Does your dog have a sweet tooth just like you? You might even be proud of him being your copy.
Vanilla wafers have been around here for more than 60 years. By this time, it has evolved into a complete meal on its own and can even serve as a good breakfast.
Generally, dogs are more interested in eating snacks that you have. They love wafers more than their treats. The question is, should your dog be eating vanilla wafers?
Why are Dogs More Interested in Vanilla Wafers?
Vanilla wafers taste amazing. Especially when served with banana puddings. Everybody enjoys such a sweet treat.
Is it perfect for your furry babies to have some of your breakfast? The answer would be no.
You might be bewildered by the answer, but the truth is you should not feed them vanilla wafers. You will think it is impossible because dogs love vanilla wafers so much.
If there is edible for dogs, then why do they love it so much? Great that you asked.
Any processed human food that we eat is meant for us, humans. Not for our canine friends.
Treating them like our own family members is not harmful, but you have to differ in feeding. If you feel the same, your puppy might end up with obesity (in case of diabetes) or some other illness.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Ice Cream?
Why are Vanilla Wafers Bad for Dogs?
There are many reasons why you should not feed your dog with human food.
The primary reason is that they are not healthy for dogs. Be it homemade or store-bought vanilla wafers; all contain sugar, which is not advisable for a dog.
Even if you make vanilla wafers at home, you will be using processed sugar to make them. The processed sugar contains a high amount of calories. These calories tend to exceed the amount they should eat in a single day.
You might be casually feeding them one wafer per day without knowing the side effects. The calorie count might add up a lot more than they are supposed to take.
It is good to follow the 90-10 rule while feeding your dog with snacks and meals. Only 10% of its food should be snacks. The sudden large intake of a hefty amount of calories will result in serious health problems with time.
Apart from that, dogs are are carnivores artificial foods might not work well with their bodies.
What Ingredients Do Vanilla Wafers Contain?
The standard ingredient list of Nilla Wafers is,
- Unbleached enriched flour (Wheat flour)
- Niacin
- Sugar
- Vegetable oil
- High fructose corn syrup
- Whey (from milk)
- Eggs
- Salt
- Leavening (baking soda)
- Emulsifiers
- Artificial flavor
- Natural flavor
As you can see, most of the ingredients including, sugar, eggs, corn syrup, and baking soda, contain a high amount of calories. Feeding your dog every day with this might be a threat to his life.
If all of these contain high amounts of calories, then how much calories Should a dog have?
You can calculate the number of calories that your dog should have by yourself.
Here is a simple calculation,
Take your dog’s weight and multiply it by 25; the answer you get is the number of calories your dog should eat. Assume that you have a dog that weighs 13 pounds; if you multiply 13 by 25, you get 325. This is the number of calories that your dog should have per day.
In the case of vanilla wafers, each wafer has a calorie count exceeding 200. This might be potentially dangerous for your dog to eat.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Bagels?
What Will Happen if a Dog Eats Vanilla Wafers?
For a short period, you will not notice any changes in your dog. If this practice continues, slowly, your dog might get obese.
There will be no changes explicit in the beginning; calorie count builds up inside.
After a certain period, the dog might start to show specific symptoms like,
- Excessive hunger.
- Cataracts as a result of diabetes
- Dehydration
- Depression
- polydipsia
- polyuria
- Liver enlargement and
- Obesity
These are the most common symptoms. Apart from this, as a result of canine diabetes, your dog might lose control over its legs and become inactive.
Another critical problem associated with diabetes is it will not allow wounds to heal.
Unfortunately, this disease is the same in humans and canines.
Feeding your dog with vanilla wafers might also result in bad oral health. Wafers and biscuits are designed for human teeth. If you eat Wafers and drink water, the remains will not stick in your teeth. If it does, you can remove it with the toothpick.
If you feed them with the human biscuits or wafers, they remain sticking to their teeth. It is not easy for them to remove it. Even if you brush their teeth once in a while, those tiny remains cause bad oral health.
As a result of this, your dog’s mouth and breadth start to stink.
If you start noticing that your dog has bad breath, then it is time to change his diet.
My Dog Jumps at the Smell of Vanilla Wafers. What Should I Do Now?
There is nothing to worry about. No wonder your dog likes such a tasty snack as you. Even if you have fed your dog with high-calorie snacks till now, you can start avoiding it from now.
You can reduce the existing calorie count in their blood with some exercises. Just exercising would not wholly help, so if you think your dog needs help, visit a vet as soon as possible.
If your dog cannot eat your snacks, that does not mean they cannot have anything. There are tons of dog snacks in the market flooded with different flavors.
These pet snacks’ are prepared precisely how your dog should have them. They have monitored the calorie count and contain essential vitamins. They also come in different flavors, tastes and types, so you don’t have to worry about variety.
To satisfy the taste of dogs, these snacks contain artificial flavors and junk ingredients. Overfeeding your dog with these snacks’ might also result in health issues.
It is appreciable to prefer biscuits prepared with natural ingredients rather than attractive artificial junk food.
When you feed a dog with dog biscuits, the remains do not stick in their teeth. This is not the case with vanilla wafers.
The best you could do now is diverting your dog’s attention or tricking them. You could instead try giving some pieces of meat (not all the time), occasionally.
It will be hard to eat without sharing a piece with your dog. He might try to trick you with his puppy eyes. Do not fall for the trick if you wish the best for him.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Granola?
What if My Dog Accidentally Eats a Wafer?
Do not panic. Slowly grab all the wafers you could and move them from his sight. Also, a piece of advice for you, avoid eating and healthy snacks in front of your dog. This spoils not only you but also him.
When you suddenly stop giving him a snack, he might be upset and even bother you for it. This might result in your dog sneaking into your kitchen and stealing away one or two.
This happens all the time with dogs. If they sneak up once in a while, then it is perfectly ok. If they senior dogs or have sensitive intestines, be careful with their food habits. A small change that might result in your dog throwing up or diarrhea.
If your dog by accident happens to eat a wafer, make sure he works out and burns the calories. Clean his teeth right away and take him for an extra walk. This might help a little.
But the best advice is always to feed your dog nothing but dog food.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Halloumi?
Wrapping up
Vanilla wafers are high-calorie foods. Canines must avoid them at all costs. There are serious illnesses that could occur if the calorie count goes beyond notice. Feed your fluffy partner healthy and tasty dog food. Give him lots of exercise, kisses, and love. He will stay with you forever.
