Can Dogs Eat Doritos? Learn Why It’s Not Worth The Risk

Quick Summary

• Although dogs can eat Doritos, it is not worth feeding to them because of its high salt and fat content that are unhealthy for dogs in high amounts.
• Other flavors of Doritos also have ingredients such as garlic and onion powders which are toxic to dogs. Some also contain lactose which usually do not agree with a dog’s stomach.
• If a dog is fed too much Doritos, the short term effects include muscle tremors and vomiting. If fed often and in high amounts, the long term effects will be weight gain and heart disease.

Your dog may snatch a few chips, and they will likely be okay. Still, the answer to the question of whether dogs can eat Doritos is ‘No’. I do not advise that you give your dog Doritos. The high salt and fat makes it very unhealthy, and other flavors even contain ingredients toxic to canines.

Doritos are an everyday snack food for people, but it may be tempting to give them to dogs as a reward treat. Corn is the main ingredient in Doritos alongside other seasonings and fat. Generally, they are harmful to dogs, but none of them are enough to cause fatality. Still confused? Read my explanations below as I talk about the risks of giving your dog chips, why they like Doritos, and other alternatives.

Risks of Giving Doritos to Dogs

The problem with Doritos begins with corn. Unfortunately, the ones used in this product are genetically modified and less healthy compared to organic corn chips. For dogs, that can lead to inflammation of the stomach. Doritos are made by frying starch which also increases free radical particles. It could expose pets to cancer in the long term, a common problem for older dogs. For younger pups, because they have more sensitive stomach, refrain for feeding them human snacks and focus on the best dog food for puppies at this stage.

Doritos come with trans-fats as well, of which dogs do not have a high tolerance as it can lead to weight gain and death eventually. The salt content is another issue in Doritos. If your dog eats too much salt, a high dose of sodium may have adverse effects. That will eventually lead to muscle tremors and vomiting in the short term. In the long term, it may cause heart disease.

Aside from the large amounts of salt and fat that come with these treats, they also have a lot of seasoning and additives that are unhealthy for your dog. Similarly, most of the options that Doritos are served alongside for people are toxic to dogs. Guacamole, for example, can be fatal as avocadoes have persin.

Persin causes vomiting, diarrhea, and death in advanced circumstances. The same goes for onion dip. Onions are generally toxic to dogs but in high quantities. It takes many onions to be worried, but if there is a lot in the dip, your dog can eat enough to cause problems. Other dips may not be poisonous to the dog, but they have seasonings that cause inflammatory issues to your pooch. Hummus and salsa are an example of this, so it would be ill-advised to have your dogs eat Doritos with these sides.

Why Do Dogs Like Doritos?

Doritos are made of ground corn, which could be very appealing to dogs. Your pup also has a very well-developed sense of smell [1], so they would be attracted and know where you have stashed it despite your best efforts. The Doritos also come with salt and other cheese flavors that may taste better to them than most dog food you give.

Dogs see Doritos chips as tasty treats that you hide away from them, but they are junk food. So the dog eats as much as they can in one sitting, especially if you are not there. It would not be good for your dog to eat any type or flavor of Doritos or other corn-based snacks like Fritos and Cheetos because of potential health problems. That leads to bloating, obesity and indigestion.

Treat Alternatives for Your Dog

The best thing is to develop a snack plan for the dog rather than feeding your dog anything that comes to hand. Many dog snack products have vitamins and minerals. Your pup can benefit from a healthy snack once in a while rather than having some Dorito pieces. The best alternative I suggest would be dog treats specifically designed for your dog.

These do not have problematic ingredients which cause health issues in the long term. You would only have to worry about the number of calories which is mostly high, so they should be given sparingly. If you still want to share human food with them, fresh fruit is an option. Get apples or bananas for them.

Do not let them near grapes, avocados, and raisins. You could also get your dog broccoli or some green beans. Alternatively, homemade dip is an option, and it would be healthy for the pooch. That would be by combining peanut butter, yogurt, and other ingredients. These would be combined in a bowl and served while you also enjoy the dip.

Are There Chips That are Safe for Your Dog?

If you are looking for a snack, staying away from the chip aisle would be better. There are not many good options you may find there. It is not to say they are fatal should you give them to the dog, as tortillas, potato chips, and even Doritos are safe but in small doses. The trouble is their susceptibility to being used with toxic sides.

They are also commonly well-salted which could be problematic as a healthy dog has small sodium tolerance. If they overdose, it could lead to lethargy, seizures, diarrhea, and even comas. That is only at four grams per kilogram for it to become toxic to dogs. It would have to tear through quite a few bags before it becomes a problem.

FAQs

Can dogs eat Doritos?

Some flavors, like both the Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch Doritos, pose a few risks because of onion and garlic powder. In powdered form, it would not be easy to assess the quantity of the snacks as they are concentrated. Onions have compounds that attack and destroy the dog’s red blood cells, resulting in kidney damage.

What chips are dogs allowed to have?

Chips that are not salted are much safer than the spicy or seasoned ones because they do not have as much sodium levels or harmful additives. They still have a lot of starch, though, so they need to be given sparingly to the dog?

Can dogs eat Doritos with cheese?

It would be advisable to avoid crispy tortilla chips with or without the cheese. Nacho cheese has too many additives and fats that make them unhealthy for dogs.