Several times a day, we love to munch on junk food like Cheetos. Even though it is unhealthy, the majority of the pet holders share food with their canine friends. But is it okay to share junk food with them? Can dogs eat Cheetos?
Giving a few pieces of Cheetos to your dog won’t harm them but don’t let them eat the whole packet as it can cause health issues.
While we sit on our couch with a bag of Cheetos, it becomes hard to avoid those oh-so-puppy eyes. So, you decide to give some of it to your pup.
This is not only for the above crunchy snack; we tend to give them a bite of almost everything we eat. Most of the human foods are not suitable for dogs as it contains harmful ingredients.
But, do Cheetos fall in the same category? Read below to find out!
Can Dogs Eat Cheetos?
The answer is both “yes” and “no.” Your dog can eat Cheetos, but that doesn’t mean they SHOULD have it.
We know that junk food like Cheetos is not beneficial for us. Then, how can it be suitable for your pooch? Cheetos are not toxic to dogs like chocolate or macadamia nuts, but it shouldn’t be regular food for dogs.
Giving a few pieces of Cheetos occasionally will not harm your dog. But, it won’t provide any benefits as well.
If your dog has excessively munched on your bag of Cheetos, it is not a good sign. It contains ingredients that can cause health problems. Make sure your dog doesn’t eat the wrapper of any snack as it contains some part of aluminum.
What Ingredients Does Cheetos Have?
There are several types of Cheetos out there, which vary in ingredients. But, all of them have a single thing in common, which is “cornmeal.”
Other ingredients it includes are:
- Vegetable oil
- Cheese seasoning
- Sodium
- Canola oil
- Maltodextrin
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
If we talk about the nutritional facts, 28 gram or 13 pieces of Cheetos contain:
- Calories – 160
- Sodium – 270mg (12% of DV)
- Total fat – 10g (13% of DV)
- Saturated fat -1.5 g (8% of DV)
- Protein – 2g
Can Dogs Eat Baked Cheetos?
Even though the brand claims to reduce the fat up to 50% in baked Cheetos, still, you cannot give a baked version to your furry friend.
Being less in fats does not mean that it doesn’t contain carbs and salt. Both of these ingredients remain equally harmful.
Moreover, enriched cornmeal and vegetable oil are also not appreciable ingredients. It shouldn’t be a regular part of your dog’s diet.
Cornmeal is nutritionally inferior and can cause digestive issues. In contrast, vegetable oil is a low-grade oil that doesn’t contain healthy fats.
Can Dogs Eat Organic Cheetos?
Just like baked Cheetos, organic ones are not any different. Only because the company uses organic corn doesn’t mean it provides more benefits.
It contains the same amount of salt and other ingredients, which doesn’t make it the right choice for pets.
Can Dogs Eat Flamin’ Hot Cheetos?
This one is a complete no! Dogs shouldn’t eat any spicy line of puffs because it contains jalapenos.
Spicy food tends to upset the canine’s stomach, causing stomach pain and gases. Unlike other lines of Cheetos, this one contains onion and garlic powder, which is toxic to dogs.
The toxicity of garlic and onion belongs to the species Allium and has “thiosulfate.”
If your pet eats any plant which falls under this species, it can damage red blood cells. The damage to RBC makes them unable to carry oxygen. Hence, leading to anemia.
4 Reasons Why Cheetos Are Bad For Dogs
Looking at the nutritional facts above, we can say that Cheetos are hardly healthy. Not just for humans but your canine friends too.
If your dog eats a mouthful of Cheetos, it will have an extreme amount of calories for dogs. Not to forget the amount of Sodium and “bad” fat it contains.
If you are wondering that what impact do these ingredients have on your pup’s health. Let us help you with that.
1. High Amount Of Fat:
Have you ever heard of junk foods without fat? I bet you haven’t! Cheetos are also not made without fats. It contains saturated fats, which are not suitable for dogs.
A moderate amount of such fats is not harmful. But it can create problems like high cholesterol if you go overboard with it.
It is also responsible for clogging arteries that lead to several heart issues. Also, saturated fat can create kidney problems. It is the main constituent to obesity and diabetes as well.
In serious cases, it can cause inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis.
Cheetos are not a good idea even if you want to add a moderate amount of saturated fats in their diet. Several other food options have more health benefits and not just one.
2. High In Calories:
If a food contains a high amount of fat, then it means that it will include a whopping amount of calories.
If your dog eats a bag full of Cheetos, it means he just consumed 160 calories in one go. This isn’t the moderate amount that your pooch should take.
Your pet cannot survive on Cheetos all day. Different meals in the day will also contribute to calorie intake. And, altogether, this will constitute overeating.
The amount of calories a dog needs in a day depends upon the size of the dog. Generally, 25-30 calories per pound is enough.
Dogs like chihuahuas shouldn’t have more than half a packet of Cheetos. But if you have a larger breed like a German shepherd, you can give them 10-12 Cheetos.
Overconsumption of calories can lead to digestive problems, obesity, and even pancreatitis.
3. Cheetos Contains MSG:
Dogs can tolerate salt in their food and treats. But, too much sodium content can lead to severe health issues.
Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. This is used as a flavor enhancer in most foods. However, it is harmful not only for dogs as well for humans.
According to research, MSG can cause brain damage, liver problems. It can cause allergic reactions too.
Overconsumption of table salt can cause salt toxicity. It leads to seizures, hypertension, heart problems, and stroke. In severe cases, your dog can go into a coma or even death!
Cheetos contain a lot of sodium chloride and MSG, which exceeds the need for Sodium in their diet.
4. Artificial Flavors Are A Part Of Cheetos:
Artificial preservatives and flavors shouldn’t be a part of a dog’s diet.
It can cause allergic reactions and digestive upsets like vomiting and diarrhea.
5 Symptoms Of Onion And Garlic Poisoning In Dogs
If your dog has consumed a massive amount of Hot Cheetos, the chances are that your furry friend may get anemic.
You will not see the symptoms immediately. It can get delayed up to several days. But you should know how they look like:
- Weight loss
- Breathing issues
- Loss of appetite
- Blood in urine or stool
- Faster heart rate
5 Symptoms Of Overconsumption Of Cheetos In Dogs
One to two puffs for your pooch is sufficient, but any type more than that can lead to several issues. Most of the problems are internal, which you cannot see.
Obviously, for this reason, you need to consult a vet. But, first, look out for these symptoms:
1. Vomiting:
Sometimes, dogs vomit because they have overeaten food very swiftly. If your pup loves the cheesy puffs, there is no way he is stopping early.
Of course, dogs do not know what is best suited for them. They will eat whatever they see, and if your pup likes it, chances are they might finish off.
If your dog eats too many Cheetos at a time, they may not be able to digest it. Hence, they threw up.
Also, there might be a few toxic substances that their body refused to digest. If that’s the case, then puking is a good symptom.
At least their body didn’t absorb those harmful substances.
2. Diarrhoea:
When your body rejects some new food, it reacts in the form of vomiting or diarrhea. The same goes for dogs as well.
If you have offered Cheetos for the first time to your dog, they might get an upset stomach. Diarrhea can also be due to overeating.
3. Lethargy:
The aforementioned symptoms can lead to lethargy. Your pet cannot be active if it has lost a lot of fluid from its body. The loss of water from the body results in weakness. This can be the reason that your dog isn’t active.
Sometimes, your canine buddy might have other GIT issues. It can also constitute laziness and weakness.
4. Behavioral Changes:
There might be days when your dog reacts as if you are a stranger. Being a pet owner, it is your responsibility to determine why your dog is behaving weirdly.
Either he is in pain or is suffering from separation anxiety. Regardless of the reason, behavioral changes are an indication that something is wrong.
5. Excessive Thirst:
Cheetos have an ample amount of Sodium in them to make your pet excessively thirsty.
If you notice that your dog is drinking water more than usual. You must realize that you left your bag of chips, Cheetos, or salted pretzels within reach of your pet.
Frequent drinking of water can lead to frequent urination. Hence, it would help if you were careful that your pet doesn’t become dehydrated.
We mentioned some common symptoms that are typically seen in dogs if they eat a snack that isn’t made for them. If they do not subside in a few days, consult a vet instantly.
6 Alternative Of Cheetos For Dogs
As we are now moving towards the end, it is clear that Cheetos does not have any nutritional benefits for dogs.
Instead, it contains such ingredients that shouldn’t be a part of your dog’s diet.
Nevertheless, if you are willing to share some of your food with your pet, you can choose:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Peas
- Carrots
You can also make homemade snacks. In this way, you will be more careful while adding the ingredients. Homemade granola bars are a good option for your dog as well.
Conclusion:
The crux of our topic was, can dogs eat Cheetos? Yes, they can. But, in a moderate amount.
Consuming this junk food will not kill your dog but isn’t a healthy option either.
We connect with our canine companions at many levels. From a walk in the park to sharing our food, everything is associated with them.
That doesn’t mean whatever food you eat should be given to your dog. What is best for us may be harmful to your pup.
But in the case of Cheetos, it is neither beneficial for animals nor us. There are many treats available in stores that can satisfy our cravings. Some are beneficial for us and have more nutritional benefits than Cheetos.
