Imagine this. You pick up some fast food on the way home from work. Your Pug follows you, in hopes of you giving them just a small piece. It’s so easy to throw a fry or two to your dog, especially, when they are begging. But ask yourself “can Pugs eat french fries?”
Can Pugs Eat French Fries?
Absolutely not, french fries deep-fried fried potatoes that contain salt, grease, preservatives, and tons of carbs.
Just because your Pug loves eating human foods, doesn’t mean that it is always good for them. In fact, there are several human foods you should never feed your pooch and this list consists of:
- Beer or any kind of alcohol
- Coffee
- Onions
- Garlic
- and so many more!
Yes, it’s possible for your Pug to eat some human food in moderation, but french fries should never be a part of your dog’s diet.
Now let’s take a look at why french fries are bad for Pugs and what to do if your pooch manages to eat some without your knowledge.
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 French Fries To Pugs?
No, there are no benefits to you or your Pug eating french fries. Even though potatoes (baked or boiled) are a safe vegetable for dogs to eat in moderation, it’s easy to think that french fries are safe.
However, french fries are loaded with trans fat, which are artificial fats (or trans fatty acids) that are used in most processed foods, because it is cheap and inexpensive to use. Trans fat is commonly found in popular foods and products such as french fries, frozen pizza, crackers, cookies, cakes, and etc.
Regular consumption of foods with trans fats can raise your (bad) LDL cholesterol and lower your (good) (HDL) cholesterol.
A dog’s digestive system is more sensitive than a human, and eating too much trans fats can cause increases in blood cholesterol concentrations in dogs, which can increase the chance of arterial diseases in your canine friend. (source)
Nutritional Facts
One serving (208g) of restaurant style fries:
- Calores: 601
- Sugar: 0.6 grams
- Sodium: 742.6mg
- Cholesterol: 2.1 mg
- Potassium: 1133.6mg
- Saturated Fat: 5.2
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 13.7 grams
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7 grams
- Protein: 7.3 grams
This food is high in fat and is really bad for dogs!
Why Are French Fries Bad For Pugs?
While the french fry themselves are not toxic to dogs, it’s how the fry is cooked that makes it unhealthy for both dogs and humans.
They are often cooked in oil and plastered with salt, which makes them unhealthy. As a pet owner, you should know that too much salt is bad for pugs, and regular consumption of fries can cause severe health issues, including obesity.
Salt
Fries are loaded with salt. Think about it when you eat french fries, you probably drink a lot more while you’re eating, because the salt tends to make you thirstier.
Salt absorbs the water in the body, and a dog that consumes too much will become extremely thirsty. Their body can’t process the salt the same way we can, too much salt in their diet can be bad for their kidney’s.
Carbs
While potatoes are not terrible for dogs, they are loaded with carbohydrates, so they shouldn’t be a regular part of your dog’s diet. The carbohydrates in potatoes are hard for your dog to digest.
Too many carbs can cause your Pug to gain weight. If you want to feed your dog potatoes, consider feeding them sweet potatoes since they are a healthier option for dogs.
Seasonings
French fries can contain several different types of toppings from cheese, garlic powder, salt, green onions ketchup, fry sauce, and etc. While they may be tasty to you, some of the toppings can be toxic to your pooch.
Both garlic and onions are extremely poisonous for dogs, most food seasonings are high in sodium which can be dangerous for your pup.
Common spices such as basil, paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, parsley, cocoa powder, and nutmeg aren’t recommended for dog consumption.
Regardless of the type of spices you use for your fries, it’s best to avoid giving your dog a taste as it could result in gas, diarrhea or an upset tummy.
Oil
Some oils can be good for your dog’s health such as coconut oil, krill oil, fish oil, and flaxseed oil. However, french fries are soaked in vegetable, which is not recommended for dogs. Vegetable oils contain corn products and soybean, which some dogs are allergic to.
Substituting peanut oils or butter can cause your Pug to suffer from an upset tummy that can lead to gas and diarrhea.
Steer clear of feeding your dog foods that are fried in oil, as they are bad for dogs.
Can Pugs Eat McDonalds Fries?
No, McDonald’s french fries are cooked in vegetable oils, which we already know are bad for dogs. McDonald’s fries get dipped into two batches of french fries, one for par frying at the factory and then fried when you order them at the restaurant. (source)
This makes them really bad for Pugs and you shouldn’t get into the habit of giving them any!
Can Pugs Eat French Fries With Ketchup
Even though ketchup is not toxic to dogs, it does not make it safe to feed your pooch a ketchup dipped fry. It’s not safe to let your pooch lick or eat a fry that has ketchup.
My Pug Ate French Fries, What Should I Do?
If your pooch managed to wolf down your french fries while you had your back turned, don’t panic.
Remember, a few fries won’t hurt your dog, most of the times it’ll just pass through.
But make sure you keep temptations away from your dog, so they don’t make a habit of swiping food from your plate.
However, if your Pug ate a whole handful of fries, you will want to monitor them for symptoms of poisoning, you’ll want to be on the lookout for sodium poisoning since fries contain a lot of salt.
These symptoms can include:
- Muscle tremors
- Diarrhea
- Increased urination
- Vomiting
- Increased thirst
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Walking drunk
If your pooch displays any of the symptoms above, you will want to get them to your veterinarian or a 24/7 hour emergency vet clinic immediately. The sooner they can receive treatment, the better chance they’ll have for surviving salt poisoning.
The veterinarian will replenish their fluids and electrolytes to help their body readjust. Simply giving your dog more water, won’t help them with the consumption of salt.
Alternatives To French Fries For Pugs
If you insist on feeding your dog french fries, make sure you feed them a very small amount and not every day. One or two fries shouldn’t cause any issues for your dog, but there are so many other “healthy” options to choose from.
Here’s a list of some healthier options you can add to your dog’s diet, that won’t upset their tummy.
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Sweet Potatoes
- Green Beans
Your dog will just be happy that you’re giving them a treat and you’ll be happy because they won’t get sick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can French Fries Kill A Dog?
No, unless your pooch eats a huge amount of salted french fries and oil. Giving your dog a fry once in a while is okay, but feeding her fries everyday can cause some serious harm. It’s best to avoid making a habit of feeding your dog greasy fatty foods.
Final Word On Feeding Pugs French Fries
Feeding your Pug a fry every now and then won’t hurt, but with so many other better options, there’s no reason to expose your dog to greasy foods.
Opt for healthier human foods or stick with a good high quality dog food that contains all the vitamins they need.
References And Further Reading
Eat This Much – French Fries Nutritional Information
Merck Manual Veterinary Manual – Larry J. Thompson, DVM, PhD, DABVT, Veterinary Toxicologist – Overview of Salt Toxicity