Please tell us you haven’t actually tried feeding your dog Cheetos! Pets can have human food too. Unfortunately, many common snacks that we enjoy as a treat are dangerous for our dogs. Take this particular junk food for example. These cheese-flavored, crispy snacks have been around since 1948 and are notorious for their addicting taste. They’re popular amongst humans all over the world, but can these tasty treats be safe for dogs to eat?
Can Dogs Eat Cheetos?
The answer is No. Dogs cannot eat Cheetos. It contains vegetable oils, chemicals, preservatives and dyes that can be dangerous for your pet if ingested. It also contains artificial colors and flavors that are not meant to be consumed by animals.
What is Cheetos made of?
Cheetos are a cheese-flavored corn puff. They’re usually made from ground yellow corn, which is mixed with salt, vegetable oil, cheddar cheese powder (a processed mix of milk solids and oils), sugar or high-fructose corn syrup (a type of sweetener), artificial flavor, soy lecithin (an emulsifier that helps keep ingredients from separating), and citric acid as a preservative. Here’s a list of key ingredients:
- Enriched corn meal
- Vegetable oil
- Cheese seasoning
- Canola oil
- Maltodextrin
- Whey protein concentrate
- MSG
- Yellow 6
- Natural and artificial flavors
Are There Any Nutritional Benefits?
Honestly, no. There are no nutritional benefits to your dog when it comes to eating Cheetos.A single Cheetos has 160 calories, 11 grams of fat, and 10 percent of day’s recommended intake of sodium. This can be detrimental to your dog’s overall health.Too much dietary salt can be a cause of hypertension, heart problems, and stroke.
Talking about the ingredients, the first one is cornmeal. It’s cooked and then generously dusted with cheese seasoning.The seasoning contains Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and yellow number 6 coloring. Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a naturally occurring amino acid that can be found in small amounts in tomatoes and cheese. It has the potential to harm your dog’s brain. Yellow #6 coloring has been shown to cause adrenal gland and kidney tumors in animals.
This snack also has a lot of empty calories, chemicals, and low-quality saturated fats. They’re not essential for your dog’s health.Also, some types of Cheetos contain garlic powder, which is a big no for dogs. Dogs with garlic allergies can be very sick or even die if they eat Cheetos.
You can see Canola oil in the list of ingredients as well. This is not virgin oil. Low-grade oils may be okay for people, but not so much for pets.
What Happens If Your Dog Eats Cheetos?
Most dogs will be fine with eating a small amount of Cheetos. They’re not toxic, so there’s no need to panic. However, eating too much can lead to discomfort, diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting.If you notice any of these symptoms, please make a call to your vet immediately.
A vet will likely tell you to monitor your dog closely after Cheetos consumption, depending on the amount of Cheetos and the size of your dog. For small dogs, it won’t be much of an issue because they don’t need as many calories or nutritional needs to sustain them as bigger breeds do. Bigger breeds, on the other hand, should probably refrain from eating such snacks just at all costs because it only serves to worsen their weight and health problems that go along with that condition.
You must also know that symptoms of garlic and onion poisoning may be delayed by several days. You should keep a close eye on your pet for at least one week following the incident.
Giving your dog a bite of Cheetos here and thereseems like a harmless thing to do. It’s just one little nibble, and you’re not hurting anyone, right? You might have been able to overlook your dog’s begging for food because you thought it was cute. But the time goes by and your dog grows. Over time, regularly feeding your dog junk food like Cheetos will turn them into obese. Obesity is correlated with a variety of health problems, such as heart disease, cancer, and a faster degeneration of joints.
Long-lasting side-effects have the potential to manifest as Diabetes and a loss of interest in nutritious food.
Alternatives to Cheetos for dogs
We can only say one thing- avoid eating Cheetos when your dog is around. Sometimes it’s hard to say no to your pet. Therefore, it’s best not to eat Cheetos in front of your pet.
But if your dog has already gotten the knack of Cheetos, work on getting them some healthy snacks instead.You can make dog treats that are healthy and protein-packed. You can also make them in a way that is “almost human-grade” and still nutritious.Fruits are just as healthy for dogs as they are for humans. They’re low in calories and high in nutrients. Some healthy fruits that you can share with your dogs as a snack are:
- Apples
- Watermelon
- Banana
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
Some Frequently Asked Questions about Feeding Cheetos to Dogs
Can Dogs Eat Hot Cheetos?
In the market, there is a food cluster that pops up often- Hot Cheetos.Can your dog eat hot Cheetos? No.
These Cheetos are worse for dogs than regular Cheetos. They contain onion and garlic powders that are both toxic to dogs.
Spicy foods in itself, should be avoided for dogs, as they often cause gastrointestinal upset.
Can Dogs Eat Jalapeño Cheetos?
No. Dogs cannot eat Jalapeño Cheetos. Jalapeño Cheetos, just like the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are spicy and can cause your pup to have an upset stomach. They also contain onion as well as garlic powder, both of which are hazardous for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese Balls?
No.The Cheetos Cheese and Bacon Balls might be delicious for humans, but they are not good for dogs. The snacks are made with paprika which has a high risk of irritating your dog’s eyes. Cheese balls can also cause digestive problems for dogs. It’s okay to give your dog one or two puff of cheese ball, but don’t overdo it. Too many can lead to obesity or other health problems.
Conclusion
So, Can dogs eat Cheetos? No. Cheetos are a snack that is full of unnecessary calories, unsafe ingredients, and added preservatives that are not recommended for your dog at all.Even though a bite or two should not cause severe harm to your dog, over time, the amount of unhealthy ingredients in Cheetos can have negative impacts upon your dog’s overall health.
Thank you for reading the article.
Explore more cheetos-related dog articles in cheetos for dogs.
Have you ever shared cheetos with your dog? What was their reaction? Did they like it did they have an upset stomach? We would love to hear from you. Please share with us by leaving a comment below!