It’s a beautiful Saturday evening; you are snuggled up with your furry best friend enjoying a movie with a bowl of veggie straws.
Sharing this snack with Fido would make them happy however you may wonder if veggie straws are safe for dogs before doing so.
So, can dogs eat veggie straws?
These snacks are not safe for dogs.
Veggie straws contain onions, garlic, and excess amounts of salt that harm dogs.
Onions and garlic lead to anemia in these canines, while too much salt could cause your pup to suffer from dehydration.
If your furry friend loves the crunch in vegetables, opt for healthier alternatives like homemade turmeric treats instead.
This article discusses the ingredients in veggie straws that could harm your pooch.
It also describes what happens if dogs accidentally consume high amounts of veggie straws.
Harmful ingredients in veggie straws
Below are the main ingredients in all veggie straws.
Starch and potato flour
Although their name suggests they are made of vegetables, these snacks contain pulverized or powdered potatoes.
Potatoes are safe for dogs, but consuming these vegetables in high amounts could lead to dilated cardiomyopathy.
This condition decreases the ability of your pup’s heart to pump blood.
Garlic and onion powder
Garlic and onion contain a compound known as organosulfide, which is toxic to dogs.
After ingesting these ingredients, Fido may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
In severe cases, garlic and onions could cause anemia in dogs.
Spinach powder
Spinach is rich in essential nutrients for dogs like iron, antioxidants, beta carotene, and vitamins K, C, B, and A.
However, it also contains a compound known as oxalic acid that causes kidney damage in these canines.
Excessive consumption of spinach could also lead to respiratory paralysis and abnormal heart rhythm in dogs.
Salt
Veggie straws have high amounts of salt that could lead to dehydration or excessive urination in dogs.
Your pooch might also showcase the following symptoms if they consume too much salt.
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
Oil
Veggie straws are deep-fried, meaning that they are doused in oils.
Too much oil could lead to unhealthy weight gain, obesity, or pancreatitis in dogs.
Risks of dogs eating veggie straws
Your pup might contract the following diseases if they regularly consume high amounts of veggie straws.
Pancreatitis
The excess oils in veggie straws make your pup susceptible to contracting pancreatitis.
This condition inflames Fido’s pancreas leading to this organ digesting itself.
Symptoms of pancreatitis include loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, and stomach pains.
Heart disease
The fats in veggie straws could build up and clog dogs’ arteries, making it challenging for their hearts to pump blood to the rest of their bodies.
Fido might showcase the following signs if they contract heart disease.
- Weight loss
- Increased breathing rate
- Fainting
- Abdominal swelling
Hypernatremia
Hypernatremia is a condition whereby dogs have too much salt in their blood.
That said, your pup could easily contract it by overeating veggie straws as they have a lot of salt.
Severe cases of this disease could lead to confusion, seizures, muscle twitching, coma, or even death.
What to do if dogs eat veggie straws
The first thing you should do if your pooch consumes a lot of veggie straws is to take the residue away from them to avoid further consumption.
Then give Fido small amounts of water at short intervals to prevent them from dehydrating.
Dogs may or may not showcase any symptoms after indulging in veggie straws, but watching them is advisable.
That said, dehydration, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, and troubled walking are some symptoms you should look out for before taking your pup to the clinic.
Treatment for veggie straws poisoning in dogs
Contact the vet if your furry best friend vomits and diarrheas for more than 24 hours, as their condition can get critical.
You should also take the veggie straws packet with you as it would easen the diagnosis process.
The vet might administer medication to help Fido vomit and electrolytes to keep them hydrated.
That said, a professional should do these procedures because mistakes could lead to brain swelling or heart attack.
Alternative Vegetable Recipe for dogs
Below is a recipe for turmeric dog treats that your pooch will enjoy as they are as crunchy as veggie straws.
Ingredients
- ½ cup of unsweetened apple sauce
- ¼ cup of low-fat plain yogurt
- ¼ tablespoon of turmeric powder
- ¼ cup of freshly chopped parsley
- 1 tablespoon of gluten-free baking powder
- ¾ cup of oat flour
- 1 ½ cups of brown rice flour
- 1 cup of finely chopped baby spinach
- 1 cup raw carrot
Directions
- Heat up the oven to 325F
- Place parchment on a baking tray
- Mix the flours and baking powder in a bowl
- Finely chop the baby spinach and parsley and grate the carrots
- Put the spinach, carrots, parsley, applesauce, yogurt, and turmeric in a lage bowl and mix with a wooden spoon
- Add the flour mix to the vegetable mix one cup at a time and stir well after every addition
- Form dough using your hands
- Place dough on floured wax paper and top it with another sheet
- Roll dough out to ¼’’ thickness and use cookie cutters to make desired shapes and sizes
- Bake for 34 minutes and allow it to cool before serving
Frequently asked questions(FAQs)
Can veggie straws kill my dog?
Veggie straws can’t kill dogs.
However, excess intake of these snacks can cause your pooch to suffer from severe health conditions like pancreatitis.
Can my dog eat frosted flakes?
Dogs should not indulge in these treats as they are packed with a lot of sugar, leading to diabetes in dogs.
Is quinoa safe for my dog?
Quinoa is safe for dogs when prepared in a manner that they can digest.
This seed is rich in essential nutrients for dogs like magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, copper, calcium, iron, and vitamins B and E.
Can my dog eat Great Value Veggie Straws Sea Salt?
These snacks are unsafe for dogs as they contain unhealthy calories that cause obesity and pancreatitis.
Additionally, your pooch won’t get any nutritional benefits from ingesting Great Value veggie straws.
Can my dog eat potato chips?
Dogs aren’t allowed to eat potato chips as they have no nutritional value and high amounts of fat that cause obesity in dogs.
Conclusion
Veggie straws are not the best treats for your pooch as they could cause them to suffer severe health conditions like obesity, hypernatremia, and heart diseases.
Therefore, opt for healthier options like homemade turmeric treats if Fido enjoys vegetables.
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