If I want to spice things up a little, I buy myself a bag of Takis chips. It’s not a regular thing, but I do like them now and then.
Of course, my pooch wants in on the action — and hot Takis chips.
What do you think I should do? Can dogs eat Takis?
Read this article first if you’re thinking about letting your canine eat hot Takis.
Can Dogs Eat Takis?
No, dogs should not eat Takis. There are too many harmful and toxic ingredients in them.
Furthermore, spicy foods are not something that dogs need or like. Not only that, they can cause severe stomach issues, burning sensations, and pancreatitis.
One or two Takis are unlikely to seriously harm the dog if there is no onion or xylitol in them. However, they should not be a treat or a part of a dog’s diet.
Are Takis Bad for Dogs?
Takis are filled with preservatives and harmful ingredients for dogs. Not only do they offer no nutritional value — they can be toxic to dogs.
Let’s look at common ingredients in Takis and what can happen if you feed your dog Takis.
Onion
Onions are often used in snacks and processed food for flavor. Why are onions bad for dogs? ASPCA lists onions as toxic to dogs. It affects the red blood cells in dogs, leading to anemia, liver failure, seizures, and coma. Onion toxicity is often fatal for our four-legged friends.
The same goes for all members of the Allium family — onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives.
Salt
Junk food and processed foods are very high in salt. Dogs don’t need much salt in their diet — a 33-pound dog needs only 100 mg of sodium daily.
If your dog eats too much salt regularly, they might develop high blood pressure and heart problems.
Ultimately, high salt intake leads to extreme dehydration and salt poisoning. Sodium toxicity is a serious medical condition that can result in organ failure, seizures, coma, and even the death of a pet.
Spices
Takis are known for being extremely spicy food. The ingredients in some of the Takis include habanero, cayenne pepper, paprika, hot chili pepper, and chili powder.
Spicy foods, in general, don’t sit well with our dogs — they irritate the dog’s stomach and could cause burning sensations around the mouth and eyes.
If you feed your dog Takis, they can even lead to pancreatitis, a severe inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis requires a long treatment and if it is left untreated, it can even cause death. Even with adequate treatment, the prognosis is sometimes grim.
Lime
Lime is added to more spicy variants of Takis as a flavor enhancer. Citrus fruits also don’t agree with dogs. They can irritate a dog’s digestive tract and cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even tremors.
Calories
Just one ounce of Takis Fuego contains 140 calories and an unbelievable 0.29 oz of fat, which is too much for your dog.
Increased calories and fat lead to weight gain, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, and heart problems in dogs.
Different Types of Takis
Takis are known for their spicy flavor and variety of options. Let’s look at the most popular ones and how bad they are for your furry companion.
Can Dogs Eat Takis Fuego?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat Takis Fuego.
Fuego is a Takis variety that is too hot even for a seasoned spicy food lover. It contains 490 mg of sodium, which is way too much salt for your canine friend. This amount of salt exceeds a medium-sized dog’s daily limit by five times.
In addition to that, it also has onion powder and lime flavor in the mix, making it very dangerous for dogs. Onion powder in Takis Fuego is extremely toxic to dogs and can be fatal.
Can Dogs Eat Takis Nitro?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat Takis Nitro.
Nitro is a Takis variety that is full of preservatives and chemicals. It’s one of the worst kinds of snacks you can give your dog.
Takis Nitro is supposedly the spiciest type of Takis. This is debatable since some people claim that Fuego is spicier. However, Nitro still contains habanero and lime, none of which are good for your dog. It will probably cause stomach upset and burning sensations in dogs. Additionally, as most Takis, Nitro has onion powder, which is toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Takis Crunchy Fajita?
No, it’s best not to feed your dog Crunchy Fajita.
Unlike other variants of Takis, Crunchy Fajitas are not that spicy. They contain cumin and chili powder, which might give your dog an upset stomach if eaten in high amounts. Furthermore, nacho cheese in these Takis is bad for lactose-intolerant dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Guacamole Takis?
No, Guacamole Takis are not safe for dogs to eat.
Guacamole Takis is different from other variants because it isn’t as spicy. However, they still contain salt and spices that can be harmful to your dog.
Guacamole contains avocado — American Kennel Club considers avocado unsafe for dogs. In addition to that, there are also both garlic and onion powder, which are extremely toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Takis Blue Heat?
Dogs should not eat Takis Blue Heat.
Blue Heat is a Takis variety that is made with blue corn tortillas. It’s one of the healthier options, but it’s still not good for your dog. They are high in calories, salt, and fat. Furthermore, Blue Heat Takis have onion powder which is extremely toxic to dogs.
They also contain Blue 1 Lake, an artificial dye that causes allergic reactions in some dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Takis Wild?
Takis Wild is among the worst options you can offer to your pet. So no, dogs should not eat them.
Takis Wild is packed with preservatives and artificial dyes (Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake) to which our pets can be allergic. They also contain cayenne paper, likely to irritate the dog’s stomach and cause digestive issues. These Takis are very high in salt and vegetable oils, contributing to pancreatitis and salt toxicity.
Finally, they contain garlic powder. Garlic is an Allium family member and is extremely toxic to dogs. If your dog eats garlic, the effects could be lethal. Feeding your dog Takis Wild puts them at an immense health risk. Even small amounts of Takis Wild can cause severe health problems.
Can Dogs Eat Takis Xplosion?
Similar to other Takis, dogs should not eat Takis Xplosion.
They contain artificial dyes, which can cause allergies. Additionally, they have onion powder, salt, and cheese powder, which are harmful substances to dogs.
It’s best to avoid these Takis as well.
What Should You Do if Your Dog Ate Takis?
If your dog eats one or two pieces of Takis, they should be fine.
However, if they ate more, you should act fact. The biggest concern with Takis is onion toxicity because it can be fatal.
Most Takis contain either garlic or onion powder, which are extremely toxic to dogs. The powder makes them even more concentrated. You might be instructed to induce vomiting, but don’t do it on your own. Take your dog to a vet clinic immediately.
Symptoms of Onion Toxicity
Symptoms of toxicity include:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Red urine
- Pale gums
- Liver failure
- Anemia
- Seizures
- Coma
Onion toxicity affects the dog’s red blood cells. If you don’t react quickly, it can lead to the pet’s death. Should you notice the symptoms above, immediately take your dog to a vet clinic.
Steps to Take if Your Dog Ate Too Many Takis
You can take several steps if you think your dog ate Takis:
Step 1 — Collect a sample of the Takis your dog ingested.
Step 2 — Do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you.
Step 3 — Determine the time when they ate Takis.
Step 4 — Make sure your canine always has access to fresh water.
Step 5 — If the dog ate too many chips, immediately take them to a vet clinic.
Act quickly if you think your dog ate large amounts of Takis. Onion toxicity can be fatal, so it’s best to take the necessary steps to ensure your canine’s safety.
Prevent Your Dog From Eating Spicy Foods
Dogs are known to eat whatever they come across and junk food is no exception. Takis are especially dangerous because they contain toxic substances. Even in small amounts, these can be fatal to your pet.
You should prevent your dog from eating all human food, and especially junk food filled with onion, garlic, salt, and fat. Keep all the junk food products out of their reach. If someone is coming over, let them know that they shouldn’t be feeding your pet with just anything.
Training is another option. Ideally, you should start training your dog while they are a pup. That way, they will easily learn not to eat food leftovers. Teach them a cue word or a signal that will let them know a certain food is off-limits.
Alternatives
If your dog decidedly wants to munch on Takis, you can offer them some of the healthier alternatives:
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Lean meat strips
- Peanut butter (check for xylitol)
- Sweet potatoes
All of these are excellent options for your dog, and you won’t have to worry about your dog’s health.
Too Hot to Handle
Takis are by no means dog food. Hot and spicy snacks are often bad for dog’s health because they cause stomach pain and digestive problems.
Hot Takis and processed junk food often contain garlic and onion powder, which are extremely toxic to our four-legged friends and can be fatal. Dog owners should never let their dogs eat them.
Instead, offer your pet alternatives or homemade treats. If you prepare them yourself, it can be a bonding experience. On the plus side, you will know exactly what your furry friend is eating.
Some human food is good and healthy for your pet — check out this list for a full overview.
