No, dogs cannot eat tortilla chips as it is high in sodium content. It also contains garlic powder and onion powder to make it spicy. Edibles which contain excessive salt, garlic powder, and onion powder are highly toxic for dogs. As a result, the dog will suffer from various health issues, which can be fatal. Therefore, as a dog parent, you must keep your dog away from tortilla chips.
Table of Contents
What Are Tortilla Chips?
The corn tortilla is used to make tortilla chips. Corn tortillas consist of nixtamalized corn, vegetable oil, salt, and water put together in corn masa, cut into triangles, and then fried or baked. It was first produced in Los Angeles in the late 1940s. A tortilla chip is a popular snack in Mexico. Tortilla chips are mostly made with yellow corn, but blue and red corn are also used.
Rebecca Webb Carranza was the first person to popularize Tortilla chips in the market in the late 1940s. Rebecca also received a golden tortilla award in 1994 for tortilla chips made through the Mexican Cuisine.
Are Tortilla Chips Safe for Dogs?
No, tortilla chips are toxic for dogs. The presence of ingredients like salt, garlic powder, and onion powder will compromise the dog’s health, leading to digestive distress to death. It may also get lodged in the esophagus or intestinal tract, causing internal injuries.
Why are Tortilla Chips Bad for Dogs?
Tortilla chips are toxic for dogs as it is processed with excessive salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. It may also contain corn at times. Dogs are intolerant towards these ingredients as they cause significant harm.
Let us look at the downsides of these ingredients:
Salt: Consuming excessive salt can cause salt ion poisoning. The recommended sodium intake for a dog is 200 mg daily, but 1 ounce of tortilla chips contains 130 mg of sodium which is toxic. The symptoms and consequences of salt toxicity are:
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Kidney damage
Convulsion
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Headache
Muscle Spasms
Tremors
Seizures
Loss of appetite
Abnormal fluid buildup
Tachycardia
Wobbly walking
Fever
Abdominal pain
Respiratory distress
Weakness
Coma
Death
Garlic powder and onion powder: Garlic and onion powder are said to be highly poisonous for dogs. It may affect the dog’s health to the extent that even death cannot be prevented. The symptoms and consequences of consuming garlic and onion powder are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Abdominal pain
Loss of Appetite
Respiratory distress
Damages RBC
Seizures
Tremors
Dehydration
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Coma
Death
Corn: Allergies in dogs are common. Consuming corn may trigger allergies in dogs which can be very uncomfortable for them to move. The consequences of consuming corn may lead to:
Consuming tortilla chips also choke your dog, and it might get lodged into the esophagus or the intestinal tract puncturing it. Internal injuries might necessitate surgery.
How Much Tortilla Chips to Feed Your Dog?
Tortilla chips are toxic for dogs to consume. Hence, it is best to offer no amount of tortilla chips to your dog. Consuming tortilla chips can trigger too many health issues, which can be fatal.
What If My Dog Ate Tortilla Chips?
If your dog accidentally consumed tortilla chips, then he might show symptoms like:
Inflammation
Choking
Vomiting
Excessive thirst
Disorientation
Frequent urination
Scratching and itching
Offer your dog enough water to ease his stomach. Consuming water can also suffice the excessive thirst and lead to frequent urination, a primary treatment.
Visit the veterinarian to rule out the issues and follow the medication he provides.
Keep tortilla chips out of your dog’s reach.
Alternatives to Tortilla Chips
There can be no better alternatives to healthy foods for your dog. The other options for tortilla chips that you can offer your dog are:
No, puppies cannot eat tortilla chips as they are more vulnerable to health issues than adult dogs.
Can dogs eat blue corn tortilla chips?
No, blue corn tortillas are made with oil and salt. The presence of excess salt is harmful to dogs, so they can’t consume blue corn tortilla chips.
Can dogs eat Doritos?
No dogs cannot eat Doritos of any flavor. This is because they are made with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. These ingredients make the snack unhealthy for dogs.
Can dogs eat Tostitos?
Plain Tostitos are safe for dogs to consume in moderation. However, seasoned Tostitos are harmful to dogs.
Can dogs eat Fritos?
No, dogs cannot eat Fritos as they are toxic for dogs to consume.
Can dogs eat nachos?
No, dogs cannot eat nachos as they are crispy and made with melted cheese. In addition, the ingredients in nachos are harmful to dogs.
Conclusion
From the entire reading, we can inarguably comprehend that tortilla chips are toxic to dogs. The ingredients in tortilla chips can even lead to death. This can be prevented by choosing healthier alternatives for your dog. Do not feed your dog anything before consulting with the veterinarian. It is best to give your dog a diet prescribed by the veterinarian.
