Can Dogs Eat Funyuns? What the Science Says

It can be tempting to give our dogs anything they want, especially when they turn on the puppy dog eyes! If your dog whines and begs whenever you open a bag of Funyuns, you may have wondered whether or not it would be all that bad to sneak him just one or two.

The truth is, Funyuns are not good for dogs to eat. They are packed with unhealthy ingredients and provide no nutritional value for your dog. Even worse, some ingredients in Funyuns are toxic to dogs. Keep reading below to learn more about what makes Funyuns so bad for dogs.

What Are the Ingredients in Funyuns?

Funyuns are not the healthiest snack on the market, especially regarding canines. When you take a look at the list of ingredients, you’ll see that there is no good reason to feed these snacks to your dog.

Ingredients

• Enriched cornmeal
• Vegetable oil
• Salt
• Corn starch
• Sugar
• Corn flour
• Buttermilk
• Maltodextrin
• Onion powder
• Monosodium glutamate
• Hydrolyzed corn protein
• Dextrose
• Garlic powder
• Natural flavors
• Gum arabic

Why Are Funyuns So Unhealthy for Dogs?

The ingredients in Funyuns aren’t ideal for your dog, but what makes them unhealthy? Not only are Funyuns unhealthy for canines, but there are potentially dangerous ingredients in the recipe. Some of the major ones are salt, onion powder, and garlic powder.

Salt

There is far too much salt in Funyuns for them to be considered a safe treat for dogs. Salt is essential to your dog’s diet, but only in small amounts. If your dog eats too many salty snacks in a short period, he may experience salt toxicosis or salt poisoning.

Signs of salt poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, and extreme thirst. If your dog is out of water when the salt poisoning settles in, this will worsen the effects. Lethargy, poor appetite, and a lack of coordination are also signs of eating too much salt. In more severe instances, your dog may experience muscle tremors and kidney failure.

Due to the severe effects of salt, it is important to monitor your dog’s salt intake carefully. There is no need for your dog to have extra salty snacks, like Funyuns, since they add nothing to his nutritional needs.

Onion and Garlic Powder

Onions and garlic are toxic for dogs, especially in powdered form. If your dog consumes enough onions or garlic, he may vomit or experience other gastrointestinal upset. However, the most serious consequence of onion and garlic toxicity is anemia.

This family of vegetables causes free radical formation resulting in damage to your dog’s red blood cell membranes. Since red blood cells are essential to transporting oxygen throughout your dog’s body, the destruction of these cells can cause oxygen deprivation in various organs. This can lead to weakness, increased heart rate, collapse, and death. Your dog may also develop anemia due to the reduced number of red blood cells.

Signs That Your Dog Has Eaten Too Many Funyuns

If your dog snacked on a bag of Funyuns when you weren’t looking, it can be hard to tell how many he has eaten and how concerned you should be. Here are some common signs your dog may experience:

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Poor appetite
• Pale gums

These are not the only signs your dog may display, but they are still strong indicators. If you are concerned for your dog’s health, reach out to your vet immediately.

What to Do If Your Dog Has Eaten Funyuns

If your dog snatched a single bite of a Funyun, there is a good chance that they will suffer no ill effects. Still, it is recommended that you reach out to your vet regardless and relay the event to them, to receive any professional advice. Monitor your pup for any worrying symptoms. If any manifest, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.

If your dog has gotten into an entire bag, or six, of Funyuns, you will need to contact your nearest veterinary clinic for advice straight away. The issues such as salt poisoning and other detrimental effects increase the more your dog eats in a short period. It is dependent on many factors such as weight, size, age, and general health of your dog too.

Health Concerns Your Dog May Face If They Eat a Large Number of Funyuns

We’ve already discussed the immediate issues your dog may face from eating too many Funyuns in a short period. However, there are also health concerns regarding feeding your dog Funyuns regularly over a long time.

The chronic ingestion of onions and garlic products can have a cumulative effect and cause anemia problems over time. Weight gain is another long-term concern associated with unnecessary snacks.

Conclusion

Sharing is caring, but only if there are no negative consequences involved. When it comes to salty snacks like Funyuns, sharing them with your dog can come with various health issues. For this reason, it is best to keep these snacks locked up and out of reach of your dog’s paws.

• Related Read: Can Dogs Eat Slim Jims? (Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ)