No, dogs cannot eat hot Cheetos. The ingredients are harmful to dogs and can lead to various health issues. It has no nutritional value to provide to your dog and is full of empty calories. As a responsible pet parent, it is essential to give a proper diet to your dog. In addition, hot Cheetos can lead to an entire digestive disorder.
Table of Contents
What is Hot Cheetos?
After purchasing a corn chip manufacturer in San Antonio, Texas, Elmer Doolin invented the first Fritos in 1948. In Nashville, a man named Lay established a snack food delivery service the same year. Frito-Lay was formed after the two firms combined in 1961.
In the 1970s, Richard Montanez worked as a janitor at a Frito-Lay plant in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Because one batch of Cheetos was not covered in powder, he took them home and coated them with a spicier chili powder. The Flamin’ Hot Cheetos flavor was so successful that it became the company’s best-selling snack brand.
Is Hot Cheetos Safe for Dogs?
No, Hot Cheetos are not safe for dogs as they have high seasonings. It also has a large amount of salt and other harmful spices, leading to anemia, pancreatitis, and other health conditions.
Why Is Hot Cheetos Bad for Dogs?
Hot Cheetos is terrible for dogs as it has no nutritional benefit to provide your dog. Also, the ingredients it is made with are harmful. Let us look at the components of Hot Cheetos:
Cheetos are primarily made of cornmeal which is oven-fried and deep-fried to get the ‘puff’ shape. Initially, the snack was coated with cheese. Later, the Flamin’ Hot variety coated the snack with spicy chilly powder. Spicy foods are harmful for dogs as they contain capsaicin that upsets your dog’s digestive system. In addition, the Hot Cheetos are processed snacks and include the above-mentioned unhealthy ingredients. Let us see how these ingredients affect a dog’s health.
Enriched cornmeal
Dogs develop an allergic reaction after consuming enriched cornmeal. Consuming enriched cornmeal leads to:
Coarse coats
Flaky skin
Flaky skin
Itchy skin
Ear infection
Weight gain
Obese
Maltodextrin
Maltodextrin is empty calories that are unnecessary for dogs. It may also lead to a few health concerns. Apart from being empty-calories, it also wipes away essential vitamins and minerals your dog has consumed. The consequences of consuming this element are:
Growth of E.Coli
Leaky gut
Damages the immune system
Kills essential bacteria
Obesity
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Weight gain
Organ damage
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
MSG is too toxic to damage a dog’s brain. A small amount of MSG can make your dog bed-ridden. The consequences of consuming MSG are:
Alzheimer’s
Parkinson’s
Lou Gehrig’s
Failure of the central nervous system
Pancreatitis
Seizures
Tremors
Coma
Death
Sodium Diacetate
Sodium Diacetate is a form of salt and is toxic for dogs in general as it may lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs. However, dogs with heart, kidney, and liver disease should avoid Sodium Diacetate. The consequences of consuming Sodium Diacetate are:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
GI Tract issue
Abdomen issues
Pancreatitis
Dehydration
Depression
Fever
Tremors
Seizures
Organ failure
Coma
Death
Citric acid
Dogs do not prefer citrus elements naturally. Citric acids are also harmful to them as they may cause:
Failure of the central nervous system
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Red 40 and Yellow 6 Lake
Red 40 and yellow 6 are artificial colors that are added to various foods. These ingredients are carcinogenic and trigger multiple health issues. The consequences of consuming such ingredients are:
Hyperactivity
Insomnia
Aggression
Asthma
Thyroid tumors
Pancreatitis
Allergies
Lymphomas
Chromosomal damage
ADHD
Abnormal cell development
Brain tumor
Salt
Salt consumption is harmful to dogs. The amount of salt a dog must consume is already added to their diet. Going beyond that limit causes sodium ion poisoning. The consequences of consuming salt are:
Dehydration
Stomach ache
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Fever
Seizures
Pancreatitis
Heart issues
Kidney issues
Liver issues
Seizures
Coma
Stroke
Tremors
Death
Garlic and Onion Powder
Both belong to the allium subspecies. Garlic and onion powder are poisonous for dogs. The consumption of garlic and onion powder can:
Damage red blood cell
Hemolytic anemia
How Much Hot Cheetos to Feed Your Dog?
Hot Cheetos are toxic for dogs and can cause severe health issues. Hence, it is strictly prohibited to feed Hot Cheetos to your dog.
What If My Dog Ate Hot Cheetos?
If your dog accidentally consumed hot Cheetos, visit the veterinarian immediately. The initial symptoms which your dog will show are:
It is always good to go with healthier food and snacks for your dog. Some of the healthy alternatives for your dog are:
High-value dog treats
Broccoli
Pumpkins
Sweet potatoes
Apples
Bananas
Blueberries
Strawberries
Carrots
Conclusion
Hot Cheetos are unhealthy and toxic for dogs in all ways. It is best to keep your dog away from consuming such snacks. Keep this snack out of your dog’s reach. From diarrhea to death, anything can be the result of consuming Hot Cheetos. As a responsible and loving pet parent, you have to provide your dog with a healthy and happy life.
