Can Dogs Eat Fortune Cookies?
So, can dogs eat fortune cookies? Although the answer is yes, there are some things to consider before your dog can enjoy these delicious treats. Although fortune cookies are not toxic for dogs, they can make your dog sick if they eat too many at once.
The cookie may contain ingredients that can upset their stomachs and cause other problems. Don’t panic if your dog has overeaten. Ensure they have enough water and supervise them for signs of distress.
Dogs cannot always decide what is best for their health, and they often love to eat foods that could make them sick. It is vital to know which foods your dog should be eating.
When deciding whether or not a food item will be safe for your dog, the best place to start is with its ingredients list.
Continue reading for more information about the topic.
What is Fortune Cookies, and Where do They Come From?
Fortune cookies are crispy, crescent-shaped confectionaries that have a paper fortune inside. They are sweet and can are offered as a snack or dessert in Chinese restaurants.
Fortune cookies are Chinese-American cookies made of flour, egg, sugar, salt, oil, shortening, and vanilla extract.
Fortune cookies are a Chinese dessert that has changed over time. They have been loved in China since the 1800s and became increasingly popular among Westerners after Makoto Hagiwara, a Japanese baker, brought them to San Francisco.
Fortune cookies have been a part of American culture since 1924.
They were first recognized in Japan as a traditional Japanese dessert and were named Bikkuri Senbei in 1958.
Nowadays, Fortune cookies are available in different flavors, including Nutella fortune and pink lemonade.
Are Fortune Cookies Good for Dogs?
Fortune cookies are safe for dogs but not healthy. These cookies contain many ingredients that are not suitable for dogs.
Let’s look at the components of Fortune cookies and their potential effects on dogs to get a better understanding.
1. Sugar
Too much sugar isn’t a problem for humans. This is true, but your dog’s body cannot properly break down sugar chunks. The high sugar cookies will cause stomach inflammation in your dog, leading to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss.
Also, obesity and diabetes can be caused by eating fortune cookies and other sugary treats. What’s the next step? Your Doggie will be more vulnerable to heart and joint problems, fatigue, shortness of breath, and other issues.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Sugar? Is Sugar Good or Bad for Dogs?
2. Salt
Although some Fortune cookies are made with salt, there is not much. Even if your dog does eat a few Fortune cookies, it is unlikely that they will become salt poisoned.
3. Gluten
The discussion ultimately boils down to gluten. Although the celiac disease does not cause your dog to suffer, it can make your animal very sick. Gluten can cause gastrointestinal upsets, skin itching, and even ear infections in dogs.
However, if your dog is gluten-tolerant, this shouldn’t be a concern.
4. Hydrogenated Oils And Preservatives
This applies to fortune cookies that are made by commercial businesses. These companies add fats to add crispness. To increase shelf-life, they add artificial preservatives to the oils.
These add-ons can cause inflammation, cardiovascular disease, or even cancer.
5. Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract contains 35% alcohol and is an essential ingredient in Fortune cookies. Although alcohol can be toxic to dogs, Fortune cookies contain far less vanilla extract than is necessary to cause any harm to our dogs.
Dogs who eat too many vanilla Fortune cookies may become susceptible to alcohol poisoning. The risk is greater for dogs of smaller breeds.
6. Unnecessary Calories
A single cookie has around 107 calories. What is the recommended calorie intake for dogs based on their weight? Let’s now do the math.
For dogs over 30 lbs, the daily requirement is 750 calories. So, if your dog eats, let’s say, 10 cookies, that s nearly 1000 calories, which is more than the daily calorie intake for the whole day and is also terrible news.
Your dog will gain weight if you give it too many calories. Calories can also cause cardiovascular disease in your dog.
Are There any Health Benefits to Dog Eating Fortune Cookies?
No, Fortune cookies contain a lot of sugar and preservatives that can cause stomach upset or even death in dogs who eat too many. Before giving your dog a Fortune cookie, consult animal care professional if you have questions.
When to Avoid Giving my Dog Fortune Cookie?
If your dog is old or unhealthy, you should not give it Fortune cookies. Older dogs may not be able to consume the additional calories in Fortune cookies.
Additionally, your dog’s digestive system also suffers when trying to digest strange foods.
All sugary treats, even Fortune cookies, should be avoided for dogs already obese. A Fortune cookie’s empty calories could make a dog more obese, so you need to be very strict about their diet.
Dogs with gluten and lactose intolerance can experience allergic reactions to flour and butter in Fortune cookies.
Allergies can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and other stomach disorders. Avoid giving the Fortune cookie to dogs that are allergic to any of its ingredients.
My Dog Ate Fortune Cookies. What Should I do?
Even though fortune cookies may not be suitable for your pet, you should not panic. However, the dog does not need the carbs, sugars, and fats in the cookies.
After your dog has finished eating the cookies, give him lots of water. Take any remaining cookies out of your dog’s reach. Continue to feed the dog as usual. You should pay close attention to your dog’s symptoms, such as an allergic reaction or stomach upsets. You should monitor his stool to determine if it is running.
Keep your vet’s number on speed dial and call for help if you cannot manage the situation.
Watch Out For These Symptoms
Fortune cookies are not a risk to your dog’s life, but your dog might experience side effects from too many. These are the symptoms you should be aware of.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, nausea – a natural reaction to any ingredient that may upset the dog’s stomach
- Inflammation and stomach ache – caused by excessive sugar intake
- Disorientation, lack of coordination – happens if cookies contain Xylitol and/or too much vanilla extract
- Seizures and muscle spasms – caused by Xylitol and caffeine
- Ear infection, itchiness, or skin irritation – caused by gluten. However, only if the dog has a gluten allergy.
What are the Best Substitutes for Fortune Cookies?
Bread slices are an excellent option for dogs. You can spread peanut butter, Nutella, or honey on the bread slices and add bananas.
Instead of cookies, you can give your dog oranges, apples, or other fruit cuts. These fruits are sweet and high in fiber, and dogs love them.
FAQ’s
How many Fortune cookies should I give my dog?
It is best not to give your dog Fortune cookies, but however, you can share some with it. You can check the label to see if there are any of the above-mentioned harmful ingredients.
It’s acceptable to include Fortune cookies as an occasional snacking, but it shouldn’t become a routine.
Can Dogs Eat Fortune Paper in Fortune Cookies?
Dogs should not eat Fortune papers, even though they are safe for them.
Related: My Dog Ate Paper. Should I Be Worried?
Can dogs eat the Fortune Cookie Wrapper?
The wrapper can cause intestinal issues in dogs and should be avoided.
How can I tell the age of a Fortune cookie?
The design of a fortune cookie can help you determine its age.
You can also see how hard it feels to your fingertips when you press on it. If in doubt, just discard it.
Are dogs allergic to fortune cookies?
Fortune cookies are safe for dogs. If they have only one or two fortune cookies, dogs can eat them without any problem.
Conclusion
Fortune cookies aren’t toxic to dogs, so it’s not a cause for concern if your dog eats one or more of these fortune cookies. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are safe for dogs. Even small pieces of food that slip through our fingers, and some ingredients can make dogs sick.
Further Reading:
- Can Dogs Eat Donuts? Are Donuts Safe For Dogs?
- Wait, Can Dogs Eat Oreos? Here’s what to Know
- Can Dogs Eat Cookies?
- Can Dogs Eat Fig Newtons?
- Can Dogs Eat Cake? No! Here is Why
- Can Dogs Eat Weetabix?
- Can Dogs Eat Pop-Tarts?