You may have seen your dog eyeing your bag of chips and thought of sharing.
But can dogs eat chips? The answer is: better not!
Let’s dive into all the reasons why potato chips are harmful to pups.
Can Dogs Eat Chips?
Well, they can if you let them, and they may gobble them up without thinking twice. But they really shouldn’t since most (if not all) potato chips are packed with harmful ingredients that offer little to no nutritional value.
Potato chips are even unhealthy for humans, let alone dogs, whose digestive systems are much less tolerant to processed food and lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and in extreme cases, even life-threatening medical conditions.
On rare occasions, dogs can snack on a chip or two, but only if you give them plain ones since flavored chips contain ingredients that are toxic to your pup.
Why Are Potato Chips Bad for Dogs?
Now, let’s take a look at the specific reasons why potato chips are bad for dogs:
- While delicious, they are full of processed oils, fats, carbohydrates, and sodium while also containing a lot of artificial flavors and additives;
- Dogs need much fewer calories than us, so even a few chips can meet their daily intake requirements and cause them to gain weight, thus increasing their risk of contracting serious diseases that will shorten their lifespan;
- Extreme saltiness can make doggos alarmingly thirsty in no time, thus causing dehydration and, in the worst-case scenario: sodium poisoning.
- Some dogs are hypersensitive to fat, which irritates their stomachs, causes them pain, and even leads to pancreatitis—an inflammation of the pancreas that leads to a host of serious problems;
Sadly, there is no cure for pancreatitis, and once contracted, you can manage the symptoms by exercising your dog and feeding it only healthy meals.
|Okay, okay, dogs should not eat chips, but are Jalapeños any good for them?|
What Should I Do if My Dog Ate a Whole Bag of Potato Chips?
You think you were extremely careful, but your dogs have found and eaten some chips? Now, you are wondering what to do to help them feel better?
First of all, take the snacks away, and give them water to drink, as it helps them process the food and expel any toxins they may have consumed.
Then, you have to keep a close eye on your pup for the next 24 hours to ensure it won’t develop any serious symptoms. If anything seems amiss, immediately contact a vet or take your pet for a check-up at your closest veterinary clinic.
Note: The last step is rather urgent if you notice symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, stomach aches, or lack of balance when walking.
What are the Alternatives to Potato Chips?
If you are looking for potato chip alternatives to feed your furry friend, unseasoned steamed or baked potatoes are an excellent treat since they easily digest them and are rich in beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Small quantities of plain, air-popped popcorn are a great alternative to potato chips since popcorn is safe to consume by dogs, tastes great (even to them!), and contains fiber, minerals, and B vitamins.
But, as the best replacement, you can also make chips at home! Just slice up some potatoes, bake them with no or minimal oil, and serve them plain!
Ultimately, dogs should not eat chips since they are very high in sodium, which is dangerous to dogs and causes all sorts of health problems, from dehydration to sodium poisoning and pancreatitis. Thankfully, there are many chip alternatives, so keeping your dog happy, healthy, and full shouldn’t be difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs eat one chip?
Eating a chip or two most likely won’t affect your dog’s health significantly, but it’s still a risk you shouldn’t take.
Can dogs eat potato skin?
Dogs can eat potato skin as long as it’s cooked and plain. Raw potato skin is highly toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs!
Can dogs eat chips with salt and vinegar?
Dogs shouldn’t eat salt and vinegar chips since they contain ingredients harmful to them, including high amounts of sodium and vinegar.