Can Dogs Eat Potato Chips? Are Chips Safe For Dogs?

Have you ever wondered if your dog could eat potato chips? You may be thinking about sharing a bag with them as they enjoy the tasty treat, but then there’s always that chance he might accidentally swallow some. So, can dogs eat potato chips?

Most potato chips are not safe for dogs to eat because, typically, they contain an excess of salt. Salty foods can make most dogs seriously thirsty, and this can then cause health problems like sodium ion poisoning. An excessive thirst also means they may need to use the bathroom more often because of all their drinking.

For some dogs, eating potato chips may be safe if they only eat one or two. However, it is still not good for your pup to consume too many of these snacks due largely because the high-level polyunsaturated oils found within most store-bought brands can cause inflammation when ingested by animals alike over time, which could lead to inflammation to obesity issues down the road.

Do not feed your dog human food without first consulting with a vet. Many potential side effects could happen if feeding the wrong type of meal or too much at one time. Here is everything you need to know if you are wondering, “Are potato chips safe for dogs?”.

Why are potato chips so bad for dogs?

Besides the fact that most potato chips have salt in them, they provide no nutritional value to dogs. Instead, they offer nothing more than empty calories that will only make your pup gain weight.

Too much weight on a dog can lead to a number of serious problems, such as joint pain, high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, and skin problems. Here are other key things that explain why chips and junk food are not good dog eating habits:

Too much salt and other spices

Potato chips are a favorite among many people who love to snack. However, the salty goodness isn’t so great for your dog’s health and should be avoided at all costs.

When a dog eats too much salt can potentially cause the following:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Muscle tremors
• Sodium poisoning
• Incoordination
• Respiratory distress
• Digestive upset

According to the National Academies of Sciences, the average adult dog that weighs around 33 pounds has a typical daily allowance of only 200 mg of sodium and 14 g of fat. An excess of salt intake could lead to bigger health issues like seizures, liver failure, and even death in the most serious of cases.

Contains no nutrients

When it comes to dog food, potato chips are pretty much the equivalent of empty calories for humans and dogs. They offer nothing in the way of nutrients that your pup needs to stay healthy and maintain a proper weight.

So, if you are asking yourself, can my dog eat chips? You should answer with a firm and resounding no. Not only will your dog’s stomach get upset, but your dog is not even going to enjoy the benefits of them since they contain no nutritional impact.

Artificial flavors

Things like fatty foods and flavored chips can also contain highly toxic ingredients for dogs, such and onion powder and garlic powder. These not only could irritate your dog’s digestive system but can also cause anemia and other serious issues to your pet’s health.

A high amount of carbs

The option of feeding your dog healthy food or snack instead of potato chips is a great one. Taking this route can help your dog feel better and live a healthy life free of excessive gas or skin allergies.

Potato chips may be tasty, but they are going to lead to serious harm if you feed them too often or in large amounts. They are packed with refined carbohydrates that can be harmful to dogs. Consuming too many carbs and fat can lead to weight gain, which in turn can lead to serious health concerns.

Can dogs eat unsalted potato chips?

You will probably notice your dog drinking water shortly after he or she has eaten chips. This will not be the exemption when dogs eat chips that do not contain lots of salt. This is because of the high amount of carbohydrates, which will only lead to more water intake.

So, can dogs eat chips with a little salt? Potato chips are fried or cooked in oil, which will cause your pup to gain weight.

Salt itself is not the only thing that should stop you if you are concerned about feeding dogs potato chips since there are other factors as well. The type of fat used in the chips could be a problem along with carbohydrates and sugar too.

The fact that most dogs love eating a salty snack may be one of the biggest issues with feeding them this snack. Since dogs will gain weight, it is best to watch your dog’s intake of certain foods, so they don’t gain too much weight or have any health problems.

Is it OK to give a dog homemade sweet potato chips?

Homemade dehydrated sweet potatoes are a healthier alternative to store-bought potato chips. However, that does not mean they are completely safe for your dog to eat too. You have the option of air fry cooked, baked at high temperature, or to dehydrate the sweet potato.

Just like humans, dogs need carbohydrates in their diet, but they don’t need as many as sweet potato chips can offer. In fact, your dog only needs about 25 grams of carbs a day, which is much lower than the amount that can be found in a single serving of sweet potato chips.

If you want to keep your dog’s weight under control, it is best not to feed them anything fried. A less-than-healthy diet can lead to their health in many ways, and one way for this could be by increasing their chances of becoming obese or fatty.

Also, keep your dog away from raw potatoes, raw meat, dark chocolate, or unsweetened baking chocolate to avoid issues with your dog’s abdomen. The last thing you want is for them to eat dog foods that will make their belly feel funny.

Eating chocolate and macadamia nuts are two other examples of foods that are poisonous to dogs. In order for us humans to avoid all these food poisoning issues, we always recommend dog owners to purchase a healthy snack or subscribe to a reliable food delivery service like BarkBox. Before you do so, read more about Barkbox and understand your dogs dietary requirements.

How many potato chips can a dog eat?

Dogs can eat a single chip or two without a problem. They should not be given a whole bowlful of them, though, which is what would happen if you fed them your leftover snacks.

If you want to give your dog a single chip, make sure it is an unsalted one and that the chip is only about the size of their mouth. However, If your dog ate the entire bag, you would need to take them to the vet as they would be in danger of sodium poisoning.

What should I do if my dog eats a whole bag of chips?

Water is essential for life and maintaining bodily functions. It can be found in the human body as well, so it’s no surprise that dogs need water too. It’s always important to ensure your dog has access to fresh drinking water, as this can reduce the risk of salt toxicity.

Mild cases can be managed at home with electrolyte supplements. However, if any symptoms persist after 24 hours, then it’s best that we take them into emergency care, where doctors will monitor vital signs and for oxygen therapy and IV fluid replacement.

Final Words

Whenever you have guests that are dog people, try not to offer them snacks, especially if they contain carbohydrates and salt. Not only because it is not healthy for them, but also because it can be left behind, which can then be eaten by your dog.

Although the potato chip is not toxic itself, the salt used on the chips or in them can be. This is why you should never give your dog potato chips since it can make them sick. Please feel free to share your super comments below.

Last Updated on 07/12/2023 by Karen Snow