Can dogs have graham crackers? Yes, dogs can eat graham crackers in moderation. They contain a lot of sugar which can lead to weight gain, digestion issues, and diabetes so you only want to give your dog graham crackers as a treat every now and then.
A lot of pup parents want to know, “can dogs eat graham crackers and other sugary foods”? The answer is yes, but it’s a very careful yes.
You want to limit anything with sugar when giving it to your dog because they’ll gain weight and also develop a taste for sweet things that they don’t naturally have.
In this guide, we’re breaking down all the details about giving your dogs graham crackers and by the end, you’ll feel confident in knowing that a little sugar every now and then won’t hurt your pup.
Are Graham Crackers Good For Dogs?
One rectangular piece of graham cracker contains between 4-8 grams of sugar. While that might not seem like too much to us, to a dog, it’s unnecessary. That’s the main reason why graham crackers are not good for dogs.
Since they’re not good for them, does it mean they can’t have them? Of course not, everything is okay in moderation and as a special treat. Feeding your dog too much of any kind of sugary snack will cause them to gain weight and experience other health complications too.
Nutritional Value of Graham Crackers
Let’s take a look at an example of Honey Maid Graham Crackers. They have a variety of flavors which we’ll get into but for the example we’re using the honey flavored option. Here are the nutritional factors from one serving of eight individual cracker pieces:
- Calories: 130
- Total Fat: 3 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
- Sodium: 160 milligrams
- Total Carbohydrates: 24 grams
- Total Sugars: 8 gram
- Protein: 2 grams
As you can see, the 8 grams of sugar and 24 grams of carbohydrates are the two things that we bolded. These are the main issues for your pup because excess carbs and sugars will lead to weight gain and inflammation.
Health Benefits of Graham Crackers
While there are no definitive health “benefits” of graham crackers, they have a time and place. Sugary sweets like this are great for training your dog to be more obedient.
This type of rewards system is great and teaches your dog that when they do something right, they get a treat for it. While it’s preferred that you give your dog a traditional dog treat in exchange for obedience, graham crackers can work if you have nothing else around.
Graham crackers are also very high in carbohydrates which isn’t always a bad thing as long as you’re not giving them to your dog too frequently. Their immune and digestive system does not respond well to excessive carb intake so you’ll want to limit the snacks.
Health Risks of Graham Crackers
The question is, how will feeding my dog graham crackers impact their health negatively. Did your dog eat graham crackers and you’re afraid how they’ll react or are you simply questioning your choice to give them one every now and then?
Are Graham Crackers Bad for your dog?
Here are some of the issues you may run into if you start feeding them graham crackers on a regular basis:
Diabetes – Canine diabetes is a real issue and can lead to further complications. If they’re taking in more sugar than their body can process, they’re at risk for diabetes so you’ll want to be very careful about what you’re feeding them besides the occasional graham cracker.
Obesity – It’s pretty obvious that if you give your dog too many sweets, they’ll gain weight. Weight gain can lead to joint issues and lack of movement which comes along with a whole slew of issues. Restrict their diet and ensure this problem doesn’t happen on your watch.
Dental Issues – Adding sugar to a dog’s diet can expedite dental issues leading to tooth decay. If you are giving your dog treats, be sure that you have some type of dental chew to go along with it.
Digestive Concerns – There may be issues with your dog’s digestive system especially smaller breeds. Digesting excess sugar can be a challenge for dogs and can leave them feeling lethargic due to blood sugar spikes and plummets.
How Many Graham Crackers Can I Give My Dog?
If your dog likes graham crackers, it’s okay to give them some every now and then but you’ll want to limit it. There’s no specific amount that they can or cannot have but the one thing you should pay attention to is allergies.
Some dogs have allergies to the whole wheat flour and other wheat-based ingredients in graham crackers. If your dog has a hard time eating grain-inclusive food, this is an example of a snack you’d want to avoid.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Too Many Graham Crackers?
If you walk into the kitchen and notice that an entire box of graham crackers was ripped into, don’t panic. For the most part, your dog should be fine because there aren’t any toxic or potentially dangerous ingredients in the crackers.
The main concern is their blood sugar. You’ll want to call your vet and talk to them about this and they can tell you what to do. It’s unlikely that they’ll need to get their stomach pumped but you’ll want to keep an eye on them.
Can You Give Your Dog Cinnamon Graham Crackers?
The same rules apply. You should only give your dogs graham crackers in extreme moderation because it can cause weight gain, dental issues, and digestive concerns. The cinnamon itself doesn’t pose any additional risk but the added sugar is where the problem lies.
It’s important to understand that dogs don’t need a lot of the things we need to get through the day. They don’t feel the need to snack until we put that in their head. They don’t understand anything outside of whatever it is we make them think.
So, if we don’t feed them graham crackers more than once a month, they won’t expect to have them more than once a month. Limiting sugar and salt intake for our dogs is one of the overall keys to their health.
Can Dogs Eat Honey Maid Graham Crackers?
The same rules apply. In most cases, the flavors are artificial so they don’t add any nutritional value. While actual raw honey could be good for your dog, the artificial honey flavoring that goes into graham crackers is not.
Do not give your dog too many honey graham crackers because it can lead to obesity and diabetes.
Are Chocolate Graham Crackers Toxic to Dogs?
Here is one exception to the rules when it comes to graham crackers. Most dog parents know that chocolate is toxic to dogs and while graham crackers may only contain a trace amount of real cacao, you still want to prevent them from eating it.
Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which causes symptoms like vomiting, upset stomach, and diarrhea. It can even lead to internal bleeding.
It’s also important to realize that chocolate has caffeine which causes an elevated heart rate and can lead to a heart attack if they consume too much.
Can Dogs Eat Gluten-Free Graham Crackers?
Yes, dogs can eat these as long as it’s in moderation. It’s also important to pay attention to sugar substitutes like xylitol. This ingredient is incredibly toxic to dogs so even if they have a gluten allergy, you don’t want them to have any artificial sugar substitutes.
Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Graham Crackers?
Peanut butter is a great protein source for dogs and as long as the graham crackers contain real peanut butter, yes they can have it. Again, you’ll want to pay close attention to the ingredients to ensure there are no sugar substitutes in the crackers.
Pay attention to the sugar content as well because other ingredients can increase the amount of sugar.
Healthy Alternatives to Graham Crackers for Dogs?
While it’s usually considered a “bad thing” to give your dog foods that we eat, there are plenty of healthy options that your dog will love. Here are some great table food alternatives to graham crackers:
Fruit – If your dog has a sweet tooth consider giving them fruit like apples, bananas, blueberries, and raspberries. Remove any large seeds or pits from the fruit and still keep in mind that amount of sugar that your dog is consuming.
Meat/Fish – As long as they’re free of cooked bones and do not contain onion or garlic, feel free to give your dog table scraps as a snack. Just keep in mind the psychological impact it can have on them. If you get in the habit of doing this frequently, they can end up expecting it all the time.
Grains – Rice and pasta are things dogs enjoy. Make sure they’re relatively plain and free of anything spicy or toxic. Cooked oatmeal is also a great snack for your dog and contains a lot of fiber that can aid in their digestion.
Dairy – Dairy isn’t usually considered a great option for dogs because many of them have allergies to it. If you’re certain that your dog is not sensitive to lactose, then feel free to give them things like low fat cheese, eggs, and cottage cheese.
Final Thoughts: Can Dogs Eat Graham Crackers?
Can dogs eat graham crackers? Yes, but in severe moderation. You don’t want to get your dog in the habit of eating graham crackers because they contain more sugar than they should have on a regular basis.
Of course they enjoy it because it’s sweet and delicious but just know, if your dog happens to get into the cabinet and eats a few graham crackers, they’ll be just fine. If they ate an entire box, they’ll likely be fine as well, just consult a vet at that time.
