Dogs do not have digestive systems that work the same as humans. The digestive system of a dog cannot process and digest human food the way the human system would. Your dog is very likely to enjoy eating pretzels because they are tasty, but it does not mean it is good enough for his health.
Asides the presence of onion and garlic in some pretzels, the major ingredient that makes pretzels unhealthy for your dog’s frequent consumption is salt.
Can Dogs Eat Pretzels
Pretzels are generally not bad or unsafe for your dog’s consumption as they do not cause any potential harm to your dog. Nonetheless, it must be given in small portions per time because of the amount of salt present in pretzels. You must also pay close attention to the ingredients to avoid giving your dog pretzels containing onion and garlic.
Peanut butter or plain pretzels, are hardly harmful or toxic to your dog and so, your dog will most likely be fine if he takes a couple of them. However, flavors like salty pretzel, cinnamon pretzel or yogurt-covered pretzel are very dangerous and toxic to your dog’s health.
Even though dogs can eat pretzels occasionally and moderately, your dog is better off not having any pretzel at all and should really do without it, since pretzels provides your dog with little or no nutritional benefit. There are great treats with high nutritional benefits for your dog but pretzels are not on the list of such treats.
Nutritional Value Of Pretzels
The following are the nutrient components of pretzels.]
- Total Fat – 20g;
- Calories – 360cal
- Cholesterol – 45mg
- Carbohydrates – 33g
- Fiber – 1g
- Sodium – 740mg
Pretzels also have some levels of protein, calcium, vitamins A and C, and iron
Effects Of Pretzel On Dogs
How well or poorly a dog is able to tolerate salt is usually determined by his age, size and breed. Some dogs have high salt intolerance while some others would not feel even slightly fazed (at the moment) after having salty food. Salty food or treats like pretzels, however little the quantity, are major causes of dehydration in dogs, talk more in large quantities. Your dog can possibly come down with salt poisoning, which could lead to severe damage in your dog.
Some signs and symptoms your dog might experience due to salt poisoning from eating too much pretzels are:
Stomach ache, swollen tongue, nausea, dehydration, seizures, dizziness, disorientation, muscle tremor and convulsion. Your dog might go into a coma in extreme cases. At the point you observe the severity of the symptoms, it is important that you bring your dog to be hospitalized and given adequate treatment to aid recovery.
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Treatment For Salt Poisoning
If your dog happens to suffer from salt poisoning after eating lots of pretzels, it is advised that you take him to the veterinary doctor immediately to get treatment.
In the meanwhile, give your dog lots of fluid. He also needs a good amount of oxygen and electrolytes to aid metabolism and regulate his salt level. Depending on the severity of the case, it can take several days for this process to be over.
In some cases, the salt poisoning is so critical and has caused inflammation in the brain. If such is your dog’s case, the vet doctor will commence series of treatments on your dog to handle the inflammation. Your dog could be in need of blood transfusion in some other severe cases.
When your dog begins to recover, your vet doctor will advise a diet change as your dog should not be eating foods that have sodium contents in them. Your veterinary doctor would also monitor your dog very closely for any signs that he has not yet recovered from the poisoning. This would continue until the vet ascertains that your dog has fully recovered.
Even when your dog recovers, it would be wise to maintain his new diet with very low sodium content. You can begin to adjust it as time goes by, watching to see if his digestive system is well enough to accommodate the amount of salt he is consuming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Many Pretzels Can A Dog Eat?
It is advised that you do not feed your dog more than one pretzel a day, or less, if your dog is a smaller breed. Pretzels should not be added to your dog’s regular diet but can be given as treats or rewards for good behavior.
The carbohydrates content in pretzels are at a very high level and dogs would almost always end up processing and converting carbohydrates into fat that can cause weight gain, and with time, obesity and diabetes.
If you must feed your dog with pretzels, ensure that you make lots of cool, fresh water accessible to your dog in order to avoid dehydration.
What Do I Do If My Dog Eats Too Much Pretzels?
If your dog happens to accidentally eat pretzels (especially the chocolate or onion and garlic flavored pretzels) or he eats them without your knowledge, it is totally advised that you consult your veterinary doctor for medical and professional advice.
If need be, take your dog for tests and examinations, mostly when you begin to observe symptoms. While at it, try not to panic
Can I Give My Dog Unsalted Pretzels?
Although the salty contents are not present, unsalted pretzels still have amounts of other nutrients like carbohydrates, calories, cholesterol and sugar, all of which are unhealthy and unsafe for your dog in large quantities. Your dog is generally better off without any pretzel.
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Summary
Ensure that your dog eats balanced, healthy diets. If you do not know many foods that are healthy and safe for your dog, consult your veterinary doctor for suggestions. Although pretzels are not likely to show up on the list of your vet’s suggestions, a few pieces once in a while as treats would not be harmful to your dog.
Thankfully, pretzels are not toxic or harmful to dogs except they have some amount of onion or garlic in them. These ingredients are what make pretzels unsafe for your dog’s consumption so if you must feed your dog some pretzels, go for plainer ones as they are best for your dog’s health.
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