Can Dogs Eat Cheetos? Know The Effects Before Feeding

You may be tempted to offer your dog some of your everyday snacks but are worried they will hurt them. Luckily Cheetos are an okay treat for dogs. Plain Cheetos that do not have too many chemical additives are okay to give to them. That being said, they can only be given sparingly. Feeding them one or two puffs is not going to hurt them. However, their digestive system will not take it well if you go beyond that. A look into the ingredient list demonstrates why this happens. Flamin hot Cheetos have cheese seasoning, enriched cornmeal, whey, canola oil, and MSG.

Nutritional Advantages of Cheetos

A look into the list of what makes Cheetos shows the potential risk that dogs face. The simple fact is that Cheetos do not give any nutritional value to your canine pal. They contain high levels of fat and sodium, which are no-no items for dogs. Dogs do not need a lot of sodium as it tends to cause health problems over the long term. They are also sensitive to saturated fats, which dog Cheetos contain a lot of. That could lead to health problems over the short and the long term.

Effects of Dogs Eating Cheetos

As previously mentioned, Cheetos have a lot of sodium, and that in your dog’s system would mean vomiting, loss of muscle control, and diarrhea. If your dog has eaten quite a bit of Cheeto puffs, it would be advisable to keep an eye out for the above mentioned harmful ingredients. Keep your dog hydrated as well because water balances out the sodium ions within the system. Similarly, the Cheeto product’s cornmeal levels mean a high level of carbohydrates. The diet of dogs should mostly contain meat as they are not built to handle the same levels of carbohydrates and fats the way humans do. Having large carbohydrate levels in the dog food will quickly lead to diabetes in dogs, obesity and heart issues. The carbs in Cheetos are made worse by the canola and vegetable oils. These are also high-calorie levels that are not necessary for dogs.

Dogs can eat hot Cheetos. However, these have onion and garlic powder which are known to be toxic to the dogs. These spices may easily result in problems for the dog. Of course, the toxicity to the dog depends on size; however, a sizeable Cheetos will pose a problem. If your dog experiences loss of appetite, fatigue or even laboured breathing, it may be a sign of garlic poisoning. Similarly, toxicity is not the only potential issue. Your dog may be allergic to one or more ingredients because of food sensitivity. Holistic veterinarians usually suggest eliminating grains in the dog’s diet as these are common allergens that cause inflammation and hence dog allergies.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats Cheetos

Don’t be alarmed if your dog inadvertently ate a few Cheetos they found lying around. However, if you can tell they ate many of them, take them to the vet. The effects will probably not be too acute. They will probably have stomach issues, but it should not lead to long-term damage. The situation may be trickier if you did not see the dog eat Cheetos, and there is no evidence suggesting they did. The symptoms of garlic poisoning can be delayed by a few days. If you notice weird symptoms, though, such as vomiting and fatigue, that is something you would want to mention to the vet. At progressed stages, loss of appetite and laboured breathing are a sign your dog needs immediate attention from the vet.

Alternative Treats You Can Provide

Your dog may have a taste for spicy treats, so they can easily overdose on Cheetos if you are not careful. Try to keep the Cheetos away from their reach to prevent this from happening. Dogs have a well-developed sense of smell, so they will find Cheetos if they want to. These should be out of reach at all times. Alternatively, there are snack options that your dog can enjoy. Unsalted pretzels and carrot sticks can be a great treat for your dog. You can also try giving them peas, cooked green beans, and cooked sweet potatoes and bananas. It is also a good idea to try the treats out, little by little. They may be safe for consumption but might not also agree with every dog.

FAQs

Can dogs eat Cheeseballs?

It is possible for dogs to eat one or two chees balls without any negative effects. However, they can only be eaten occasionally. It is because the sodium [1] and the carbohydrates content are not very healthy for the dogs. Dogs are not meant to consume high levels of enriched corn meal because the calories would lead to obesity.

Can dogs eat Cheetos?

Many dogs like crunchy Cheetos because it reminds them of meat diets. However, most types of Cheetos have a high level of salt and corn which means they pose the same problems of salt and carbs. If your dog eats a lot of crunchy Cheetos, they should hydrate, take a lot of water, and not eat anything else for the rest of the day. Take them to the vet as well as a safety measure.

Can dogs eat Cheetos which are organic?

Dogs can eat organic Cheetos but they are not the healthiest options as well. They still have a high carbohydrate and salt content, so they would cause problems as well. Your dog can only eat these because they do not have many additives in high quantities.