Pretzels For Dogs? Is This A Good Choice?

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Pretzels are one of our favorite “guilty” pleasures. We love the small pretzels almost as much as traditional, large, soft American pretzels. Whenever we have one, our dogs look at us like we have just unveiled immeasurable wealth to them. They are very interested in everything we eat. If you have a dog like ours, you know they will literally inhale anything you eat. Naturally, we started wondering, “Can dogs eat pretzels?” and the answer is - not really. Here is what you should know about it;

Are pretzels safe for dogs?

Technically, dogs can have pretzels, but it is not something your vet would advise feeding your dog. Pretzels are not toxic to dogs, but they are not that good either. Anything you decide to include in your dog’s diet has to have a purpose. Sure, your dog might enjoy the taste, but you shouldn’t give your dog foods they will not benefit from.

Unlike humans, dogs don’t need such a diverse diet. Everything your dog needs is already included in high-quality dog foods. However there are some healthy snacks your dog might benefit from, but pretzels are not one of them.

Why should you avoid giving pretzels to your dog?

Pretzels might be delicious to you, and that is most likely because they are really salty. Dogs have delicate sodium levels, and they should generally avoid eating salty foods. Salty foods, like pretzels, will cause digestive issues for your dog. If you don’t like cleaning dog vomit and diarrhea, we would strongly advise you against feeding pretzels to your dog.

Ingesting too much salt will make your dog extremely thirsty. Since their digestive system is very different from ours, they cannot handle salt so well. Even the amount of salt found on hard-baked pretzels can lead to thirst and sodium poisoning. Of course, larger dogs will need a larger amount of pretzels. However, small dogs can become ill after eating only one of these tasty human treats. To better understand what salt can do to your dog, make sure to check this article  - Is Salt Bad For Dogs? When To Worry?

When a dog eats too much salty food, they can quickly become dehydrated. If that happens, you should provide enough fresh water for your dog, and if the symptoms remain for a couple of hours, you should call your vet and let them know what’s going on. If your dog somehow got into a bowl of pretzels, you might have to take them for observation and fluids. In that case, you should follow your vet’s instructions and ensure your dog has everything they need to recover from eating so much salt. 

If you want to know more about the dangers of dehydration in dogs, check out this article - Dehydration in dogs.

Will one pretzel hurt my dog?

Sharing one single pretzel with your best friend is unlikely to cause any significant harm to your dog, especially if the pretzel is plain, without salt. However, pretzels will not enrich your dog's diet, so there is no need to share not even a little bit with your dog. It is much better to find human food that will enrich your dog's diet and share it with your best friend.

If you just can't help yourself and want to share pretzels with your dog, these are a few things you should consider first

1. Salt content - Try avoiding giving your dog extra salty parts of a pretzel. This way you can prevent salt poisoning.
2. ingredients - some pretzels may contain ingredients that are toxic for dogs such as onion or garlic powder
3. size and shape - large pretzels may pose a choking hazard especially if you own a small dog breed

Do dogs like pretzels?

The good news is that most dogs don’t even like pretzels. They will be naturally repulsed by the salty taste and smell of the pretzel, and your dog will most likely avoid eating them. That is an excellent thing since pretzels don’t offer any nutritional value to dogs (nor humans, for that matter). The most interesting thing about pretzels is their interesting texture and salty taste.

What to do if my dog ate pretzels?

The first thing you need to do is not panic. See what kind of pretzels your dog ate. If they ate plain or peanut butter pretzels, chances are, they will be fine. However, cinnamon, yogurt-covered, salty, or any other flavored pretzels are risky. See what kind of pretzels your dog ate, and call your vet.

The vet will probably tell you to look for signs of salt poisoning, and some of the symptoms will include;

• Confusion
• Fever
• Headache
• Convulsions
• Lack of energy
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Muscle spasms
• Vomiting
• Respiratory issues

In the worst cases, dogs can end up in a coma. Feeding your dog pretzels is not a good idea.

The vet will most likely tell you to keep a close eye on your dog and provide them with plenty of fresh water to drink. If you notice severe symptoms, you will have to take your dog to the pet emergency and probably leave them there for observation and fluids. Vets will do all they can to restore the dog’s fluids and help them recover.

Make sure to keep a close eye on your dog, and if you notice anything suspicious going on, call your vet.

In conclusion

Pretzels are delicious, but you should keep them for yourself. They come with all sorts of flavors and textures, and it would be best to avoid giving any kind to your dog. They offer no nutritional value to dogs and can even cause salt poisoning. The best thing to do is avoid giving pretzels to your dog.

World Dog Finder team