Quick Answer
Dogs can eat small amounts of nacho cheese in moderation as an occasional treat. Nacho cheese is high in fat, calories, and sodium, so it should only be fed to dogs sparingly. Too much nacho cheese can cause gastrointestinal upset, pancreatitis, and obesity in dogs. It’s best to avoid spicy, heavily seasoned nacho cheese and stick to mild, dog-friendly cheese. Monitor your dog for any signs of an upset stomach after eating nacho cheese.
Can Dogs Have Nacho Cheese?
Nacho cheese, also known as queso cheese or cheese sauce, refers to the smooth, creamy, orange-colored cheese dip typically served with tortilla chips at Mexican restaurants. Nacho cheese gets its signature color and texture from additives like annatto powder, paprika, and emulsifiers. It’s made from ingredients like cheddar, pepper jack, or Velveeta melted together with milk and seasonings.
Plain nacho cheese, without any spicy chili or taco meat, can be fed to dogs in very small amounts as an occasional snack. It should be considered a high-fat treat due to its high calories and fat content. Too much can lead to digestive issues and weight gain in dogs. It’s best reserved for special occasions or sparingly given as a pill pocket to disguise medications.
In general, dogs should not consume more than 10% of their daily caloric needs from treats. For a 50 lb dog, 10% is about 200 calories per day. Just 2 tbsp of nacho cheese can contain around 100 calories and 9 grams of fat, so a few spoonfuls 2-3 times a week is plenty. Limit portion sizes to 1-2 tbsp for small dogs, 1-4 tbsp for medium dogs, and 2-6 tbsp for large dogs.
Risks of Feeding Nacho Cheese to Dogs
Here are some of the potential risks of feeding too much nacho cheese or spicy, heavily seasoned nacho cheese to dogs:
– Pancreatitis – High fat foods like cheese and fatty meats are the most common cause of pancreatitis in dogs. Nacho cheese is very high in fat.
– Gastrointestinal upset – Cheese can be difficult for some dogs to digest. Nacho cheese may contain spicy seasonings that can further irritate a dog’s stomach. Diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and bloating can occur.
– Obesity – Nacho cheese is very calorically dense, with nearly 100 calories per ounce. Feeding too much can easily cause weight gain in dogs. Obesity stresses joints, organs, and leads to diabetes and other problems.
– Sodium – Nacho cheese contains added salt for flavor. Excessive sodium intake is linked to kidney problems, elevated blood pressure, and bloat in dogs.
– Food allergies/intolerances – Some dogs are allergic or intolerant to dairy and may experience itching, ear infections, gas, or diarrhea after eating cheese. This is more likely in dogs with sensitivities to lactose.
Signs of Illness
Monitor your dog for any concerning symptoms after feeding nacho cheese:
– Vomiting, diarrhea
– Lethargy, weakness
– Loss of appetite
– Abdominal pain, bloating
– Increased thirst or urination
– Greasy stools or black, tarry stool (may indicate pancreatitis)
If you observe any severe symptoms like vomiting lasting more than 24 hours, bloody stool, collapse, seizure, or anything else highly abnormal, seek veterinary care immediately. Mild stomach upset can usually be managed at home by withholding food for 12-24 hours, but contact your vet if symptoms don’t improve.
Can All Dogs Eat Nacho Cheese?
Most healthy dogs can consume small amounts of plain nacho cheese occasionally as a treat. However, there are some situations where nacho cheese should be avoided:
– Puppies – Puppies under 1 year have sensitive digestive systems and trouble regulating fat intake. Too much nacho cheese may cause diarrhea.
– Senior dogs – Older dogs are prone to pancreatitis and often need lower fat diets. Limit or avoid nacho cheese for seniors.
– Overweight/obese dogs – Nacho cheese is very high in fat and calories, which can exacerbate obesity. Avoid it for overweight dogs.
– Dogs with dairy sensitivities – Some dogs are lactose intolerant or allergic to milk proteins like casein. This can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and skin issues.
– Dogs with pancreatitis – Dogs with a history of pancreatitis absolutely should not consume any high fat foods, including nacho cheese.
– Dogs with sodium-restricted diets – Nacho cheese has added salt, so avoid giving it dogs on low sodium diets for kidney or heart disease.
If you have any concerns about your dog’s sensitivity to nacho cheese, start by offering just a tiny amount and watch for any reactions over the next 12-24 hours before giving more.
Is Nacho Cheese Bad For Dogs?
Nacho cheese itself is not inherently toxic or poisonous to dogs. However, there are some potentially harmful ingredients found in some nacho cheese products:
– Xanthan gum – A thickener used in many cheese sauces and dairy products. It can cause digestive upset in large amounts.
– Onions and garlic – Spicy nacho cheese can contain onion and garlic powder. Onions and garlic in any form are toxic to dogs.
– Chili peppers – Spicy nacho cheese may contain jalapenos or other peppers. Capsaicin can irritate dogs’ mouths and digestive tracts.
– Artificial colors – Dyes like Red 40 or Yellow 5 are linked to food allergies and sensitivities in dogs.
– Preservatives – Sodium nitrite is commonly found in many cheese products and has been linked to cancer in dogs when consumed in large amounts.
As long as you stick to plainer, milder nacho cheese without toxic add-ins, it can be fed in moderation. Spicy, vividly colored nacho cheese or cheese with lots of preservatives are more harmful options. Homemade nacho cheese is the healthiest choice.
Can Puppies Eat Nacho Cheese?
It’s generally not recommended to feed nacho cheese to puppies under one year of age. Puppies have developing digestive systems that are extra sensitive to rich, fatty foods. Too much fat or dairy at once can disrupt healthy digestion.
If you do wish to share a small taste of nacho cheese with your puppy, follow these precautions:
– Wait until at least 12 weeks old
– Stick to 1 tsp or less to start
– Choose a mild, plain nacho cheese
– Monitor stool consistency and watch for gastrointestinal upset
– Discontinue immediately if soft stool or diarrhea develop
The best snacks for training rewarding puppies are things like boiled chicken, cheerios, chopped carrots, or low-fat string cheese. Save very high fat treats for when puppies are older.
Can Dogs Eat Spicy Nacho Cheese?
It’s best to avoid feeding dogs spicy, seasoned nacho cheese dips. Chili peppers, jalapenos, cayenne, paprika, chili powder, and other spicy seasonings commonly added to nachos can irritate a dog’s mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Signs your dog ate something too spicy include:
– Pawing at the mouth
– Drooling or lip licking
– Whimpering when swallowing
– Vomiting
Capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers hot, can cause stomach inflammation and pain in dogs when consumed. While not generally life threatening, it’s very uncomfortable for dogs.
If your dog accidentally eats spicy nachos, give them milk and bread to help dilute the capsaicin. Then call your vet if symptoms don’t improve within a few hours. Avoid spicy foods in the future.
Healthier Nacho Cheese Options for Dogs
When preparing homemade nacho cheese for sharing with your dog, opt for healthier ingredient choices like:
– Low sodium chicken or vegetable broth instead of milk
– Reduced fat shredded cheese
– Pureed carrots or butternut squash to cut fat
– Lean ground turkey instead of greasy taco meat
– Omit spicy peppers and seasonings
You can also look for healthier store-bought nacho cheese options made with added vegetables, lower sodium, or reduced fat. Avoid brightly colored neon orange cheese dips, as these contain artificial dyes.
When shopping for dog-friendly nacho cheese, look for options specifically marketed for pets that contain no onions, garlic, or capsaicin. Several major brands now make dog-safe nacho cheese products. Check ingredients carefully even on pet products to ensure safety. Moderation is still key – no more than a tablespoon for smaller dogs or a few tablespoons for big dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Homemade Nacho Cheese?
Of course, the healthiest option is preparing your own homemade nacho cheese to share with your dog. This allows you to control exactly what ingredients go into it. Here is a simple dog-friendly nacho cheese dip recipe:
Ingredients:
– 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
– 1 tbsp cornstarch
– 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
– 1/4 cup pureed cooked carrots
– 1/4 cup pureed cooked butternut squash
Instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch over medium heat until thickened, about 5 minutes.
2. Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in shredded cheese until fully melted and smooth.
3. Remove from heat and mix in pureed carrots and butternut squash.
4. Let cool to room temperature before serving to avoid burns.
5. Store leftovers refrigerated for up to 4 days.
This recipe cuts calories, fat, and sodium compared to traditional nacho cheese. The vegetables provide added vitamins and fiber. Always supervise your dog when feeding any cheese treat, and limit portions based on their size and diet.
Can Dogs Eat Nacho Cheese Doritos?
It’s best not to feed dogs nacho cheese flavored snack chips like Doritos, Cheetos, or Fritos. These chips have some seasonings and preservatives that can be harmful to dogs:
– Onion and garlic powders – Toxic to dogs
– Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – Causes adverse reactions in some dogs
– Artificial colors (Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40) – Linked to allergies
– Preservatives like TBHQ – Suspected carcinogen in large amounts
Additionally, corn chips are dense and high in fat. They can cause stomach upset if a dog eats too many. Stick to giving dogs plain nacho cheese without the chips or seasonings.
Can Dogs Eat Cheese and Onion Nachos?
Onions are toxic to dogs, so you should never feed dogs nachos prepared with onion toppings. Onions contain compounds called disulfides and thiosulphates which can damage red blood cells and cause anemia in dogs if ingested, even in small amounts.
Onion powder is commonly found in taco seasoning mixes, salsa, chili, and other nacho toppings. Check labels and ingredients carefully on any human foods before sharing with your dog. Steer clear of unknown seasonings, salsas, chili cheese dips, etc. to be safe.
Signs of onion toxicity can be delayed for several days after ingestion. If you suspect your dog ate onions, monitor for symptoms like lethargy, lack of appetite, dark urine, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, and jaundice. Seek veterinary treatment immediately if you notice any of these warning signs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dogs can eat small amounts of plain, mild nacho cheese on occasion as an uncommon treat. Limit portion sizes based on your dog’s size and health status. Avoid feeding dogs spicy, seasoned nacho cheese. Onions and onion powder are very dangerous and toxic to dogs, so never share cheese sauces, dips, or chips flavored with onions. Homemade nacho cheese lets you control the ingredients for the healthiest treat. Monitor your dog for any digestive upset after eating nacho cheese. Moderation and common sense is key when feeding high fat human treats like cheese to dogs.