As responsible dog owners, all we want is a good and healthy life for our dogs. In addition to providing good health care and attention to dogs, nutrition is something you should never overlook.
When offering human foods to dogs, many owners have a question in mind about whether they can feed them potato chips.
In general, potato chips are not ideal to feed to dogs due to several reasons.
Potatoes as a whole are safe for dogs to consume in moderation when cooked plainly. However, potato chips are not plain and contain seasonings, oil, butter, and other ingredients that make them harmful for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat potatoes, but only when they are cooked plainly. In simple words, dogs can consume potatoes that are boiled or baked without any seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, chili flakes, onion powder, and others.
They also must not contain oil, butter, cheese, or any other types of unhealthy fats. Dogs should never consume raw potatoes because they contain compounds that can be toxic to them. Potato skin also contains compounds known as oxalates that can be harmful to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Potato Chips?
Now, coming to our main question: can dogs eat potato chips? And the answer is no, they shouldn’t, and there are several reasons for that. Potato chips are usually fried in oil and contain different types of seasoning.
The high calories and seasoning can both cause your dog to become sick.
If you feed potato chips as a snack or treat to your dog frequently and in high amounts, they will become overweight and might develop health problems mentioned further in the article.
Although one or two potato chips will not immediately harm your dog, it is best to avoid them.
Dogs are primarily carnivores and require a diet that is rich in animal protein to meet their nutritional requirements. Feeding them unhealthy junk food will cause nutrient imbalance, and they will gradually develop deficiencies.
There are many safe and healthy alternatives that you can offer to dogs as treats or snacks instead of potato chips, such as plain chicken, turkey, and other meats.
These will offer them high-quality animal protein and other nutrients, and are easily digestible and appealing.
Cons Of Feeding Potatoes Chips To Dogs
Feeding potato chips to dogs can lead to several health issues and problems. Some of the major cons of offering potato chips to dogs are mentioned below:
High sodium concentration
Potato chips are usually loaded with salt and other seasonings. Salt, in particular, is not something dogs should consume because it can cause hypernatremia (high sodium levels in the blood).
High sodium levels can cause increased blood pressure, muscle weakness, increased thirst, lethargy, electrolyte imbalance, and seizures. Apart from salt, seasonings such as garlic powder and onion powder are toxic to dogs and can lead to severe symptoms such as stomach issues and anemia.
Digestive upsets
Since a dog’s stomach is not designed to digest potato chips, it can get upset if they consumes potato chips too frequently and in high quantities. The seasonings and the oil content of the fries can lead to diarrhea and vomiting, eventually resulting in dehydration.
If your dog has consumed spicy potato chips or very crunchy ones, it can also suffer from abdominal cramps and acidity.
Unhealthy fats and carbs
The most harmful components of potato chips for dogs are the unhealthy fats and carbohydrates. These components are the main causes behind several health problems in dogs, such as obesity, diabetes, heart problems, and, in some cases, joint problems.
If your dog is fed potato chips regularly, it will gradually become obese because of the starch content in potato chips and the unhealthy fats in the oil. Joints of obese dogs remain under stress, and over time, they can develop arthritis, which can be very painful.
Dental problems
Feeding potato chips to dogs can increase the risk of dental problems. As dogs chew on potato chips, tiny fragments can get stuck between their teeth and promote the formation of plaque.
If proper dental hygiene of the dog is not maintained by its owners, over time, this plaque can harden and become dental tartar. Dental tartar can cause gum damage, tooth loss, and promote dental infections.
Choking hazard
Since potato chips can be hard and crunchy, they could be a choking hazard for your pooch. Toy breeds and brachycephalic dogs are more predisposed to choking because they have narrow mouths. So make sure to keep potato chips away from the reach of your dog.
Nutritional imbalance
In terms of nutritional value, potato chips offer little to none to dogs. Since dogs require a carnivorous diet, their bodies are not designed to digest carbohydrates efficiently.
Potatoes are not a rich source of nutrients and are mainly starch. So if you regularly offer potato chips to dogs as a major part of their diet, you are creating a nutritional imbalance leading to nutrient deficiencies.
Pancreatitis
A major health risk associated with feeding junk food such as potato chips to dogs is pancreatitis, or in simple words, inflammation of the pancreas.
The pancreas is a small organ located in the abdomen of your dog and plays a vital role in several health processes such as digestion, maintaining blood sugar levels, and others. If the pancreas of your dog becomes inflamed, it will stop working, and your furry friend will be unable to digest its food properly.
Dogs with pancreatitis are also prone to developing diabetes because insulin is produced by the pancreas, which maintains normal blood sugar levels.
Liver problems
Store-bought potato chips generally contain preservatives and chemical ingredients to enhance flavor, all of which might cause liver damage in dogs. It is best not to feed store-bought junk food to dogs.
Oral discomfort
Bits and pieces of potato chips can get stuck in the teeth of your dog. Some potato chips are very crunchy and hard, and as the dogs chew on them, they can develop small cuts in their mouth, which can be painful and discomforting.
Are Potato Chips Toxic To Dogs?
Potato chips themselves are not toxic to dogs, but the seasonings on them might be. Seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and other spices are not safe for dogs.
Consuming high amounts of onion and garlic powder can cause diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and, in severe cases, anemia in dogs.
Consuming salty or spicy chips can also upset the stomach of your dog. Feeding potato chips loaded with cheese or butter is also not healthy for dogs, as high calories and fat content can lead to obesity.
Is There Any Benefit Of Feeding Potatoes To Dogs
Potatoes are safe for dogs to eat when cooked plain and offered in moderation. Potatoes mainly contain carbohydrates, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals.
You can add potatoes to your dog’s food as a topper or just as a surprise food to change the taste of the palate.
Although potatoes offer little nutritional value to dogs, they can get some benefit from the carbohydrates and fiber. Potatoes also contain vitamins and minerals like B6, B2, B3, B9, C, potassium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus, all of which can offer little benefits to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Boiled Potatoes?
Boiled or baked potatoes that contain no seasonings, butter, or oil and are completely plain can be fed to dogs occasionally and in moderation.
You can feed mashed potatoes to dogs as they are, or you can mix them with other foods such as kibble, plain chicken, turkey, beef, and other meats to enhance flavor and nutrient profile.
Can Dogs Eat Lays?
Lays, Wavy, Doritos, Pringles, Ruffles, Fritos, Zapp’s, Cheetos, and others are not safe and healthy to feed to dogs. All of these potato chips are processed foods containing seasonings, preservatives, flavor enhancers, oil, and fat content, which dogs must not consume.
Can Dogs Eat French Fries?
French fries are one of the worst foods you can give to a dog. French fries are fried in oil and are mostly seasoned with spices and salt, which are all unhealthy for canines.
French fries drenched with butter or sauces must not be fed to dogs because they might contain garlic or onion,s which are toxic to dogs. French fries loaded with cheese or mayonnaise contain too many calories, which can promote obesity in dogs and might upset their stomach as well.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato Chips?
Chips are generally prepared by frying them in oil, so whether they are potato chips or sweet potato chips, or made from another vegetable, they are unhealthy for dogs.
However, if you feed baked or mashed unseasoned plain sweet potatoes to dogs, it is healthier than offering potatoes. Most dogs prefer the taste of sweet potato more, and it is a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But remember to feed it in moderation and as an occasional treat.
Can Puppies Eat Potatoes?
Potatoes are not an ideal food to feed to puppies because they lack several nutrients, particularly protein, which is essential for the growth and development of young canines.
In general, puppies less than 2 months of age should mainly consume their mother’s milk. Puppies that have their teeth erupted should only be fed puppy food and natural meat treats for healthy development. Offering them junk food, such as potato chips, will have adverse effects on their growth.
Raw Potatoes
Raw potatoes are not safe for dogs to eat because they contain toxins that can cause health problems. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family of plants, and other members include tomatoes and eggplants.
Raw potatoes, particularly green ones, contain a chemical compound known as solanine, which is toxic to dogs. Cooking potatoes decreases solanine levels, hence making them safer for dogs to consume in moderation.
Consuming raw potatoes can cause lethargy, weakness, incoordination, confusion, and digestive problems (diarrhea and vomiting) in dogs. Fortunately, your dog needs to consume a lot of raw potatoes to develop solanine toxicity, so it rarely occurs.
However, if you like to grow potatoes in your backyard or garden, then you must pay special attention because all parts of a potato plant, like the leaves, flowers, and stems, contain solanine in abundance. You must put a fence around the potato plants so your dog can’t access them or dig around them.
What To Do If Your Dog Has Consumed Potato Chips?
One or two chips will not harm the health of your pup, so you don’t have to panic. However, if your dog has consumed a whole packet or bowl of heavily seasoned potato chips, keep an eye on it and look for any signs such as lethargy, weakness, or digestive problems. If your dog vomits or gets diarrhea, you should see a veterinarian.
If your dog has consumed raw potatoes, you don’t have to worry immediately because solanine toxicity is rare. However, if your dog is not behaving normally or is not eating or drinking properly, you must see a vet.
Final Words: Can Dogs Eat Potato Chips
Dogs should not eat potato chips because they are not healthy for them. Potato chips contain seasonings such as salt, garlic powder, and others, which can cause toxicity and other health issues.
Potato chips that contain butter and oil promote obesity in dogs. Only plain potatoes, either boiled or baked, are recommended for dogs in moderation. Dogs should be fed an animal-based protein diet, and snacks or treats should only make up about 10% of their daily calorie intake.