Some human foods are not even healthy for humans to eat, so why would they be OK to give to your dog? Junk foods like Takis in particular should never be given to your dog. Takis are highly processed junk food chips and can cause a number of health issues for your dog. If you ever feel the need to give your dog some of your Taki’s, think again, instead reach for a dog-safe snack alternative that will make them love you just as much.
If you’re still not convinced about why it’s not a good idea to give your dog any kind of processed junk food especially a spicy one like Takis then let’s dive deeper to give you a clear understanding as to why giving your dog Takis to eat is a terrible idea.
Table of Contents
Can I feed my dog Takis regularly?
You should avoid feeding your dog Takis, since they are junk food they are loaded with preservatives and other nasty ingredients which are unhealthy for your dog. Takis come in a couple different flavors which differ in their degree of spiciness. The main danger for dogs is the heat of the Takis which can cause serious stomach issues.
Takis come in a couple of different flavors and all of them should be avoided like Fuego (hot pepper with lime), Nitro (spicy habanero mixed with lime and cucumber, Crunchy Fajita (super spicy fajita flavored variety), Guacamole (mildly spicy guacamole), and Xplosion (hot chili and cheese) plus a whole bunch more like:
- Mini Takis Fuego
- Angry Burger
- Blue Heat
- Crunchy Fajita
- Hot Nuts Flare
- Huakamoles
- Lava
- Scorpion BBQ
- Titan
- Volcano Queso
- Waves Fuego
- Wild
- Xtra Hot
- Zombie Nitro
- Taquis Authentic Taco Flavor
- Taquis Salsa Brava
Unlike humans, dogs haven’t developed quite the sophisticated palette, as a matter of fact, dogs can’t taste anywhere near the diversity of flavors we can. Giving your dog any type of spicy food is a waste altogether since their palette likely doesn’t appreciate the flavors.
Dogs have only about 1700 taste buds compared to the 9000 humans have, so save your Takis for yourself. Stick to dog-approved snacks that have gone through testing to make sure they cater to your dog’s limited palette or dog healthy foods like Brussell Sprouts and other greens.
What will happen if my dog eats a Taki?
Spicy food like Takis will commonly cause stomach and digestive issues in dogs which can include diarrhea, stomach pain, abdominal bloating, and gas. The chili powder found in Takis can be especially harmful to a dog’s digestive tract and cause painful irritation in their mouth and throat.
Takis is a junk food, and like with most other heavily processed junk food they are loaded with sodium. Excess salt in a dog’s diet will cause them to get very thirsty, and it doesn’t take much sodium to send your dog running for a drink from their water dish! You’ll definitely notice your dog drinking more water if they’ve eaten too many Takis.
Unfortunately, the side effects of the salt and the spice will be the least of your dogs’ worries since Takis also contain onion powder which is highly toxic to dogs and one of the worst things they can consume.
You may be interested in: Can Dogs Eat Funyuns?
Canine Hemolytic Anemia
Onion powder can cause your dog’s red blood cells to start breaking down, causing a condition called canine hemolytic anemia. During canine hemolytic anemia, your dog’s red blood cells are destroyed faster than your dog’s body can produce them leading to a number of symptoms.
Since red blood cells help your dog’s body pass oxygen throughout the system a decrease in red blood cells also means a decrease in the amount of oxygen your dog’s body gets. You’ll likely notice your dog being sluggish and fatigued or stop moving all together after consuming onion powder. Your dog may also develop a fever and seem confused.
If you suspect your fur baby has consumed enough onion powder containing foods to show symptoms you should contact your veterinarian immediately as this is a condition that requires professional treatment.
What Ingredients in Takis can be harmful to your dog?
The spiciness of Takis isn’t the main danger to your dog, the other ingredients in this highly processed snack are far more dangerous! Takis contain high amounts of sodium and various spices such as onion powder which could pose some serious health risks to your dog.
As mentioned above any sort of onion or onion-derived product is a huge red flag when it comes to deciding which food is ok to give your dog. As a good general rule of thumb, you should keep away from processed foods that contain high amounts of sodium and sugar.
Tip: It’s a good idea to avoid giving your dog any processed foods especially ones containing sugar such as sugary drinks (such as Sprite) and candy.
Calories in Takis and why it is a problem
Dogs on average need between 25 and 30 calories a day per pound of body weight. This means that depending on the size of your dog you could be giving them a massive calorie boost by giving them human foods such as Takis.
While the calorie count of Takis is probably the least of your worries if you’re giving your dog enough to make an impact on their diet, you should be aware in general of the impact human food has on your dog’s basic nutritional needs.
Spicy Takis effect on a dog’s pancreas
Spicy food in general including Takis should never be given to your dog. If you make a habit of giving your dog spicy foods they could develop a long-term issue such as Canine pancreatitis which is common in female dogs.
Pancreatitis can be serious and be fatal in some cases. While it’s more common in older dogs it can be triggered by spicy food. If this happens too often, your vet may need to prescribe your dog special food or even painkillers if diet change doesn’t improve your dog’s condition.
It’s a good idea to avoid the issue altogether and not feed your dog Takis in the first place, this can help you avoid long-term health issues as your dog ages and save you a ton of money on vet bills. Remember your dog’s health is #1 and keeping them happy and healthy long term is more important than caving in to their puppy dog eyes begging you for some Takis.
Can Takis cause cancer in dogs?
While Takis are certainly spicy and can cause significant gastrointestinal discomfort to your dog there is no credible evidence that shows a link between spicy foods like Takis and cancer long term.
If you’re feeding your dogs enough Takis to be worried about a long-term effect like cancer then you really need to reevaluate your actions after reading all the information in this article.
While Takis may not cause cancer they can cause plenty of other unpleasant side effects which we have covered so far, that should be reason enough to not give any to your furry companion.
What if my dog already accidentally ate Takis?
If you suspect your dog has eaten a large amount of Takis for example a full bag you should contact your veterinarian immediately. Large amounts of onion powder (and garlic powder) and be fatal to your dog and they may not show symptoms of poisoning.
Don’t waste time especially if you are sure your dog ate a large amount of food containing high amounts of onion powder since it doesn’t take much to make your dog very ill.
If your dog consumed a small amount of Takis, let’s say 1 or 2 chips you should be ok and your dog may experience some discomfort but be ok. Make sure they don’t eat any more Takis and that you keep junk foods in a safe place that is inaccessible to your dog, your dog, and your wallet will thank you later.
Here is a great example of what NOT to do courtesy or youtube.
Pet-friendly alternatives to Takis:
While junk foods like Takis are definitely not suitable for your dog to eat there are luckily tons of brands specially formulated to appeal to your dog’s tastes. Based on my experience my dog absolutely loves these snacks, just be sure not to go overboard and always give them to your dog in moderation.
Closing Thoughts
So should you give Takis to your dog? As you can see the answer is a clear and resounding no, never give your dog Takis and just a rule of thumb avoid giving your dog any type of processed junk food. While some foods we eat are generally ok to give to dogs in moderation, spicy foods like Takis are definitely not one of them. This treat is loaded with harmful toxic chemicals that can really harm your dog and leave you rushing to the vet to save your dog’s life.
As a responsible dog owner, it’s your duty to keep your furry child safe, this means making sure they are eating a healthy and balanced dog-friendly diet and not junk food that isn’t even healthy for humans in the first place.
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
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/Hemolytic_anemia
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/onion-garlic-chive-and-leek-toxicity-in-dogs
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
