It’s game night, and your dog looks longingly at the bowl of chips nestled in your lap. But, while you tuck into your favourite crunchy snack, is sharing some with your pup OK?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat chips. Most plain chips with no seasonings are ‘technically’ non-toxic and safe for dogs. However, chips are junk food typically packed with fat and salt—harmful to dog (and human!) health. Additionally, flavoured chips often contain ingredients and spices toxic to dogs and can prove life-threatening.
Read on to learn how feeding dogs chips can negatively impact their health and when to see a vet if your dog gets into chips or other junk food.
Why Are Chips Bad For Dogs?
Pet parents should avoid feeding their dogs chips for many reasons.
First, chips are high-fat. Even plain chips are very high in fat, at 35 g of fat per 100g. Next, chips contain a high amount of calories, with a standard bag containing around 160 calories. Lastly, chips are high in sodium. An average bag contains 2.27 mg of sodium. The American College of Veterinary Pharmacists says that 2-3 g of salt per kg of a dog’s weight may lead to toxicosis.
These combined make chips a dangerous food for dogs. Some of our favourite seasoned chips pose even more of a health threat to dogs. Many chips are cheese-flavoured, a no-go for lactose-intolerant dogs, and flavoured chips contain highly problematic ingredients.
“Chips containing garlic, onions, chives, or any other plants of the Allium genus can be toxic,” says Dr Enio Sanmarti, DVM and medical director of Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Fort Lauderdale in the USA. “The powder on chips is usually more concentrated than the whole vegetables, and hence more toxic.” Meanwhile, dogs generally don’t like spicy-tasting food; spices can also cause them digestive upset.
Last but not least, chips generally have little nutritional value, with very low vitamin and mineral content.
Which Chips Are Most Dangerous?
If your dog has eaten chips, check the product packaging to find out exactly what ingredients they contain. Here, we round up the most popular chip brands and some of the ingredients that can cause health concerns in dogs.
| Product | Problematic Ingredients |
| Doritos® (including Cool Ranch, Nacho Cheese, and Flamin’ Hot) |
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| Cheetos® (including Cheddar, Flamin’ Hot, and Buffalo) |
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| Pringles® (including Original, Sour Cream and Onion, BBQ, Ranch, and Salt and Vinegar) |
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| Lay’s® (including Classic, BBQ, Sour Cream and Onion, and Sweet & Spicy Honey) |
|
What Are The Risks of Dogs Eating Chips?
So, what can happen if a dog eats chips? Various short and long-term health risks are associated with feeding canines this snack food.
1. Obesity and related diseases
When eaten in large quantities, the high fat and calorie content of chips can contribute to obesity and concerns such as pancreatitis, heart disease, and cancer.
2. Toxicity
Some of the most popular chip flavours—including onion and garlic—are dangerous for dogs. Dr Sanmarti explains that toxicity from these ingredients usually results in gastroenteritis, with signs including:
At high levels, Dr Sanmarti says toxicity can even irritate a dog’s mouth and result in red blood cell damage and anaemia.
3. Sodium poisoning
Chips often contain relatively high amounts of salt, which isn’t great for dogs.
Luckily, Dr Sanmarti says it would take a large number of salty chips to cause hypernatremia or a high concentration of sodium in the blood. However, if your dog is eating a lot of salty foods, vomiting, and having diarrhoea, it could become life-threatening.
4. Allergies
Many flavoured chips contain milk in some form or other. But milk contains lactose, a type of sugar that dogs are commonly allergic to. Some dogs are also allergic to corn, which is a primary ingredient in chips such as Doritos®.
5. Choking
With sharp edges and small pieces, chips can pose a choking hazard. However, they do “not [pose] any higher risk than other common treats,” Dr Sanmarti says.
When to See a Vet If Your Dog Eats Chips
If your dog has eaten any amount of chips and you’re concerned—especially if they’re showing signs of toxicity—always contact an emergency vet immediately. “Emergency vets can triage the call and give advice based on the type of chips the pet ingested,” Dr Sanmarti reassures.
7 Dog-Safe Snacks Instead of Chips
There are plenty of other crunchy treats pet parents can safely feed their dogs as a snack. Some of our favourites include:
- apples (but not the seeds or core)
- carrots
- green beans
- celery
- cucumber
- homemade or store-brand dog treats
“Always consult a vet for their recommendations,” Dr Sanmarti advises. This is particularly important when offering new foods to your dog.
