My Dog Ate Hot Cheetos – Should I be Worried?

Hot Cheetos are a worldwide favorite snack. Now, I can totally understand if you were munching on your favorite snack and a piece or two fell down. As a dog parent myself, I know that anything that falls is immediately devoured by our fur-friend.

So, should you be concerned? The thing is, hot Cheetos are not good for your dog. But, they will also not kill your pet. The ingredients of hot Cheetos are not suitable for a dog’s system and so, it leads to various side effects if the Cheetos were eaten in a bigger quantity.

There’s more that you need to know. From precautionary measures to treatments, I’ve got it all covered so that you can keep your dog in the best possible shape!

Will Your Dog Be Fine?

There is no need to be worried. Take a sigh of relief. Your dog will be fine. Cheetos aren’t poisonous or toxic. There are a few possible risks but they only arise if dogs are eating Cheetos regularly or in big amounts. If your dog only munched on a few or if this only happened once or twice, you can relax.

No informed and loving pet parent will ever let their dog eat hot Cheetos on a daily basis. You shouldn’t either. For when the dog did eat hot Cheetos, it probably happened by accident when you dropped some Cheetos on the floor. Or maybe, the dog found a pack of Cheetos lying around. Sometimes, kids can also accidentally feed dogs the wrong things. But in all these cases, the amount of Cheetos isn’t enough to kill or hurt the dog.

But:

Do not misinterpret this information. Just because your dog will be okay doesn’t mean it’s alright to feed hot Cheetos every now and then. As long as is only happened as an accident, things will be fine. The side effects can be treated and your dog won’t suffer.

The truth is that dogs generally hate spicy foods. The reason why your dog might have munched on a few was out of curiosity or to get your attention. There are very brisk chances that the dog will repeat the mistake again. You should still be wary and prevent this from happening again.

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Reasons to Avoid Feeding Cheetos to Your Dog

You may be wondering:

If hot Cheetos aren’t that harmful, maybe you could share your snack with your pet once in a while too. The thing is, there are certain possible side effects. The ingredient list of hot Cheetos isn’t the healthiest for humans, let alone for dogs. In case of accidents, the dog’s immune system is able to handle it. But once you make it a habit, things can go downhill.

Hot Cheetos offer high calories but pretty much no nutritional value. They are a cornmeal snack. As a dog parent, you’ll be well aware that cornmeal was a common dog food filler back in the day. However, recent research has proven that it is hard for dogs to digest. So basically, if your dog eats too many Cheetos, it will suffer from digestive issues including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, etc.

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Moreover:

It is also a snack that is not free of GMOs. On top of that, it includes MSGs, canola oil, and modified starch, all of which have zero nutritional value. Sugar, salt, spices, artificial colors, and a few other ingredients are all useless too. The high sodium and fat content are bad for your dog’s health in the longer run. These ingredients could lead to pancreatitis, diabetes, and heart diseases.

Onion, garlic, and other food items from these families are toxic to dogs. Both onion and garlic are added to hot Cheetos in powder forms. Despite the small quantity, these ingredients can cause anemia and gastrointestinal irritation.

Breathing issues, obesity, arthritis, hypertension, and strokes are the illnesses that your dog may experience if hot Cheetos are fed regularly. The short-term side effects include dehydration, fatigue, and seizures on top of diarrhea and digestive problems.

What to do if Your Dog Ate Hot Cheetos

Now that your dog ate the Cheetos, what should you do next? Even if it was just one Cheeto, it is understandable if you’re worried. If your dog has a rather weak immune system, you should be a bit worried.

But instead of panicking, do the following:

Start by offering your dog lots of water. The spices may cause inflammation. Next, closely notice your dog’s behavior and poop. Keep an eye out for lethargy, hyperactivity, constipation, diarrhea or anything unusual. Things that your dog never did before but has started suddenly doing should all be treated as red flags.

Expect any such symptoms to appear within 24 to 48 hours. If you notice the slightest issue, contact a veterinarian. The professional will recommend the relevant further steps you need to take.

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If 24 to 48 hours have passed and your dog seems fine, the chances of any risk are over. The digestive system will have flushed out the harmful ingredients by this time. The next step is to take preventative steps to ensure that the incident does not repeat again.

Firstly:

Keep all your human snacks far away in a secure place that your dog should never be able to reach. A locked cupboard, preferably that is high is the best option. Next, whenever you’re eating your snacks, be careful not to drop them. For when your kids or guests are eating such things, limit your dog to another room. All of this may sound excessive but trust me, it’s better to be over-protective than to regret later on.

Related Questions

Can hot Cheetos kill a dog?

No, Cheetos cannot kill your dog. They are almost harmless if the dog only ate one or two of them. However, regularly eating things like Cheetos that have high sodium content as well as fats and oils is harmful. The best thing is to be cautious than sorry.

Can dogs taste spicy hot?

Dogs do not have taste receptors for spicy flavors. Things like curry and hot peppers cannot be tasted by dogs. But, there is still a very low chance that dogs will eat something with a spicy flavor. Since their sense of smell is extremely strong, they can recognize spicy foods by the aroma. Dogs particularly dislike the smell of spicy foods which is why they also don’t eat it often.

Can a single grape kill a dog?

A lot of ‘normal’ human foods are poisonous for dogs. Grapes are one of them. Although they are toxic, one grape doesn’t really affect a dog. For 90% of dogs, it takes at least 3 grapes to result in a negative side effect, the most common one being kidney failure. But, once again, it is best to keep such toxic foods away from your dog’s reach.

How much chocolate will kill a dog?

While certain toxic foods only affect dogs when they are eaten in huge amounts, it’s not the same with chocolates. The exact amount that will kill a dog depends on the dog’s weight. For every pound of body weight, the dog can bear an ounce of chocolate. On average, half to one pound of milk chocolate can kill a dog.

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Nadine Oraby

My name is Nadine; I am a passionate writer and a pet lover. People usually call me by the nickname “Joy” because they think that I am a positive and joyful person who is a child at heart. My love for animals triggered me to create this blog. Articles are written by vets, pet experts, and me. Thanks for visiting. Your friend, Nadine!

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