Can Dogs Eat Cookies? 8 Health Risks of Cookies

The majority of human cookies are unsafe for dogs. Cookies typically contain carbs and sugars, which are difficult for dogs to consume. While the ingredients in cookies are not always toxic, they can contribute to gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, allergic reactions, and other unpleasant side effects for your pet.

Like cookies themselves, raw cookie dough is unsafe for dogs, especially in large amounts. An uncooked blend of cookie ingredients, cookie dough contains high amounts of sugar, carbohydrates, and fat, all of which are bad for canines in sizable quantities. If your dog eats cookie dough, it could lead to stomach upset, food poisoning, or xylitol toxicity.

Cookie dough containing chocolate—for example, chocolate chip cookie dough—is dangerous even in small amounts since chocolate contains theobromine, a compound toxic to dogs.

When it comes to dogs and cookies, there is always a possibility there are toxic ingredients in the cookie that could make your pet sick. Here is a list of several risks cookies present to dogs:

1. 1. Allergic reaction: Your dog might be allergic to certain ingredients in cookies—for example, wheat flour. To minimize the chance of your dog experiencing any food sensitivity issues, refrain from feeding your pet any food that isn’t their regular dog food.
2. 2. Choking hazard: Depending on the size of your dog, cookies could be a choking hazard for your pet. If your dog is one to get excited over treats, there’s a chance they will try to quickly devour several if they have the opportunity. Keep your cookies and other human foods out of your dog’s reach.
3. 3. Diabetes: Cookies, especially sugar cookies, contain high sugar content levels. Eating copious quantities of sugar regularly could lead to the development of diabetes in your pet, a potentially fatal condition for a dog if their blood sugar levels become too elevated.
4. 4. Food poisoning: Ingesting raw eggs could hurt your dog’s stomach and make your dog very sick, resulting in diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, and, in extreme cases, liver failure.
5. 5. Obesity: Cookies are loaded with fats. Consuming too much fat regularly can lead to obesity in animals. Obese dogs might show signs of lethargy and become prone to cardiovascular health issues, including high blood pressure.
6. 6. Stomach upset: If your dog eats too much of a human food, it could cause issues in their digestive system, making your dog very uncomfortable. For example, consuming cookies might cause your dog to vomit and cause abdominal pain.
7. 7. Xylitol toxicity: Avoid giving your dog human cookies or even sugar-free cookies since they are likely to contain xylitol, a sweetener that is highly poisonous to dogs.
   
8. 8. Tooth decay: The sugar in cookies could cause your dog to develop cavities and contribute to rapid tooth decay.

Most cookies for humans are bad for dogs; however, you can make or seek out dog-safe cookies. Plain cookies, oatmeal cookies, and peanut butter cookies are okay to give to your dog in small amounts as long as they do not include xylitol or any ingredients to which your dog is allergic.

Consider adding mashed vegetables to a cookie recipe for your dog to add fiber and nutritional value. Avoid cookies that contain even a small amount of chocolate, raisins, or nuts, such as chocolate chip cookies, raisin cookies, and macadamia nut cookies. Additionally, choose soft cookie recipes over hard or crunchy cookie recipes to be gentler on your dog’s teeth.

Certain human foods can cause adverse reactions in canines, so always consult your veterinarian to determine whether it is safe to add these foods to your dog’s diet. This article is for educational and informational purposes and is not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

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