*Box ripping open*
The heavenly sound that dogs like to hear.
It likely means that food is nearby.
You’re snacking on Wheat Thins.
So your dog is giving you the puppy-dog eyes.
But can dogs eat Wheat Thins?
They are made out of wheat, right?
Read on to know:
- 5 reasons why dogs can’t eat Wheat Thins.
- 5 Wheat Thins ingredients that are bad for dogs.
- Wheat Thins alternative treats that are safe for dogs.
- And many, many more…
Table of contents
Can dogs eat Wheat Thins?
Dogs can’t eat Wheat Thins because they contain a lot of salt and sugar. They also contain wheat and dairy that some dogs are allergic to. Some of the flavored Wheat Thins also have garlic and onion powder, which is poisonous to dogs.
5 Wheat Thins ingredients that are bad for dogs
#1: Wheat
Wheat is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
But wheat also contains gluten.
Gluten is a protein used as a binder in most foods and gives them that chewy consistency.
But some dogs can’t digest gluten in their systems.
Wheat Thins and other flavors contain whole-grain wheat flour and malt syrup.
While the Multigrain Wheat Thins also contain:
- Whole-grain rye.
- Whole-grain millet.
- Whole-grain wheat.
- Whole-grain triticale.
- Whole-grain rolled oats.
- Whole-grain barley flakes.
Which all contain gluten.
But you might be asking, “How does malt syrup contain gluten?”
The malt syrup used in Wheat Thins is made from corn and barley.
Barley is a cereal grain that also contains gluten.
When a dog’s allergic to gluten, their immune system attacks their gastrointestinal tract.
Which, in turn, causes them pain and discomfort.
So that’s why giving your gluten allergic dog Wheat Thins wouldn’t be a good idea.
#2: Salt
On an average adult dog, their daily sodium intake is 0.007 oz (200 mg).
According to Wheat Thins’ official nutrition facts, a serving contains 0.007 oz (200 mg) sodium.
Here’s a list of the sodium content of other Wheat Thins flavors:
| Flavor | Sodium content |
| Sundried Tomato and Basil | 0.005 oz (160 mg) |
| Big | 0.007 oz (210 mg) |
| Ranch | 0.005 oz (170 mg) |
| Hint of Salt | 0.001 oz (55 mg) |
| Multigrain | 0.006 oz (190 mg) |
| Cracked pepper and olive oil | 0.006 oz (180 mg) |
Making the original and the big Wheat Thins to contain the most sodium.
So feeding your dog Wheat Thins can cause an excess of sodium in their systems.
This increases their risk of having sodium-ion poisoning, which I will discuss below.
#3: Sugar
Aah, sugar…
The weakness to every sweet tooth.
You probably know by now that sugar is bad for your health.
So that includes your dog’s health.
Dogs need sugar in the form of carbohydrates for body fuel.
But getting them from refined sugars can put them at risk for:
- Obesity.
- Cavities.
- Diabetes.
- Metabolic conditions.
According to the Wheat Thins nutrition facts, most flavors contain 0.14 oz (4 g) of added sugar.
While the multigrain one contains the lowest amount at 0.07 oz (2 g).
It may not seem a lot, but giving your dog large amounts of Wheat Thins can add up the total sugars they eat.
There are also short-term symptoms associated with having a high-sugar diet, like:
- Agitation.
- Weight gain.
- Bloodshot eyes.
- Kidney infection.
- Urinary tract infection.
- Hyperactivity and depression.
#4: Onion and garlic powder
Onion and garlic.
The staple ingredient in almost every recipe.
But no matter how tasty and fragrant they are, they’re toxic to your dog.
Eating large amounts can lead your dog to have onion and garlic poisoning.
That’s because they contain a compound called N-propyl disulfide.
Which breaks down your dog’s red blood cells and would later lead to anemia.
According to VCA, any form of onion and garlic can cause poisoning, including:
- Raw.
- Dried.
- Liquid.
- Cooked.
- Powdered.
Two flavors of Wheat Thins contain garlic and onion powder.
Which is: cracked pepper & olive oil, and ranch.
So feeding them to your dog puts them at a higher risk.
Since their dried and powdered forms contain a higher concentration of the compound.
As it contains less water content.
#5: Dairy
Wheat Thins doesn’t only contain onion and garlic powder.
Their ranch flavor also contains dairy products.
It’s in the form of whey, buttermilk, and cheddar cheese powder.
Just like gluten allergies, some dogs can be allergic to dairy.
A dairy allergy is also called lactose intolerance.
According to AKC, lactose intolerance is the top food intolerance in dogs.
A lactose intolerant dog has trouble digesting milk or dairy products.
Some dogs can’t drink milk but can tolerate dairy products.
While some dogs totally can’t.
So if you feed your dog with ranch-flavored Wheat Thins, expect them to have an upset tummy.
5 reasons why dogs can’t eat Wheat Thins
#1: Gluten allergy
Some dogs are allergic to milk, while some dogs are allergic to gluten.
Gluten allergy is a condition where their stomachs have difficulty digesting gluten proteins.
When gluten proteins are not digested, it builds up in their intestines.
Making it harder to soak up nutrients in their food.
This then leads to many health complications, like:
- Sneezing.
- Seizures.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Itchy skin.
- Flatulence.
- Ear inflammation.
- Licking front paws.
- Behavioral changes.
- Asthma-like symptoms.
Like humans, dogs can develop allergies at any age.
They can have an allergic reaction to gluten even when they were fine eating them before.
If your dog’s veterinarian finds that they are allergic to gluten, they will put them on a gluten-free diet.
Tip: If your dog displays allergy symptoms, consult with their veterinarian.
#2: Diabetes
Diabetes or Diabetes mellitus in dogs is a pancreatic disease.
It is caused by the pancreas’ inability to regulate blood sugar.
Eating or drinking sugary foods is known to increase your dog’s risk of developing diabetes.
According to AKC, there are 2 types of diabetes.
The first one is the most common type.
It’s where your dog’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin.
As their pancreas is damaged from being attacked by their immune system.
So to replace them, your dog would need daily shots of insulin.
Here’s a video on how to safely inject your dog with insulin:
If left untreated, their body will start to break down its own fats and proteins for alternative fuel.
The second type is where their pancreas isn’t utilizing insulin as it’s supposed to be.
Even though their body is producing them.
This leads to high levels of sugar in their bloodstream, damaging their organs, like:
- Eyes.
- Heart.
- Nerves.
- Kidneys.
- Blood vessels.
Some symptoms of diabetes in dogs include:
- Vomiting.
- Depression.
- Weight loss.
- Lack of energy.
- Excessive thirst.
- Increased appetite.
- Increased urination.
According to a study, dogs that are most likely to be diagnosed with diabetes are as follows:
- Dogs older than 8 years old.
- Dogs with other health conditions.
- Non-neutered male and female dogs.
- Dogs that had steroid medications before.
While the Border Terriers and West Highland White Terriers are most likely to develop it.
Currently, there is no cure for diabetes.
But your dog’s veterinarian can prescribe medications to manage its symptoms.
Fun fact: Based on research, if a pet parent has a diabetic dog, they’re at a higher risk of developing the disease, too.
#3: Sodium-ion poisoning
When your dog eats something salty, they’ll drink water to combat the effects.
But if water isn’t nearby, they’ll be at risk of having sodium-ion poisoning.
Sodium-ion poisoning happens when your dog’s system contains too much salt.
It can be from eating salty food, eating playdough, or playing at the beach.
Symptoms of sodium-ion poisoning include:
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Seizures.
- Weakness.
- Muscle tremors.
There is no specific treatment if your dog gets sodium-ion poisoning.
As long as your dog is drinking small amounts of water at frequent intervals, it can reduce its symptoms.
Warning: If your dog shows severe symptoms, bring them to their vet immediately.
#4: Lactose intolerance
When ingesting dairy, a lactose intolerant dog can have an upset stomach.
That’s because they lack the enzyme lactase, in their stomach.
Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose, the sugar from milk.
If not broken down, lactose will pass through your dog’s gastrointestinal tract and into their colon.
Undigested lactose will draw out water into their colon, causing diarrhea and flatulence.
Here are symptoms to know if your dog is lactose intolerant:
- Gas.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Loose stools.
- Abdominal pain.
If your dog is lactose intolerant, their vet will come up with a diet that doesn’t contain dairy.
You might also be interested in: Can Chihuahuas Eat Eggs, Cheese, Yoghurt? Or Drink Milk?
#5: Onion and garlic poisoning
As mentioned above, onion and garlic contain a compound that’s toxic to dogs.
Eating large amounts of them increases their chances of being poisoned.
That’s because the N-propyl disulfide causes oxidative damage to your dog’s red blood cells by attaching to their oxygen molecules.
This reduces their function to carry oxygen.
As well as tricking your dog’s body into thinking that the red blood cell is an invader.
Thus, the red blood cell is destroyed, resulting in anemia.
According to AKC, it only takes 3.52 oz (100 g) of onion per 44 lb (20 kg) of your dog’s weight for it to cause toxic effects.
This means it only takes a 45 lb (20.4 kg) dog to eat one medium to large-sized onion to be poisoned.
Here are symptoms of onion and garlic poisoning to watch out for:
- Drooling.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Depression.
- Abdominal pain.
- Decreased appetite.
Tip: If your dog shows signs of onion and garlic poisoning, take them to their veterinarian immediately.
Read next: Can Dogs Eat Alfredo? 7 Ingredients Reviewed + 7 Dangers
”My dog ate a lot of Wheat Thins, what should I do?”
Is it just me, or does your dog sometimes steal your food, too?
You turn your back for one second, and the next thing, their head is buried inside the box of Wheat Thins.
If your dog has eaten 1 or 2 pieces, then they might not experience any signs of illness.
But if they have eaten a lot, check them closely in case they develop any symptoms, such as:
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Weakness.
The severity of the symptoms may depend on your dog’s size and weight.
How much Wheat Thins they’ve eaten may also play a role.
Make sure to give them small amounts of water at recurring intervals.
This dilutes the salt and sugar content of Wheat Thins.
Warning: If your dog has eaten large amounts of garlic and onion-flavored Wheat Thins, consult their vet immediately.
Healthy Wheat Thins alternatives for dogs (100% safe)
#1: Whole grain dog treats
Instead of giving your dog human crackers, why not indulge them in whole-grain doggy treats?
If you have a smaller dog, then why not try this one?
You can even choose from peanut butter, chicken, or bacon and cheese.
Yum.
As long as they’re good quality, your dog can also get vitamins and minerals beneficial for them.
Nutritious and delicious.
Now I call that a treat.
#2: Homemade dog treats
If you love to bake, you can make your dog a customizable whole grain dog treat.
You can use any flour of your choice, like whole wheat flour or whole grain oat flour.
For some flavor, you can add:
- Apples.
- Carrots.
- Peanut butter
- Sweet potatoes.
Or any dog-safe ingredients you can find at home.
What’s even better is you can even shape them into cute little shapes that you want!
Just pop them in the oven, and voila!
Your dog will immediately come running.
Warning: If your dog is allergic to gluten, do not feed them treats that contain gluten. Choose gluten-free treats instead.