Can Dogs Eat Vanilla Wafers and Cookies?

Every weekend I would head over to my aunt’s house and see my cousins. Their favorite snack is Vanilla wafers in banana pudding. I usually have mine with a glass of milk. While we’re enjoying our snacks on the sofa, their German Shepherd would sit by my feet and give me the puppy eyes. I feel guilty for not sharing and wonder if Vanilla wafers are safe for doggy consumption.

No, dogs should not eat Vanilla wafers and especially not sugar Vanilla wafers. No matter how bad your dog may want to take a bite out of that Vanilla wafers you’re eating, you should not feed it to your pooch. Vanilla wafers are loaded with sugar, which could be detrimental to your dog’s health and cause dangerous health issues to your dog.

It’s always best to avoid feeding our furry friends sugary snacks like Fortune cookies or food that contains ingredients that are toxic to our pooch. Below, we will discuss why Vanilla wafers are bad for dogs, the ingredients in these crispy cookies, and dog-friendly alternatives to give your pooch instead.

Are Vanilla wafers bad for dogs?

Yes, Vanilla wafers are bad for dogs. The ingredients in the Vanilla wafers make them unhealthy for dog consumption.

First, it is essential to take note that there is a reason why dogs have their specific meals. Dog food that is designed for them contains the nutrients they need to stay active and healthy.

Vanilla wafers, on the other hand, are made for human consumption and to satisfy one’s sweet tooth. so it will contain some ingredients that might be dangerous to your dog’s health. A portion of typical dog food is made of meat, vegetables, fruits, minerals and nutrients, water, a little grain or carbs, and fats all of which are healthy forms of nutrients for your dog. 

As seen above, none of this form of nutrients includes sugar, which is the major ingredient in Vanilla wafers. Sugar is one of the most dangerous ingredients in Vanilla wafers. Speaking of sugar, let’s look at the ingredients in these sweet crispy cookies.

Ingredients in Vanilla wafers

While each company has its own special ingredients that give Vanilla wafers their signature taste, there are some main ingredients that are used to make Vanilla wafers.

Commercialized Vanilla wafers are typically made from the following ingredients:

• Flour.
• Fat.
• Sugar.
• Salt.
• Sodium bicarbonate.
• Vanilla.
• Eggs.
• Hydrogenated oils.
• Artificial flavors.
• Corn syrup.
• Milk or whey.

We took a look at the ingredients in the Nabsico Nilla wafers and they are:

• Unbleached enriched flour.
• Sugar.
• Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Canola, Palm, and Partially hydrogenated Cottonseed oil).
• Whey (from milk).
• Eggs.
• Salt.
• Baking soda.
• High fructose corn syrup.
• Calcium phosphate.
• Artificial flavor.
• Emulsifiers.
• Natural flavor.

A typical homemade Vanilla wafers are made from the following ingredients:

• White sugar.
• Egg.
• Butter.
• Flour.
• Cream.
• Baking soda.
• Baking powder.
• Salt.
• Vanilla extract.

We’ll dive deeper into some of the ingredients listed above:

Sugar

As much as your pooch needs sugar because it’s a form of carbohydrate that’s going to end up breaking into glucose and providing your pup with energy, you should avoid giving them direct sugary candy or food such as Vanilla wafers.

Sugary food, whether added to your dog’s meal or as a snack or treat can be harmful to your canine’s health. Consuming too many Vanilla wafers can lead to diabetes, tummy troubles, dental issues, and canine obesity.

Baking soda

When dogs eat too many Vanilla wafers, it means they are at risk of baking soda toxicity since there is a good amount of baking soda used to make these sweet crispy cookies. If your canine companions have baking soda toxicity, they will experience the following symptoms:

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Seizures.
• Tremors.
• Shortness of breath.
• Lethargy.
• Disorientation.
• Depression.

Sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is another ingredient in Vanilla wafers that is dangerous to your dog’s health.

Although, a little bit of it is regarded as harmless, feeding your furry friends food with sodium bicarbonate on a regular basis is very toxic and can harm your pup’s health.

Hence, it is advisable to avoid feeding your four-legged friends food that contains sodium bicarbonate. Excessive intake of bicarbonate in dogs can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and shortness of breath.

Hydrogenated oils

Hydrogenated oils are used in Vanilla wafers for several reasons:

• Helps improve the taste.
• Gives the cookies their crispy texture.
• Increase the shelf life.

However, they contain trans fat which can increase the level of cholesterol. It is regarded as the worst type of fat that humans can take so it is even worse for dogs.

When dogs ingest food with hydrogenated oils, it can cause:

• Inflammation.
• Heart disease.

Corn syrup

Corn syrup is another ingredient that makes it unhealthy to feed your pooch Vanilla wafers. Many brands use corn syrup in their Vanilla wafers recipes so the cookies have a consistent sweet taste.

While corn syrup itself isn’t toxic, it is the high sugar content that makes it so dangerous to your pooch. Consuming lots of food with corn syrup can cause canine obesity and diabetes.

Fun Fact: Another sweet snack that dogs should avoid is Reese’s Pieces because it is loaded with sugar and corn syrup which can cause tooth decay, diabetes, and weight gain in canines.

Artificial ingredients

Depending on the Vanilla wafers brand, several companies have long switched from all-natural ingredients to mostly artificial ingredients.

These artificial ingredients range from artificial vanilla to artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which is very toxic to a dog’s health. Even the tiniest amount of xylitol in their diet can cause the following:

• Low blood sugar.
• Liver failure.

Flour

Some dogs may be allergic to the flour that is used to make Vanilla wafers. If your pooch is allergic to the flour used in these sweet cookies, avoid feeding Vanilla wafers to your pup.

Dog food usually contains whole wheat flour as a binding agent, however, dogs shouldn’t consume plain flour.

Fats

Vanilla wafers are rich in fats which is not necessarily bad for dogs. However, fats are the major source of calorie.

If you have a sporting dog or an active dog, they may benefit from fats because their metabolism relies on fat for energy.

However, it is still inadvisable to feed your dog Vanilla wafers because if you have a sedentary or lazy dog breed, consistent intake of food with high fats can cause obesity due to a lack of exercise to burn off the extra fats.

What are Vanilla wafers?

Vanilla wafers are vanilla-flavored crispy, sweet and light cookies. They’re also known as sugar wafers. They originated from Staten island in the late 19th century by a German-American baker named Gustav A Mayer who created the Vanilla wafers recipe.

In 1894, Gustav gave his recipe to Nabisco who began production of the Vanilla wafers in 1898 under the name Vanilla wafers. Today, this snack is well known as Nilla wafers. 

How are Vanilla wafers made?

Vanilla wafers are actually very easy to make.

Vanilla wafers are made by mixing the butter, sugar, eggs, flour, salt, and vanilla together and then fill the piping bag with this batter. Using the piping bag, you squeeze out an even mound of batter (shaped like a cookie) using a medium pastry tip. The batter is then baked until they are golden brown.

Most people in the US and UK enjoy Vanilla wafers with their favorite yogurt or with ice cream.  

Fun Fact: Both Sour cream and yogurt are dairy products that have been fermented and provide healthy bacterial cultures.

When shouldn’t you feed Vanilla wafers to your dog?

You shouldn’t feed your furry friends Vanilla wafers if they are already diabetic, obese, have heart issues, dental issues, or have kidney and liver failure. Eating Vanilla wafers would make these existing conditions worse.

Do Vanilla wafers provide any nutritional benefit for your dog?

Vanilla wafers generally do not provide any nutritional benefits for your pooch. Since it does have high fat content, it would benefit energetic and active dogs with a high metabolism. However, most of the ingredients used in this crispy vanilla-flavor cookies are not healthy for our canine friends.

What if my dog accidentally eats a lot of Vanilla wafers?

If your pooch accidentally eats a tiny bit of Vanilla wafers, they should be fine. Your pooch may experience an upset stomach or discomfort.

You should carefully monitor your pooch if they ingested a lot of Vanilla wafers. In both situations, it’s best to contact your vet as soon as possible for medical advice even if your dog seems fine immediately after intake.

Symptoms to watch for

If your furry friends accidentally ate a lot of Vanilla wafers, they may experience some stomach troubles. Consistently feeding your pups Vanilla wafers can do damage to their health. Here are some symptoms to watch out for after your pooch has ingested Vanilla wafers:

• Obesity.
• Imbalance hormone.
• Excessive hunger.
• Excessively thirsty.
• Depression. 
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Increased urination.

Treatments if your dog has Vanilla Wafers poisoning

You should consult with your vet immediately if your pooch is experiencing symptoms from eating too many Vanilla wafers. Don’t try to treat your pooch yourself. Instead, ask for your vet’s advice on the best next step to take.

The vet may advise that you bring your pooch in for a physical and thorough examination. Some treatment options they may perform includes:

• Induced vomiting.
• Not eating for the remainder of the day.
• Cleaning out your dog system.

You could be given any of these treatment options to do at home or have the vet handle it. If the vet asks that you perform these treatments at home, be sure to follow through on all instructions carefully and only treat your dog when asked to by a veterinary professional. 

Hint: It’s best to give your pooch healthier food options like Brussel sprouts, pumpkin, apples, or carrots.

What are some dog-friendly and safe non-toxic Vanilla Wafers alternatives?

Here are some dog-friendly alternatives to Vanilla wafers that your pooch can eat safely:

Wafer cookies made exclusively for dogs: These cookies are designed for the dog’s stomach and contain healthy ingredients.

Healthy homemade dog Vanilla wafers: Making homemade dog Vanilla wafers mean you are using ingredients that are safe for doggy consumption. Below, you’ll find the steps to make them.

Whenever I’m visiting my aunt, I’ll usually bring over these dog snacks for her German Shepherd. Her pup absolutely love these.

How to make dog-friendly Vanilla wafers at home? 

Your dog’s homemade Vanilla wafers can contain peanut butter, whole wheat flour, oatmeal or rolled oat, unsweetened applesauce, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, eggs, and water. You can follow the steps below to make your own version of the Vanilla wafers – homemade dog-friendly style!

• Preheat oven to about 350°.
• Add whole wheat flour and oatmeal to a mixing bowl and set aside.
• Mix peanut butter and unsweetened applesauce in a mixing bowl until well combined.
• Break the egg, beat it, and mix with unfiltered apple cider vinegar until the egg is light.
• Add together and mix until combined.
• Add in mixed dry ingredients.
• Carefully mix.
• Add a little water if the dough is dense.
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper to avoid the dough from sticking to baking pan.
• Pipe dough from piping bag to baking sheet.
• Bake till golden brown.

So, can dogs eat Vanilla wafers?

No, based from the ingredients and the level of sugar and fat content, it is best that dogs stay away from Vanilla wafers. There are other snacks that are healthier for our pooch. It’s best to stick to dog-friendly treats and snacks instead.

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary needs.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nilla

https://www.nutritionix.com/i/keebler/sugar-wafers-vanilla/51c36eeb97c3e69de4b0968a