Shortbread is a popular type of cookie with a buttery texture and a delicate taste. If you happen to like shortbread, as most people do, you might be tempted to feed a few to your fur baby as a special treat. Before feeding anything to your dog, though, you should always check to make sure it is safe for its consumption. There are many different types of people’s food that are very toxic to humans, which is why you should always check before giving your dog a new type of human food.
Luckily, yummy shortbread is ok to feed to dogs. There are, however, a few things you should consider before feeding your dog this yummy treat.
Can My Dog Eat Shortbread?
The short answer is yes. There is nothing known to be toxic in the three simple shortbread ingredients. There is one exception, though. If you are making or you have a special type of shortbread that happens to include nutmeg or any other ingredients, that is toxic to dogs, then you should avoid giving your dog the cookies. In most cases, though, shortbread is made out of three simple ingredients that rarely vary.
Another exception might be if macadamia nuts have been added. You should always check out what type of nuts are included because macadamia nuts are toxic to dogs while many other types of nuts are not.
If your dog eats macadamia nut cookies it may experience vomiting, loss of coordination, and problems with the central nervous system. If you suspect your dog ingested macadamia nuts, contact your vet as soon as possible.
You should also be aware that dogs cannot have artificial sweeteners such as xylitol. This ingredient is often used in products that are advertised as sugar free, paleo, or keto. Xylitol is also poisonous to dogs and should always be avoided. Pretty much any product that is labeled “sugar free” has xylitol.
If your dog ingests xylitol, you may see symptoms such as vomiting, low blood sugar, weakness, and seizures. If you think your dog ingested this substance, seek out medical care immediately.
When the shortbread is made with traditional ingredients, it is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. The traditional ingredients of shortbread are sugar, flour, and butter.
Nutrition Facts for Shortbread
Before feeding anything to your dog, it is important that you understand the nutritional information of the item. As mentioned earlier, shortbread consists of only three ingredients; sugar, butter, and flour.
Shortbread is not necessarily considered to be the healthiest snack or treat you can give your dog, but it is not dangerous either. There are lots of non-toxic human foods that you can feed to your dog for the occasional treat that is far healthier than shortbread.
It has a high fat content and offers few vitamins or nutrients. It also has a high carbohydrate content because of sugar.
This food does not provide your pet with any substantial amount of vitamins, nutrients, or healthy minerals.
Feeding Shortbread to Your Dog
If you do decide to feed shortbread cookies to your dog, there are a few things you should keep in mind. This unhealthy snack should only be fed in very small amounts. This snack provides no real nutrition for your pet and so there is no reason to feed it to your pet in large amounts.
If you notice your pet reacting to the shortbread in an unusual way, discontinue feeding the treat and watch your dog’s symptoms carefully. Your dog could be experiencing an allergic reaction to an ingredient or there might have been an ingredient in the cookie you were not aware of. If you are concerned about your dog’s symptoms, seek out emergency vet services.
If your dog struggles with weight or other health problems, shortbread may not be the best snack choice. It is high in fat and sugar, which is not good for any type of weight loss or weight maintenance diet. If your dog is overweight or you are concerned about your dog’s weight, find healthy, non-toxic treats and snacks for your dog to enjoy.
Even if it is okay to give your dog shortbread, remember to only give them a few at a time. Shortbread is a very rich cookie and it might upset the dog’s stomach if given in large amounts.
If your dog accidentally gets into shortbread cookies and eats several, monitor your dog for the next few hours to see if any worrisome symptoms arise. If they do, take it to the vet. If not, allow your dog to naturally digest the shortbread and, in the future, keep foods like this out of reach.
Conclusion
Shortbread is not toxic or unsafe for dogs to eat. However, you will need to carefully check the ingredients to make sure nothing toxic is added. You will also need to keep a careful watch over how much shortbread your dog eats, as this is a rich and unhealthy type of snack for dogs.