Giving your dog a single Dorito chip as a treat is unlikely to harm them, but regularly feeding them Doritos or other salty, human snack foods is not recommended. In moderation, a single chip here and there is fine, but overall, Doritos and other chips are too high in fat, salt, and calories to be a regular part of your dog’s diet.
Quick Answers
- One Dorito chip as an occasional treat is ok for dogs.
- Doritos contain lots of fat, sodium, and calories so they aren’t good for dogs to eat regularly.
- Ingredients like onions, garlic, and artificial sweeteners in Doritos can be toxic to dogs.
- Feeding your dog too many Doritos may cause vomiting, diarrhea, obesity, and other health issues.
- Healthy dog treat alternatives include carrots, apples, peanut butter, and lean meat.
Can Dogs Have Doritos?
Doritos are a popular human snack made by Frito-Lay. The classic nacho cheese Doritos are made from corn, vegetable oil, and cheese flavoring. They also contain lots of salt, spices, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Most veterinarians recommend avoiding feeding Doritos to dogs. This is for a few reasons:
- They are high in fat – Dogs don’t digest fat as well as humans. Too much fat can cause pancreatitis.
- They contain a lot of sodium – Excess salt is bad for dogs and can cause gastrointestinal issues.
- They lack nutritional value – Doritos offer no protein, vitamins, minerals, or fiber to a dog’s diet.
- They can contain garlic and onion powder – These ingredients can be toxic to dogs when consumed in large amounts.
- They have artificial sweeteners – Xylitol is toxic and can be deadly, while aspartame may carry health risks.
Health Risks
Feeding your dog Doritos regularly or in large quantities increases their risk of:
- Vomiting and diarrhea – Too much fat, spices, or salt can irritate a dog’s stomach.
- Pancreatitis – High fat foods like Doritos can cause this painful inflammatory condition.
- Obesity – Doritos are high in fat and calories without providing much nutrition.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Relying on Doritos could lead to deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals.
- Kidney problems – Too much sodium can put strain on a dog’s kidneys.
- Diabetes – Obesity and high carbohydrate intake increases diabetes risk.
Are Small Amounts Ok?
Many dog owners admit to giving their dog the occasional Dorito chip as a treat. In very small amounts, this is unlikely to harm an otherwise healthy dog.
Things to consider before giving your dog Doritos:
- Make sure it’s just a small portion of one chip, not a whole bag.
- Doritos should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
- Avoid Doritos if your dog has medical conditions like pancreatitis, kidney disease, or obesity.
- Only share plain nacho cheese Doritos, not flavors with onion, garlic, or hot spices.
- Monitor your dog for signs of stomach upset like vomiting after eating them.
While the odd chip won’t hurt, it’s best to offer healthier treats for daily use. Great options include carrot sticks, apple slices, green beans, plain popcorn, peanut butter, or lean cooked meat.
Nutrition Facts
Here are the nutrition facts for 1 ounce (about 12 chips) of nacho cheese Doritos:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 137 |
| Total Fat | 8 g |
| Sodium | 171 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Sugars | 0.5 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
As you can see, Doritos are high in fat, sodium, and calories without providing much nutritional value. This makes them a poor choice for regular dog treats.
Healthy Treat Alternatives
Here are some healthy treats to give your dog instead of Doritos:
- Carrots – Crunchy, low calorie, and full of vitamins.
- Apples – Provide fiber, vitamin C, and calcium.
- Green beans – Low calorie, nutritious, and crunchy.
- Peanut butter – Go for low or no salt varieties in moderation.
- Lean meat – Unseasoned chicken, beef, turkey, or fish.
- Popcorn – Plain, air-popped popcorn is a good low calorie snack.
- Dog treats – Look for low fat, natural treats without many additives.
- Bananas – Full of potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
- Sweet potato – A healthy source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber.
- Pumpkin – Provides vitamin A, potassium, and fiber.
Rotate through a variety of healthy, natural treats to give your dog variety and great nutrition without excess fat, salt, sugars, and preservatives.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog the occasional plain Dorito chip is unlikely to cause harm. However, Doritos should not make up a regular part of a dog’s diet. In large amounts or on a frequent basis, they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, obesity, pancreatitis, and other health issues.
Stick to healthy, low-fat, minimally processed treats like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and high quality dog treats. These provide great nutrition without excess fat, sodium, and calories. While snacking on the odd Dorito likely won’t hurt, your dog’s long-term health will benefit from more wholesome treats.