Can Dogs Eat Funyuns?
Funyuns might seem like a good snack, but are they safe for our canine friends? Funyuns chips sound delicious, and your dog might be begging for them? Before you sign a check, make sure you read the following.
Funyuns are not recommended for dogs. This fun snack is high in fat and salt and has no nutritional benefits to dogs. Funyuns are a dangerous treat for dogs due to their high salt and fat levels. You could easily exceed your dog’s daily intake of salt and fat by eating just a few portions. You should keep away Funyuns from your furry friend.
What are Funyuns?
Funyuns are A delicious snack that’s easy to eat and has a crispy texture with a zesty onion flavor.
The phrase “onion flavor” is an integral part of that description. Funyuns are a variation of the famous fried onion rings, but the chips are made from fried cornmeal and no whole onions.
The dough is flavored with onions, garlic powder, and other natural onion flavors.
The main ingredients list lists cornmeal and vegetable oil as the most prominent components. Other ingredients like sugar, buttermilk, and onion powder make up less than 2%.
Can Dogs Eat Funyuns?
Because it contains onion and garlic, which are bad for dogs, it is not recommended for them. Even though they are in minor quantities, these ingredients can cause serious health problems for dogs.
Dogs should not consume too many Funyuns because they can have problems with their digestion and suffer vomiting, diarrhea, and other health issues.
Dogs that eat onions or garlic can develop GI inflammation. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
Allium plants have toxins that can attach to the red blood cells (RBC). Low blood levels can result from any disturbance of the RBCs. Anemia is a condition in which oxygen-carrying capacity decreases, causing weakness in dogs.
In such cases, blood vessels enlarge and cause problems with blood circulation, which is why it is a bad idea to eat onions.
Also, Funyuns contain large amounts of onion in powdered form. Dogs can become ill from excessive Funyun consumption.
Additionally, Funyuns contain a lot of sodium, which could lead to high blood pressure and heart disease in dogs.
Cornmeal with corn additives is not safe for dogs suffering from corn allergies
Funyuns are made with an enriched type of corn known as dent corn. Funyuns and many other processed snacks will use dent corn because of its soft starch, which is easy to mill.
Many of the beneficial brans and germs that are essential for cornmeal processing are removed.
The following vitamins and minerals are often added to cornmeal to add nutrition, and this is why it’s called ” Enriched”.
- Folic acid (folate, or B9)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Ferrous sulfate, Iron
- Niacin (Vitamin B3)
- Thiamin mononitrate, Vitamin B1
Avoid feeding your dog Funyuns to dogs who are allergic or sensitive to corn. This crispy, onion-flavored snack contains many corn products such as these:
- Corn starch
- Corn flour
- Maltodextrin – a corn-based product
- Hydrolyzed corn protein
If your pets are allergic to corn products, keep them away from Funyuns. Your vet can help you determine if your pet has corn allergies. You should start small and then see how your pet reacts. You can stop giving your dog more food if they don’t like it.
Some dogs might be allergic to the vegetable oils in Funyuns
Funyuns uses sunflower oil, corn oil, and canola oil as vegetable oils. Sunflower oil is best for dogs. Here’s why:
Sunflower oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help to maintain their skin and coat shiny, moisturized, and clear. A little bit or a few drops of sunflower oil can give your dog energy and also support heart health.
Corn oil is the right type of fat for dogs. Corn oil’s polyunsaturated fat helps keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy.
Some dogs may be allergic to corn, so it is best not to feed such dogs Funyuns.
These are the healthy oils available for dogs allergic to corn oils:
- Flaxseed Oil is excellent for dogs who have mobility problems or arthritis. Additionally, flaxseed can improve blood pressure and kidney function. This oil is a good alternative to fish oil if your pet is allergic. Flaxseed oil is also great for dogs who have allergies or sneeze a lot because it can provide allergy relief for dogs and help to reduce inflammation.
- Safflower Oil supplies essential fatty acids to your dog, such as linoleic acid, and also helps maintain your dog’s skin and coat. It is also high in calories, so only give it to your dog occasionally.
- Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that can improve your dog’s skin and coat and keep it healthy. One of the most beneficial and healthy oils for dogs is fish oil.
- Coconut oil can be used to help dogs with digestive problems. Coconut oil can also benefit dogs with dry, itchy, or flaky skin and is recommended by vets for your dog’s cognitive function.
- Olive oil can also be great for dogs as it can keep their skin and coat healthy, shiny, and moisturized. Olive oil is a great option for diabetic dogs and those with cardiovascular disease. Make sure you use 100% pure olive oil.
Too much salt can be harmful to dogs
Only 1 portion of Funyuns contains 280mg of sodium, which is too much salt for any dog. Remember that a 33-pound dog should not consume more than 100mg of salt per day.
If we don’t take precautions and allow our furry friends to ingest a lot of Funyun chips, we can put them at risk for sodium poisoning, distress, and even death. Salt poisoning symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Frequent urination can be caused by extreme thirst
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
- Potential for kidney failure
- Muscle tremors
You should ensure that your pet has plenty of water if he’s just had a bowl of Funyuns.
Call your vet to ask if your pooch should be brought in for a physical exam or checkup. Your vet may prescribe IV fluids if your dog is suffering from severe salt poisoning and dehydration.
MSG (Monosodium glutamate) is very toxic for dogs
MSG is a flavor enhancer found in the Funyuns snack. Numerous studies have shown that MSG can cause brain damage in dogs and is also toxic to the liver and kidneys of animals.
You could give your dog 2 tablespoons of OTC Pepto-Bismol or 10mg Pepcid if he ate Funyuns to calm his stomach. A little bit of Pedialyte can also help your dog stay hydrated. You can feed your dog bland food such as white chicken and rice to ensure that his stomach doesn’t get irritated.
Every dog is unique, so each dog’s reaction will be different. We recommend you speak with your vet to discuss any reactions or symptoms that your dog may have to monosodium glutamate.
Sugar can lead to obesity in canines and other health problems in dogs
Although there is not much sugar in one Funyuns serving, it is still too much for our furry friends.
Dogs get most of their sugar from the carbohydrates in regular dog food. Dogs that ingest too much sugar are more likely to develop diabetes and weight gain or develop pancreatitis in severe cases.
Garlic powder and Onion powder can be toxic for dogs
Dogs are susceptible to garlic and onion, whether fresh, cooked, raw, or powdered, and can be harmed by all parts of onion and garlic plants.
Funyuns chips contain less than 2% garlic powder and onion powder, which means that one Funyuns chip won’t cause any harm to your dog. Even though it would take a lot of Funyuns for dogs to get onion poisoning, we don’t recommend giving your dog Funyuns.
Each dog is unique, so one dog might react badly to onion and garlic powders, and another may not.
Because garlic and onions are both parts of the allium family, excessive garlic or onion consumption can lead to severe health problems in dogs. Akita and Shiba Inu dogs are susceptible to leeks, onions, and garlic, and even a tiny amount can cause death.
VCA Hospital says that if your furry friend eats enough onions to equal 0.5% of their body weight, it can cause them to become very sick.
Because onion and garlic belong to the allium family, they may contain N-propyl disulfide, which is a toxic compound that can cause damage to your dog’s red cells. This means that your dog’s red blood cells are not sufficient to transport oxygen throughout the body, leading to anemia, weakness, and lethargy.
This toxic compound can also cause blood vessels to enlarge and heart muscle relaxation in dogs, causing blood circulation to become very difficult.
Here are some other signs of onion- and garlic- poisoning in dogs
- GI tract inflammation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive drooling
- Feeling tired
Immediately contact your vet if you suspect that your furry friend has onion poisoning, as your dog might need immediate medical attention.
450g of Funyun chips (whole bag) would contain no more than 9 grams of onion powder or garlic powder. So, 450 grams of Funyun chips should not cause harm if your dog weighs more than 4.4 pounds and isn’t allergic to any of the components.
Are There Any Health Benefits for your Dog?
Funyuns have many health benefits because are many oils that can be very beneficial for dogs’ normal daily lives.
Funyuns contain a lot of sunflower oil. Sunflower oil is rich in omega six and three, which are essential for dogs’ skin to be smooth and moisturized. To increase your dog’s energy level, you can add a little bit of sunflower oil, which is also good for its heart.
My Dog Ate Funyuns. What Should I do?
Do not panic. To remove sodium from the dog’s digestive system, give it a lot of water.
It would be best to immediately take your pet to the vet for the best care.
How to Prevent Dogs from Overeating Funyuns?
Funyuns can be a great treat for dogs only if given occasionally.
It is important to avoid giving your pet anything that may cause illness. It is essential first to determine the proper dose before you give it to dogs.
To prevent your dogs from eating Funyuns, you should ensure they are not in reach.
Funyuns can be replaced with other healthier treat alternatives, encouraging them to eat things that are okay for them.
Conclusion
Funyuns are not the best treat for dogs.
As responsible dog owners, we want the best for our dogs, which means making sure that they get healthy food and avoid toxic ingredients.
Dog owners need to be aware of when to feed their dogs Funyuns. Funyuns are full of fat and salt, so it only takes half a serving to reach the daily salt intake.
Excessive salt or fat intake can cause serious health problems for our four-legged friends, so don’t be tempted to give up the Funyuns chips next time.