Ritz crackers end up on a lot of cheese boards and in a lot of laps, so dogs get plenty of chances.
What is on the label
I pulled the ingredient list for Ritz Crackers the original from Open Food Facts (product code 0044000031114). Ingredients are listed from the most to the least by weight.
Unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate {vitamin b1}, riboflavin {vitamin b2}, folic acid), vegetable oil (soybean and/or canola and/or palm and/or partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil), sugar, salt, leavening (baking soda and/or calcium phosphate), high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, malted barley flour, natural flavor,
Recipes change, and flavors and package sizes can differ, so read the bag you actually have before you rely on this list.
What matters for your dog
- Salt. ASPCA says excessive salt can cause increased thirst and urination and, depending on the amount, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures and even death. Size matters: the same snack is a bigger dose for a small dog.
- Sugar. Plain sugar isn’t poisonous to dogs, but it adds calories a dog doesn’t need. Sugar and high fructose corn syrup are both on this label.
- Nothing else from ASPCA’s list. I compared this label to ASPCA’s list of people foods to avoid and didn’t find onion, garlic, chives, chocolate, caffeine, xylitol, grapes, raisins or macadamia nuts.
About Ritz Crackers
The Original label is flour, a vegetable oil mix that includes partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, sugar, salt, leavening, high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, malted barley flour and natural flavor. No onion, garlic or chocolate is listed, and no dairy is listed in the entry I found, despite the buttery name.
The things to think about are salt, sugar and fat. ASPCA says excessive salt can cause increased thirst and urination and, depending on the amount, vomiting, diarrhea and tremors.
Ritz comes in other versions, like cheese-filled sandwiches and flavored crackers. Those have their own labels. I checked the Original.
If your dog already ate some
Write down what it was, how much, when, and your dog’s weight, and keep the package. Then call your vet, ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661.
Don’t wait for symptoms if the snack has chocolate, xylitol, or a lot of onion or garlic in it. And don’t try to make your dog vomit with salt or salt water. Pet Poison Helpline says that can cause salt poisoning.
Questions people ask
Can dogs eat Ritz crackers?
The Original label doesn’t list anything from ASPCA’s foods-to-avoid list, but crackers are salty, sugary and not something a dog needs.
What about filled Ritz or Ritz Bits?
Those are different products with their own labels. Check the box you have for onion, garlic or chocolate before sharing anything.
My dog ate a whole sleeve. Now what?
Call your vet. A sleeve is a lot of salt, sugar and fat for a small dog. Tell them what your dog weighs and about how many crackers were in the sleeve.
More label checks
- Can Dogs Eat Cheez-Its?No onion or garlic here, but it's a salty, cheesy cracker.
- Can Dogs Eat Triscuits?Three ingredients: whole grain wheat, canola oil and sea salt.
- Can Dogs Eat Goldfish Crackers?Onion powder is on the label. Skip these.
- Can Dogs Eat Graham Crackers?Flour, sugar, oil and honey. Nothing from ASPCA's list on the label.
See every chips and crackers check | Home
Sources
- ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
- Pet Poison Helpline: Salt
- Open Food Facts: Ritz Crackers the original (code 0044000031114)
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. I’m not a vet, and this page is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different. If you’re worried about your dog, call your vet.