Cookies are often the first food we reach for when we crave something sweet or need comfort. So, if you find yourself whipping up a batch of grandma’s chocolate chip cookies this week, you might wonder if you can give your dog a little taste.
Unfortunately, dogs should not eat cookies—at least not cookies traditionally meant for human consumption. Read on to learn more about why you shouldn’t offer Fido a cookie and what you can give them instead.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Cookies?
There are several reasons why you shouldn’t share cookies with your pup.
1. Toxic Ingredients
Many cookie recipes contain ingredients that are toxic for dogs.
This can include things such as:
- Chocolate. It contains theobromine and caffeine which can cause potentially deadly central nervous system and heart issues for your dog.
- Raisins. Even just a few raisins (or grapes) can cause sudden kidney failure.
- Nutmeg. Nutmeg contains myristicin, a naturally occurring compound that doubles as an insecticide. It can cause high blood pressure, increased heart rate, hallucinations, and even seizures for dogs.
- Macadamia nuts. The toxic component of these nuts is unknown, but as little as a few nuts can cause intoxication in small to medium-sized dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, depression, tremors, weakness, and hyperthermia.
- Xylitol. Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance used as a sugar substitute and is often found in sugar-free items at the supermarket. However, this ingredient is highly toxic for dogs. Ingestion can cause hypoglycemia, sluggishness, seizures, and even liver failure.
2. Choking Hazard
If your pup tends to get excited over treats or scarves down their food, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that they’ll swallow a cookie whole, especially if they know they’re not supposed to be eating them. A cookie swallowed whole by a dog trying to hide their naughtiness from their human parent can pose a severe choking hazard.
3. High Sugar Content
While sugar isn’t technically toxic for dogs, it’s not good for them, either. A small taste of a sugary treat now and then is unlikely to cause any long-lasting harm, but if your pup devours an entire batch of cookies in one go or makes eating sugary foods a habit, they may find themselves in trouble.
Eating a lot of sugar at once can cause gastrointestinal issues, while consuming a lot over time can increase their caloric intake potentially leading to weight gain. Weight gain has its own set of issues including diabetes.
4. Butter, Oil, and All the Rest
Of course, cookies also contain butter, shortening, or vegetable oils which can also contribute to an upset stomach complete with vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. They also can contribute to weight gain. Eating high amounts of fat at once, such as in a few cookies, can also trigger a potentially life threatening issue known as pancreatitis, where the pancreas becomes inflamed.
What Do I Do if My Dog Ate a Cookie?
If you know your dog ate a cookie, the first thing you should do is review the list of ingredients.
If the cookies contain toxic ingredients, we recommend calling your veterinarian right away or heading straight for your local emergency vet if your pup is already exhibiting signs of toxic ingestion. You can also call the Pet Poison Hotline at (855) 764-7661.
If no toxic items are listed in the ingredients, monitor them over the next several hours. They may exhibit signs like lethargy, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Dog-Safe Cookies to Make for Your Pup
There are countless cookie recipes made specifically for dogs. Because these recipes are formulated with Fido in mind, they’re entirely dog-friendly. We’ve created an easy, four-ingredient recipe you can make with things you probably already have in your pantry.
Peanutbutter Cookies for Dogs
- 1 ripe banana mashed
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds optional
- 1/3 cup of all-natural peanut butter*
- 1 cup of quick oats
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Preheat your oven to 350°F.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Mix the mashed banana, all-natural peanut butter, and chia seeds in a mixing bowl.
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Add in the quick oats and stir the mixture until fully combined.
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Use a tablespoon (or teaspoon if you have a small breed dog) to measure out cookie balls and evenly space them on your baking sheet.
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Gently press down on each cookie with a fork.
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Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.
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Allow to cool fully before offering your pup a taste.
IMPORTANT: The peanut butter you choose must only contain “peanuts” in the ingredient list. No spices or xylitol.
Calories: 120kcal
Final Thoughts
Cookies made for humans aren’t the healthiest treat to give your dog, and some of them can be downright deadly. If your cookies contain ingredients like chocolate, raisins, nutmeg, macadamia nuts, or xylitol, keep them as far from your pup’s reach as possible.
However, that doesn’t mean cookies that don’t contain these ingredients are okay to offer Fido. They’re all likely still high in sugar and other things your pup doesn’t need in their diet.
If your pet exhibits interest in your cookies, try making them a batch of their own safe peanut butter dog cookies.
Featured Image Credit: Ryutaro Tsukata, Shutterstock
