🐾 Dogs & Saltine Crackers: The Truth Behind the Crunch! 🐾
🐾 The Great Saltine Scare: A Cautionary Tail 🐶🥴
👉 So… what happened with my pup? Buckle up, because I was one sniff away from a full-on breakdown.
It all started when Nicky, my sweet angel potato, somehow got her paws on a few too many Saltine crackers. I didn’t think much of it at first—what harm could a few crackers do, right? She’s a 60lb German Shephard.
WRONG.
So wrong.
So very wrong.
First, she was lethargic—and let me tell you, Nicky is never still.
Then came the diarrhea (we don’t need to talk about it, but just… no).
Then she started drinking water like a fish but wasn’t peeing.
And then—oh God—she started wretching. Unproductive, terrifying, heart-stopping wretching.
At that point, I was LOSING MY MIND.
Like, full-on panic mode. Shaking. Sweating. Calling the vet with my voice doing that weird thing where it’s high-pitched but also low because I was holding back tears.
💻 I jumped on telehealth immediately to find out if we needed to head to the ER.
They asked:
❓ Any vomiting? — Nope.
❓ Is she doing that weird doggy yoga stretch thing? — Yup. All the stretches.
❓ Is she still breathing okay? — Yes, but I’m not breathing, sooo…
The vet told me I could watch her overnight, keep her calm in her crate with water, and monitor for vomiting or any signs of distress. I didn’t sleep. I basically sat there, eyes locked on her, hover-parent to the max.
For breakfast the next morning, I made her dry food with boiled chicken—no seasoning, no oil, just pure bland love and terror in a bowl. She actually ate. Slowly but surely, she started coming back to herself.
But listen—I was NOT okay. I knew I wouldn’t breathe easy or sleep until her vet actually saw her. So the next day, in we went for her full comprehensive checkup—early, because there was no way I could wait.
I explained everything, including the fact that Nicky, who normally ignores food left out in front of her face, was acting extra wild because she’s in her first heat cycle (and apparently this turns her into a tiny, fluffy chaos machine).
🩺 Good news:
— Nicky got a clean bill of health (she only ate maybe 7-8 crackers).
— No sodium poisoning (thank goodness).
— Vet recommended pet puzzles to help with the cranky heat cycle energy—Aunt Elysee ordered us one and we can’t wait to try it!
❗ The lesson:
Saltines can cause sodium poisoning in dogs, which is very serious. Nicky was lucky, she didn’t eat many—but not every pup might be. Even a handful can be too much for their little bodies.
✅ ALWAYS double-check.
✅ ALWAYS trust your gut.
✅ If something feels wrong—call your vet. Before, is always better than after.
I’m sharing this because I never, ever want another pet parent to go through what I did—the fear, the tears, the helplessness. We got lucky. This time. Saltines? Yeah… not in this house. Not ever again.
🐶 Let’s Talk: Why Saltines Are a No-No for Dogs
While one or two plain Saltine crackers won’t usually cause harm, there are real risks every dog parent should know about:
🔹 High Sodium: Dogs have sensitive systems and can’t process salt the way humans can. Too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning, which is life-threatening.
🔹 Symptoms of Sodium Poisoning Include:
— Vomiting
— Diarrhea
— Lethargy
— Excessive thirst or urination (or worse—no urination)
— Tremors
— Seizures
— Unproductive wretching
🔹 Even Small Amounts Can Be Dangerous:
A few crackers may not seem like much, but in smaller dogs or sensitive breeds, it can tip the scales fast.
💡 What To Do If Your Dog Eats Saltines (or Anything Questionable):
1️⃣ Stay Calm. Easier said than done—I know.
2️⃣ Check for immediate symptoms.
3️⃣ Call your vet or a 24-hour emergency line. Many now offer telehealth like I used. If they do not - switch vets.
4️⃣ Hydrate—but don’t force water.
5️⃣ Monitor closely for at least 24 hours.
6️⃣ Trust your gut—if you’re worried, GO. Better safe than sorry.
🐾 Better Snack Choices for Dogs:
✅ Carrot sticks
✅ Apple slices (no seeds)
✅ Plain cooked chicken
✅ Frozen green beans
✅ Dog-safe treats
At the end of the day, I learned something I’ll never forget. And I hope you don’t have to learn it the hard way like I did.
We love them too much to take chances. ❤️
Big thank you to Banefield Hospital through PetSmart, who I use for all my dogs.
With Love,
Dana & a happy healthy Nicky.
