Shortbread has a smooth texture because of the creamy margarine used. And the flavour! Just one munch of an original shortbread cookie, with its classic aroma, ecstatic taste and fine crumb, will have its consumer pleading for more. 

Very few cookies satisfy people’s cookie craving the way shortbread cookies do. Shortbread is rapidly sold out in shopping malls and marts all year round; that is how popular it is among humans. 

If you happen to be a fan of shortbread cookies, as most people are, you might consider sharing a few pieces with your canine companion as a special treat. Before sharing any of it, though, you must remember to decode the shortbread label to ensure it is safe for a dog. 

There are so many “human confectioneries” that are toxic to dogs. Let’s find out if shortbread cookies are one of the many confectioneries that are not dog-friendly. 

Can Dogs Safely Consume Shortbread Cookies?

The answer to this question is Yes. Dogs can eat shortbread cookies. After decoding the label imprinted on the pack of an original shortbread cookie, you will find that the ingredients are Sugar, Margarine and Flour. 

There are no stated claims or experiences to prove that these three non-complex ingredients are toxic for dogs. The safety of shortbread for a dog only becomes invalid when a particular brand manufactures its shortbread with toxic ingredients for dogs. 

If you are consuming a particular brand of shortbread that consists of maybe nutmeg, desist from sharing it with your dog, it is very toxic to their system. Another example is if a product is manufactured with macadamia nuts, this is even worse because it causes adverse effects on a dog’s health due to its complex proteins. 

If you share a shortbread cookie with macadamia nut ingredients with a dog, it will vomit and experience lethargy, allergies and severe digestive issues. Once you observe complications like these, your next move should be to immediately call Pet Poison Hotline or a vet for help.

Xylitol artificial sweetener is another reason you should decode any shortbread’s label before sharing it with your pup. 

This artificial sweetener is often used as a sugar preference in products that claim to be keto, sugar-free, plain and Paleo. Best believe, any shortbread label “Sugar-free” has xylitol as a replacement for sugar. Avoid sharing with your dog. 

If you unknowingly share a cookie containing xylitol with your dog, you will observe seizures, low blood sugar, overall weakness and vomiting. Call Pet Poison Hotline or a veterinarian doctor for help. 

Shortbread is only safe for a dog to consume when it is made the traditional Scottish way, with No artificial sweetener, no nutmeg, no nuts, just one part white sugar, two parts of butter and three parts of plain flour (Wheat). 

Read Also: Can Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Cookies

Understanding Shortbread Cookies

Before feeding any “human confectioneries” to your dog, you must decipher the nutritional composition and daily value of the snacks. 

Description And Ingredients Commonly Found In Shortbread Cookies

As already indicated, shortbread cookies consist of only three simple ingredients: One part sugar, Two parts butter, and Three parts flour (Wheat). 

Other vitamins and minerals are derived from the butter, and the nutrients found in any shortbread are determined by the quality and type of butter used to manufacture the cookie. 

As to humans, regardless of the non-toxicity of these ingredients, shortbread is not the healthiest treat for any dog at all. For the sake of alternatives to shortbread cookies, there are other healthy human foods that a dog can have for his occasional treats. 

Suppose you are wondering why; it is because shortbread has a high-fat content due to butter and provides only a few grams of vitamins & minerals. It is also high in carbohydrates due to its sugar content. 

Generally, shortbread has no substantial amount of essential vitamins and minerals for your pet. It can only serve as a tasty treat. 

The Nutritional Content Of Shortbread Cookies And Potential Concerns For Dogs

In regards to nutritional value, one serving of shortbread cookie is 12 grams, and the amount of calories derived per serving is 61. The total Fat in a serving of shortbread is 3.1 grams (4% daily value). 

Total Fat is derived from saturated Fat (1 gram), Trans Fat (0.1 gram), Polyunsaturated fats (1 gram), and Monounsaturated fats (0.8 grams). 

Shortbread cookies also have 42 milligrams of sodium (2% daily value), 1.5 milligrams of calcium, 0.4 milligrams of iron (2% daily value), 10.4 milligrams of potassium, and 0.6 grams of protein. It has 7.5 grams of carbohydrate content (3% daily value per serving), carbohydrates derived from dietary fibre (0.2 grams and 1% daily value), and 2.6 grams of sugar. 

The % Daily Value means the number of nutrients 12g serving of shortbread contributes to a dog’s daily diet. Shortbread contains only a small amount of essential calcium, zinc, potassium, iron, dietary fibre and essential fats per serving. 

Almost all the calories derived from shortbread biscuits come from carbohydrates. A slightly less amount of calories are derived from the unsaturated, saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. 

Some of the nutritional compositions imprinted on the pack of shortbread cookies vary, and this variation depends on the quality of flour and butter used in manufacturing the cookies. 

Considering all the sugar, wheat flour and margarine used to bake shortbreads, it is best not to share it with your canine companion due to potential risks and health hazards. 

Even though the three ingredients are not so dangerous, they are the most richly used ingredients used for shortbread, and your dog’s digestive system may be at risk if he consumes the cookies. 

However, depending on the breed, size, age of your dog and the size of the cookie, one or two can be shared as a treat if your dog must have some. 

If your dog shows any allergy symptoms, choking hazards or digestive disturbance, that means a veterinarian would have to be consulted as soon as possible. Also, if he has any prior medical conditions, seek medical advice first before you share any confectionery with him. 

Potential Risks Of Shortbread Cookies For Dogs

If you still decide to give your dog some of the shortbread you’re having, there are a few guidelines to keep in mind concerning the portion sizes and frequency of shortbread servings to your dog. Shortbread cookies, not entirely dangerous, should be fed only in small amounts, regardless. 

The cookies provide no substantial amount of essential nutrients, vitamins or minerals for your pet, so there is no reason to give your canine large amounts of them. 

The Potential Risks of Shortbread Cookies for Dogs Are As A Result Of: 

1. High Sugar And Their Impact On Canine Health

High sugar consumption is bad for dogs, humans can eat sugar and suffer the consequences, but dogs can barely stand it. It is also extremely unhealthy if fed in large amounts. 

If your canine gets a tiny taste of sugary snacks and treats or you offer him the occasional dog-friendly human fruits that contain natural sugar, it shouldn’t hurt his body system. 

But, consuming a whole lot of sugary treats or human snacks may result in numerous health hazards over a long period, such as obesity, diarrhoea, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances, excessive urination, constipation, metabolic changes, bloating etc. In most adverse health effects, your dog could go down with pancreatic cancer. 

2. High-Fat Content And Their Impact On Canine Health

High-fat consumption by dogs, including fatty human foods such as shortbread cookies, can result in a possibly life-threatening health hazard called pancreatitis. And, because fats from the cookies may contain more than 10% of the proteins and carbohydrates a dog derived from his regular diet, he may gradually become obese. 

On the other hand, if shortbread contains essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it would be a very healthy option for dog treats. 

Veterinarians majorly recommend this essential fatty acid as an effective treatment for skin allergies, osteoarthritis and inflammation, heart diseases and cancers. Unfortunately, shortbread has no such essential fatty acids.

If flaxseed oil, algal oils, cold-water fish oil, and cod-liver oil were available in a serving of shortbread cookies, it would’ve been a nice treatment option, especially for dogs with skin and eye problems. Unfortunately, there are no such oils derived from the cookie. 

3. Added Ingredients Such As Chocolate Or Artificial Sweeteners That Can Be Toxic To Dogs

Chocolate and xylitol are artificial sweeteners that can pose dangerous hazards to your dog. These ingredients are a good reason you should decode any shortbread’s label before sharing it with your pup. 

Xylitol artificial sweetener is often used as a sugar preference in products that claim to be keto, sugar-free, plain and Paleo. Best believe, any shortbread label which has “Sugar-free” has xylitol as a replacement for sugar. Avoid sharing with your dog. 

If you unknowingly share a cookie containing xylitol or chocolate with your dog, you will observe seizures, low blood sugar, overall weakness, obesity, excessive urination and vomiting. Call Pet Poison Hotline or a veterinarian doctor for help. 

Can Dogs Eat Shortbread Cookies? Expert Opinion

If you observe that your pet is reacting in an allergic manner to shortbread treats, do not share any more shortbreads with him, administer health care to the best of your efforts and call a doctor to handle the rest. 

Your dog must be having an allergic reaction due to an ingredient in the cookie that is not dog-friendly but tolerable to humans. If this happens, it means you were not careful enough to decode the label or the ingredient was hidden. 

In addition, if your canine already has a health history of obesity or other health problems, you may want to reconsider serving shortbread to him or her. Snacks high in fat and sugar are not ideal for humans and dogs suffering from overweight issues because only weight-maintenance dietary meals should be consumed. 

Benefits Of Homemade Treats For Dogs

Homemade treats play a huge role in controlling ingredients and ensuring a healthier treatment option for dogs. Pet owners and dogs will benefit from the advantages of homemade dog treats. 

Health hazards will be avoided if you incorporate homemade treats because you will know exactly what goes into the homemade treats for your canine’s well-being.

Homemade treats do not contain any of the unhealthy preservatives, chemicals, artificial sweeteners, fats and carbohydrates that grocery store-bought snacks contain. The reason for this is simple, homemade treats are made fresh, and all of it is eaten almost immediately. 

Unlike store-bought treats, they do not have to be kept for a long time in packages on top of store shelves waiting for weeks just for consumers to purchase. Homemade treats are made with extra fresh, potent and natural ingredients. 

For every serving of homemade treats a dog consumes, there is always a positive impact on its digestive system, heart, teeth, muscles, eyes, bones and fur. 

Now you know that with homemade treats, you know exactly what your dog consumes daily. There are no hidden artificial sweeteners, no preservatives, no artificially sourced ingredients, and your dog will not be prone to health hazards.

Let us give you an insight into the “human foods” you can incorporate alongside homemade treats and the ones you should avoid totally. 

Some Safe, Dog-Friendly Foods To Incorporate Into Your Dog’s Treats:

• Carrots
• Little amounts of peanut butter (Excess consumption will lead to xylitol poisoning)
• Cooked eggs
• Cooked, boneless salmon
• Blueberries
• Watermelon
• Pineapple
• Plain white, wheat or whole-grain bread
• Cooked or mashed corn (Off the cob)
• Green peas 
• Oatmeal
• Apples (Off the seeds)
• Peanuts (Off the Shell)
• Cashews (Off the Shell)
• Sweet potatoes
• Cooked, boneless chicken
• Pork Meat
• Mangoes
• Turkey, beef and fish
• Rice
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Oranges
• Shortbread (Once in a while)

Recipes And Ideas For Homemade Dog-Friendly Treats

1. Peanut Butter And Sweet Potato Homemade Treat

This specific treatment is prepared with a little bit of salt, peanut butter, flour, eggs, some water and sweet potato. These ingredients are a great source of dietary fibre for your canine companion.

2. Oatmeal, Blueberry And Peanut Butter Homemade Treat

This specific treatment is prepared with grounded oatmeal, flour, eggs, baking soda, little granulated sugar, and your pooch will be salivating for more after each bite. 

3. Banana Bread Homemade Treat

Banana bread is very delicious, made with ripe bananas, brown sugar, milk, margarine, flour and baking powder. The milk and banana in this recipe could be excellent dietary fibre and protein sources for your pooch.

4. Fruit Salad For Dogs

As stated above, carrots, watermelon, bananas, apples, blueberries and strawberries are safe human fruits for dogs to consume. Properly wash and cut all of these, serve to your dog and watch him munch happily on his healthy treat. 

5. Chicken Dog Treats

Alongside a plate of rice, your dog could be treated to some chicken nuggets and maybe one cooked egg. Both chickens and eggs are great for essential proteins, carbohydrates and fats.

6. Homemade Dog Biscuits 

Homemade dog biscuits are the most regular dog treats used in pet owners’ homes today. The five basic ingredients for this treat are peanut butter, wheat flour, flaxseed, meat stock, and oatmeal.  

Read Also: Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal Cookies

Safer Alternatives To Shortbread Cookies For Dogs

Some pet owners may not trust “human foods” that are dog friendly such as shortbread. If you do not want to use human foods to treat your dog, maybe you would like to specifically use homemade treats made with canine-friendly ingredients. 

Below is a description of canine-friendly ingredients that are good in dog treats. 

• Pet-safe CBD oils
• Herbs
• Locally sourced meat
• Pureed pumpkin
• Honey
• Coconut flour
• Oat flour
• Blackstrap Molasses
• Star anise
• Oregano
• Chickpea flour
• Sunflower oil

Here are some homemade treat options using only ingredients that dogs can safely consume

1. Homemade Jerky Canine Treats

Jerky is mentioned first among the canine-specific treats to make for your pooch because the last is the longest, easiest to prepare and provides the greatest source of protein among the rest. 

All you need to do is purchase healthy cow legs in the market (mostly lean meat) or pork or chicken parts and wash them thoroughly at home.

Marinate them in only small salt and beef seasoning cubes, do not add onions, oil, cinnamon and other spices. After marinating, put it into your oven, microwave, halogen cooker or dehydrator and grill for a very long time until dry. 

Keep safe and feed it to your dog as much as you like; it poses no danger to a dog’s health. 

2. Baked Irish Or Sweet Potato Dog Treats

Sweet potatoes are a source of protein that will be deeply valued by humans forever, and dogs can also benefit from this delight. Purchase some sweet or Irish potatoes, cut them into many slices, marinate them in only seasoning cubes, and add some chilli peppers too.

After marinating, put it into your oven, microwave, halogen cooker or dehydrator and grill until it is well cooked and dry like biscuits. Serve alongside the grilled jerky, and Carrots could be a great choice for vegetable options. 

Read More: Can Dogs Eat Popcorn: Is Popcorn Safe for Your Dog?

3. Biscuit Bone Treats

Biscuit bones can be derived from the lean beef, turkey legs, gizzard or chicken parts that you will purchase for the beef jerky or even a whole purchase of bones from a meat market. 

The meat would still be bloody, so it is important to thoroughly wash off every blood stain, transfer it into a pot and cook it with salt and beef seasoning. 

Pet dogs greatly love biscuit bones. Generally, no pet dog is ever allergic to biscuit bones, and nor will it cause any choking hazards. 

Serve some to your dog when it is done, and preserve any remnants in a refrigerator. 

4. Sea Food Treats

Seafood that is dog friendly comprises so many fishes like crabs, skates, shrimps, catfish, sharks, sawfish, clams, scallops, whelks, limpets, octopuses, and squids. 

Just as we emphasise on and on about “human foods” and their toxicity to dogs, the sea foods mentioned above are “Canine specific foods” that are very toxic to humans. 

To safely prepare this for your dog, use a pot that will be specifically used for only your dog’s seafood treats, purchase and wash any dog-friendly seafood of your choice, season and marinate it, then you can boil it until done and serve it alongside your dog’s regular diet. 

Store-Bought Treats Designed Specifically For Dogs

• Happy Spring Dog Treats
• Just Jerky Canine Treats
• Zami Pet Happy Treats
• Vetri Science Pinchers
• Dog Macarons Treat
• Pill Hiding Probiotic Treat
• Dr Gary’s Best Breed Treat
• Open-farm dehydrated beef treats
• The honest kitchen is purely one

Tips For Selecting And Offering Safe Treats To Dogs

Due to the love pet owners have for their pets, they love to show their dogs how special they are by treating them occasionally to fun and satisfying treats. Fortunately, these days there are so many delightful and tasty snacks sold in various stores from which to consider as treats. 

But how can pet owners decipher which treats are healthy and safe for their pets to eat? Find out below! 

• Figure out the health condition of your dog first. Find out if he has a history of intolerance to any kind of ingredients like milk, butter, salt, wheat, soy, corn, nuts and even sugar.
• Buy treats that are manufactured with only natural ingredients like oatmeal, locally sourced proteins or lamb.
• Avoid treats that have a label that confuses you. 
• Stick to low-calorie and low-fat treats.
• Ensure the overall nutritional composition of your dog’s treat provides a balanced and nutritious diet.
• Avoid buying treats that are small-sized and easy to chew
• Make sure to check expiry dates first before purchasing.
• Avoid treats with artificial colours and sweeteners.
• Purchase treats that have real fruits and vegetables, not artificial fruit and vegetable flavours

Other Human Foods To Avoid Giving Dogs

Some examples of human foods that can be harmful or toxic to dogs, in general, are as follows: 

• Chocolate
• Excessive peanut butter
• Macadamia nuts
• Avocado
• Onions
• Coffee or green tea
• Garlic
• Grapes and raisins
• Lemon, lime, and alcohol 

Educating Dog Owners On The Importance Of A Dog-Specific Diet

Sticking specifically to a canine-friendly diet plays a huge role in controlling the food ingredients that are ingested by your dog and ensuring a healthier treat option for dogs. Pet owners and dogs will benefit from the advantages of sticking to specific canine-friendly diets. 

Health hazards and frequent visits to the veterinary clinic for checkups will be avoided if you incorporate dog-specific meals into a dog’s regular diet because you will know exactly what goes into the regular diet for your canine’s well-being. 

The trust for your dog’s well-being and wellness increases when you incorporate ingredients and meals that are specifically made for dogs to consume into your dog’s regular diet. 

Dog-specific regular meals do not contain any of the unhealthy preservatives, chemicals, artificial sweeteners, fats and carbohydrates that commercially processed, store-bought snacks contain. 

The ingredients found in commercial kibbles are toxic to the health of canines. Dog-specific diets are made with extra fresh, potent and natural ingredients, which results in a dog’s general well-being.

Some human foods, too, are not so dog friendly and should have never been fed to a dog as occasional treats. This also reduces the need for a clinical checkup and medical consultation. 

For every serving of a canine-friendly diet that a dog consumes, there is always a positive impact on its digestive system, heart, teeth, muscles, eyes, bones and fur.

Promoting Responsible Feeding Practices

Actively engage your dog in the following:

• Fun interactions and eye-to-eye contact with your dog during meal times. 
• Try to understand your dog regarding mealtime expectations.
• Observe satiety cues and respond to the hunger of your dog
• Feeding canines directly or assisting them to enjoy their meal properly. 

Ensure That There Is Progression:

• Slowly and patiently encourage your dog to eat. That Will motivate him to eat better.
• Never force your dog to eat whatever homemade meal you have prepared. 

Modelling Healthy Feeding Practices For Dogs:

• Parents, caregivers and family members should all make healthy food-based choices.

Required Mealtime Environment:

• Serve meals in a pleasant and clean environment
• Make sure the dog is comfortable and in a good eating posture before he starts eating 
• Your dog should be eating with its puppies or other family dogs 
• Don’t serve food in an environment where there are distractions, and this could lead to choking hazards 
• Mealtimes should be organised by establishing strict feeding routines
• Follow a strict schedule by feeding your dog, preferably at the same place and time everyday 

Offered Food Must Be: 

• Very healthy
• Tasty 
• Vitamins and minerals should be well balanced 
• Developmentally appropriate. 

To Overcome Reluctancy To Eat Food, Experiment With:

• Providing different dog-friendly food combinations, tastes and textures. 
• Providing extra care and encouragement.

Additional Responsible Feeding Practices Due To Certain Circumstances 

When Your Dog Is Sick:

• Encourage him to eat slowly and patiently.
• Serve only mashed and soft food, especially if the dog has a sore throat that resulted in swallowing difficulties 
• Give the dog his or her favourite treats
• Provide only small meals frequently
• Give clean water more often at each feed

When The Dog Is Recovering From Sickness:

• Be quick to satisfy the dog’s increased hunger pangs.
• Increase the amount of food intake by serving additional treats alongside his regular diet and serving more dog-specific kibbles per meal.

FAQ

Conclusion

Shortbread cookies are not exactly the healthiest treat for any dog at all. For the sake of alternatives to shortbread cookies, there are other healthy human foods that a dog can have for his occasional treats. 

Suppose you are wondering why; It is because shortbread has a high-fat content due to butter and provides only a few grams of vitamins & minerals. It is also high in carbohydrates due to its sugar content. 

Treats that are specially formulated for dogs are much healthier and provide fewer chances of health hazards. But, If you must give your dog some of your shortbread cookies, then it must be in moderate portions. 

If this article has proved helpful, feel free to share it with friends and families that are dog lovers and owners. Also, feel free to ask further questions or make suggestions; we promise to respond as soon as possible.

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