Doritos are a popular snack for humans, but what about cats? While it is not recommended to feed your cat Doritos, we’ll take a look at the effects they can have on your feline friend.
Can Cats Eat Doritos?
While not toxic, Doritos are empty-calorie foods that do not provide any nutritional value for your feline friend. That said, if your furry friend eats one or two chips, they will be fine. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need a high-quality meat diet to live a healthy lifestyle.
The junk food and poor eating habits that affect humans are also killing their four-legged friends. As a cat owner, it’s essential to know which human foods your cat can and cannot eat.
In this article, we’ll look at why Doritos should not be a part of your cat’s diet.
What Are Doritos?
Doritos are a popular snack that was first launched at a former restaurant in Disneyland called Casa de Fritos in 1955. Alex Foods a local tortilla factory supplied the restaurant with the tortillas.
The food was a hit and eventually, the Frito-Lay executives worked up a deal to buy the recipe to start mass production.
Today, Doritos come in many different flavors from:
- Organic White
- Cheddar
- Poppin Jalapeño
- Hot Nacho Cheese
- Salsa Verde
- White Cheddar
- 3D Crunch
At the time of this writing, there are over 15 flavors. According to Tasting Table, Americans prefer the nacho cheese-flavored which are eaten in large quantities during the Super Bowl.
Are Doritos Safe for Cats?
When consumed in large amounts, Doritos are not safe for humans or cats. Never feed a kitten (less than 6 months old) Doritos or any other type of human food.
Growing kittens should be fed high-quality food formulated for kittens, containing essential vitamins and nutrients required during the development stage.
Health Problems
The first ingredient in Doritos is genetically modified corn. GMOs are bad for both cats and humans. They introduce toxins into the food supply which can negatively affect the body.
Cats can technically eat corn, as it is a common ingredient in many cat foods. That said, it is not appropriate food for them, and is commonly used as a filler ingredient in both cat and dog food.
Prolonged exposure to corn (especially lower quality cat foods) can cause digestive issues and an inefficient source of essential nutrients and vitamins.
Cats that are allowed to eat Doritos over time will suffer from obesity. One serving of chips contains about 210 mg of sodium. Commercial cat foods contain some form of sodium in the forms of eggs, meat, fish, and poultry.
According to the Association of American Feed Control, cat foods should contain at least 0.2% sodium for normal growth and development.
According to PetMD, several studies have shown over a two year period that cats can suffer from:
- Bone density
- Blood pressure problems
- Heart function and structure
- Kidney problems
Although these problems are more prevalent in older cats as opposed to younger ones.
Nutritional Information for Doritos
12 chips (1 ounce) of the Nacho Cheese flavored Doritos contains the following nutrients
| Nutrient | Quantity |
| Calories | 150 |
| Sodium | 210mg |
| Total Fat | 8 grams |
| Carbohydrate Total | 18 grams |
| Saturated Fat | 1 gram |
| Potassium | 50 mg |
| Sugars | 1 gram |
| Trans Fatty Acids | 0 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 gram |
| Iron | 0.3 mg |
(source)
Are There Any Benefits to Feeding Cats Doritos?
No, cats are extremely sensitive to plant-based foods and have trouble digesting them, which can cause an upset stomach. Plus, felines are generally lactose intolerant, even if they like the taste of milk.
Doritos contain both cow’s milk, cheese, and other dairy products that won’t be helpful for your kitty. Their tummies can’t process milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
WebMD discusses the facts about cats and dairy products most cat owners are unaware of.
They are obligate carnivores and their diets should consist of meat-based foods.
Can Doritos Kill Cats?
While Doritos themselves have never been known to kill a cat. Feeding your cat Doritos over a long period of time can lead to health problems that can eventually cause your cat to die.
Cats with diabetes, allergies, or who suffer from obesity shouldn’t be fed Doritos or any other type of junk food. Always consult with your veterinarian before introducing any new foods into your cat’s diet.
Should You Feed Cats Doritos?
There are hundreds of videos and social media posts showing cats eating Doritos. There’s even a famous Superbowl commercial showing a kitten crawling out of a Dorito bag.
This type of publicity can make pet owners believe that it’s perfectly fine to feed their cats these chips.
That said, Doritos contain many ingredients that can harm your feline friend.
What Ingredients Do Doritos Consist Of?
No matter what flavor of Doritos is your favorite, they all consist of the same basic ingredients such as Ground corn (aka maize), vegetable oil, and salt.
Other ingredients added will depend on the specific flavoring. The popular Nacho cheese flavored contains; Maltodextrin (made from corn), cheddar cheese, Whey, Romano Cheese (part-skim cows milk and cheese cultures), tomato powder, red and green pepper powder, cornflour, sugar, garlic, pepper powder, and other ingredients.
In addition to the ingredients above, they also contain artificial additives and dyes that contribute to the flavoring.
Can Cats Eat Organic Doritos?
Even though organic Doritos contain slightly better ingredients, doesn’t make them any better for your feline friend. They are still a processed food that contains corn and other ingredients that shouldn’t be a part of your feline’s diet.
How to Keep Your Cat From Eating Doritos?
Cats unlike dogs can jump on counters, tables, and anywhere you have food in the home, making it challenging to keep them away from foods they crave. The best way to keep your cat from eating Doritos is to NOT introduce them into their diet.
Cats don’t crave junk food as we do, so if they have a craving for Doritos, it’s because someone fed them one. Once they get a liking for the food, you’ll have to teach them to stop begging or crying whenever you eat them.
The best way to prevent your cat from stealing a chip is to put them in a hard-to-reach place such as a pantry. Don’t leave them sitting on top of the table or counter, especially, if your cat has a mind of its own and climbs over on them.
Also, let everyone in the home (especially children) know that the cat is not allowed to eat Doritos.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Doritos?
If your cat eats one or two chips, it should be fine. Check the inside of their mouth to make sure they didn’t cut themselves from eating the Doritos, as they can be tough to eat for cats.
Other than that, monitor them closely for any changes in behavior or gastrointestinal blockages. It takes about 10-20 hours for food to move through the cat’s entire digestive tract.
Symptoms of an Upset Stomach in Cats
There are visible signs that your cat has eaten something that has upset its stomach are:
- Rapid heart rate
- Drooling
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of weight
- Foaming at the mouth
- Mucus in stool
If your cat displays any of these signs or unusual behavior after eating Doritos or any other food or object, contact a veterinarian for proper medical care.
Ignoring the symptoms will only cause them to become worse, putting your cat at a higher risk of health issues.
If you’re just a scared parent, there’s nothing wrong with taking them to the vet when they eat something they shouldn’t.
Be sure. to take the empty bag with you and let the vet know how many they ate. This will help them determine the best course of treatment for your kitty.
Unsafe Foods for Cats
If your cat is like a dog and begs for food, whenever you eat, below are some foods you should avoid feeding them, no matter how much they beg.
- Oreos
- Chocolate
- Citrus Fruits
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Dairy products
Final Word
Cats can eat Doritos, but it isn’t recommended. They contain many ingredients, such as corn, that are not a normal part of a cat’s diet.
No matter how many YouTube videos you watch, cats don’t need Doritos as a part of their diet. The best way to keep your cat begging for them is to not feed it to them in the first place.
Feeding your cat high-quality cat food is the best way to keep them living a long healthy life.
Sources