Do you Worried that your dog might get sick after tossing him some french fries? Well, there’s an exception. If your curiosity is filling you up, keep on reading to know whether this type of food is safe or harmful to your Dog.
Can Dogs Eat French Fries?
Hot, salty, and greasy. French fries is one of the most talked about foods among people, although not the healthiest (hello carbs, fat, and oil!) However, in some cases, you can treat yourself some of it.
How about your furry friend? Can he also eat a few bites of it?
There have been long debates about dogs eating fries. Imagine going home with a meal on your hand, including your favorite french fries. Suddenly, your dog starts roaming around and making cute faces.
You’ve been tempted to give a couple of french fries, but there’s guilt within you. Is your pet can consume this type of food? How about the potential risks?
Fried Food is Foreign
Some pet owners toss their puppies portions of fries. If you’re doing the same thing, you should stop it immediately. It is a bad feeding habit. Dogs are raw meat eaters and should never feed with fried foods.
Dogs can eat french fries, but,
Technically speaking, yes, Dogs can be able to eat french fries. Although, you should not allow him to digest as much as possible. There’s nothing to worry about if he gets a hold of the fries that fell on the floor or your car.
Aside from not having nutritional value at all, fries contain ingredients that are unsafe to pets. No matter how tasty the food is, it is still not enough reason to give your pooch a couple of bites.
Why Shouldn’t Dogs Eat French Fries?
French fries are not necessarily harmful to dogs, but it is a clear definition of a nutritionally unfilled food both for pets and humans. Even the newest and friendlier potato could not be considered healthy.
It is often high in oils and salt when cooked, making french fries an unhealthy snack. As a pet owner, you already know that the sodium diet of your dog is deficient. Too much consumption can lead to some issues, including overweight.
- Carbs
While potatoes are not terrible to dogs, they are high in carbohydrates. Those carbs are not easy for the digestive system of your pup to process. Some dogs are sensitive or allergic to potatoes. You can find the nutritional value on the skin of potatoes.
The skin has a fair amount of B vitamins, fiber, magnesium, antioxidants, and potassium. Sadly, the vast majority of french fries are prepared with skins removed.
- Fats
Oils are used to cook the fries, and you know that oils are high in fat. Thus, it is not the ideal food for your doggie. It might cause stomach aches and obesity.
Yes, fats are recommended to be included in the pup’s diet, but they should be healthy fats. And when we say healthy fats, they contain omega-6, omega-3, and vegetable oils like safflower and sunflower oils.
You cannot find these healthy fats in french fries as it is packed with saturated fats. These saturated fats are bad for dogs as they are the root cause of obesity and pancreatitis.
- Salt
Additionally, excess ingestion of french fries can lead to salt poisoning. This is probably the biggest reason why this food is never allowed to be eaten by dogs.
Canines have a low salt tolerance, and salty foods are not safe for them. Medium-sized dogs can have less than 100mg sodium a day. A small serving of fries consists of 149.1 mg of sodium. So, the reason is very obvious.
Some symptoms of salt posing include:
- Vomiting
- Seizures
- Loss of appetite
- Excess thirst
- Diarrhea
- Water retention
- Staggering
Neurological is the most severe sign of salt poisoning among dogs. Some of the symptoms are coma, convulsions, and even death.
In case your poodle has eaten some french fries, make sure to pay close attention to these symptoms and call your vet right away when you notice any of these in your pet.
A professional will do a careful physical examination, which will include checking the pet’s weight, height, temperature, reflexes, blood pressure, and pulse rate as well as a quick hearing and vision test.
Your vet may require you to present the medical records of your dog, such as the injury and illness information, vaccination records, and any abnormal appetite or behavior.
- French Fries and Bloating
Another thing to consider when thinking about french fries for your pet is the possibility of bloating. High-fat foods deter the emptying of a pup’s stomach, which makes him susceptible to bloating.
- French Fries and Obesity
Pet owners should also take into account the possible impact of supplementing human food into the canine’s diet. You are not only giving him a stomach ache, but you are also putting his overall health in a danger zone.
The tons of added calories in fries result in obesity, with diabetes and even a reduced lifespan in the rise.
- French Fries and Pancreatitis
Besides, too much-fried foods could ultimately end up with pancreatitis – a pancreas inflammation and a severe condition. Such symptoms include stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, and irregular heartbeat. These warning signs may need immediate medical attention, and a professional will possibly have to run many tests.
Can dogs eat french fries with sauces or seasonings?
That’s still a big fat NO! Seasonings and condiments should not be given to your dog due to the high sodium content they contain. One tablespoon of ketchup (for instance) has 154 mg sodium, which is high enough for dogs to consume.
Not only those toppings can make him excessively thirsty, but cause bloating as well. Never try adding black pepper as a seasoning, too. It irritates the nasal membranes and mouth.
How about homemade fries?
Homemade fries are quite safe to be given to pets. But, prepare it with some etiquette. This means less oil and salt. You can serve homemade chips on Thanksgiving day. Though, remember not to overfeed him.
What if my Dog ate some fries?
Don’t be too scared or worrisome if your dog had some french fries. One meal filled with saturated fats won’t harm your dog. Just be sure not to repeat the same mistake in the future, or else your dog will suffer most.
If you suspect he ate a significant amount of fries, then you are going to monitor him for signs of poisoning. Among these symptoms are seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination and thirst, weakness, reduced appetite, lethargy, and muscle tremors. Get immediate professional care as soon as possible.
How often should I give fries to my dog?
You should be very strict in this case. Feed him a few pieces on an occasional basis. Maybe as a Thanksgiving treat and not as a training treat. Instead of preparing fries, why not try steamed sweet potatoes? Your four-legged friend will surely benefit later!
Are there healthy alternatives?
Of course, and you can depend on these healthy alternatives to feed your dog (if you are interested in integrating human food into his diet).
One healthier option is a baked sliced potato without any seasonings or sauces added. There are also healthy veggies such as carrots, broccoli, green beans, etc.
You can also give him some fruits including bananas, watermelons, and blueberries. There are some foods you should avoid. It is best to talk with your veterinarian before introducing new food to your dog so you won’t be putting his health in danger.
Can Dogs Eat French Fries? Conclusion
Delicious and crispy they are, but fries are among the unhealthy foods that you and even your pet should not be consuming. Its contents would harm your health as well on your dog.
French fries are not and will never be a safe option for your doggie to use as a snack or treat. It is filled with carbs, fats, and salt, which his stomach and body hate. Sure, you can give him one or two pieces once in a while, but don’t make it a habit.
Too much consumption of it could lead to an upset stomach, salt poisoning, weight gain, and bloating. Also, make sure it the fries don’t have lots of oil, spice, or salt on them. Drop those toppings as well.
So, don’t give in to barking, begging, and whining. Your dog will surely benefit in the long run if you stick to your guns. You can toss some periodically to fulfill his cravings for fries, but the limitation is key.
For situations where your dog accidentally ate french fries, don’t fret yet especially if they were only in small pieces. Look out for possible symptoms and always have the contact number of your vet professional at hand.
