Can Dogs Eat Cracker Jacks?

The Short Answer is:

Dogs should not be given this particular treat for a number of reasons. The first thing you’ll notice is that there are three different types of sugar. You can see the amount of each ingredient in the order that they appear. This is mostly a sugary candy since sugar and corn syrup are the top two ingredients. Dogs can get pancreatitis if they eat that, which is not a good thing for them. It is at least an uncomfortable condition, but it has the potential to be life-threatening as well. Fat and salt should also be avoided as with humans. Especially for dogs, peanuts and oils found in this product may not be healthy fats.

The purpose of this article is to explain “Can Dogs Eat Cracker Jacks?“.

Popcorn nuts and caramel make up Cracker Jacks. Most of them come in cardboard boxes with a prize at the bottom.

Cracker Jacks have been around since 1893 although they werenot called that until 1897.

Are there other brands of caramel popcorn? 

Yes indeed. Currently there are at least seventeen major brands with many companies creating their own mixes. They do not all contain nuts; some have cheese chocolate or other ingredients.

What are the ingredients of Cracker Jackss popcorn? 

Ingredients include sugar corn syrup popcorn peanuts molasses salt corn or soybean oil and soy lecithin. 

Are any of these ingredients toxic to dogs? 

Toxic depends on how you define it. Toxins are different from raisins or xylitol. In the mix there is nothing overtly harmful. In large quantities the combination can be toxic.

Why else might feeding your dog Cracker Jacks be dangerous? 

This particular treatment should not be fed to dogs for a number of reasons. 

The first thing you’ll notice is that there are three different types of sugar. 

You can see the amount of each ingredient in the order that they appear. This is mostly a sugary candy since sugar and corn syrup are the top two ingredients.

Dogs can get pancreatitis if they eat that which is not a good thing for them. 

It is at least an uncomfortable condition but it has the potential to be life-threatening as well. 

Fat and salt should also be avoided as with humans. Especially for dogs peanuts and oils found in this product may not be healthy fats. 

Humans can suffer from the same problems with them as animals do such as obesity heart disease and kidney disease.

Peanuts and corn kernels that did not pop all the way are both choking hazards for dogs. It is also possible to aspirate them causing an emergency that could require surgery.

What is the healthiest way to prepare popcorn for your dog? 

In itself popcorn can actually be a healthy snack when fully popped. What turns it into something the dog should not eat are the additions to it. We should not eat it either if the truth is known.

The best way to make dog popcorn is to use an air popper. 

There is no added fat because it does not require oil. The salt can be skipped so thats out of the way. A great deal of fiber is provided by popped kernels which keeps your dog regular.

Additionally you can prepare popcorn for your dog in a variety of bad ways. 

If you do not use the brown paper bag trick for making it microwave popcorn is a crappy idea. 

If you look at the ingredients list you can see why. 

Stovetop methods such as jiffy pop can also be problematic. Its also not a good idea to use store-bought pre-popped popcorn.

What are the most delicious snacks you can share with your dog? 

Dogs love some fruits and vegetables while others do not. 

The pumpkin has been a lifesaver for our dogs when they have had diarrhea. 

If there are no added sugars you can give them as a snack in moderation.

The majority of unseasoned meat is acceptable while processed meats are a bad idea. 

You should avoid giving your dog anything with bones in it especially small bones such as those found in fish. 

Salmon and chicken are particularly good fish.

Moderate amounts of peanut butter are good for dogs. They tend to take medications more easily when they are fed peanut butter. 

Make sure that the peanut butter does not contain xylitol as this can be deadly.

I find it amusing to watch them eat peanut butter as it gets stuck to the roof of their mouths. Seeing how they exaggeratedly lick their lips is entertaining.

Dogs should not eat raw eggs just as much as humans should but not necessarily for the same reason. 

Despite the fact that dogs may not get salmonella they can pass it on to their unwary owners. On the other hand cooked eggs provide a lot of nutrients and protein.

Some people claim that cooked eggs can help dogs who are nauseated although science has yet to prove this. 

Your veterinarian should be consulted before diagnosing and treating your dog with nausea; there may be serious medical reasons for the condition.

Dogs love to eat corn and this is something they can eat. Corn is very nutrient-dense. 

Adding butter or salt to fresh corn is not a good idea but if its really fresh it does not need too much else.

The idea of what constitutes a snack change as we age.

As children we might scoff at the idea of broccoli as a snack; however raw broccoli actually tastes quite good. Both cooked and raw broccoli can be eaten by dogs.

If it is fat-free however you should not dip it in ranch dressing.

There are some herbs that dogs can consume and others that they can not.

Any herbal product you give to your dog should be checked by a vet first to ensure it is safe and that it is given in the right quantities.

Dogs are considered safe in food amounts of basil parsley oregano and rosemary.

On the other hand do not feed your dog anything from the onion family. Garlic onions leeks chives scallions and chives are included. Historically Aloe was considered to be part of this family and should also be avoided. 

What are the fat sugar salt and calories in Cracker Jacks?

For this product there is a lot of nutrition information and most of it is useful for deciding whether or not to give it to your dog… or even if you want to eat it yourself. Percentages are based on a two thousand calorie diet while amounts are based on metric measurements.

A box of original Cracker Jacks contains 30 grams of carbs. Nineteen grams of that come from the sugars contained in the product. Fiber is also present in a small amount which comes mainly from the popcorn itself.

Although it is unclear how the fat was divided up from the chart it appears that there are five grams of total fat. There are two grams of fat and three grams of saturated fat. Three grams of protein and ninety milligrams of sodium are in the box. The box does not contain cholesterol.

What are the side effects of dogs eating too much sugar? 

In dogs side effects are similar to those in humans. A dog that consumes too much sugar can become obese develop type II diabetes and suffer pancreatitis as a result.

How much sugar is too much for a dog depends on its size. One popped kernel is like eating a Big Mac for a Chihuahua as described by a dog expert recently. We have a dog that weighs about 90 pounds so the whole box would be equal for him.

All dog breeds can be affected by pancreatitis but older and middle-aged dogs are more likely to suffer. It must be said however that some breeds are prone to it at any age. In that category are Cocker Spaniels Terriers Dachshunds Miniature Schnauzers and Poodles. 

Overweight dogs are also prone to pancreatitis. The illness can be acute or chronic and symptoms can range from mild to severe enough to kill the dog. Keeping the dog at a healthy weight and limiting sugar intake are the best ways to prevent this problem.

Sugar isnot always something that ends with -one. Other hidden sugars may be present in processed foods besides maltodextrin. Sugars of this type are just as bad as those of the -one variety.

If you want to have a healthy canine companion speak to your veterinarian about what your dog needs nutritionally as well as make sure it is the right weight. Dogs need proper nutrition and exercise just like their human companions do.

You can also ask your vet for a more comprehensive list of what your pup can and cannot eat. Among the plants on this list you’ll want your dog to avoid are common yard plants. A dog could be poisoned by a chemical found in avocado trees and fruit if he tries to play catch with a stick from one.

While it may be tempting to give your dog human herbal remedies your vet is going to be crucial in making sure they are safe. Willow bark for example is fine for humans but not so great for pets. Aspirin served the same purpose until it was synthesized so giving them aspirin would be equivalent.

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.