Can Dogs Eat Cheetos?
Cheetos are perfect snacks for many occasions and come in various flavors to meet different preferences. While you can eat it straight from the bag, some may prefer to include it with other foods, like eggs, to get its essence.
If you are a dog owner and love this snack, you may want to know whether you can give your dog a handful of Cheetos. We will lead you through this topic to see if Cheetos are or are not safe for your dogs.
Is Cheetos Safe for Dogs?
Imagine coming home and your dog snacked on your remaining Cheetos. It should not cause panic if it is one or two puffs. However, too much of it can upset your pet’s stomach.
Can I share my bag of Cheetos with my dog? No, you should keep the bag of snacks to yourself to avoid any problems that may prompt a visit to the vet.
So, why are Cheetos bad for my dog? The problem lies in the ingredients. This delicious snack has plenty of artificial additives that may not be good for your pet’s tummy.
What are its Ingredients?
Looking at a food’s ingredients helps you determine whether or not it is safe for dogs. In the case of Cheetos, enriched cornmeal is the primary ingredient. It contains additives that may not be gentle on your pooch, especially if excessively consumed.
The other ingredients are vegetable oil, salt, seasoning, whey protein concentrate, MSG, and flavoring. These additives are foreign to a dog’s digestive system and may cause complications if the dog overeats Cheetos. For instance, dogs need a tiny amount of healthy lipids in their diet. The fats and oils used to make Cheetos are not that healthy and may bring complications such as obesity and cardiovascular problems.
Research shows that MSG in large quantities can be problematic to humans; you can imagine how it can treat your dog when ingested. Moreover, cheese in a dog’s diet seems like a good idea, only that the cheese flavoring in Cheetos is more like leftovers from production and may have limited nutrients. The flavoring comes from chemicals. I don’t think you would love this artificial additive on your pet’s food.
Do Cheetos Aid in Dog Nutrition?
Cheetos have health benefits, but they seem almost trace to dogs, as the snacks’ adverse effects outweigh the positives. The enriched cornmeal is a source of carbs and fats, which can provide energy. The problem is that cornmeal has many chemical additives that can bring about issues like obesity.
Also, Cheetos have too much sodium, over the recommended amount that dogs should take. The bottom line is that this snack is not that healthy for your pooch.
Related – Can Dogs eat Mac and Cheese?
What are the Effects of Your Dog Eating Cheetos?
You should not worry when your dog eats some puffs from your Cheetos bags, as the effects will be minor if present. It will be a big deal if it over-consumes this snack. A thing to know is that dogs are carnivores, and overeating vegan or vegetarian food can be problematic with time.
Below are some of the effects to expect when your dog eats a lot of Cheetos.
Behavioral Changes
You will notice some behavior changes after your fuzzy friend eats Cheetos. The changes vary depending on your dog’s tolerance and how much of the snack it had. You may notice restlessness, which may turn to aggressiveness, as per your pet’s temperament.
The irritability comes from the sugar content, which makes it hyper.
You may also notice signs like sneezing as if trying to induce vomiting. If it reacts poorly to the chemical additives, it may get weak and sleep a lot. Salivation is also common.
Vomiting and Diarrhea
Should your dog consume anything that does not agree with its system, you should expect vomiting and diarrhea. They are the body’s response to the foreign material as it tries to eliminate them. Most of the time, the reaction is mild and can last for an hour.
If the vomiting and diarrhea are more pronounced, you should consult your vet before things get out of hand.
Appetite Loss
The artificial additives, particularly the flavoring, can lead to appetite loss. You may notice this a few hours after eating the snack. If its usual food remains untouched for a long time, you should take it to the veterinary.
Diabetes
Lifestyle diseases can also affect your pets. Too much Cheetos can lead to diabetes due to high sugar levels. It may be difficult to handle in dogs, so you’d rather stay safe by not giving your dog Cheetos.
Obesity
Cheetos are rich in fats, which can contribute to your dog’s cholesterol levels. The result is obesity and cardiovascular issues. An obese dog is hard to manage and is more susceptible to other ailments. Additionally, your dog can suffer from sugar addiction and liver and renal problems.
Is Hot Cheetos Bad for Dogs?
Hot Cheetos are among the most popular flavors of this snack, especially for lovers of hot spices. You should not let your dog close to a bag of Flamin Hot Cheetos. It has extra artificial ingredients more than the standard ones. Moreover, spices can affect dogs and cause tummy troubles. Despite Hot Cheetos being tasty, they are not suitable for your dogs.
Garlic, onion, and jalapeno Cheetos are other varieties that your dog should not taste. The situation can be worse for Japanese breeds like the Shiba Inu and Akita, which have an intense reaction to garlic and onion. Excessive consumption of garlic can lead to a depreciation in red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Alternatives to Cheetos for Your Dogs
While it may be sad news that you cannot share your bag of Cheetos with your pup, you have various snacks to turn to. The following are alternatives to Cheetos that your dogs can enjoy.
1. Carrot Sticks
A bag of carrot sticks can be a hearty snack for you and your dog on a calm afternoon. Carrots are 100% natural, with zero additives, and have no adverse effects. What’s more, they are very nutritious as they provide nutrients such as potassium, vitamins, and fiber.
For puppies, you can boil and mash the carrots for easy consumption.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Pringles? How Bad Is Junk Food?
2. Fruit Chips
You can never go wrong with fruit chips for your pup. Most come with no additives; thus, they are healthy options for Cheetos. You can make them at home, which is as simple as dehydrating fruit slices.
Depending on your preference, you may go for apple, banana, or pineapple chips. As a result, your dog will benefit from nutrients such as minerals, fiber, and vitamins.
3. Pumpkin
The other treat to give your dog is a sugar-free pumpkin from the can. It is very healthy; full of minerals like zinc that will boost your canine’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cheetos Deep-Fried Chicken Good for My Dogs?
You can make several recipes using Cheetos, including deep-fried chicken strips. If you have leftovers, your dog can eat them. However, limit the servings as the artificial additives can be harmful if taken in large quantities.
I Shared a Bag of Cheetos with My Dog, Should I Be Worried?
A bag of Cheetos is not bad enough to trigger an adverse reaction from your pup. You should check for any signs of discomfort, for speedy action, more so if it has existing conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Are Cheetos Toxic to Dogs?
Cheetos are not toxic to dogs, but it is not advisable to give them as they have artificial ingredients that can be harmful in the long run. A puff or two won’t hurt your dog, though.
Final Remark
Cheetos for dogs? No, this is one of the snacks that your dog cannot eat. The issue lies with the ingredients, which can be harmful in large doses. Instead, go for alternatives like fruit chips and doggy snacks to relieve their craving.
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