can dogs have tortillas

Tortillas are highly processed foods that contain lots of artificial flavors, preservatives and ingredients that are toxic for your dog’s consumption. Most tortilla types have high levels of salt content and calories, which could be problematic for your dog. Find out more about your dog and tortillas in this article!

Having one or two tortillas will do no harm to dogs but this does not mean that it is safe for them. Corn and flour tortillas are the major types of tortillas and they both contain high amounts of carbohydrates, which can cause rapid weight gain for your dog.

Although corn tortillas contain less carbohydrates and calories than flour tortillas, they could be dangerous for small dogs as they can easily choke on the grains. It is also important that you read the label on processed tortillas as some of them contain very toxic ingredients that could be fatal for your dog.

Ingredients Contained In Tortillas

Although you can monitor and control the ingredients put into making tortillas at home, processed tortillas are beyond your control. Here are a few ingredients contained in processed tortillas that could be unsafe for your dog’s consumption.

Corn flour: Corn flour is gluten free and totally safe for your dog’s consumption, however, it does not provide your dog with any nutritional benefits

Calcium Hydroxide: The corn for tortillas is cooked in calcium hydroxide solution, which would have been safe for your dog but the industrial calcium hydroxide used in some companies are very poisonous and deadly for your dog.

Corn kernels: although corn kernels contain lots of vitamins and minerals, they can be toxic for dogs with corn allergies.

Salt: tortilla chips are very high in salt and consuming excess salt can lead to sodium poisoning in your dog, resulting in dehydration and other health issues as time goes on.

Amylases: This ingredient is frequently used corn tortillas and wheat tortillas as a preservative. Excessive intake of amylase could lead to pancreatitis in your dog.

Completely avoid feeding your dog any processed food, including processed tortillas. If you must give your dog tortillas, ensure it is homemade and if you cannot make some tortillas for him at home, make sure he does not consume more than one processed tortilla to prevent health issues from arising.

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Tortilla Types

There are a host of tortilla types available around you. While some are safe for your dog’s consumption, others are a definite No for your dog. Here is a list of some types of tortillas:

Flour Tortillas: In small quantities, flour tortillas are safe for your dog and are not likely to cause any behavior or health changes in your dog. However, if your dog has gluten allergy, we do not advise that you feed him any tortillas at all, since flour tortillas are made from ground wheat.

Corn Tortillas: Corn tortillas served plain and in small amounts are safe for your dog’s consumption, and unlike the flour tortillas, corn tortillas are easy to digest as they are gluten-free. However, feeding your dog highly processed corn tortillas, and by extension highly processed flour tortillas, is not so healthy for your dog as these processed foods contain ingredients that are toxic and harmful to your dog.

Tortilla Chips: The high level calories and salt contents of Tortilla chips make them very unhealthy for your dog and eating them in excess can lead to sodium poisoning in your dog. These chips are made from a corn, mixed with salt and other seasonings and flavors like barbeque, onion and garlic, and then they are fried in oil.

Fried foods are not at all good for your dog as eating them in excess can cause heart problems in your dog. Tortilla chips do not provide your dog with any nutrient at all so there is really no point feeding it to your dog.

Baked Tortillas: Baked tortillas are better off for your dog as they contain fewer ingredients and are not fried in oil. Still, moderation is important, as with every other human food.

Whole Grain And Multi Grain Tortillas: With the exception of dogs with gluten or wheat allergy, whole grain and multi grain tortillas are safe for most dogs in small amounts at a time. These tortilla types have high amounts of fiber and this aids bowel movements for your dog but if eaten in excess, it could result in vomiting and diarrhea.

Flavored Tortillas: Whatever the food is, if it contains flavors like onion and garlic, which are two of the major seasonings contained in flavored tortillas, do not feed it to your dog as these ingredients are toxic for him.

Spinach Tortillas: Although spinach tortillas provide your dog with a number of good nutrients, over eating it can result in weight gain for your dog hence, moderation is key.

Blue Corn Chips: Blue corn chips contain only about 3 ingredients: sunflower oil, salt and blue corn. Even though they are quite safe for your dog’s consumption, they still contain lots of salt that could be harmful to your dog if eaten in excess.

Homemade Tortillas: Since you have control of the ingredients used in making the tortillas, and can ensure that no toxic ingredients are added, your dog can very well share some of your homemade tortillas with you occasionally.

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Health Issues Associated With Feeding Tortillas To Dogs

Tortillas could either be safe or unsafe for your dog, depending on the type of tortilla. Notwithstanding the type of tortilla, it is important that you only feed your dog small amounts of tortillas as feeding him tortillas in excess may result in the following health issues:

Nausea
Diarrhea
Obesity
Abnormal eating habits
Heart disease
Dehydration from sodium poisoning
Indigestion
Diabetes

For this reason, all tortilla types should only be given to dogs occasionally and not on regular basis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Dogs Eat Wheat Tortillas?

The simple answer to this question is, Yes. This tortilla is generally safe for dogs, except for dogs with gluten allergies. Dogs can eat wheat tortillas, so long as the dog in question is not allergic to wheat or gluten.

Are Corn Tortilla Chips Bad For Dogs?

Corn tortilla chips are not so bad for dogs and not so safe either since they still contain lots of salt and oil from being deep-fried. However, a few occasional bites should not cause harm to your dog.

What Happens If A Dog Eats Tortilla?

If your dog only had a few bites of tortillas, he should be fine or at the most, visit the yard many times from loose bowel. However, if your dog happens to have eaten more than just a few bites, find out just how much tortillas he had and consult your vet doctor.

Also watch your dog for any sign or symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy. Your veterinary doctor should be able to advise you on actions to take.

Final Thoughts

Corn tortillas are better for your dog than flour tortillas in many ways but neither of them is a healthy food for him. Remember that tortillas do not necessarily offer any nutritional benefits to your dog rather, feeding them to your dog could cause potential damage to his health.

So, save your dog the stress and keep him away from tortillas. If you must however, feed tortillas to your dog only in small amounts.