According to the industry market research report, Mexican tortillas have become an essential component of the American diet. The growing number of health-conscious customers has driven demand for tortillas, owing to their high fiber and flaxseed content.
Many pet parents feed their dogs tortillas as a nutritious diet, despite the fact that it is not actually healthy food. While feeding dogs, however, it’s worth noting that a dog’s digestive system is considerably more delicate than a human’s. So, here the question arises of whether a dog can eat tortillas.
This guide covers all the information about dogs and tortillas, including the types of tortillas, ingredients’ safety, health issues, and anything else. Let’s get started!
Can Dogs Eat Tortillas Safely?
Dogs can consume a bit of tortilla safely. Like the other processed foods, tortillas are not a healthy choice for dogs.
Vets do not advise feeding dogs tortillas since wheat, corn, or mixed grain tortillas are high in carbohydrates and might create various health issues in dogs.
Adding tortillas to your dog’s daily meals is not a good idea; while they are not toxic, tortillas will not provide all of the nutrients that a dog requires, making him weak.
Are Tortillas Good for Your Dog’s Health?
Feeding tortillas are not a healthy idea for dogs. Tortillas are high in carbohydrates, and they don’t provide much nutritional value to your dog’s health. In reality, because dogs are carnivores, they must consume a high quantity of fat and protein, so their diet does not need a large number of carbohydrates.
That is why it’s preferable to avoid sharing corn or flour tortillas with your canine companions and, if necessary, offer them a little amount occasionally and in moderation.
Are Tortillas Bad for Dogs?
Yes, if the dog eats a lot of tortillas, he may develop the following health problems.
Heart Disease
Tortillas are high in calories, lipids, and saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, which put stress on heart valves and cause heart diseases, particularly in senior dogs.
Obesity
A large dog weighing approximately 20 to 25 kg should consume 500 to 550 grams of food each day, based on 600 to 700 calories. Veterinarians also suggest that the treats should account for no more than 10% of your dog’s calories consumption. Therefore, you must avoid giving them tortillas as a daily snack according to the prescribed calories. Otherwise, your dog will become obese.
Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a severe condition that is characterized by severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Amylase and Xylanase enzymes, which are added to tortillas in order to extend their shelf life, come from corn or flour. Pancreatitis can develop when the pancreas becomes inflamed due to an elevated level of these enzymes and sugars.
Upset Stomach
The yeast used in tortilla dough can cause a dog’s stomach to bloat, resulting in gastrointestinal problems, nausea, and vomiting.
The stomach upset might worsen if tortillas are greasy, oily, and seasoned with onions, garlic, and cheese.
Dehydration or Salt Poisoning
It’s not a great idea to give your dog salty meals like tortilla chips. If dogs consume too much salt, they can become dehydrated and develop severe ailments if they eat too much of it on a regular basis. In your dog’s meal, you should try a healthy amount of salt. Consuming too much salt by the dog may lead to kidney failure.
Allergies (Wheat or Gluten Allergy)
Some dogs are allergic to gluten in the flour, so they should not eat flour tortillas. The tortillas in the market contain other allergens such as artificial preservatives or wheat grains which can cause gastrointestinal issues, ear infections, or itchy skin.
How Many Tortillas Can a Dog Eat?
A small quantity of tortillas is relatively safe for dogs to consume once in a while. It’s not preferable to feed them a lot of tortillas since they are calorie-dense and lack nutritional value. It has many calories that might cause your dog to acquire too much weight.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Tortillas?
It depends on the number of tortillas your dog has consumed. They will either be unharmed with no symptoms or will probably emit gas from their rear end and require frequent walks outside.
If your dog ate too many tortillas, check out how many they ate and watch him for the symptoms. If he has diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy, contact your vet for the medication.
Different Types of Tortillas and Dogs
There are various varieties of tortillas available! Let’s read about the various types of tortillas and how safe they are for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Corn Tortillas?
Corn tortillas are safe for dogs to eat. You need to make sure to feed him in moderation. Are corn tortillas bad for dogs? Dog’s safety for corn tortillas depends on their fillings and how it’s heated up.
Corn tortillas are a better option for dogs if they are allergic to gluten or wheat. Corn tortillas are made of cornflour, a safe and gluten-free ingredient that is used in many commercial dog foods.
Dogs can eat plain corn tortillas without any spicy fillings and seasonings. People usually add onion or garlic to the tortilla to add more flavor, but these ingredients are toxic for your pup. So, you must avoid feeding him these ingredients and deep-fried tortillas.
If your puppy still wants to eat tortillas, you can feed him a raw corn tortilla or plain corn tortilla in moderation.
Can Dogs Eat Flour Tortillas?
Flour tortillas are usually made of ground wheat flour and are used to make soft tacos and burrito wraps. To answer the question, yes, dogs can eat flour tortillas but in a minimal amount as an occasional treat.
Is the flour tortilla safe for all dogs? If your dog is gluten intolerant, it can cause much harm to your dog. Dogs cannot digest grains as we humans do. So, you should keep your dog away from flour tortillas if he has wheat allergies or a sensitive stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Baked Tortillas?
Yes, dogs can eat baked tortillas as a rare treat. Since these are made of beef, chicken, or other dog-friendly ingredients, they are safe for your dog to eat. Baked tortillas contain a few ingredients with no extra seasonings; that’s why it does not provide any harm to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Fried Tortillas?
No, fried tortillas are not suitable for dogs. A deep-fried meal can have a detrimental impact on your canine’s heart and general health. If you unintentionally fed him a little piece of fried tortillas as a special treat, your dog will be fine. Ensure the dog’s safety by not feeding him a large amount of it.
Can Dogs Eat Fresh Tortillas?
Yes, dogs can consume fresh tortillas as they are plain, don’t include any toxic ingredients like too much salt, onion, or garlic, and aren’t fried in the oil. Remember, moderation is the key.
Can Dogs Eat Flavored Tortillas?
No, flavored tortillas should not be given to dogs. Flavored tortillas can have ingredients like onion or garlic that are poisonous to dogs and spices that can irritate your dog’s lips, tongue, mouth, and throat. However, plain tortillas are the best choice for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Spinach Tortillas?
Yes, dogs can eat spinach tortillas in a small amount. Spinach tortillas are made of delicious vegetable that is safe and good for dogs. For our canine companions, spinach tortillas provide a lot of nutritional value.
However, because spinach tortillas are composed of flour, they still have a high carbohydrate content. As a result, overindulging in spinach tortillas can lead to weight gain, blood sugar problems, and diabetes in dogs. A tiny amount of spinach tortillas is acceptable as a special treat for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Tortilla Chips?
Dogs can eat one or two tortilla chips, not more than this. Tortilla chips contain a high amount of salt, and because dogs are particularly susceptible to salt, eating an excessive amount of it may lead to sodium poisoning.
Are Tortilla Chips Good for Dogs?
It does not provide any nutritional benefits. It is just a snack to enjoy, but even a few pieces of tortilla chips can cause health issues like vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, and extreme thirst. Tortilla chips are fried in oil, which means it has a high-fat content that is harmful to the dog.
Can Puppies Eat Tortilla Chips?
No, tortilla chips cannot be recommended to puppies because of their growing age and the side effects of these chips fried in oil.
Can Dogs Eat Taco Shells?
If the taco shells are free of seasonings, a dog can safely eat a piece of them. You can feed your dog plain taco shells or tortilla shells without the filling, and make sure not to deep fry them.
Can Dogs Eat Tortilla Wraps?
Yes, dogs can eat tortilla wraps in small amounts if they are plain. It’s not the wraps that you should be concerned about, but rather the fillings within them can be harmful to your furry friend.
Avoid feeding your dogs the tortilla wraps if they have anything toxic in them, such as hot peppers, garlic, jalapenos, or onion.
Can Dogs Eat Homemade Tortillas?
The only tortillas dogs may eat are the homemade ones since you can choose what goes into the recipe. They don’t include any chemicals or additives added by manufacturers to extend shelf life and other purposes.
Can Dogs Eat Whole-grain Tortillas?
If your dog has no gluten or wheat allergy, he can eat moderate portions of whole-grain tortillas. Dogs who consume a lot of whole-grain tortillas may have diarrhea, upset stomachs, or vomiting due to the high fiber content in tortillas. The same issues arise when dogs eat multigrain tortillas. That’s why these are not the best choices for dogs.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, tortillas are not the healthiest snacks for your dogs, but they can have them in moderation. Be extra careful of the fillings and make sure there’s nothing toxic inside the tortillas that may harm your furry friend. Plain tortillas are generally safe to eat, but you may provide your dog with healthier treat alternatives.
In addition, don’t forget to monitor your dog’s weight because consuming too many tortillas may lead to obesity. If they seem lethargic or having vomiting, contact your veterinarian immediately.
We hope that this guide will be pretty helpful for dog owners who are more concerned about their dogs eating tortillas.
