While you enjoy a snack of chips, can you share them with your dog? Can dogs eat Fritos? Keep reading to find out more.
If your pup eats a balanced diet, is there any harm in giving your canine companion some crunchy snacks like Fritos? Sure, they have no nutritional value, but will the high salt content hurt them? Keep reading to learn whether you should share Fritos with your furry companion.
What are Fritos?
Fritos are a brand of chips made by Frito-Lay (which is owned by PepsiCo, Inc). They are called corn chips because the main ingredients are simple: corn, vegetable oil, and salt. That’s it! They basically grind corn into a powder and fry them into curly shapes.
People like to eat Fritos as a snack or eat them with chili.
There are also a lot of different flavors of Fritos (and they are frequently changing). In 2023, there are 29 different flavors or varieties of Fritos.
Can Dogs Have Chips?
Now that you know what Fritos are, it doesn’t seem like they are made with any toxic ingredients for dogs. So, can dogs eat Fritos?
Before we look at how safe Fritos are, we need to look at chips. Are chips safe for dogs to eat?
Even though a few chips probably won’t hurt your dog right away, keeping them away from your pet is a good idea.
Chips are really high in three things that could be bad for your dog over a long period of time: fat, calories, and salt.
Most kinds of chips are fried in oil, and this oil leaves behind grease that makes chips high in fat. They are also made from either corn or potatoes, making them a high-calorie snack. The fat and calories could cause your dog to gain an unhealthy weight.
Salt, however, is extremely dangerous to dogs in large quantities. If your dog eats too much salt, they are at risk of getting salt poisoning.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, dogs that eat too much salt might have the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
- Excessive thirst
Are Chips Bad For Dogs?
Yes, chips are bad for dogs. There is nothing nutritious about chips for dogs. The calories and salt could harm your furry friend in the long run. There is a reason they are called junk food.
Even small amounts of chips are bad for dogs, especially if you have a habit of sharing a little bit of all the snacks you eat. All those small bites add up and could lead to digestive problems.
Can Dogs Eat Corn Chips?
No, dogs should not eat corn chips. In fact, corn chips could negatively impact your dog’s health. This goes for corn chips like Fritos or tortilla chips that are made from corn.
Even if you have a healthy dog, it’s better for dog owners only to give them food that will support their health, not detract from it.
Your dog’s diet should consist of mostly animal protein and healthy fiber from fruits and vegetables.
This popular snack has too much fat to be good for dogs. According to the Fritos website, there are 10 grams of fat in 32 chips. Even though they don’t contain trans fat, there is saturated fat, which is still unhealthy for dogs.
It also doesn’t offer any health benefits for dogs.
Can Dogs Have Fritos?
It is not a good idea to give your dog Fritos corn chips. Like potato chips, Fritos are so high in salt and calories that they could worsen their health problems by causing unhealthy weight gain.
Fritos can also give your dog digestive issues. Pet parents, it’s a good idea to keep Fritos away from your dog.
Types of Fritos
Remember, keep all of the following Fritos away from your dog. Not only could it give your pet an upset stomach, but it could make their health conditions worse.
These are the most popular types of Fritos you might find:
- Chili Cheese Fritos
- Flavor Twists
- Lime and Chile
- Kettle Cooked
- Flamin Hot BBQ
- Scoops
- Spicy Jalapeno
Remember, never give your dog anything that has onion powder, garlic powder, or spicy pepper powder on it. These are all dangerous ingredients for dogs.
My Dog Smells Like Fritos
While we are on the topic of Fritos, I wanted to touch on a very common problem that a lot of dogs have. Many dog owners discover their dog’s feet smell like Fritos.
You should call your veterinarian if your dog’s paws smell like this. Commonly called Frito Feet, this is caused by Pseudomonas and Proteus bacteria. The AKC goes on to explain that this odor is completely normal and doesn’t hurt your dog. But you should call your veterinarian if you notice “bumps, redness, and swelling or a change in your dog’s behavior, such as limping or excessive licking.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can dogs eat Fritos?
A: No, dogs should not eat Fritos. They are high in salt and calories, which can be harmful to your furry friend.
Q: Why are chips bad for dogs?
A: Chips are high in fat, calories, and salt, which can lead to weight gain, digestive issues, and salt poisoning in dogs.
Q: Can dogs eat corn chips?
A: No, dogs should not eat corn chips like Fritos. They are unhealthy and offer no nutritional value.
Conclusion
It’s just a good idea to keep all salty foods away from your dog – especially salty human food. Your pup is sensitive to salt and could get sodium poisoning. Dogs that eat high-calorie food – like chips – are at a higher risk for heart disease and other weight-related issues.
For the ultimate safety of your pet, consult with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating Fritos.
More about different types of snack foods dogs can and can’t eat can be found on the Pawsoha website.
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