Can Dogs Have Sour Cream And Onion Chips?

The Short Answer is:

hate to break it to you, but sour cream and chips are not good for dogs. It may make them resent you for a while, but it’s worth the health you’re instilling by preventing it from being on their menu.

The purpose of this article is to explain “Can Dogs Have Sour Cream And Onion Chips?“.

Crispy chips are a favorite among many people. No matter if you are binge-watching a Netflix series or enjoying a casual Sunday afternoon on the couch chips are always the way to go.

It might be necessary to think about exactly whom you can share that joy with when it comes to sharing it with others. That seems like a no-brainer for humans but what about our furry friends? There might be a few things you need to reconsider for the sake of goodness.

Keeping our friends in arms and paws healthy is equally important. 

Can dogs have our sour cream and chips?

I hate to break it to you but sour cream and chips are not good for dogs. It may make them resent you for a while but its worth the health you’re instilling by preventing it from being on their menu.

The following article will explain the key ingredients in sour cream and chips and explain why some of these ingredients might compromise your dogs health.

We will recommend which foods you should keep away from your beloved pet as well as which ones you can chew on safely. Lets jump right into it!

What are the ingredients in sour cream and onion chips?

Whether baked or deep-fried to crusty perfection thinly sliced potatoes make the all-star snack and the go-to snack. Sour cream and onion chips are mainly made up of the following three ingredients: Potato (obviously) Vegetable Oil sour cream and onion seasoning.

It does seem safe for dog consumption however it is wise to note the nature of these ingredients and the effects they may have on your furry companion as you read this.

Potatoes

It is deemed safe for dogs to eat all sizes and shapes of potatoes (hurray! ) but they must be boiled or baked properly before eating. Vitamin C vitamin B6 iron magnesium and other nutrients are found in potatoes. It may however negatively affect your dogs health if served raw or inappropriately.

Raw potatoes are a big no-no for your pal. Whats the reason? Because raw potatoes contain a chemical known as solanine which is toxic. Nevertheless when potatoes are boiled or baked solanine levels are significantly reduced making them safe for consumption.

Potatoes are not recommended as part of your dogs diet if he has diabetes. Potatoes contain significant amounts of sugar that can cause blood sugar spikes (which no one wants).

Vegetable Oil

In fact using vegetable oil in your dogs meal plan is a safe cooking practice. Generally sunflower oil and canola oil are found in sour creams and chips which does not pose a toxic threat to your dog. In fact sunflower oil is an excellent moisturizer energy booster and helps keep your heart healthy.

Adding this ingredient to your dogs diet should only be done after consulting with a professional vet to ensure it is safe and fits your dogs needs.

Sour Cream and Onion Seasoning

As much as possible you should keep an eye out for this particular ingredient in your dogs diet. It is best to keep the seasoning far away from their paws as not all its components are toxic or dangerous. Here are the culprit components your dog needs to avoid:

The powder of onion. It exists in a variety of forms in foods and it only takes 100 grams per 20 kilograms of a dogs weight to cause severe toxic effects which can endanger a dogs health and life if large amounts are ingested. Red blood cells are broken down by N-propyl disulfide a compound found in onions. The reduction in oxygen-carrying capabilities of red blood cells can lead to anemia in dogs.

Milk from skimmed cows.  Although it is not toxic and is nutritionally beneficial it may cause disruptions in your dogs gastrointestinal tract especially if he/she has lactose intolerance.

How toxic are onions for dogs?

Is it a piece of the puzzle of some of the worlds best culinary dishes for humans or a firework of flavors for dogs? Probably not. Gastroenteritis and inflammation of the GI tract may result from eating onions.

They can lead to nausea and mouth irritations in dogs often manifested by excessive drooling. The side effects include abdominal pain diarrhea and vomiting.

As a result there is a serious danger of oxidative hemolysis. A dogs red blood cells are bursting preventing them from carrying as much oxygen as it would otherwise. Eventually this leads to anemia weakness and lethargy due to low red blood cell counts.

If dogs were to consume as little as 0.5% of their body weight they would become ill. Therefore it is crucial to know what lies around the kitchen floor especially when the dogs tail is wagging.

Signs of onion toxicity in dogs  

Identifying and recognizing the signs of onion toxicity in dogs is key to ensuring their immediate treatment. For example suppose your dog eats a moderate amount of onion. This would rarely cause illness and may not even be noticed.

But if your dog ingests a decent amount or nibbles a little every day then it is likely that your dog will become ill. Here are some symptoms to watch out for: 

• Playdates are not fun if you have foul breath
• Mouth irritation due to drooling
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Reddish urine discoloration

While your dog might see the first two as a regular part of being a four-legged adoration the last three could simply be interpreted as a no-thank-you-and-please-leave type of response. Despite the fact that we can not speak bark language we now know enough to spot these symptoms early. 

What should you do if your dog appears to have “onion poisoning”?

The following steps should be taken should your dog suffer from onion poisoning.

After your dog has consumed onions for some time remove any remaining onions and store them out of reach. Make sure your dog remains calm. The consumption of onions can cause a drop in red blood cells as previously mentioned. Hence its important to prevent your dog from becoming overexcited and overactive which may lead to unconsciousness.

We would highly recommend taking your dog to a veterinarian if you do happen to catch him/her eating onions. To rid your dogs system of the onions your veterinarian can induce vomiting within a few hours. Toxin absorption may also be achieved by giving charcoal to your dog. Blood tests however may indicate hemolytic anemia in which case your pal would require a blood transfusion.

How nutritious are sour cream and onion chips?

Although potato chips are undeniably delicious with their explosion of flavors they do not provide any nutritional value to dogs. The vast majority of the potato chips we consume contain processed oil fat sodium (salt) and carbs. While these components might not be toxic it is considered unhealthful for dogs because high carbs are associated with unwanted weight gain and we as owners wouldnot want that right?

Potato chips contain high levels of artificial flavorings and additives which are not healthy for dogs. If dogs consume too many potato chips they may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Tummy aches 
• Diarrhea (Yikes)
• Vomiting
• Dehydration 

You can see that none of these things should ever happen to our friend. In order to maintain their cuteness and well-being please even when their eyes are googly bear the strength to say no to the crunchy bag of chips. Basically treat dogs just like you would treat your child (or future child).

So long as onions are not included in the ingredients list potato chips are generally harmless to dogs. You should not have any issue giving your dog one or two chips but before doing so make sure to double-check the contents as well as consider your dogs current health status.

Other onion flavored foods to keep away from your dog

In any case avoid these human-friendly gourmet and heavenly dishes if you love your dog(s):

• Cooked onions
• Onion gravy (oh my)
• Onion rings/onion ring crisps 
• Its meatloaf time (your dog is already screaming inside) 

Rings and meatloaf on the kitchen table may receive three-dog Michelin stars for their heavenly scent and presentation but please do not give up! Save these for yourself and your pet will be grateful.

Conclusion

A dog can be an excellent negotiator and persuader. You may find it impossible to say no to googly eyes and tail wags but always remember that telling them no to certain foods you eat is love at its purest (though they might not realize it at first). In small quantities potato chips are fine but in general they are not recommended for dogs due to the high fat and sodium content. Treat your dog to other snacks such as plain popcorn which are safer for him/her. 

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.