They aren’t overly sweet, so can dogs eat vanilla wafers? Keep reading to learn how safe these delicious treats are for your furry friend.
Our canine companions like to eat what we eat. So when it comes to vanilla sugar wafers and Nabisco Nilla wafers, how safe are they for pups? This guide will look at these sweet treats and answer that very question.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating vanilla wafers.
What Are Vanilla Wafers
Most people know Vanilla wafers as the golden, round cookies sold by Nabisco.
They are often eaten with other sweet foods, like vanilla pudding. They were created in the late 19th century. And they are still popular today! In fact, many people enjoy snacking on them on a regular basis, and you’ll find them as a staple in daycares and kid’s snack boxes.
There is another type of cookie called vanilla sugar wafers. These have layers of thin, crispy wafers with creamy filling. Sugar vanilla wafers are not the same thing as Nabisco’s Nilla wafers. One is a round cookie and the other has layers of wafers with filling.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Wafers
No, dogs should not eat vanilla wafers. They aren’t good for your dog’s health. In fact, large quantities could be dangerous for your furry friends. All dog breeds – even larger ones – should stay away from sugar cookies that are made with vanilla.
They are made for human consumption, as a way to satisfy your sweet tooth. They are not made for dogs. As you’ll read in this guide, dogs shouldn’t eat them – even plain wafers – because they are made with ingredients that are unsafe for dogs.
This is a general rule that you can pretty much apply to any cookies you can buy at the store. Just don’t share them with your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Nilla Wafers
It might be tough to turn down those puppy dog eyes, but don’t give your dog vanilla wafers. This delicious dessert is not a good thing for dogs to eat.
There is no nutritional value to Nilla wafers. They contain preservatives and artificial flavors.
Honestly, all artificial ingredients are unsafe for dogs to eat. They could cause digestive issues, or your dog might show signs of food allergies.
The calorie count on Nilla wafers is also too high for dogs. Dogs that eat too much sugar are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. So avoid the high sugar content of these cookies.
Also, some reduced-calorie or “diet” vanilla wafers may contain artificial sweeteners. Always read the ingredients list because dogs should never eat anything made with artificial sweeteners. Remember, xylitol is extremely dangerous for dogs. In extreme cases, it can lead to side effects like liver failure.
Are Vanilla Wafers Bad For Dogs
Yes, these cookies are bad for dogs.
Professionals do not recommend sharing Vanilla wafers with your pet because they are high-fat food. Dogs that eat food with high fats are at a higher risk of heart disease.
Some flavors and varieties are made with artificial flavors. In addition to the unhealthy oils and high sugar content, the artificial flavors could also contribute to health issues in your dog.
All that sugar is bad for your dog’s teeth, too. Dogs that eat a lot of sugar have more dental problems than dogs that eat whole foods.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Wafer Cookies
What about those crispy wafer cookies with filling? Dogs shouldn’t eat those, either. That filling may look like a cream filling, but it is whipped sugar and oil.
But one of the biggest reasons that dogs shouldn’t eat vanilla wafer cookies is because they are made with the following unhealthy ingredients:
- Corn Syrup
- Hydrogenated Oils
- Canola Oil
- Vegetable Oil
There are also preservatives in them that are meant to lengthen their shelf life. These preservatives could upset your dog’s stomach.
That’s not all! Vanilla wafers also contain sodium bicarbonate, which is also dangerous to your dog’s health. When dogs eat too many, they are at risk of developing soda toxicity from it.
Vanilla wafer cookies are also very high in sugar. Dogs that eat too much sugar could suffer from unhealthy weight gain, or it could negatively affect their blood sugar levels.
Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Cookies
Generally speaking, dogs shouldn’t eat any cookies that are made with vanilla. Vanilla is an unsafe ingredient for dogs to eat.
Don’t give your dog anything made with real vanilla, vanilla beans, or vanilla extract. If it has a vanilla flavor, chances are it is made from vanilla.
The alcohol content of vanilla is bad for dogs. Even part of a bottle can cause health issues for small dogs. Synthetic vanillin isn’t much better, either.
My Dog Ate A Vanilla Wafer
The first thing you need to do is look at how many vanilla wafer cookies your dog ate. It will take large amounts to cause any severe side effects. Small amounts probably won’t harm your pup.
Always pay close attention to what your dog eats every day. If your overweight dog eats treats that are high in sugar, they are at a higher risk of health problems. Canine obesity is a risk factor for high amounts of bad cholesterol and unsafe blood sugar levels.
Better Options For Dogs
There are plenty of dog-friendly treats out there that offer a wide range of health benefits for your dog.
I might not have a banana pudding recipe, but your pup will love these dog-safe gummies! They are a healthy treat and a much healthier option than cookies.
What about ice cream? If you’re wondering can dogs eat ice cream? I have a guide for that! I also have a dog ice cream recipe.
The best way to share a tasty snack with your pup is to make it homemade. Make them a type of cookies that is made with safe ingredients, such as peanut butter cookies and healthy dog biscuits.
Remember, your canine friends should get all their nutritional needs met from their dog food, not their snacks. It’s best for your pup to eat food made with natural ingredients.
Final Thoughts
Dog owners, do not give your dog Nilla wafers. Even though small quantities might not seem to hurt your pup, vanilla wafer cookies contain too much sugar and unhealthy ingredients to be a good idea. In fact, all types of vanilla cookies are unsafe for dogs. There are other types of food that are safe for dogs.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more articles about sweets dogs can and can’t eat:
- Can Dogs Eat Animal Crackers
- Can Dogs Eat Caramel
- Can Dogs Eat Cheesecake
- Can Dogs Eat Donuts
- Can Dogs Eat Fig Newtons
- Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal Cookies
Find lots of articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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Manoj says
Thanks for the information regarding the foods related to dogs. Can you tell me that is it ok to give the normal Parle G biscuits to the Street dogs? because i feed the street dogs with the biscuit but some one tells me that it is bad for their health. please tell is it bad for their health or should i give them another food.
Renee Dobbs says
Parle G biscuits have a lot of sugar which isn’t good for dogs. It would be better to give them other food that’s good for dogs.
Manoj says
Thanks for your reply, Can you suggest me some names of the biscuits which i can give them, which can not affect their health.
Renee Dobbs says
Give them dog biscuits and not ones made for people.
Manoj says
Thankyou so much for helping me and giving information.