Can Dogs Eat Sunchips? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Alternatives
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View 2 More +For many people, it's hard to resist cravings for junk food. We often ignore the unfavorable health effects of these tempting treats, whether a bag of Cheetos at midnight or Sunchips while watching a game. But what about our furry friends? Can they eat Sunchips?
Unfortunately, Sunchips are not recommended for our dogs since they can contribute to weight gain and other problems. Even though one or two chips might not seem like much, your little pup eating a few would be comparable to you eating a bag, so you can imagine how many calories they'd be consuming. Sun Chips may not be harmful enough to put your dog's life in immediate danger, but you can provide several other healthier treats.
Components of the Original Sunchips
The original Sunchips ingredient list includes:
- Whole corn
- Sunflower
- Canola oil
- Whole wheat
- Whole oat flour
- Brown rice flour
- Sugar
- Salt
- Natural flavor
- Maltodextrin (made from corn)
Why Are Sunchips Not a Good Choice for Dogs?
Despite being marketed as "natural," the components in Sunchips aren't particularly healthy for dogs. While they have fewer artificial ingredients than Doritos, making them a better option, they are still made with ingredients your canine shouldn’t be consuming.
Simply put, chips don't provide anything beneficial for your pet. On the contrary, they contain ingredients that should only be moderately present in a pup's diet. Sunchips offer almost no nutritional value other than fat and carbohydrates. Your dog's diet should include fats and carbs, but not many. Even a few chips can contain a surprising quantity of salt and calories.
Remember that our furry friends need far fewer calories than humans simply because they are smaller. A dog can become overweight if given too much junk food, like Sunchips. Ingesting fatty foods also has risks. Since many pups are inherently sensitive to fat, Sunchips can upset their stomachs, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.
Additionally, dogs don't require a lot of salt in their meals, and chips are very salty. In most cases, a dog that consumes too much salt becomes dehydrated, but in the worst cases, it can lead to increased blood pressure, which has particularly negative consequences in dogs with heart or kidney problems.
Sunchip Healthy Alternatives for Your Dog
Your kitchen likely already has healthy, natural snacks for your dog. Small pieces of plain boiled chicken or a couple of pieces of dog-safe fruits and vegetables can make excellent dog treats. They are nutrient-dense foods that are beneficial for your dog's health.
They also have fewer calories than typical dog treats or snacks. So, what are some natural, easy-to-find treats you can give your beloved animal? Here are a few ideas!
- Plain, boiled chicken
- Apples
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cooked Squash
- Cooked Sweet Potatoes
- Green Beans
- Green Peas
- Strawberries
- Watermelon
It's always best to introduce new treats gradually and carefully monitor how your dog reacts. Always consult your veterinarian first before adding anything new to your dog's diet, especially if they have an underlying medical condition.
The Right Way to Give Your Dog Tasty Treats
When giving a dog a treat, a common mistake is to hold it too high. As a result, the animal may have to stand or jump to obtain their favorite food. This reinforces the behavior of jumping up, making it more difficult to stop your dog in other situations, like when introducing them to new people.
Moreover, when you hold treats too high above your pup's head, your fingers are also at risk. Their vision and the ability to control their teeth may be limited when they jump up to get treats, especially if they are too excited about the reward. Then, you could end up with an injured finger. So, when offering your dog a treat, hold it right at their nose level, half an inch away from their mouth, and keep your hand still while they get it.
Conclusion
Though not recommended as a dog treat, Sunchips are technically safe for dogs to consume in small amounts because they don't have any toxic ingredients. However, you shouldn't serve them as a regular treat because they are not as nutritious as advertised. Too many unhealthy snacks can add up fast and lead to undesirable results.
As a dog owner, you want to treat your furry friends with their favorite snacks. Fortunately, you can find many healthy treats that are developed for dogs. Also, you can serve dog-friendly human foods that are far healthier and safer than Sunchips.
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Featured Image Credit: iced.espresso, Shutterstock
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Living in Vietnam, Hanh is a freelance writer with a deep affection for working online and creating content about animals, with a special focus on dogs. She finds joy in assisting pet parents globally by imparting her knowledge and insights from other experts. When she's not writing, Hanh enjoys traveling and exploring various cultures.
