Junk food is a craving that many humans have trouble resisting. From some Cheetos at midnight to potato chips during a game, it’s easy to forget that these tasty treats aren’t that great for us. But what about our dogs? If chips are bad for us, what about our furry best friends? What do you think of the cute dog names? It’s easy to name your dog with this online dog name generator.
How Junk Food Can Harm Your Dog?
Like most things, food that humans should enjoy in moderation is even more restricted for dogs. Read on to learn about the dangers of some of the more popular types of chips, and what health problems they can cause in your dog.
Can my dog eat tortilla chips?
Tortilla chips are usually made from a corn base, fried, and then salted. Both the oil from the frying as well as the salt are the dangers with this seemingly healthier chip. In cases where the tortilla chips are seasoned with onion or garlic, there are additional health concerns. On top of all that, corn is a common allergen for dogs, so you may be feeding your best friend something that will cause them discomfort down the road.
Can your dog eat chips?
Just like tortilla chips, Doritos have a high amount of fat and salt. In addition, both the Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch flavors contain garlic and onion powders, which are toxic to dogs. They also contain lactose, which can make your dog’s stomach upset if they have any sensitivity to dairy. And that’s not covering the flavors with hot sauce or other ingredients that could unsettle your dog’s stomach. So when it comes to these tasty triangles, it’s best to keep them to yourself.
Can my dog eat Cheetos?
While orange dust on your dog’s nose may be cute for the photos, Cheetos® aren’t by any means healthy for your pet to have. The fat and sodium content could run the risk of heart problems and dehydration, and they contain lactose and corn, which could upset your dog’s stomach. In addition, the Flamin Hot® variety has so much spice it’s been known to cause stomach ulcers in humans if too many are eaten. Imagine what they could do to your poor dog! Again, this is a sometimes treat for humans, not your dog.
Can my dog eat Pringles?
Your dog may play with the empty can, but the actual Pringle, they should avoid it. Pringles has the same problems as the other chips above. Too much salt, too much fat, and too many different spices could make your dog sick. This is one crunchy treat that your dog shouldn’t enjoy with you.
So my dog got into the chips…
You should be concerned. The greatest danger if your dog eats chips is salt poisoning. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (PDF), an average adult dog weighing 33 pounds has a daily allowance of only 200 mg of salt and 14g of fat. For reference, 1 oz or 15 classic potato chips contains 170mg of sodium and 10g of fat. (Other varieties may vary.) That means if your beagle or pug chows down on an unattended bag of chips, the results could be dire.
Sodium poisoning has many consequences, including urination problems, abnormal fluid accumulation, potential injury to kidneys, and even death. Dogs process salt in their stomachs less efficiently than humans, which causes this toxicity.
Symptoms of sodium poisoning include:
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Seizures
These symptoms could present themselves shortly after consuming a significant amount of chips and should be assessed by a trusted veterinarian as soon as possible. It is also important to look out for onion or garlic flavoring in your chip variety as those ingredients are very toxic to dogs in any form if consumed, and veterinary intervention is recommended.
What About Plain Potatoes?
It really depends on the potato, and what state it is in. Green potatoes can cause gastrointestinal distress, lethargy, weakness, and confusion in dogs, so it’s best to avoid raw ones in your dog’s diet. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are recognized as a healthy snack for your dog in moderation. Check out some fun ways to add sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet.
