Can dogs eat Ginger Biscuits?

Read on for more information about whether your dog can ever eat ginger biscuits, and what other kinds of biscuits might have an impact on your dog. 

Why are ginger nut biscuits bad for dogs? 

Ginger biscuits, or ‘gingernuts’ don’t necessarily contain any ingredients that are toxic to dogs - so long as they don’t have any artificial sweeteners or come dipped in chocolate (definitely avoid these). 

The issue with ginger biscuits is they have a very high sugar content and are high in fat. This has no nutritional benefit to a pooch and could exacerbate digestive issues. Over time, too many sneaked biscuits can cause weight gain and health problems in your dog. 

What about ginger in general?

Yes, peeled ginger is safe for a dog. However, there’s not really any need to feed a dog root ginger unless it’s as a supplement or natural remedy for health issues (ginger can ease inflammation and have anti-nausea properties). A small bit of chopped, peeled ginger might help your pooch if they’re unwell, but it’s not really something they’d eat for tastiness or nutrition. 

What to do if your dog eats ginger biscuits 

If your pooch has sneaked a ginger biscuit or two, it shouldn’t do them any harm. Keep an eye on them for any unwanted digestive issues, and be sure the ginger biscuits are kept out of reach in future. Don’t feed ginger biscuits to your dog intentionally, they’re not a healthy food and have no nutritional value. 

How many ginger biscuits are safe for dogs?

One or two ginger biscuits as a one-off aren’t dangerous for a dog to eat. If you’ve found your dog has emptied a packet of biscuits, however, that might be more of a cause for concern! Keep a close eye on your pooch to ensure they don’t suffer sickness, stomach pain or behavioural changes. 

When to visit the vet

If you’re worried about the amount of gingernuts your dog has eaten, they’re suffering sickness or diarrhoea, or you notice a significant change in their behaviour after eating ginger biscuits, get in touch with your vet so they can check them over. 

How to stop your dog eating ginger biscuits 

There’s a simple solution to stopping your dog eating ginger biscuits - never feed them to your dog! If they get used to seeing a ginger biscuit as a treat, they’ll beg for them each time they see them and start to expect it. Keep biscuits and other sweet human treats well out of reach of dogs, and don’t leave an open packet lying on the sofa or a low table, for instance. 

Other types of biscuits dogs can eat

We Brits love a biscuit, and there are all kinds of biscuit varieties your pooch might end up sneaking as a snack. It’s mostly a ‘no’ across the board when it comes to biscuits for dogs, however some are more dangerous than others. 

Can dogs eat digestive biscuits?

Ideally, no - a digestive isn’t necessarily toxic to a dog but it has a lot of sugar and butter, and is a very calorific food with no nutritional value. What’s more, if your dog has a grain or wheat intolerance, it could trigger a reaction in their sensitive digestive system. If they eat a digestive biscuit it’s no big deal, but don’t give them as an intentional snack. If you’re pondering ‘Can dogs eat rich tea biscuits?’ or ‘Can dogs eat malted milk biscuits?’, the answer is the same. 

Can dogs eat bourbon biscuits?

No - bourbon biscuits are riskier than other kinds of biscuits as they contain chocolate, which is renowned for being toxic to dogs. Bourbon biscuits are a dangerous food for dogs and could make them very ill, so keep them well out of reach of peckish paws. 

Can dogs eat shortbread biscuits?

No, shortbread biscuits are very sugary and full of butter, so are too calorific for dogs to eat. If they do manage to eat one, it’s not necessarily dangerous, but be sure your pooch doesn’t get into the shortbread again by keeping them securely in the human biscuit tin. 

Can dogs eat coconut biscuits?

Coconut isn’t a toxic ingredient for dogs, however coconut biscuits are best avoided. They’re usually full of sugar and butter, so choosing a tasty biscuit made specifically for dogs is a better option. For tasty biscuits that will boost your dog’s digestion rather than irritate it, you could try some probiotic dog treats. 

What other foods are toxic to dogs?

If you didn’t consider that bourbon biscuits aren’t safe for dogs, remember that these foods should also be kept away from the dog’s bowl:

• Avocado. Though a superfood for humans, avocado contains a compound called persin which is toxic for dogs. 
• Chocolate. Probably the most well-known no-no for dogs, chocolate is very toxic due to its theobromine content and should be avoided at all costs. 
• Grapes and raisins. Avoid grapes and raisins, their sundried cousin. They contain Tartaric acid that’s toxic to some dogs, and can cause kidney issues, though some may eat them without issue. 
• Tomatoes. Tomatoes contain a compound toxic to dogs called solanine, though this is present in much lower amounts in ripe tomatoes.
• Onions and garlic. Part of the allium family, onions and garlic contain n-propyl disulfide - a toxic oxidant that impacts red blood cells in dogs, which can lead to anaemia or even cause a dog to collapse.
• Xylitol/artificial sweetener. The artificial sweeteners found in a lot of human foods are poisonous to dogs - specifically Xylitol. Eating it can cause a sharp drop in blood sugar which can result in liver dysfunction in dogs.

Take a look at our range of nutritious treats for dogs or our tasty dental sticks to give your dog a tasty treat, as well as a boost to their overall health and wellbeing.