My Dog Ate Hot Cheetos What Should I Do?

If you enjoy snacking on Hot Cheetos once in a while, you’re not alone! These are very popular snacks, especially if you’re into BBQ flavoring!

Does your dog beg for Hot Cheetos? Do you feed them to him sometimes? Some pet parents do give their dogs these tasty hot snacks. But are Hot Cheetos safe for dogs to eat?

What are Cheetos?

Cheetos are a great cornmeal extruded snack that can be shaped in different ways. Once they’re in the desired shape, then they’re dried in the oven or deep-fried until they become puffed up. After they’re puffed, the Cheetos are then powdered with seasonings.

Hot Cheetos actually came about from an accident! Back in the 70s, in Rancho Cucamonga, California a guy named Richard Montaez worked as a janitor at the Frito-Lay plant. For some reason, some of the Cheetos weren’t covered in a flavored powder. So, Mr. Montaez took some of the Cheetos home and coated them with chili powder. His Cheetos were so popular they soon became one of the Cheetos’ flavor offered by the company!

Can Dogs Eat Hot Cheetos?

While dogs are Ok eating some types of spicy foods, they really shouldn’t eat chili powder. The reason is that these chilis contain a substance call capsaicin. This isn’t toxic to dogs, but it can cause gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even cause burns sin the mouth, throat and stomach.

In addition, Hot Cheetos also contain garlic and onions, both of which are toxic to dogs. Onion and garlic can both cause anemia in dogs, even in small amounts.

These snacks also contain salt, which is bad for dogs. Plus, they are full of oil, which can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. They also provide no nutritious value and do have a lot of calories.

So, no, Hot Cheetos are not a good snack for your dog.

What if my Dog Ate Some Hot Cheetos?

If your fur baby happens to grab one or two Hot Cheetos off the floor or a plate, he will probably be OK. One or two Cheetos will not cause a serious health issue.

However, if your dog eats a lot of Hot Cheetos, then it’s a good idea to call the vet and ask for their advice. The Hot Cheetos may cause diarrhea and vomiting, but the vet may still have to check him for burns in his throat, mouth and possibly his stomach.