Can Dogs Eat Sunchips? Vet-Verified Facts & FAQ – Dogster (2024)

VET APPROVED

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Paola Cuevas

Veterinarian, MVZ

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For many people, it’s hard to resist cravings for junk food. We tend to ignore the unfavorable health effects of these tempting treats, whether it’s a bag of Cheetos at midnight or some Sunchips while watching a game. But what about our furry friends? Can they eat Sunchips?

Unfortunately, Sunchips are not recommended for our dogs as this snack could contribute to weight gain and other problems. Even though one or two chips might not seem like much, your little pup eating a few would be comparable to you eating a bag, so you can imagine how many calories they’d be consuming. This snack may not be harmful enough to put your dog’s life in immediate danger, but there are plenty of other options that would be much better for them.

Components of the Original Sunchips

The original Sunchips ingredient list includes:

Why Are Sunchips Not a Good Choice for Dogs?

Your dog shouldn’t eat chips because they are unhealthy, as we all know. The components in Sunchips, despite being marketed as “natural,” aren’t particularly healthy for dogs. While having fewer artificial ingredients than, for example, Doritos, making them a better option, these products are still made with ingredients your pooch shouldn’t be consuming.

Simply put, chips don’t provide anything beneficial for your pet. On the contrary, they contain many ingredients that should only be moderately present in a pup’s diet. Sunchips offer almost no nutritional value other than fat and carbohydrates. Your dog’s diet should have some of these, but not many. Even a few chips can contain a surprising quantity of salt and calories.

Remember that our furry friends need far fewer calories than humans simply because they are smaller. A dog can become overweight if given too much junk food, like Sunchips. Not to mention, there are risks associated with ingesting such fatty foods. Since many pups are inherently sensitive to fat, Sunchips can upset their stomachs, leading to vomiting and diarrhea.

Additionally, dogs don’t require a lot of salt in their meals, and chips are frequently very salty. In most cases, a dog that consumes too much salt becomes dehydrated, but in the worst cases, it can lead to increased blood pressure, and in dogs with heart or kidney problems, it has particularly negative consequences. It is not uncommon for owners of older dogs to be unaware of these health issues developing in their beloved dogs.

Sunchip Healthy Alternatives for Your Dog

Your kitchen at home likely already has healthy, natural snacks for your dog. Small pieces of plain boiled chicken or even a couple of pieces of dog-safe fruits and vegetables can make excellent dog treats. These are nutrient-dense foods and beneficial for their health.

They also have fewer calories than typical dog biscuits or snacks. This significantly lessens the difficulty that many of us have in juggling the needs of our dogs while still maintaining a healthy weight for their long-term health.

So, what are some natural, easy-to-find treats you can give your beloved animal? Here are a few ideas!

Note that it’s always best to start slowly and gradually when giving your dog new treats and carefully monitor how they react. Always consult your veterinarian first before adding anything new to your dog’s diet if they have an underlying medical condition and are undergoing a treatment regimen or elimination diet trial.

The Right Way to Give Your Dog Tasty Treats

When giving a dog a treat, a common mistake is to hold it too high. As a result, the animal may have to stand or jump to obtain their favorite food. This reinforces the behavior of jumping up, making it more difficult to stop your dog in other situations, like when introducing them to new people.

Moreover, when you hold treats too high above your pup’s head, your fingers are also at risk. Their vision and the ability to control their teeth may be limited when they jump up to get treats, especially if they are too excited about the reward. Then you could end up with an accidentally nibbled finger. So, when you’re offering your dog a treat, hold it right at their nose level, a half-inch to an inch away from their mouth, and keep your hand still while they get it.

Conclusion

Though not recommended as a dog treat, Sunchips are technically safe for dogs to consume in small amounts because they don’t have any toxic ingredients. However, you shouldn’t give them this type of junk food as a regular treat because it is not as nutritious as advertised. Too many unhealthy snacks can add up fast leading to undesirable results.

I also understand that, as a dog owner, you want to treat your furry friends with their favorite snacks. Fortunately, you can find many different kinds of treats that are developed especially for dogs on the market right now. Also, you can feed your dog some natural and fresh human foods that are far healthier and safer than Sunchips.

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Featured Image Credit: iced.espresso, Shutterstock