad, some are safe but make sure it doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients and are low in sodium.

Can Dogs Eat Hard Pretzels?

Dogs shouldn’t eat hard pretzels very often. Hard pretzels are less healthy than soft pretzels since they include more salt and calories.

Several dog treats are ideal for your dogs; pretzels aren’t the only ones.

It’s acceptable to give your dogs one or two pretzel sticks now and again. However, consuming a lot in a short length of time might have negative effects.

How Many Pretzels Can Your Dog Eat?

In general, dog owners should refrain from feeding their pets any amount of pretzels. Keep to dog food and other wholesome treats with a little salt and lots of nutritional value.

Two or three thin, unsalted pretzel sticks can be broken up into little pieces and given to your dog as a snack if you decide to do so.

The finest pretzels are hard; soft pretzels might be excessively chewy and pose a choking risk.

To ensure that this treatment is not harmful to your dog’s health, keep an eye on their digestion.

Can Dogs Eat Soft Pretzels?

Depending on the ingredients and serving size, your dogs may or may not be able to eat soft pretzels.

Soft pretzels occasionally may include substances that, when ingested in moderation and sparingly, are not too harmful to dogs.

In this case, it’s OK for your dog to munch on this delicious treat every so often.

This doesn’t change the possibility that they may get a disease if they eat too many soft pretzels.

However, soft pretzels are much more dangerous and damaging than hard pretzels when cooked with all the ingredients. because compared to hard pretzels, soft pretzels include more calories, carbs, and even fats.

It is thus more harmful to your pooch. So it’s best if you stay away from soft pretzels.

Can Dogs Have Pretzel With Salt?

No, dogs shouldn’t eat salted pretzels. Dogs should never consume salt. Its excessive use might, at best, cause digestive issues and, at worst, result in death.

Can Dogs Eat Pretzels and Chocolate?

As long as the chocolate doesn’t include xylitol, it’s okay to give dogs pretzels and chocolate.

However, choose a product specially created for dogs if you want to offer your dog a chocolate treat.

Can Dogs Eat Pretzel Chips?

Dogs shouldn’t consume them either, so no. The downside of these chips is that they are very easy to overeat due to their thinness.

Pretzel Crisps include 490 mg of salt per serving, which is 43 chips. Although it’s a common human snack, excessive amounts of salt are bad for your dog’s digestive tract.