Can Dogs Eat Potato Chips? Not a Good Idea — Salt and Fat

Why potato chips are bad for dogs

Plain cooked potato is not toxic to dogs; the ASPCA notes cooked potatoes are fine for pets in moderation. Chips are a different food, though: thin slices of potato fried in oil and coated in salt. That makes them high in fat and sodium with almost nothing a dog needs.

The AKC lists chips and pretzels among salty cookout foods to avoid and warns that too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning, which can be fatal. The ASPCA lists excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors and seizures as signs of too much salt.

If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.

Flavored chips and other risks

Seasoned chips often contain onion powder, garlic powder or both, especially sour cream and onion, barbecue, ranch and cheese flavors. The ASPCA explains that onion and garlic damage red blood cells, and powders are concentrated. Spicy and jalapeño chips can irritate the stomach.

Fatty fried snacks can also trigger pancreatitis in susceptible dogs. And chip bags are a hidden danger: a dog that pushes its head into a bag to lick the crumbs can suffocate in minutes, so always cut up empty bags or put them in a lidded bin.

If your dog ate potato chips

A chip or two is unlikely to cause more than thirst. Offer fresh water and watch for vomiting or diarrhea. If your dog ate a handful, keep an eye on it for the rest of the day.

Call your vet if your dog ate a whole bag or a family-size bag, especially if it is small, if the chips were onion or garlic flavored, or if your dog shows vomiting, diarrhea, wobbling or unusual thirst. You can also call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435; a fee may apply.

How many chips is too many by weight

Chips should not be a planned treat. As a guide to urgency: one or two chips are unlikely to matter for dogs under 20 lb; a small handful is unlikely to matter for dogs of 20 to 50 lb; a larger handful is unlikely to matter for dogs over 50 lb.

A full bag is a large amount of salt and fat for any dog. Dogs with heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure or a history of pancreatitis should not have any salty or fried snacks.

Puppies and potato chips

Puppies are small, so the salt in a few chips has a bigger effect, and their stomachs are sensitive to fried food. They are also the most likely to raid a snack bag on a low table or the floor of a car.

If a puppy ate chips, offer water and watch closely. Call your vet if it ate more than a few, vomits, has diarrhea or seems unusually thirsty or tired. Keep snack bags sealed and out of reach.

Signs of trouble and when to call a vet

Mild signs after a few chips are thirst, frequent urination and possibly a soft stool. After a larger amount, look for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, wobbling, muscle tremors or confusion, which can point to too much salt.

Go to an emergency vet for tremors, seizures, collapse or confusion. Call your vet the same day for repeated vomiting, a painful belly or refusing food. Onion and garlic damage can take a few days to show, as weakness, pale gums or dark urine.

Crunchy snacks dogs can eat

For crunch without the salt, try carrot sticks, cucumber slices, green beans or apple slices without the core or seeds. Plain, air-popped popcorn with no butter or salt is an occasional option the AKC lists as fine.

Dog treats made for dogs are another easy choice. If you want to share movie night, set aside plain snacks before the chips come out.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.