If you’ve ever eaten a bag of Doritos, you know how tempting they are for your Pug. They likely sit and stare at you and some will even start dancing around hoping you give them a bite. Dogs love eating junk food as much as we do, but can Pugs eat Doritos?
Can Pugs Eat Doritos?
No, Doritos are processed chips that contain high levels of fat, sodium, and artificial ingredients, which don’t make them a great treat for your four-legged friend. While they are not toxic for your pooch, they can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, and other health issues we’ll discuss below.
Don’t give them any, no matter how much they beg. If you enjoy sharing human food with your dog, you have several other options which we share below.
Always consult with your veterinarian, as they will be able to recommend healthy snacks to keep your Pug healthy and happy!
Note: This article is written by someone who owned a Pug for 16 years, not a veterinarian, and shouldn’t be a substitute for professional advice. If your Pug has eaten something potentially dangerous or is showing signs of illness, you should contact your vet immediately!
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Doritos To Pugs?
It’s not hard to find YouTube videos or social media images with dogs eating Doritos, it may make you think that it’s okay to feed your pooch some.
The truth is that Doritos are not the healthiest choice for people and they definitely don’t make a good doggie treat. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons they are unhealthy for both you and your pooch.
Ingredients
The first ingredient is a genetically modified corn, GMO’s have been linked to increased allergies and inflammation issues, as well as digestive issues in people. Every pet parent should take steps to avoid giving your dog foods that contain GMOs.
Dyes and Oils
Have you ever wondered how Doritos gets that classic orange shade? Well, it’s from using a slew of hydrogenated oils and dyes such as Red dye 40, Yellow dye 5, Yellow dye 6, and vegetable oil.
Vegetable oil, grease, butter, and other low-grade oils should not be a part of your dog’s diet.
Sodium
Doritos have high amounts of sodium which can make your dog seriously thirsty. High amounts of salt can lead to serious health conditions and even death.
Processed Corn
Doritos contain processed corn, which is not healthy for canines. Corn is not easily digestible for Pugs, which is why you should avoid commercial dog foods that mention it as a first ingredient.
Fun Dorito Facts
This popular snack was first launched at a former restaurant in Disneyland called Casa de Fritos. The story is that the Mexican restaurant developed a Tex-Mex recipe that consisted of frying up discarded tortillas and sold them to their guests. They quickly became a hit and Frito-Lay executives soon bought the recipe and started mass producing them.
Today, there are several different flavors from Blaze, Cool Ranch, Poppin Jalapeño, Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese, Salsa Verde, White Cheddar, Simply Organic White Cheddar, and etc.
According to Tasting Table Americans love eating Doritos during the Super Bowl game, and the nacho cheese-flavored is the preferred flavor.
Nutritional Facts
One ounce of Doritos Nacho Cheese flavored chips contain: (source)
- Calories: 150
- Potassium: 50mg
- Calcium: 40mg
- Carbohydrates: 18 grams
- Sodium: 210mg
- Sugars: 1 gram
- Protein: 2 grams
Doritos are loaded with fat, salt, and empty calories which don’t belong in your dog’s diet.
Are Doritos Safe For Pugs?
While not toxic to dogs, this junk food does not contain any benefits for your pooch. If your pup eats a few chips, it likely won’t hurt your dog. Never feed a puppy (less than 18 months) Doritos or any other type of human foods.
Growing puppies should be fed a high-quality diet that contains essential vitamins and nutrients they need during the puppy development stage. We’ve put together a list of some of the best puppy food for Pugs to help you out.
Health Problems
Feeding your dog Doritos on a regular basis can lead to several health issues from obesity, diabetes, dehydration, seizures, kidney failure, and pancreatitis. Your dog would have to eat Doritos every day for a long period of time to experience these symptoms.
If your Pug is healthy and they eat one or two chips, the high levels of sodium and oil can cause them to have bouts of smelly gas and diarrhea. They may also experience a small cut in their gums from the edges of the chip, just like you can.
Why Do Pugs Like Doritos?
Pugs usually want a bite of what we’re eating, whether or not it’s good for them. If they see you eating something, they’ll beg you for a bite. This doesn’t necessarily mean they like the food, after all, they’ve likely never eaten it before you gave them some.
Humans love the taste of salty chips, but dogs don’t share our preference for salt. If your Pug eats a Dorito, it isn’t because they like it.
They eat it because you give it to them.
Can Pugs Eat Organic Doritos?
Even though organic Doritos contain slightly better ingredients, it does not make them any better for your pooch. They are a still junk-ridden processed food, that should not be a part of a canine’s diet.
What About Dorito Nacho Cheese Dip?
No, the nacho cheese dip contains ingredients that are not good for your pup. Other flavors may contain hidden spices such as garlic puree, onion and etc which can be toxic to your dog.
What About Other Chips?
Just like Doritos, other chips contain artificial ingredients, salt and fat which are harmful for both canines and humans. If a snack is unhealthy for humans, you should avoid feeding it to your pet.
In short, all chips (even Ruffles) are not healthy for your dog. Never feed your dog any type of onion, or garlic flavored chips as they are toxic to both dogs and puppies.
What If My Pug Steals Some Chips?
It’s not uncommon for dogs to sneak food when you’re not looking, especially, if they haven’t been trained properly. It can be scary when you realize your dog has eaten something they shouldn’t have.
If your Pug stole some chips or ate a small snack size bag, relax. They’ll likely be fine, but you should monitor them closely for the next 24 hours. If your dog experiences any seizures, vomiting, diarrhea or any other abdominal issues, take them to the vet.
These are all signs that your pet may have been poisoned from eating eating the wrong type of Doritos. As mentioned above, some of the flavored Doritos are toxic to canines, so keep them out of reach!
Alternatives To Doritos For Pugs
Before sharing any human food with your pooch, you need to know the ingredients. Not everything we eat is good for your four-legged friend. If you’re compelled to give your dog a bite of the food you eat, then you should consider some of these healthier dog options:
- Apples
- Peanut butter
- Celery
- Tuna
These are healthier alternatives to Doritos and will help keep your dog happy without causing them to consume excess calories that can lead to overweight issues.
References and Further Reading
OC Weekly – Gustavo Arellano – How Doritos Were Born At Disneyland
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Doritos
The next time you sit down to eat a bag of Doritos, don’t share them with your pooch. Instead, slice up some healthy fruits and vegetables or opt for a healthier alternative to share with them. Although a few chips shouldn’t be harmful, there’s no benefit to giving your dog junk food.
As a pet parent it’s important to know what Pugs can and can’t eat. Establishing a healthy diet can add years to their life and prevent unwanted health issues.