The popular snack, hot Cheetos, which debuted in 1995, is a fairly new addition to the landscape of snacks. On a whim or a joke, your dog may have gone and tried the spicy crunchy delicacy and now he may be choking on his own tongue as he licks his chops from the aftertaste now stuck to his teeth.

If this sounds like something that might happen then you’re probably wondering ‘Can Dogs Eat Hot Cheetos?’

The answer is No. Hot Cheetos, despite their many variations and flavors, are not recommended for consumption by canines. Cheetos in itself is not toxic to pets. However, the hotter the temperature of the cheese-flavored corn puffs, the more likely it will cause gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting and diarrhea in pets. This is because a dog’s stomach cannot typically tolerate such high temperatures as the stomachs of humans can.

You might also be interested in Can Dogs Eat Cheetos?

This article is going to take a deep dive into the world of dog nutrition and find out whether or not hot Cheetos are safe for dogs to eat.

About Hot Cheetos

Cheetos, originally developed by Charles Elmer Doolin in 1948 and later introduced to the public in 1961, is a brand of cheese-flavored, puffed cornmeal snacks. The original or “original” cheese-flavored Cheetos have a texture that resembles shredded cheddar cheese. In 1961, Cheetos introduced their second flavor, which they called “Flamin’ Hot” and were slightly softer and made with a yellowish-orange color. It is described as having a lemon-lime taste just like many Cheetos offerings today.

The ingredients for Hot Cheetos are made with corn, vegetable oils (partially hydrogenated soybean oil, palm oil), cheese powder, sugar, maltodextrin, salt, natural and artificial flavors. The main ingredient that stands out in the list is natural and artificial flavor. There may be a combination of hundreds if not thousands of different ingredients being included in these two words on a label.

A typical serving of hot Cheetos is about 12.5 grams and contains 140 calories and 10 grams of fat.

Can Dogs Eat Hot Cheetos?

Dogs are omnivores, which means that they will eat anything that is edible. Dogs will be attracted to bright colors and interesting shapes, which goes for Cheetos as well. They are usually attracted to food based on smell, which means that you don’t have to give them any warning before feeding them something new.

It’s not the high-fat content in hot Cheetos that could be harmful to your dog, but rather the artificial orange flavor. Dogs are known to be allergic to several different substances including artificial food additives. These dyes and chemicals may cause your dog to experience indigestion, vomiting, or even diarrhea. Although it doesn’t happen often, sometimes artificial colors also tend to result in skin irritation.

The other issue is spice. Dogs don’t have a high spice tolerance level. Their mouth and throat are also very sensitive. So, hot Cheetos could cause burns on the inside of their mouth and throat if they try to eat one.

The symptoms of having eaten hot Cheetos include an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, redness in the face, scratching oneself excessively all over their body. If you see any of these symptoms in your dog then it’s best that you take it to the vet immediately.

Alternatives to Hot Cheetos for Dogs

Although they may be a bit more expensive than other snacks, there are better options out there that are healthier for your dog. Organic dog treats such as beef jerky, rawhide bones, and chicken wings are much better than hot Cheetos as they’re made without artificial flavors and dyes as well as preservatives which can lead to cancer and other health issues.

Conclusion

Dogs can’t eat hot Cheetos. The snack contains a cheese-flavored powder and artificial chemical additives that can cause serious issues with your dog’s digestive health. In addition, these hot and sour cheese puffs are totally devoid of any nutritional value.

Thank you for reading the article.

Explore more Cheetos-related dog articles that you might be interested in.

Has your dog mistakenly eaten hot Cheetos? How did they react? We would love to hear from you. Please share with us by leaving a comment below!