Can Dogs Eat Doritos? [Best Advice]

Does it happen every time that when you open a bag of Doritos, your pup appears and looks at you as if they are begging you to have one bite of it?

Well, this is the case with most dogs!

Now, we love to have junk food on some occasions. And some of us have even more often.

If you follow a balanced and healthy diet, a few bags of chips or Doritos shouldn’t do much harm to your health. However, whenever you open this bag of snacks, you’re going to get THE LOOK from your pup.

You know what LOOK we are talking about, right?

And sometimes, you fall for the look and end up giving Doritos to your dog.

We are not blaming you. We know how it’s like!

That look in your four-legged buddy’s eyes is too adorable to resist. And it’s soul-crushing at the same time because it seems that they are starving.

But, being the responsible dog parent you are, you have to have knowledge of what human food you can share with your canine buddy and what you can’t.

Is it okay to give Doritos to your doggo? Can dogs eat Doritos?

We will share every detail about Doritos and dogs in this post.

Keep reading!

Can Dogs Eat Doritos?

The short answer is “yes,” your dog can eat Doritos.

If you offer Doritos, most dog breeds will happily eat them.

Well, as your dog can eat Doritos, it doesn’t mean that they should eat. They shouldn’t.

Why?

There are a lot of bad things that can happen to your dog if they eat Doritos.

You can easily eat a huge chunk of Doritos as a human being, and you will not experience any side effects. But the case is not the same with dogs.

The internal system of a dog is not built so that they can eat the nutrients in Doritos in the amount they come with.

For example, Doritos have high fat and sodium content. If your dog eats excessive amounts of sodium or fat, it can disrupt its internal system. And they can develop serious health issues.

Also, Doritos are filled with artificial flavors that are bad for not only humans but also dogs. Of course, you might not find any immediate effect on your doggo. Still, they can develop serious health problems with time.

Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Doritos?

The ingredients that are used in Doritos are not good for dogs. However, they are not toxic as long as Doritos are made safely and clean. Also, there are certain side effects of feeding Doritos to your pup.

So, is it safe for them to eat Doritos?

Well, there are several things that it depends on.

And the amount of Doritos that you are feeding your dog is one of them.

You need to be very careful about the amount of Doritos you’re giving your canine buddy.

Now, you should NOT give large amounts of Doritos to your pet, especially those that come with garlic and onion powder.

Just one or two pieces of chips can cause no serious harm to your four-legged buddy’s health.

But that doesn’t mean that we are telling you to feed Doritos to them.

Know that Doritos don’t benefit your dog in any way. On the contrary, they can cause several health issues.

So, why take the risk?

There are many healthy foods and dog treats that you can introduce to your dog.

Can Doritos Kill My Dog?

As mentioned earlier, there are some ingredients in Doritos that are not safe for your dog.

How much Doritos a dog can tolerate vary from dog to dog. However, the amount is not so much that it can kill your dog. For example, if you give one chip to your dog, it doesn’t have enough garlic and onion powders, fat, and salt to poison your pup.

So, don’t worry if your doggo steals a chip or two.

Now, what if your pup eats a lot of Doritos accidentally?

Look for any signs of illness. Then, call your vet immediately and do exactly what they say.

These are some signs of poisoning in dogs:

• Dry heaving
• Trembling or seizures
• Lethargy
• Coughing blood
• Pale gums
• Diarrhea or intense vomiting

Can My Dog Have Tortilla Chips?

Did you know what tortilla chips are made of?

Typically, they are made from a corn base, then fried, salted, and sold. Unfortunately, the salt and the oil from the frying are harmful to your furry buddy.

If these chips are seasoned with garlic and onion, they become even more dangerous for your dog.

Also, for dogs, corn is a common allergen.

So, if you feed your pup some seemingly healthy tortilla chips, know that the case is just the opposite.

These fried chips are not at all healthy for your doggo. They can cause your pup discomfort and health issues down the road.

What are Doritos Made of?

You might already know that Doritos are not good for your health. So, can you imagine how they can affect your pup if they eat it regularly?

What are Doritos made of? Read on.

#1. Oils and dyes

Do you know how Doritos get that attractive orange color that they come in?

They are not dipped in carrot juice, right?

So, what are those colors?

Well, we can say that there’s not even a little bit of good about that color!

To give Doritos that orange color, several dyes and hydrogenated oils are used. For example, red dye 40, yellow dye 6, yellow dye 5, and vegetable oil.

Now, did you know how harmful grease, butter, vegetable oil, and other lower-grade oils are for your dog?

#2. Genetically modified corn (GMO)

If you eat genetically modified organisms, it can lead to allergies, inflammation, and digestive issues. But, of course, this applies to your dog too. So, as a responsible dog parent, don’t give your beloved pup any food that contains GMOs.

#3. Processed corn

Snacks such as Doritos have processed corn as one of their ingredients. This is not at all healthy for dogs. In case a dog eats it, its digestive system will work hard to process it. So, keep it away from your canine, buddy.

#4. Sodium

Doritos are filled with sodium. If your pup eats them, they will feel extremely thirsty. And, in some cases, dehydrated too.

Some other health issues are related to the consumption of high amounts of salt. They include pancreatitis and heart disease.

In severe cases, excessive consumption of salt can even lead to causing death.

#5. Onion and garlic powder

There are many flavors in which Doritos are available.

Did you know that some flavors have high amounts of garlic and onion powder?

You can do two things.

You can read through the entire list of ingredients before passing them to your pup. Or you can avoid these snacks altogether.

The latter is the best option.

Now, why is that so?

Garlic and onions are harmful to dogs, whether powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated.

It can kill your pup’s blood cells. This, in turn, can leave them with developing anemia.

#6. Fat

Fat is a no-no for your dog.

It causes your dog to gain weight, and your pup might end up being obese.

Also, excessive fat has the potential to cause heart diseases and diabetes.

#7. Artificial flavors

Often, snacks like Doritos come with artificial flavors as well as chemicals such as xylitol. These can cause harm to even humans if eaten in huge quantities.

From this, you can understand how these chemicals and flavors can be toxic for your dog.

#8. Lactose

Does your pup have issues with dairy products?

Then this can be another reason why you should not feed Doritos to your dog.

There are high levels of lactose in Doritos. This can upset your canine buddy’s stomach.

Doritos: Nutritional Facts

Here we have the nutritional facts of Doritos. These are taken from a specific flavor. However, they don’t differ much from the rest.

Nacho Cheese Flavored Doritos (one ounce) has the following nutritional value :

• 210 mg of sodium
• 150 calories
• 40 mg of calcium
• 50 mg of potassium
• 1 gram of sugar
• 18 grams of carbohydrates
• 2 grams of protein

210 mg of sodium150 calories40 mg of calcium50 mg of potassium1 gram of sugar18 grams of carbohydrates2 grams of protein

What are the Possible Health Problems of Feeding Doritos to My Dog?

Doritos are meant for human consumption and not for dogs. They are junk food, they don’t provide you with any such health benefits or essential nutrients. They are filled with sugar and salt, and it is one of the many reasons you should not feed Doritos to your pup in excess.

What if you feed Doritos regularly to your dog?

Well, your dog can develop many health issues:

• Doritos are not considered as a consistent food. This is why the fragments of Doritos can get stuck in your pup’s throats. And you don’t want that to happen.
• We have already mentioned that Doritos have loads of salt in them. If your dog eats Doritos, they may need to drink a lot of water – more than usual – to regulate the salt levels in their body. This can cause several complications, such as drowsiness, vomiting, and increased thirst.
• If you feed Doritos regularly to your pup but don’t brush their teeth daily, they will have an increased chance of gum disease and tooth decay.

Some other health problems include:

• Obesity
• Seizures
• Diabetes
• Pancreatitis
• Kidney failure
• Sodium or salt poisoning

Don’t panic. For your dog to have these symptoms, they have to eat Doritos regularly and for a long time.

However, the wise thing to do is to avoid giving them Doritos.

After all, you love your pup and don’t want them to suffer from any health issues, right?

Now, if your dog follows a balanced and healthy diet, then one or two chips will do no serious harm. But they can have bouts of smelly gas, upset stomach, and diarrhea.

Also, just like humans, the sharp edges of the chips can cut your pup’s gums.

What is Salt Poisoning in Dogs?

Don’t expect your dog to digest high-sodium food as effectively as humans because they can’t. They have a hard time processing salt in their bellies.

So the most dangerous thing that can happen to your pup if they start eating from an unattended bag of chips is salt poisoning.

According to studies conducted by the NASEM or the National Academics of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, if your dog weighs 33 pounds, they should not eat more than 200 mg of salt and 14 grams of fat per day and on average.

Confused?

We will try to make it easier to understand.

So, in 28 grams of Doritos or about 12 chips, there are 9 grams of fat and 210 mg of sodium per serving.

Can you see how high the salt content in Doritos is?

This is a lot more than the recommended levels of daily intake. And it can increase the chances of sodium poisoning in your dog.

Now, salt poisoning in dogs is a grave issue. Your dog can end up having several health problems such as diabetes, difficulty in urinating, the potential for kidney failure or injury, and abnormal fluid accumulation. And in more severe cases, it can even cause death.

Here are some symptoms of salt poisoning:

• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Dehydration

You can notice these symptoms in your dog quickly after eating a lot of Doritos, especially those with onion or garlic flavors.

In case you notice these symptoms in your pup once you feed them or they accidentally eat a large number of Doritos, please contact your vet as soon as you can.

Now, if your canine buddy often manages to get a bag full of Doritos for themselves, then only you can expect salt poisoning. Otherwise, the chances are slim.

In most cases, when they eat only a few numbers of Doritos, they pass gas after some time, as they will have difficulty digesting.

Now, if it’s you who is feeding Doritos regularly to your pup, then know that you are putting your four-legged friend’s health at high risk.

Different Types of Doritos Dips: Are They Safe?

Do you love to eat Doritos with various dips?

We know they are safe for you.

But are they safe for your pup too?

Here are some common Doritos dips that you might love, but you should keep them away from your furry buddy:

1. Onion dip

Haven’t we already told you how toxic onion is for your beloved pup?

Your dog indeed needs to have a large amount of onion. But your doggo is unaware of it, and if left unattended, they might end up having all your onion dip. Then only they will reach the levels of toxicity.

So, always make sure to keep it away from your dog.

2. Guacamole dip

Avocadoes are there in guacamole. And did you know they are filled with persin?

So how does persin affect your dog?

Well, it can cause your doggie to vomit and suffer from diarrhea. And a large amount of it can even turn out to be fatal for your pup.

So steer clear of this dip.

3. Nacho cheese dip

There are ingredients in this dip that are not healthy for your dog.

Of course, if you look at the ingredients in the jar, you might not find anything toxic.

However, there are hidden spices and ingredients in it, including onion, garlic puree, and many more. These are toxic for your canine friend.

Some other non-toxic dips that don’t do any good to your pup are salsa, hummus, and queso.

Avoid salsa and hummus at all costs because they are made with spices that irritate your pet’s stomach.

Dogs find queso dip to be really tasty. If left unattended, they will eat even the last drop of it. But this dip is filled will unhealthy fat that can cause several health problems in your dog.

Healthy Alternatives to Doritos

When your pup is being such a good buddy, we know that you want to treat them with some tasty snacks. So, we tell you, give them some healthier snacks and not some unhealthy Doritos.

Now, does your canine buddy love to share snacks with you?

Then, we suggest, keep a bag of healthy dog treats around when you’re devouring tasty Doritos.

As dog treats are made especially for dogs, they are high in minerals and vitamins. So give them those, and they will gain more healthy nutrition than having one or two Doritos.

But, remember, a treat should be treated as ONLY a treat.

Don’t make it a substitute for healthy dog food. Also, don’t give them treats too often. Instead, save the treats only for special occasions. This way, your dog will see them as rewards.

Dogs are quite smart, but you can fool them easily. On the one hand, show them Doritos, and on the other hand, keep a dog treat. Give them the latter. Doing so will trick them into thinking that they are eating what you’re eating. This will give them a sense of bonding and pleasure.

Other than snacks, these are the foods that you can share safely with your canine buddy:

• Peanut butter
• Apples
• Celery
• Tuna

These alternatives to Doritos are super healthy. Feed these to your doggo so that they can maintain a healthy weight.

Here’s a note of caution.

Before you feed peanut butter to your pup, make sure that they don’t get allergies from it. This is because some pups get allergies from eating peanut butter.

Tips to Deal with Snack-Loving Dogs

There are not one but many reasons why Doritos are called junk food. They are not only unhealthy for humans, but they are also bad for your doggo.

So what can you do to keep your pup away from junk food while you still can have it?

Read on.

• Make sure always to keep your trash bins covered. This way, you can prevent your beloved pup from eating any harmful food. For example, if your pup’s head gets stuck in a bag of Doritos, they can suffocate. Keeping your garbage bin covered is one way to prevent that.
• Salt is like poison for dogs. And if they eat it in a large amount, it can even cause death. So the next time you feel intrigued about sharing junk food with your furry buddy, think about this.
• Keep all kinds of snacks away from your pup’s reach.
• Do NOT overfeed your dog just because they are enjoying the food. This way, they will be able to maintain a healthy weight.
• Is it often that you give food to your dog off the table when you eat? Stop doing that. Many human foods are harmful to dogs. Instead, develop a habit of feeding your doggo only food meant for dogs.

How to Train My Dog to Have Snack Manners so That They Don’t Grab My Bag of Doritos?

When it comes to being around your family during dinner time, teach your pup to have good manners.

According to vets, feed your dog only dog food. Snack foods such as Doritos have ingredients that are not at all good for your pup. As a result, they can be fat or develop several health issues.

Your canine friend needs to learn to have only dog food or food meant for them. They should learn to let it go when it comes to your food or human food. You need to teach them to eat from their bowl only. When you’re having dinner with your family or eating a bag of Doritos, teach them to go to their place. Now, to teach them this, you need to have a lot of patience. You need to walk them to their space again and again. When they stay there, reward them.

Do you like to eat with your dog grabbing food from your hands or jumping at your table? No, right?

So don’t let them have a taste of your food. This is especially true for junk food such as Doritos. If you let them, the chances are that you will have ongoing issues such as food snatching and begging.

The best thing you can do in this case is never to start it.

When your dog makes good food choices and develops good manners, you can have your meals peacefully and be happy knowing that your pup is eating the right food to stay fit and healthy.

We all want our canine buddies to be happy and healthy.

Do you want to risk their health just to feed them Doritos?

No, right?

Avoid giving them Doritos so that they can have a long and healthy life!

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