My dog ate Doritos, What should I do? (+4 Life-saving Tips)
As a pet owner, you can’t be around your dog always. And dogs being naturally inquisitive, are known to stick their tongue where they don’t belong. This could be in a pack of Doritos. So, what do you do when you find out your dog ate Doritos?
First off, as a dog parent, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers that everyday household items can pose to your furry buddy. One such item of concern is Doritos, a popular brand of flavored tortilla chips.
If your dog mistook Doritos for kibbles and proceeded to make a treat out of it, it is essential to know what actions to take to ensure its safety and well-being.
This article will discuss the potential hazards of Doritos for dogs, the emergency actions to take, how to prevent future occurrences, and healthy alternatives to Doritos for dogs. So read on.
Key Points
- Doritos contain ingredients like salt, spices, and fat that can cause pancreatitis, electrolyte imbalance, and other health issues in dogs if consumed in large quantities.
- Toxic ingredients like onions and garlic are present in some Doritos flavors, which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in dogs.
- If your dog ate Doritos, estimate the amount consumed and contact an emergency vet or poison control center right away. Follow their guidance on possible vomiting induction to remove chips then monitor closely for concerning symptoms that may require further treatment.
What are Doritos?
Doritos is a brand of flavored tortilla chips. A tortilla chip is a type of snack food made primarily from corn tortillas that have been cut into triangular or round shapes and then fried or baked until it gets crispy.
Doritos were first introduced by Frito-Lay in 1964 and it would surprise you to know that they were originally unflavored.
However, they now come in a variety of flavors such as Flamin Hot, Cool Ranch, Nacho Cheese, Dinamitas, and Salsa Verde. Doritos are typically high in calories, fat, and sodium, which makes them an unhealthy snack option for dogs.
Ingredients in Doritos and Potential Hazard for Dogs
The ingredients in Doritos vary with the flavors. But a quick look at the ingredients list of Doritos reveals some common ingredients, which are also a potential hazard for dogs. Some of the common ingredients in Doritos are:
- Corn: good old corn is the chief ingredient in Doritos. It is used to make the dough that gives the chips their characteristic texture and flavor. Research has shown that corn is not toxic to dogs and it is easily digestible. This makes sense because if they weren’t digestible, why then are they used extensively in kibbles?
- Vegetable Oil: Doritos use a variety of vegetable oils in their tortilla snacks, such as corn oil, canola oil, and sunflower oil. The oils are used to fry the chips, and it is responsible for their crispy texture and preserved freshness. Vegetable oils are not toxic to dogs, but they are high in fat. If consumed in large quantity can cause stomach upset, and loosen stool leading to diarrhea. If your dog ate Doritos, it’s unlikely that the insignificant quantity of vegetable oil used will harm your dog.
- Salt: this is used as a flavoring agent to enhance the taste of Doritos. In small amounts, salts are not toxic to dogs. However, when consumed in large quantities, they can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
- Monosodium Glutamate: Doritos uses monosodium glutamate in all their chips to enhance flavor. It is not toxic to dogs when consumed in moderate amounts but when consumed in excess, it can cause excitability, restlessness, and muscle weakness
- Spices: Doritos use spices such as garlic, onion, and chives to give flavor to their tortilla chips. Some of these spices are known to be toxic to dogs. Garlic and Onions for one, contain a chemical called thiosulfate and N-propyl disulfide respectively, which are toxic to dogs but not to humans. Thiosulfate and N-propyl disulfide cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells in dogs, which can result in a type of anemia called hemolytic anemia. Hence, if your dog ate Doritos that contain these spices, you should seek help immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Doritos?
No, dogs should not eat Doritos. While giving your dog a few bites of chips won’t hurt it, consumption of a large amount of Doritos can lead to toxicity. This is because Doritos contain a lot of fat and salt, which are unhealthy for your dog.
The high levels of salt, fat, and artificial ingredients in Doritos can cause some health problems for your furry buddy, such as pancreatitis and electrolyte imbalances.
Also, flavors such as Salsa Verde, Nacho Cheese, and Cool Ranch, contain onions and garlic powders, which can break down red blood cells in dogs, resulting in hemolytic anemia.
However, the quantity of these ingredients present in Doritos is not high enough to cause serious toxicity in a few bites. Regardless, we recommend that you avoid feeding your dog Doritos.
Additionally, the texture and shape of Doritos can also pose a choking hazard for dogs. Should you find out that your dog ate Doritos, you should take precautionary measures as will be discussed in this article.
Can Doritos Kill a Dog?
It is a fact that Doritos can cause serious health crises for dogs but is very unlikely to kill them. The severity of any risk Doritos will pose to your pooch will depend on factors such as the number of chips consumed and also the health status of your dog.
If your dog ate a large amount of Doritos, it may develop pancreatitis, which is a serious condition that can lead to hospitalization. Your dog may also experience electrolyte imbalance, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
What to Do if Your Dog Ate Doritos
If your dog successfully made a treat out of your bag of Doritos, all hope is not lost, as there are some actions you can take to ensure its safety.
First, try to estimate the quantity of Doritos your dog ate. You should also check the package to determine if toxic ingredients like onions and garlic powder were used.
This first step is crucial because the toxicity of Doritos depends on the quantity ingested and on the flavors. Nacho cheese, Salsa Verde, and Cool Ranch flavors contain garlic and onions which are toxic to dogs. This information will also help in determining the appropriate course of action.
If your estimate shows that your dog ate only a few Doritos, you may have nothing to worry about. Since it is unlikely to be intoxicated by such small amounts. However, to relieve you of any form of anxiety regarding the safety and well-being of your pup.
You can opt to induce vomiting in your dog. This will help to remove the chips from its system. But, it is crucial that you only do this under the guidance of a veterinarian or animal poison control center.
Regardless of the actions taken, it is still important to call a vet or animal poison control center for advice on what to do. Once you’re done taking the emergency actions, the next thing to do would be to provide long-term care and monitoring for your dog.
All you need to do is watch your dog for symptoms of Doritos toxicity such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite, dehydration, pancreatitis, and abdominal pain.
These symptoms can serve as an indication that your dog is reacting negatively to the Doritos and may require further medical attention.
What Chips Are Safe for Dogs to Eat?
There aren’t any recommended chips to give to dogs, as there are always concerns about the amount of salt and fat present. Instead of giving Doritos or similar chips to your dog, consider getting a dog treat, or safer alternatives to Doritos.
This can include homemade dog treats produced with whole wheat flour, peanut butter, and oats. You can also feed your dog freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, such as berries and carrots; dehydrated meats, such as chicken or beef jerky.
Whenever you intend to choose snacks for your dog, it is important to compare the nutritional content with Doritos. A healthy Doritos alternative should be low in fat, salt, and artificial ingredients. It should also be easily digestible.