Can Dogs Have Fortune Cookies?

The Short Answer is:

Fortune cookies may be safe for your dog, but they’re not healthy for him. There are many ingredients in these cookies that are unsuitable for consumption by dogs.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Have Fortune Cookies?“.

Usually if your dog eats a Fortune cookie or two it does not cause alarm. Fortune cookies are not toxic to dogs. However that does not mean Fortune cookies are suitable for dogs. Your dog may not be able to digest some ingredients in Fortune cookies. The dog may become sick if he consumes too much.

There are times when dogs cannot tell whats good for them as you can see. Seeing their owner eating something will make them want to eat it as well. Some foods that are safe for humans such as Pepperoni are not safe for our pups.

There are even some seemingly harmless foods that can be lethal for dogs including coffee chocolate garlic and mushrooms.

What are Fortune cookies?

Traditionally fortune cookies are crescent-shaped confections stuffed with a paper fortune. In addition to being sweet they are similar to snacks such as Reeses Pieces. Fortune cookies are a Chinese restaurant staple served as a dessert or snack.

Where do Fortune cookies come from?

Fortune cookies are often associated with China but they were actually created in the United States. Fortune cookies originated in California where Japanese immigrants likely popularized them. The Fortune cookie is marketed as an American treat in China.

What are Fortune cookies made of?

The basic ingredients of Fortune cookies are water flour sugar sesame seed oil and eggs usually accompanied by flavoring (mostly vanilla) and fat (butter or oil). While manufacturers may add extra ingredients according to their preferences the core elements remain the same.

They also contain a strip of paper that is supposed to tell your fortune.

How is it made?

All the ingredients are mixed into a batter before being baked to make fortune cookies. It is easy to mold them after they have come out of the oven because they are soft and easy to handle. Afterward the fortune paper is inserted in the middle and the cookies are folded into crescents. The fortunes are tucked inside the cookies once they cool and harden.

Are Fortune cookies healthy for dogs?

Fortune cookies may be safe for your dog but they’re not healthy for him. There are many ingredients in these cookies that are unsuitable for consumption by dogs. Lets examine some common Fortune cookie ingredients and how they can affect dogs to gain a better understanding.

1. Sugar (Harmful in large quantities)

In spite of the fact that sugar is not harmful to dogs outright feeding them too many sugary treats can put them at risk of obesity and diabetes. Dogs’ stomachs would not be able to digest fortune cookies due to their high sugar content. 

Both short- and long-term effects of sugar are harmful to dogs. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to the following short-term side effects:

• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.
• Stomach inflammation.

Regularly eating sugary foods will harm dogs in the long run causing them to:

• Tooth decay.
• Obesity.
• Hormone imbalance.
• Diabetes.

Its best to also avoid giving your dog any sugary drinks such as Sprite as this may cause several side effects and health issues including diabetes and obesity.

2. Vanilla Extract (Safe in very small quantities)

A fundamental ingredient of Fortune cookies is vanilla extract which contains 35% alcohol. The amount of vanilla extract used in Fortune cookies is far too small to harm our dogs even though alcohol is toxic to them.

There is a risk of alcohol poisoning in dogs if they consume too many vanilla-flavored Fortune cookies. There is a greater risk associated with smaller dogs. It is possible to develop the following health problems after consuming alcohol:

• Indigestion.
• Disorientation.
• Dehydration.
• Nausea.
• Breathing issues.
• Coma.
• Death.

3. Salt (Safe in small quantities)

Despite the fact that some manufacturers use salt in their Fortune cookies the amount isnot too high. Despite eating a few Fortune cookies your dog would not get salt poisoning from eating them. Nevertheless if they have devoured a box or two you might have a problem.

There is a risk of sodium poisoning in dogs when they consume too much salt. The following may result from this:

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Seizures.
• Muscle spasm.
• Death (in extreme cases).

4. Paper (Safe in small quantities)

Lets be honest. Considering the fortune paper is inside the Fortune cookies dogs are likely to consume it as well.

Fortunately the paper parchment is unlikely to bother the dog. The dog would have to consume a large amount of paper in order to be problematic. Dogs will pass out the strip of paper as it would not bother their digestive systems.

5. Flour (Mostly safe)

Flour contains only one potentially harmful ingredient: gluten. As long as your dog does not have a gluten allergy flour is safe for him to eat. Flour is a common ingredient in many popular dog foods. 

However dogs with gluten allergies should never eat Fortune cookies as they may cause the following:

• Stomach disorder.
• Irritated skin.
• Ear infection.
• Celiac disease.

6. Eggs (Safe)

Dogs are not at risk from the eggs in Fortune cookies because they are cooked. In case the dog eats too many Fortune cookies its problems would not be caused by eggs. There are however other ingredients that are not as kind.

Adding ingredients and seasonings to eggs does not make them safe for dogs to consume. Due to the presence of harmful ingredients like salt onions and mustard egg salad is not safe for dogs to consume.

7. Possible additive: Xylitol (Toxic)

There are some sugar-free Fortune cookie brands that use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. Dogs are poisoned by an artificial sweetener called Xylitol. Xylitol poisoning can cause the following symptoms:

• Vomiting.
• Laziness.
• Lack of coordination.

There are several severe side effects associated with Xylitol including:

• Rapid blood sugar drop
• Seizures
• Liver failure
• Death

Check the ingredients before buying anything that contains Xylitol which is very toxic to dogs.

8. Possible additive: Instant tea powder (Toxic)

Adding instant tea powder to Fortune cookie recipes can enhance their flavor. Caffeine including tea coffee and other sources is toxic to dogs. Only decaffeinated teas such as peppermint tea or chamomile tea are safe for dogs. Fortune cookies infused with tea may cause the following symptoms if consumed in large quantities:

• Elevated heartbeat.
• Hypertension.
• Vomiting.
• Restlessness.
• Seizures.
• Unconsciousness.

Ensure the Fortune cookie does not contain tea flavors by checking the ingredients.

When shouldn’t you feed Fortune cookies to your dog?

If your dogs fortune cookies are old and unhealthy do not feed them to him. Fortune cookies contain extra calories that are not necessary for older dogs to consume. Their digestive system is also taxed by attempting to digest unusual foods.

It is recommended to keep all sugary treats away from dogs who are already obese including Fortune cookies. You should strictly supervise the diet of an overweight dog due to the empty calories in Fortune cookies.

The flour and butter in Fortune cookies can cause allergic reactions in dogs who are gluten-intolerant or lactose-intolerant. In addition to vomiting diarrhea rashes and stomach disorders allergic reactions can also cause nausea and vomiting. The Fortune cookie should not be fed to your dog if it is allergic to any of its ingredients.

Do Fortune cookies provide any nutritional benefits to your dog?

There are a lot of simple carbohydrates and fats in fortune cookies. In addition to that they do not offer much nutritional value. Furthermore most of the carbohydrates in Fortune cookies come from sugar. Carbohydrates can be obtained from better sources than sugar for your dog.

How many Fortune cookies can I give my dog?

It is ideally not a good idea to feed them Fortune cookies. Its okay to share some of them with your dog occasionally though. You can find out if there are any harmful ingredients on the label by checking the label.

Here its important not to make it a regular occurrence. Theres nothing wrong with occasional snacking but you should not make it a habit.

What if my dog accidentally ate a lot of Fortune cookies?

Even if your dog eats a whole box of Fortune cookies theres no need to panic. Most Fortune cookies contain ingredients that are either safe for consumption or are in such small amounts that they barely pose a health risk.

In addition you should check the ingredients on the Fortune cookie box your dog consumed. If they contain toxic ingredients such as tea powder Xylitol or vanilla extract monitor their condition closely and inform your veterinarian. In the case of dogs with gluten allergies the same applies.

You should feed your dog their usual meals and give them plenty of water. The harmful or irritating ingredients in Fortune cookies will pass with time and your dog will be fine. For a while restrict their access to human foods.

If your dog eats too many Fortune cookies he may experience side effects. Fortune cookies do not pose a life-threatening risk. The following symptoms should be kept in mind.

• Nausea vomiting diarrhea – natural reactions to ingredients that upset the dogs stomach
• Inflammation and stomach ache caused by excessive sugar consumption
• If the cookies contain too much vanilla extract or Xylitol disorientation and lack of coordination can occur
• The combination of caffeine (from tea powder) and Xylitol can cause seizures and muscle spasms
• If your dog is allergic to gluten he may experience itching skin irritation and ear infections

Treatments if your dog has Fortune cookies poisoning

If the dog is having diarrhea or vomiting pay close attention to what he is doing. An unwelcome ingredient will be naturally eliminated from the dogs digestive system. If your dog is suffering from diarrhea make sure he drinks plenty of water. Be sure to keep your veterinarian informed about your pets condition.

In case of worsening circumstances contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. Often the vet will prescribe a treatment that you can perform on your own. Your veterinarian would also let you know when its time to take your dog to the vet.

However you should still keep the dog under observation until he or she feels normal even if there are no fatal consequences.

What are some dog-friendly and healthy alternatives to Fortune cookies?

In case your dog has a sweet tooth and begs you to share your Fortune cookies with them you can feed them healthier alternatives. Sweet and healthy snacks can satisfy their cravings while keeping them safe from harmful effects.

For healthy dog snacks here are a few ideas:

• Peanut butter: Peanut butter that is unsalted and sugar-free is an excellent snack for dogs. Doggy treats or homemade cookies can also be made with them.
• Bananas: Their potassium content and vitamins make them an excellent source of nutrients. Banana slices can also be sun-dried to make them crunchy.
• Apple: The natural sugars and fiber in apples make them a healthy snack. Before giving them to your dog slice them up and remove the seeds.
• Pumpkin: In addition to providing a great source of fiber it keeps the dogs digestion and immunity in tip-top shape.
• Carrots: Vitamins are abundant in carrots which are crunchy and sweet. Make them easier to eat by chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
• Doggy treats Online and at your local store you can find plenty of tasty treats for your dog. Canines can consume these treats without any problems. You just need to ensure that there isnot too much white sugar in the ingredients. In addition to being unhealthy white sugar can also be addictive.
• Homemade alternatives: There is nothing better than homemade treats since you know what went into them. In your own kitchen you can make healthy dog-friendly Fortune cookies. On the internet you can find many easy recipes.

So can dogs eat Fortune cookies?

Giving our pups a few Fortune cookies is the best thing to do. The ingredients that make Fortune cookies can upset your dogs stomach even though they are not toxic.

It does not matter how much our dogs love our food their stomachs are not designed to digest it. There is no way for dogs to know which foods are harmful and which are safe. Ensuring they do not consume anything unhealthy is our responsibility.

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.