How many times have you sat down to enjoy a bag of Doritos only to have one or more sets of eyes staring at you? Dogs really love these tasty treats as much as we do, but can dogs have Doritos? Common sense tells us that any treat that is processed, such as Doritos and other snacks, are not going to be healthy options for our dogs. After all, Doritos aren’t really healthy for us, so there is absolutely no way that these processed chips are going to be good for dogs. While dogs can eat Doritos and these chips are safe and OK for them to have, it doesn’t mean your pup should. Here are all the reasons why Doritos are bad for dogs!
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Are Doritos Bad For Dogs?
Chances are your dogs will be OK if you accidentally leave out a bag of Doritos and they steal a few chips. If this happens, your dogs may experience a few negative side effects such as stomach upset or diarrhea depending on how many Doritos they’ve managed to eat.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should give in to them when they start begging for a few chips.
Doritos are bad for dogs primarily because they are loaded with fat, salt, and empty calories that don’t add value to their diets. In addition, Doritos are unhealthy processed junk foods and can contain as much as 8% salt and 11% fat.
This makes them exceptionally terrible as a snack for dogs that are overweight/obese or are already suffering from certain health issues like diabetes. Here are other reasons to not give your dog Doritos.
Health Problems
Giving Doritos to your dog regularly can lead to a variety of health problems including dehydration, kidney failure, seizures, heart disease, diabetes, and pancreatitis if eaten regularly and over a long period of time.
At the very least, Doritos can cause a lot of stomach upset from the high levels of oil and sodium, which can lead to gas and diarrhea.
Artificial Flavorings
Another problem with Doritos is that they are loaded with artificial flavorings and chemicals, and a lot of spices that are not good for dogs.
Our dogs are used to fairly bland-tasting foods, and any extra spice can impact their digestive system negatively.
Processed Corn
Doritos are also made with processed corn, which is not healthy for dogs. You may have seen commercials for high-end dog food that mention having no corn as a first ingredient.
Generally, corn is just an unhealthy filler that’s not essential to a healthy doggy diet.
No, Dogs Can’t Eat Doritos
The next time you want to give your dog a tasty and crunchy treat, you should try slicing up some healthy fruits and vegetables rather than reaching for a bag of Doritos. Although a few chips aren’t likely to hurt your dog, there are many different foods that are not only safe for dogs but also add a ton of essential nutrients into their diets including protein, calcium, vitamins, etc.
Some of these healthier alternatives include apples, pears, chickpeas, and even cilantro. For a dog-friendly recipe, you can even try making your own version of potato chips by slicing potatoes and baking the slices in the oven without any added oil or seasonings.