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Our canine companions will eat just about anything they can get their paws on, including food snatched right from our hands or plates. But just because your dog will eat something doesn’t always mean they should eat it. There are many people foods that are unhealthy for pets and a few that are toxic that you want to absolutely avoid.
One of our snacks that dogs seem to greatly enjoy is chips of any kind. But not all chips will be alright for your pet to eat. What about Doritos, though? Can dogs eat Doritos?
They can eat some flavors of Doritos, but not all; however, Doritos aren’t a food that makes a great snack for our pups, as they are quite unhealthy.
Why Doritos Are Bad for Dogs
If your dog has grabbed a Dorito off your plate or you’ve given them one or two, there’s no need to panic, as Doritos aren’t toxic to canines. But some issues may arise if your pet has managed to snag an entire bag of these tasty tortilla chips.
1. The Ingredients
The first problem with Doritos is that some flavors contain small amounts of ingredients that are toxic, such as garlic and onion. Again, if your pet just has a chip or two, there shouldn’t be enough of these ingredients to cause toxicity. But if your dog eats a ton of Doritos with these seasonings, they can run the risk of experiencing serious medical issues. Just a few of the health issues that could occur if your dog eats too much food with these seasonings include gastroenteritis, vomiting, mouth irritation, stomach pain, diarrhea, and anemia. And some dog breeds are more sensitive to toxicity from seasonings that come from the allium family, such as onion and garlic, so they would be more at risk. Those breeds include Akitas and Shiba Inus. Doritos also sometimes contain ingredients that aren’t necessarily toxic for your pet but will still make them ill. Take nacho cheese Doritos, for example. If a lactose-intolerant dog eats too many of these, they could experience diarrhea and vomiting as a result of the cheesy powder on the chips. Along with that, some of these ingredients, including the oil Doritos are cooked in, can lead to digestive upset and irritation. You may see vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain if your dog eats too many.
2. Calories and Fat Content
These tortilla chips are also unhealthy for your pet in general due to the number of calories and amount of fat and sodium they contain. While an occasional chip won’t harm your dog’s waistline too much, giving them Doritos consistently could, over time, lead to weight gain, which can result in health problems such as diabetes or joint issues.
3. The Bag
And one final danger of Doritos you might not have considered is the bag. Some overzealous pups may gobble the bag along with the chips, potentially causing an intestinal obstruction or constipation.
Healthier Alternatives to Doritos
There aren’t really healthier chip alternatives to Doritos. All chips will be unhealthy for our four-legged pals due to the calories, fat, and sodium they contain. So even if a chip has no toxic ingredients, it won’t really be any better for your pup.
The healthiest treat option for your pet will always be dog treats. The good news is there are chip-like dog treats (though they’re not so similar to Doritos). If you think your dog is attracted to something like nacho cheese Doritos, you can find a cheesy dog snack that will be much better for them (though it should still be given in moderation!). Or, if you think your pet enjoys the crunchiness of chips more, you might try something like these dried sweet potato treats.
If you’re looking for a healthier treat from your kitchen, you have a few options. Some healthy treats you can give your dog straight from the fridge or pantry include apples, green peas, broccoli, and carrots. Just remember that healthy treats are still treats, so they should only be given on occasion!
Final Thoughts
Doritos, in and of themselves, may not be toxic for our dogs, but they can contain some toxic ingredients and are quite unhealthy. If your pet has eaten only a couple of chips, there should be no cause for alarm. But if your dog has managed to get their paws on an entire bag of Doritos, some health problems could arise. Rather than give your pup Doritos or other chips, stick with dog-friendly treats. There are some out there that resemble chips in texture or flavor that your dog is sure to love!
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Featured Image Credit: Natalia Hanin, Shutterstock
