French fries are not necessarily dangerous to dogs but it is not recommended to feed it as a snack for your pup because it is unhealthy and holds little nutritional value. I think it is safe to say that if it is junk food for humans; it is junk food for dogs too.
The main ingredient in french fries is potatoes, duh. Potatoes, in general, are not dangerous for dogs. It is just harder for them to digest as it is high in carbohydrates. And it is worth knowing that some dogs are sensitive or even allergic to potatoes.
Besides that, french fries are usually fried in bad oils and are high in fat and salt content. Not to mention, it contains trans fat and saturated fat– the bad fats. Trans fat is considered one of the worst types of fats to consume for humans and dogs alike. The high fat and oil content in fries can cause pancreatitis, obesity and digestive issues for your pup. Owners with breeds that are more prone to pancreatitis should be on alert should you choose to cave in to your dog’s puppy eyes when she begs to share your fries.
In an interview with Dodo, Dr Sarah Ochoa, a veterinarian working in a small vet hospital says: “Things that have been fried can cause your dog to develop pancreatitis or gastroenteritis” Some dogs may also experience bloating after eating fries which can be a life threatening condition.
Another thing to note is that restaurants also serve their fries seasoned with garlic salt or onion powder which are toxic to dogs. Something to remember when you bring that garlic salt truffle fries home to snack on.
How many fries can dogs eat?
In general, dogs get about 21 grams of fat and 200 mg of sodium typically through formulated dog food. Experts have recommended that treats should not take up more than 10% of your dog’s daily intake of food. Since a serving of french fries contains about 13-15 grams of fat and 140-190 milligrams of sodium, you should prevent feeding your dog fries everyday because it might give your pup a stomach upset or lead to more major complications– obesity, dehydration or pancreatitis.
If your pup happens to snag a few fries off the floor or table, it should be fine. Or, if you want to reward him with a fry or two, it is still safe but do not make this a regular treat.
5 harmful risks of eating french fries for your dog
1. Putting on weight
As you would know, potatoes are high in carbs! Too much of it will lead to much undesirable weight gain for your pooch. Carbohydrates aren’t all bad for dogs. Carbs are a source of energy for your pooch. However, if your pooch leads a sedentary lifestyle it will highly likely contribute towards weight gain and obesity.
2. Salt poisoning
Before you start panicking, your dog would need to be on a binging spree to get salt poisoning. However, the risk is higher for smaller dogs due to their small build. Even if your dog doesn’t get salt poisoning, a small rise in salt consumption is able to cause dehydration, high blood pressure, excessive thirst or vomiting especially in canines with pre-existing kidney diseases.
3. Digestive issues
Fries are deep fried foods usually cooked in unhealthy vegetable oils such as canola oil. Since they are fried in canola oil, the fries are not only high in fats but also contain unhealthy unsaturated fat. Eating fried food can cause a stomach upset in humans and would do the same to your pup. So, feeding your pup one too many fries can cause pancreatitis, bloating or obesity in the long run. And that won’t be fun for either you or your pup. So, stay off the fries if you can.
4. Toxic Seasonings
Many restaurants or cafes may add garlic or onion powder to your fries so it is so important to remember that both ingredients are poisonous to dogs. If eaten, it would lead to anemia or potentially organ failure if not treated straight away. However, dogs are still able to tolerate small amounts of garlic and onion but if they start displaying symptoms, send them to the vet ASAP.
5. Allergic reactions
One of the common food allergies for dogs is potatoes alongside corn, soy, wheat etc. Monitor your pup for any allergic reaction if they accidentally stole a piece of fry or ate a piece of potato. Some allergic reactions may look like sneezing, itching, red eyes or skin rashes.
Read more: Can Dogs Eat Pizza?– Is It Safe?
Can dogs eat french fries with salt?
It is better to feed your dog a fry without salt or any seasoning. Fries in general are very salty in nature and eating too much of salted fries may cause salt poisoning in your precious pooch.
Can dogs eat french fries with cheese?
No, it is safer to not feed your dog fries with cheese. Dogs are generally lactose intolerant so consuming dairy (cheese) will cause an upset stomach and may trigger pancreatitis in dogs that are vulnerable or susceptible to this condition.
Can dogs eat french fries with ketchup?
Do not feed your dog ketchup and fries. Ketchup has a lot of added salt in it and combining it with the already salty fries, it is the perfect storm of salt poisoning.
Read more: Is Hemp Seed Oil Safe For Dogs?
What if my dog ate french fries?
So your pup might have stolen a fry or maybe fries from your table or swooped it from the floor. Well, don’t panic yet. Assess the situation and gather your information first.
These are some factors to consider:
Size of your dog and how healthy is your dog
Larger healthier dogs are mostly able to handle fries better than a smaller dog with pre-existing condition.
How many fries did your dog eat?
The more fries consumed, the higher the likelihood that it will affect your pup no matter what size your pup is.
What ingredients are in the fries?
As mentioned before, fries containing garlic and onion powder or seasoning is a huge no for your pup because it is dangerously toxic for dogs.
Call your vet and explain the situation in specific details- how much fries your pup ate, what seasoning was used, how long ago did it happen etc. the more accurate the details are, the better the assessment the vet is able to give you.
You could monitor your pup for a couple of hours after and observe if your pup is looking unwell or uneasy. Or, you could send your pet to the vet for a checkup to ensure everything is fine.
Are there any healthy alternatives to french fries?
There are plenty of healthier snack options out there. Here is a list of vegetables that is good for you pup:
- Broccoli
- carrots
- Green beans
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Sweet potatoes
- Celery
However, there are some foods that should be avoided for dogs such as grapes, garlic, onion, macadamia nuts and chocolates. First, understand what your dog is allergic and sensitive to before feeding a large amount of that particular food.
Final verdict – are fries good for dogs?
No, it is not dog-friendly. It simply has too much salt and fat that is too unhealthy for your fur baby. It is still relatively safe to feed one or two fry for your pup’s enjoyment but that’s pretty much as far as you should go.
Potatoes do not have much nutritional value in itself so the risks of eating it outweighs the little benefits it provides. So, the final verdict is: there are many better, healthier and yummier options for your pup. So, as a rule (even for you) – don’t settle for any less than that!