Dogs can eat Doritos but it’s not a good idea to feed. While Doritos are not significantly toxic to dogs, they are high in salt, fat, and artificial flavors, which can lead to digestive upset, pancreatitis, obesity, and other health issues.
Some of the flavors in Doritos, like onion and garlic, can hurt dogs if they eat a lot of them. It’s best to avoid feeding Doritos to dogs and choose healthier and dog-safe treats instead.
Reasons to Avoid Feeding Doritos to Your Dogs
While it may be tempting to share your favorite snack with your furry friend, there are several reasons to avoid feeding Doritos to dogs:
High Salt Content
Doritos are very salty, and that’s not good for dogs. A high amount of salt can cause serious problems in dogs such as sodium ion poisoning in dogs.
Signs of salt poisoning include your dog becoming very thirsty, urinating more, vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, seizures, and in very serious cases, it can even be fatal.
Unhealthy Additives
Doritos also have some artificial flavors, chemicals, and extra ingredients that do not provide any good nutrition for your dog. These extra ingredients can make your dog’s tummy feel bad, leading to stomachaches, gas, and diarrhea.
Weight Gain
Doritos have lots of calories but not much good stuff that dogs need. If your dog eats these high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks a lot, they can get chubby and have problems like bad joints, heart trouble, and diabetes.
Pancreatitis
Doritos are fatty, and all that fat can make your dog get pancreatitis. This is a painful swelling of the pancreas and can make dogs throw up, have diarrhea, belly pain, and feel tired.
Allergies
Your dog might be allergic to some ingredients in the Doritos. This can show up as itching, weird skin stuff, tummy problems (like throwing up or diarrhea), or trouble breathing. Different dogs have allergies to different things, you you need to be careful.
Best Alternatives of Doritos for Dogs
When it comes to treating your dog, there are plenty of healthier alternatives to Doritos that your furry friend will enjoy. These options are not only safe but also provide nutritional benefits for your dog:
Fruit: Many dogs enjoy fruits like apple slices, banana chunks, or juneberries. These fruits are naturally sweet and provide vitamins and antioxidants. Be sure to remove any seeds or pits that could be harmful.
Vegetables: Vegetables such as baby carrots, quenepas, cucumber slices, purslane, or steamed green beans can make excellent low-calorie treats. They’re crunchy and provide fiber and essential nutrients.
Plain Popcorn: You can give plain and unsated popcorn also called arepas which is a very light and low-calorie snack. Be mindful of uncooked kernels.
Unseasoned Rice Cakes: Unseasoned rice cakes are a bland, non-greasy option that can be a suitable occasional treat.
Lean Meats: Small pieces of lean, cooked meats like Chicken Patties, turkey, or beef can be a protein-rich treat. Ensure the meat is free from seasonings, spices, and bones.
Frozen Treats: Freeze small amounts of plain yogurt or unsalted chicken broth in ice cube trays to create cool, refreshing treats for your dog, especially during hot weather.
