Cheetos are a common snack meal in many households.
There’s no doubt you’re familiar with that feeling of licking the orange cheesy goodness off your fingers.
As a dog parent, there’s every likelihood your dog has shown their desire of wanting to take part in these cheesy snacks.
But, can dogs eat Cheetos? Are Cheetos good for dogs?
Before you go ahead to share this cheesy treat with your pup, here’s what you need to know about dogs and Cheetos.
What are Cheetos?
Cheetos is a brand cheese-flavored, crunchy puffed cornmeal snack made by Frito-Lay, a subsidiary of PepsiCo.
This snack meal was created in 1948 by Fritos creator Charles Elmer Doolin and national distribution in the United States began the same year of its creation.
Some of the ingredients used in the making of this cheesy treat include:
- Enriched Corn Meal (with chemicals like Thiamin Mononitrate)
- Vegetable Oil (Canola, Corn, Sunflower)
- Cheese Seasoning (Whey, Cheddar Cheese, Maltodextrin)
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
- Lactic and Citric Acid,
- Artificial Color [Yellow 6])
- Salt
Can Dogs Eat Cheetos?
Yes, dogs can eat Cheetos; however, this does not give the nod to feed it to them.
Cheetos are not harmful to dogs in small quantities, but a dog eating a bag of them will result in several health complications.
These snacks are unhealthy to feed your furry friend, so while it may be tempting to offer your furry friend some bite, you might want to hold off that thought.
Below is a breakdown of the nutrient components of 35 grams of Cheetos.
| Nutritional Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 196 |
| Fat | 13g |
| Cholesterol | 2.5mg |
| Sodium | 330mg |
| Potassium | 64mg |
| Carbohydrates | 19g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5g |
| Sugars | 1.1g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Calcium | 1.5% |
| Iron | 4.9% |
From the nutrient chart above, it is evident Cheetos have little nutritional benefits to dogs.
They are filled with needless empty calories, and most of the ingredients it is made with are the root cause for further health complications in dogs when eaten in large quantities, frequently.
Are Cheetos Good for Dogs?
We’ve established that dogs can eat Cheetos, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that this snack is good for them.
This section explores the dangers of feeding these snacks to your pet dogs.
There are several reasons Cheetos are bad for dogs consumption. They are made up of unhealthy ingredients, empty calories, and preservatives that are not good for a dog’s system.
One of the several potentially harmful ingredients in Cheetos is cornmeal.
Cornmeal in Cheetos is processed with lots of seasoning and doused with preservatives.
This seasoning contains Yellow 6 coloring and MSG (Monosodium glutamate), which are detrimental to a dog’s health.
Yellow 6 have been reported to be the root cause of tumors (adrenal medullary adenomas) in animals. [1]
MSG is a flavor enhancer that makes Cheetos addictive. However, the harmful effect of MSG is that it can negatively affect a dog’s brain.[2]
Not to mention this snack has a threateningly high amount of sodium, which could result in sodium poisoning in dogs when excessively consumed.
Some other ill effect of too much Cheetos consumption in dogs includes diabetes, diarrhea, obesity, stomach pains, vomiting, loss of appetite, and behavioral changes.
Judging from the lack of health benefits and the risk associated with a dog’s consumption of Cheetos, it is quite clear that this snack is one of the many junk meals you should not feed your dog even if they can eat it.
Related:
Can Dogs Eat Cornbread?
Can Dogs Eat Organic Cheetos?
The use of organic corn in the making of Cheetos doesn’t make it any healthier for your dog’s consumption as it is still high in salt and carbs.
Hence, it would be best not to feed organic Cheetos to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Baked Cheetos?
Baked Cheetos are not safe for dogs to eat. They contain enriched cornmeal, vegetable oil, salt, and carbs, all of which are potentially harmful to dogs.
But if you must feed baked Cheetos to your dog, do so in small quantities sparingly.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese Balls?
A few bites of cheese balls are unlikely to have any adverse effects on canines; however, they are not safe for dogs to eat.
Just like Cheetos, cheese balls contain a threateningly amount of salt, carbs, and corn for a dog’s system.
Can Dogs Eat Cheetos Puffs?
Cheetos Puffs contains almost the same ingredients used in making regular Cheetos, including MSG and yellow 6, which are potentially harmful to dogs when excessively consumed.
Can Dogs Eat Hot Cheetos?
Dogs should not eat hot Cheetos or anything from the flamin’ hot Cheetos variants (this includes Jalapeno Cheetos).
Spicy foods are generally not good for dogs as they can cause stomach upsets, gas, and diarrhea.
If your dog has eaten too much hot Cheetos, give its plenty of water to drink.
Healthy Alternatives to Cheetos
There are several healthy snacks that will make a great alternative to Cheetos and are healthy to feed your dog. Below are a few to consider:
- Apples (avoid the seeds and stems)
- Bananas
- Broccoli
- Blueberries
- Carrots
- Plainly cooked green beans
- Peas
- Healthy dog treats made specifically for dogs
Take Note: if you’re feeding any of the foods mentioned above to your dog for the first time, feed it in little quantities as this food may not go well with some canines.
What if My Dog Ate Cheetos?
If your dog had a few bites of Cheetos, you need not pannic; your dog would likely be fine.
But if your pup gobbled down a bag of Cheetos, this is definitely something to worry about.
Your dog may develop stomach aches, order than that, nothing serious.
However, contact a vet immediately if you notice any strange behavior in your pet dog or persistent vomiting, intestinal problem or weakness, loss of appetite, or labored breathing longer than a day.
Related:
Why Is My Dog Dry Heaving? Causes, Symptoms, Solutions
It is important to note that accidents do happen, and even with the best of intention, you may walk up to your pup only to find it gobbling a bag of Cheetos.
So, ensure you keep Cheetos in careful spots that are out of your pet’s reach to avoid them gnashing down on one in your absence.
Can dogs eat Flamin Cheetos?
One Cheeto won’t cause any health complications in your dog, so yes, it is safe to give your dog one Cheeto.
Nevertheless, it would be wise not to feed your pup any food that is unsafe for its consumption, even in little quantity.
Why do dogs love Cheetos?
Most dogs love crunchy foods; it is for this reason they love crunchy Cheetos.
However, crunchy Cheetos contains a high amount of salt; hence, you should not feed crunchy Cheetos to dogs.
Can I feed my dog chips and cheese?
Snacks such as chips and cheese contain a lot of salt, high calories, and fat; hence, it is not advisable to feed your pet dog.
Related:
Can Dogs Eat French Fries? Are French Fries Bad For Dogs?
Bottom Line: Can Dogs Have Cheetos?
Cheetos are made with ingredients and preservatives that are potentially harmful to dogs.
A few occasional bites are not likely to harm your dog, but frequent consumption of this cheesy treat will negatively impact your dog’s health over time.
Instead, you should consider other healthier treats specially formulated for canines.
References & Notes:
- PawDiet. “Artificial Food Dyes In Dog and Cat Food”
- Dogs Naturally (December 14, 2021). “MSG In Dog Food Can Cause Brain Damage”
