Can Dogs Eat Burritos?

My family loves to make homemade Burritos. We usually add carnitas, beef, brown rice, black and pinto beans, lettuce, Banana Peppers, and onion to the Burritos. On top of that, there’s guacamole and a little bit of spicy sauce. While we were eating, my dogs sat there giving us the puppy eyes. This led me to wonder if Burritos are safe for dogs to eat.

Can dogs eat Burritos? No, dogs should not eat Burritos. Burritos are high in fats and spices, which makes them very unhealthy and harmful to dogs. But, more importantly, they contain ingredients that are toxic to our canine companions.

Are Burritos bad for dogs?

Burritos carry generous quantities of garlic and onion, which can cause poisoning in dogs. But even without the toxic elements, Burritos are full of ingredients that can cause digestive distress to your canine buddy. 

Before we go into the ingredients, let’s take a quick look at what Burritos are and how they are prepared.

What are Burritos?

Burritos are Mexican tortilla-bread wraps filled with shredded meat and an assortment of tangy and spicy ingredients.

Where do Burritos come from?

Burritos are a popular Mexican fast-food and can be found in all Mexican-American eateries.

What is in Burritos?

Burritos are filled with a combination of savory ingredients, including meat, refried beans, salsa, onions, cheese, rice, peppers, guacamole, and more! Burritos are highly customizable, and the list of fillings can go on and on.

What cheese is used in Burritos?

Burritos go great with shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese, but you can also use other types of cheese that you like.

How is it made?

The Burrito has two parts: the wrap and the filling. You can find pre-made tortilla wraps from your local grocery store or supermarket. And for the filling, you can use any combination of ingredients — even leftovers. 

First, spread refried beans on the tortilla to hold the filling in place. Then, add boiled rice, shredded meat, salsa, cheese, and crunchy veggies of your choice. Next, roll and wrap the tortilla snugly, et voila! You have yourself a Burrito.

Typical ingredients in Burritos

Now, let’s take a look at the usual Burritos ingredients and how they can affect our canine buddies’ health.

Wheat tortilla and white rice are safe for dogs

Wheat and rice are harmless to our furry friends and are among the safest Burrito ingredients. Although the canine’s gut was not designed to digest grains, centuries of domestication gave our precious pooch the ability to thrive on this diet. Today, dogs can safely have grains in their food.

Fully cooked meat is safe for dogs without seasoning or bones

Our canine companions can’t live without protein and meat has plenty of it. While meat is naturally suited to all dogs, try to avoid raw meat as it can carry diseases, and meat with bone fragments as that can cause internal injury to the mouth and throat.

While plain-cooked meat is safe for our four-legged friends, greasy or heavily seasoned meat is not. Since Burrito meat falls in the latter category, it isn’t the best kind of meat to feed your canine buddy.

Guacamole is harmful to dogs

Guacamole is made with avocados, which are toxic to dogs. Accidentally consumption of avocado can cause health issues in dogs because it contains a fungicidal toxin called persin. Here is what persin in avocado can do to your pooch:

• Upset stomach.
• Gastrointestinal upset.
• Weight gain leading to obesity (if dogs eat a lot of avocados)
• Pancreatitis.

Guacamole also contains several other harmful substances like chili peppers and onions. This combination makes guacamole a very unhealthy condiment for dogs. Overconsumption can cause:

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Stomachache.
• Excessive thirst.
• Onion poisoning.

Refried beans are harmful to our canine friends

While dogs can eat regular beans, refried beans are high in fat, salt, and seasonings that your pooch may find uncomfortable. So if you’re wondering, can dogs eat refried beans, the answer is no.

Eating refried beans in excess can cause the following:

• Obesity.
• Sodium poisoning.
• Stomach troubles.
• Vomiting and diarrhea.
• Pancreatitis (in extreme cases).

Chili peppers are harmful to dogs

Chili peppers are too spicy for dogs and can cause them severe discomfort. Burritos contain a blend of spicy peppers that can burn and hurt the dog’s tongue, esophagus, and digestive tract. It can even make pooping very painful and we don’t want that for our furry family members!

Eating chili peppers can lead to:

• Diarrhea.
• Stomach pain.
• Excessive thirst.
• Stomach ulcers.
• Convulsions.

Onion and garlic are extremely toxic to dogs

Onion and garlic are two of the worst foods for our furry friends. Your pooch may tolerate them in tiny quantities, but any more than that can make them very sick.

Side effects of onion and garlic consumption include:

• Weakness.
• Lethargy.
• Itching of the skin.
• Anemia.
• Liver damage. 

Cheese and sour cream are harmful to lactose-intolerant dogs

Both cheese and Sour Cream are milk byproducts and contain lactose, an ingredient most dogs can’t digest. Cheese is also high in fats, and indulging in these two ingredients can lead to:

• Bloating.
• Vomiting.
• Stomachache.
• Diarrhea.
• Gas.
• Obesity.
• Pancreatitis.

Can dogs eat bean and cheese Burritos?

No, dogs should not eat bean and cheese Burritos. Bean and cheese Burritos are still toxic, fattening, and unhealthy for your furry friends. Also, cheese contains lactose. Even if your pooch is lactose tolerant, too much cheese can give them stomach troubles.

Can dogs eat bean Burritos?

No, dogs should not eat bean Burritos. Until and unless you are sure the bean Burrito has no seasoning or toxic ingredients like garlic and onion, you should not feed bean Burritos to your canine companions.

Can dogs eat black bean Burritos?

While dogs can have black beans, other ingredients in the black bean Burrito don’t sit well with them. Onion, chili peppers, and avocado are typical components, and they can cause serious health complications in dogs.

Can dogs eat old Burritos?

No, dogs should not eat old Burritos. The only place for an old Burrito is in the trash. Responsible pet parents don’t treat their fur babies as garbage disposal. So never feed your precious pooch expired, stale, or otherwise questionable food.

Can dogs eat breakfast Burritos?

No, dogs should not eat breakfast Burritos. Breakfast Burritos are packed with ingredients that don’t sit well with your dogs’ stomach. Onion, for instance, is a staple ingredient in breakfast Burritos. This vegetable can cause liver failure in dogs and make them very sick. Breakfast Burritos are also high in sodium, fats, sugars, and spices. All of these are not safe for doggy consumption.

When shouldn’t you feed Burritos to your dog?

You shouldn’t feed a Burrito to your four-legged friends until you are sure there is nothing harmful in it. That includes toxic ingredients like onion, garlic, and chili peppers as well as fatty additives like cheese, sour cream, and condiments. All of these ingredients can cause digestive upset in dogs.

Dogs do not need spicy or heavily seasoned meals, and they’re perfectly fine with bland, flavorless food. So if you’re preparing Burritos for your furry friend, leave out the spices and seasoning and avoid any questionable ingredients.

It’s safe to assume that all commercially available Burritos carry some harmful ingredients for your canine friends. That’s why you shouldn’t feed them Burritos that are intended for human consumption.

Do Burritos provide nutritional benefits for dogs?

No, Burritos do not provide nutritional benefits for our canine companions. While there are some dog-friendly components in Burritos, the possibility of toxicity is just too high. Even if the Burrito doesn’t have onion or garlic in any shape or form, it still contains unhealthy and fattening elements.

What if my dog accidentally ate Burritos?

The appetizing aroma of a Burrito can be irresistible to your furry friends, and you can’t blame them for trying to munch on this delicious snack. However, if they do gobble up a Burrito, you need to take quick action right away.

Wash your dog’s mouth with water to rinse any spicy and irritating leftovers. Your pup may also have a burning throat, for which you can give them diluted milk. 

There is a high chance your pooch may have consumed an unsafe amount of onions or garlic (or both) with the Burrito. Contact your vet or the local poison helpline immediately. With immediate professional care, you can save your dog from worsening conditions.

Symptoms to watch for

Burritos can harm your pooch in several ways. Burrito consumption can cause lactose sickness, avocado toxicity, and chili burn. However, none of these conditions are as severe as onion or garlic poisoning.

Symptoms of garlic and onion poisoning are:

• Pale or blue gums.
• Breathing trouble.
• Vomiting.
• Reduced hunger.
• Diarrhea.
• Tiredness.
• Reddish urine.

Treatments if your dog has poisoning from eating Burritos

If your four-legged friend has consumed an onion-laden Burrito, the first thing to do is to get him to vomit. If you’re not sure how to do that, call your vet immediately and ask how to do that properly.

If that isn’t practical or your vet advises that you bring your pooch in for checkups, take your dog to the vet immediately. 

Treatments start with administering an emetic to get your furry friend to vomit, followed by activated charcoal to absorb the toxicity. In severe cases, your pooch may require a blood transfusion.

Dog-friendly and safe Burrito alternative?

For harmless Burrito alternatives, you don’t need to look further than the inside of a Burrito. Many burrito-filling ingredients are perfectly safe and healthy for your little buddy if served without salt, spices, or toxic additives. 

• Chicken. It is the safest meat to feed your dog. This high-quality source of protein is light on the stomach and healthy in a number of ways. Plus, the bones aren’t hard enough to cause any inconvenience.
• Beef. There’s a reason why beef is the most common ingredient in your dog’s food. It is rich in iron, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. Dogs can have beef every day without any adverse effects on their health. 
• Cooked beans. We come to the second most important filler in the Burrito: beans. While Burritos have refried beans, you’re better off serving boiled beans to your pooch. They’re high in fiber and proteins. While they make a great snack, they shouldn’t be fed as a daily meal.
• Bell peppers. While chili peppers are a strict no-no for your pooch, bell peppers are the opposite. They’re rich in antioxidants and vitamins while being low in calories. Plus, they aren’t spicy at all!
• Eggs. Eggs are full of multivitamins and amino acid goodness for your furry friends. This protein-packed food is a staple in breakfast Burritos. But your dog is better off eating them separately.
• Boiled white rice. Dogs suffering from tummy troubles can find a soothing meal in plain, boiled white rice. Rice can help provide your canine companion ample energy while being easy on a stressed stomach.

If you don’t have any of these ingredients in the fridge, here are two treats your pups will love and will help to get them distracted from your Burrito.

How do I make dog friendly Burritos for my dog at home?

You can make non-toxic, nutritious, and healthy Burritos for your dog at home. Most of the ingredients in regular Burritos are acceptable for use in a dog-friendly Burrito, and they’re very easy to find.

Also, make sure that the meat and beans have cooled down before allowing your pooch to eat them. If not, the Hot food can burn your dog’s mouth and throat.

You’ll need:

• A tortilla bread.
• Boiled, boneless chicken or beef.
• Dog-friendly steamed vegetables (carrots, sweet potato, broccoli, peas).
• Dog-friendly fresh vegetables (lettuce, cucumber, bell peppers).
• Peanut butter (instead of refried beans).
• Kibble (instead of beans).

Next, all you need to do is wrap these ingredients and cut the burrito into bite-sized pieces.

So, can dogs eat Burritos?

Many like their Burritos filled with various different ingredients such as refried beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and chili peppers. These ingredients are harmful, if not toxic, to our furry friends. As responsible dog owners, we should avoid feeding our pooch Burritos.

If your pups love the meat that you used for your Burritos, it’s best to cook them plain for them. Their overall health relies on the food they eat and eating the wrong food can cause poisoning.

For these reasons, it’s best to keep Burritos out of our canine friend’s reach and feed them dog-friendly food instead.

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The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary needs.

Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrito

https://www.theplazarestaurant.com/history-burritos-might-not-know/