Can dogs and cats eat chips?

29 September 2023
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian with any questions you may have regarding your pet’s care, treatment, or medical conditions.

Can dogs eat chips?

Nope, you shouldn't feed chips to a dog – even a French Bulldog or a French Poodle. Dogs may love the taste of fried potatoes (who doesn't?), but fried, high-fat foods can cause significant health problems for pups.

Chips are extremely high in fat. Eating too much fat can lead to obesity in dogs. And obesity can lead to any number of health issues, including heart disease and joint problems. Moreover, chips contain unhealthy trans fats that raise cholesterol levels in your pet's body and make them prone to pancreatitis, a condition that can be fatal in severe cases.

In addition, chips are generally loaded with salt (which is unhealthy for dogs) or other seasoning powders like garlic or onion powder (both of which are toxic for dogs).

As always, consult with your veterinarian before introducing a new food item into your dog's diet! If your dog eats french fries and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If your dog requires veterinary care as a result of eating any unsafe foods, dog insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.

Can cats eat chips?

The simple answer is no, chips aren't a healthy treat for felines. (They're not really healthy for humans either, but they do taste good.)

For starters, chips contain high levels of salt and fat, which can lead to obesity in cats. Obesity exposes your cat to various health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and joint problems.

Moreover, chips are generally loaded with salt (which is unhealthy for cats) or other seasoning powders like garlic or onion powder (both of which are toxic for cats). Plus, giving your cat salty food like chips can cause excessive thirst and dehydration.

On top of all this, fast food restaurants sometimes prepare their chips using oil that may be rancid, or that may have been used multiple times before being changed. This means that the oil may contain harmful free radicals and other toxins that could pose a risk to your cat's digestive system.

As always, consult with your veterinarian before introducing a new food item into your cat's diet! If your cat eats chips and is showing signs of illness such as lethargy, diarrhoea, or vomiting, reach out to your veterinarian immediately. If your dog requires veterinary care as a result of eating any unsafe foods, cat insurance can help cover the cost of treatment.

Information purposes only

The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian. 

Pet poison emergency protocol

If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).

Food safety statuses

Safe

Could be given almost daily without harm

Safe in moderation

Not toxic, but should not be given regularly

Unsafe

Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet