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REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY
Dr. Lauren Demos
DVM (Veterinarian)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
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Veggie Straws are popular snacks because they are tasty and seem healthier than some other chip options on the market. However, this does not mean dogs should be indulging in this occasional snack with us. A couple of Veggie Straws are not likely to cause any significant harm, so there is no need to worry if your dog gets a hold of one or two. However, these veggie sticks should not be offered to your dog as part of a meal or even snack. They simply don’t offer any nutritional value to dogs and even contain ingredients that aren’t ideal for canines.
What Exactly Are Veggie Straws Made Of?
Made by Sensible Portions, these deep-fried snacks are found on the store shelves with all kinds of other chips and goodies. They come in different flavor varieties, such as sea salt, ranch, cheddar, BBQ, and even cinnamon apple. Veggie Straws are typically potato based and include many different ingredients, including artificial colors. Despite the name, only veggie powders are included, not any whole vegetables.
Let’s take a look at the ingredients list for basic sea salt Veggie Straws:
- Potato starch
- Potato flour
- Expeller-pressed canola oil, and/or safflower oil, and/or sunflower oil
- Spinach powder
- Tomato paste
- Salt
- Cane sugar
- Corn starch
- Potassium chloride
- Turmeric
- Beetroot powder
- Sea salt
Here’s the nutritional breakdown of sea salt Veggie Straws:
Serving Size: 1 ounceCalories Per Serving: 130
Total Fat: 7 grams
Saturated Fat: 1 gram
Sodium: 220 grams
Fiber: 9 grams
Protein: < 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 17 grams
Veggie Straws are made by combining all the ingredients and then shaping them into straws before deep frying them in hot oil. These snacks have similar amounts of salt and fat as potato chips, which is why they aren’t great options for dogs.
Why Too Much Fat Is Dangerous for Dogs
Dogs can gain weight and become susceptible to obesity when consuming too much fat. Sadly, obese dogs have a high risk of developing various health problems, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Another problem is that consuming too much fat can result in the development of pancreatitis, which causes signs like vomiting, abdomen pain, lethargy, diarrhea, and even depression.
The average adult dog needs no more than 14 grams of fat in a day to stay healthy, and one serving of Veggie Straws provides half of that!
Why Too Much Salt Is Dangerous for Dogs
Unfortunately, when a canine consumes too much salt, it could lead to a problem called salt toxicosis. This is a bigger risk for dogs that are dehydrated. A dog that gets poisoned by eating too much salt may display signs like vomiting, diarrhea, a lack of coordination, a loss of appetite, and excessive thirst. The amount of sodium recommended for most adult dogs is 200 grams a day, yet Veggie Straws have 220 grams per serving, which makes them bad snack options for any dog.
Ingredients in Veggie Straw Flavors That Are Dangerous for Dogs
Certain flavors of Veggie Straws contain ingredients that are poisonous to dogs, including garlic and onion powders. These vegetables are part of the Allium family, and while they are healthy seasonings in most peoples’ kitchens, they are toxic to dogs. They contain a compound that damages red blood cell membranes, which results in them bursting.
When red blood cells are damaged, the organs don’t get enough oxygen, which can lead to anemia, kidney damage, and even death. In addition to the destruction of red blood cell membranes, these seasonings can cause gastrointestinal inflammation and other problems like an irritated mouth, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Veggie Straws
If your dog eats a couple of Veggie Straws, there likely is nothing to worry about. However, if they get their paws on at least a serving’s worth or you don’t know how many they have eaten, it’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately. Depending on the situation, they might recommend that you bring your dog in for a checkup right away or stay at home and look for signs of distress.
These include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Shaking
- Lethargy
- Seizures
If any of these signs are displayed, do not delay—get your dog to the nearest animal hospital immediately. If possible, bring the packaging for the Veggie Straws along so the veterinarian knows exactly what has been consumed.
Healthy Alternatives to Veggie Straws for Your Beloved Canine Companion
While Veggie Straws are not ideal snacks for your dog, there are many crunchy options that they are sure to enjoy just as much and that will not cause danger to them in any way. Fun options to consider include carrot sticks, celery sticks, apple slices, pumpkin chunks, baked sweet potato fries (without salt), and plain popcorn.
Final Thoughts
Due to the fat and salt content in Veggie Straws, they are not the best snack or treat options for dogs. They aren’t even the healthiest snack options for humans. Fortunately, there are many other snack options that we can share with our dogs that are healthy and tasty at the same time. It’s best to stick with things like apples and carrots and keep the Veggie Straws for yourself.
Related Read:
- Can Dogs Eat Bratwurst? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ
- Can Dogs Eat Pirate’s Booty? Vet Approved Health Facts & Risks
Sources
- Sensible Portions: Garden Veggie Straws
- National Academies: Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs
- Pet Poison Helpline: Salt Toxicity to Pets
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Onion, Chive, and Leek Toxicity in Dogs
Featured Image Credit: BW Folsom, Shutterstock
