Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots? Safe Or Dangerous?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes! Here’s a video that shows that dogs can eat tater tots if they know where to look.
This is a question I get asked all the time. Well, as it turns out, yes, dogs can eat tater tots. It’s important to note that dogs are not capable of eating the food product itself. Rather, they are able to eat the crumbs that fall off the product when they are chewed. What this means to you, the dog owner, is that you don’t have to worry about wasting the food you’ve made for your dog. This is because the dog will be too busy eating the “taties” to ever get into your pantry or fridge.
My dog has eaten tater tots before, so I was skeptical about whether or not he could eat them again. However, I was amazed at what he ate!
What are Tater tots?
Tater tots are potato nuggets deep-fried to a golden brown. In the United States, they’re one of the most popular snacks.
Ore-Ida, the business that invented tater tots, owns the trademark on the snack food. As a result, they’re a common sight around the country.
What are Tater tots made of?
Tasty tater tots consist of potato, oil, salt and seasoning.
Potatoes that have been peeled and cooked are coarsely shredded and blended with flour, salt, and other flavorings. Once the mixture has been molded into “tots,” they are cooked in vegetable oil until they are golden brown.
Can dogs eat tater tots?
It’s not recommended that you give your dog tater tots unless you’ve made them from scratch using dog-safe materials and cooked them completely. Despite the fact that tater tots are made from potatoes, they include a lot of fat, salt, and preservatives that are terrible for your dog’s health, so you may assume they’re safe.
Are Tater tots bad for dogs?
This human meal is not suitable for dogs to eat. It’s dangerous for dogs’ health to be fed Tater tots, which can lead to illness and obesity. Seasonings in Tater tots may be harmful to dogs, according to some experts.
Each of the components in Tater tots will be discussed in detail below.
Potato
Potatoes have lately been linked to a possibly deadly cardiac ailment in dogs by the Food and Drug Administration. Heart enlargement and impaired cardiac function are symptoms of Dilated Cardiomyopathy, or DCM. Heart failure is a very real threat to dogs with the disease.
Avoid giving potatoes to your dog if you can, despite the fact that this may not happen from just one potato.
Oil
To get its golden hue and crispy texture, tater tots are deep fried in a lot of oil. All that oil, on the other hand, is extremely hazardous to dogs.
Eating fatty meals can induce intestinal problems and pancreatic inflammation in dogs. It’s possible that this will lead to canine obesity and heart issues in the long term.
Salt
Most foods include a lot of salt, and Tater Tots are no exception.
For instance, a half-cup portion of Ore-Ida Tater tots has over 310mg of salt. The sodium content of this salt exceeds the recommended daily allowance for most dogs. It can even be harmful to tiny pets.
Seasoning
It is common for commercially marketed Tater tots to be flavored with herbs and spices. Some of these spices, on the other hand, are poisonous to dogs. Onion and garlic are frequently used as flavoring ingredients in recipes. Toxic to dogs, these substances can cause anemia.
Flour
Food manufacturers use flour to increase the consistency of dog food since it’s healthy for canines. Tater tots recipes, on the other hand, employ flour to make them crispy. The Tater tots’ crunch comes from the flour that soaks up the oil throughout the frying process. Even though flour is okay for dogs to consume, its use in Tater tots makes it dangerous.
Chicken nuggets are a human food that contains many of the same components as Tater tots. Fried chicken nuggets also contain flour, salt, oil, and other seasonings like Tater tots.
Why the cooking method is bad
Tater tots are unhealthy, oily, and fatty since they are deep-fried in high-temperature hydrogenated oil. Foods that have been deep-fried are not recommended for consumption by dogs. People who consume a lot of fried and fatty foods run the risk of developing pancreatitis and becoming obese.
Why Tater Tots Carbs and Calories are Bad
tater tots are heavy in carbs since they are prepared from potatoes. Though carbohydrates aren’t a terrible thing for your dog, limiting the amount of carbs they ingest is important. If they don’t, they may become overweight or diabetic.
Now, keep in mind that your dog is already getting most of the daily nourishment it needs from the food you are presently providing it. ‘ Adding in additional calories and carbs just increases the risk of obesity and the associated health issues….
High in calories and carbohydrates
Tater tots are a high-calorie and high-carbohydrate option. Your dog’s weight and age determine how many calories he requires each day. It’s possible to make him fat if you feed him more calories than he needs each day.
When it comes to feeding your dog, Tater Tots may seem like an easy way to meet its daily quota. But the calories they supply are mainly trans and saturated fats, which are harmful for dogs. Consider both the number and the quality of calories when making food choices for your dog.
Carbohydrates are essential for the growth and development of young pups. In the end, extra carbohydrates are deposited as fat in the dogs’ bodies. Obesity and diabetes can result from this.
All carbs are made up of sugar, starch and fiber. The flour and sugar in tater tots make them high in calories, but they’re poor in fiber. In big quantities, sugar and carbohydrates can add to your dog’s weight and can be dangerous.
Can Dogs Have Tater Tots?
It’s fine for dogs to enjoy tater tots, but it’s best not to offer them more than once in a while, as they include unhealthy fats and preservatives. Remove the skin and fat off tater tots before frying them for your dog to enjoy as a treat.
Make sure your dog doesn’t eat any more Tater Tots if he has an episode of this behavior! When onions are consumed by dogs, they may develop vomiting, diarrhea, or even more serious neurological issues.
Do Dogs Like Tater Tots?
The majority of dogs prefer tater tots cooked in healthy oils rather than fried. Even if your dog doesn’t like them in a healthy way, you, as their owner, must take care of them and ensure their well-being.
Final Verdict On Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots
Whether or not dogs can eat Tater Tots is an open question. Dogs are not allowed to eat tater tots because they pose a health risk! If you can’t locate a food that your dog like more, you can feed him raw potatoes.
Is Tater Tots Safe for Dogs to Eat? In the first place, tater tots are harmful for your dog’s health because of the high levels of unhealthy fats, preservatives, and salts in the recipe. Plus, what else? Tater tots are often baked or fried in fat, therefore they have a high calorie content despite their deliciousness. Onion is a poisonous meal for dogs, thus some potatoes are also seasoned with onion.
Is Tater Tots Safe for Dogs? Tater Tots can induce diarrhea and vomiting in your dog, which many people don’t realize! One explanation for this is because the potatoes contain more water in them than conventional potatoes, making them easier to digest but also reducing the amount of nutrients per serving in each.
For dogs that have digestive system problems because they are nightshade family members, potatoes can be harmful.
Can Dogs Eat Tater Tots if they are Homemade?
The best way to avoid the hazards of feeding your dog tater tots is to make them yourself at home with a simple recipe.
Non-dangerous ingredients are peeled potatoes, unflavored and unsweetened gelatin, a little amount of flour or corn starch, and water. Also, you’ll want to bake them rather than fry them, so that the oils don’t go into your dog’s digestive tract.
It takes a lot of time and effort to give your dog a reward that has no nutritional value at all, in my view.
So why bother feeding your dog potatoes when you don’t want him to eat a much of them? Check out our post on feeding your dog mashed potatoes for some reasonable logic.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort to make your dog some goodies, there are hundreds of recipes for dog-friendly snacks available online.
Can dogs eat frozen Tater tots?
Frozen tater tots, on the other hand, contain high quantities of fats, salt, and preservatives, all of which are hazardous for a dog’s well-being.
Can dogs eat sweet potato Tater tots?
Sweet potatoes are a better choice than normal potatoes since they are lower in sugar content. The procedure of creating Tater tots from sweet potato, even if you use sweet potato instead of ordinary potato, renders them unsuitable for ingestion by dogs.
Warning: Caffeinated soda drinks like Sprite and other fast food products like Tater tots should not be given to dogs since they might induce elevated heart rate or possibly caffeine poisoning in dogs.
When shouldn’t you feed Tater tots to your dog?
When feeding a dog that is elderly, overweight, diabetic, sodium-sensitive or inactive, tater tots are not recommended.
Feeding your dog Tater tots after they’ve had their fill of salty meals for the day can increase their sodium consumption, which could contribute to dehydration or excessive urine in your pup.
Avoid feeding your dog Tater tots unless you cook them yourself from materials you’ve selected. Tater tots served in restaurants and markets may include additives that are harmful to dogs.
Do Tater tots give any nutritional benefit to your dog?
Vitamins B6, C, iron, magnesium, and carbs are found in potatoes. Putting them in tater tots, on the other hand, increases their fat and salt content to dangerous levels. M
And dogs already have a problem with potatoes. Dogs may get their vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals from a variety of other sources, including meat, vegetables, and fruits.
What if my dog accidentally ate Tater tots?
Without the onion or garlic flavoring, tater tots are safe to consume. You don’t need to be alarmed if your dog consumes a few.
Tater tots and other fried meals, on the other hand, might cause stomach distress in your dog. Keep an eye out for indications of vomiting or diarrhea in your pets and get them to the doctor right away if anything out of the ordinary happens.
It’s fine if your dog accidentally eats some Tater Tots, but if he or she does it frequently, this fried meal will decrease their lifespan.
Treatments if your dog has Tater tots poisoning
In the event that your pet ate more than a few Tater tots, you should seek advice from your veterinarian, especially if your pet is elderly or already suffers from a medical problem. You should be extremely careful if your dog has any of these conditions: diabetes, heart problems, renal problems, or salt sensitivity.
Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common methods for a dog to rid itself of a noxious meal. Veterinary intervention is necessary if the disease persists or if the dog displays indications of poisoning.
The doctor may prescribe drugs to assist dogs keep food down if they have been vomiting or diarrhea for an extended period of time. In order to maintain the dogs’ energy levels as they heal, they may provide IV fluids.
Never attempt to address a condition without consulting a veterinarian first.
What are some dog-friendly and safe alternatives to Tater tots?
This dish is high in carbohydrates and fat. Dogs don’t require a lot of additional fat in their diets. Additionally, tater tots are not the healthiest food option. Carbohydrates may be found in a variety of healthful diets for dogs, including:
Coconut. Good fats and carbohydrates may be found in coconuts. It improves the dog’s immune system and reduces inflammation. It also softens and shines their coats.
Bananas. Bananas are also a good source of potassium and minerals, making them a nutritious snack option. Sun-drying banana slices may also make them crispy.
Apple. In addition to being high in fiber and sugar, apples are also a good source of both. Before feeding them to your dog, cut them into small pieces and remove the seeds.
Pumpkin. In addition to being a great source of fiber, it also aids the dog’s digestive and immune systems.
Carrots. Crunchy and sugary, carrots are a great source of carbohydrates and vitamins. You may either cut them into bite-sized pieces or offer them entire baby carrots to make it easier for them to chew.
Treats for your dog. Doggy snacks come in a wide range of flavors and textures. Dogs can eat them because they’re comprised of safe and nutritious ingredients.
Tater tots created from scratch. Your dog won’t become sick or suffer toxicity if you make Tater tots from materials that are suitable for dogs to eat.
When time is of the essence, we have a supply of the following dog treats on hand:
All the ingredients in this fruit and vegetable dog treat are natural, and the sweet potato chew is completely vegan, grain-free, and gluten-free.
Sweet potato, carrot, and quinoa are all included in one bag of the vegan, grain-free, and low-calorie crispy dog treats. It’s created in the United States of America, and it’s derived from sustainable sources.
They come in a variety of tastes, including as berries, greens, and vegetables. Dog treats made in the United States are gluten-free and high in antioxidants, making them ideal for pets with food allergies.
Store-Bought or Restaurant Tater Tots
It is not uncommon for frozen tater tots to use various spices or preservatives in an effort to increase their flavor or shelf life.
As a general rule, unless the only item on the bag is potatoes and nothing else, you should keep your dog away from it.
It doesn’t matter if you eat at a quick food restaurant or a fine dining establishment. The ingredients list for your tater tots will not be included with your order. Don’t offer these to your dog since you don’t know what’s in them. It’s really that easy.
The following items, other than potatoes, are frequently encountered in combination (though not always all at the same time):
Sodium ion poisoning in dogs is caused by a diet high in salt. A coma, renal damage, and other detrimental outcomes might result from this.
It’s beneficial for dogs, but parsley is bad for those with renal issues.
It doesn’t matter if it’s just once that your dog consumes onion powder; it might still be poisoning it.
Dogs may safely consume a tiny amount of black pepper. They also suffer a bad stomach ache.
Garlic Powder- Garlic can cause anemia in dogs by destroying red blood cells. Despite claims to the contrary, the only way to safely provide a little dose of garlic to a dog without endangering him is in a laboratory.
Oregano, like black pepper, is safe for dogs in modest doses, but overdosing may be dangerous.
Dill, in moderation, may be a wonderful source of nutrition for your dog in a variety of ways. Your dog’s weight determines how much moderation you should use.
For the most part, every manufacturer’s definition of “Italian seasoning” will be unique. It’s possible that much of it is fine or even healthy. It’s possible, though, that the spice in there is detrimental to dogs.
Onion and garlic powders are commonly used in chili powder blends. It’s not healthy for the dog at all.
A tater tot with different combinations of the components on this list sounds great to us. Then why shouldn’t it be? It’s food for humans!
Is there any goodness in tater tots for canines?
In tater tots, the only source of nourishment comes from the potatoes. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and carbs. Although tater tots have a lot of fat and salt in them, your dog can receive their vitamin and mineral intake elsewhere.
Are tater tots safe for puppies to have?
It is not recommended that you give your puppy tater tots as a snack or reward. Adding salt, oil, and possibly hazardous spices to your pet’s food might cause them to become ill. Puppies require the right quantity of water, protein, healthy fats, carbs, and minerals to grow and thrive. Your veterinarian’s recommendation is the best diet for your puppy.
So, can dogs eat Tater tots?
Dogs can become ill if they consume a large number of Tater Tots. Obesity, heart disease, diabetes, pancreatitis, salt poisoning, and a slew of other illnesses can be caused by eating Tater Tots on a regular basis.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat tater tots? Well, if you’re asking me, then you’re probably already eating them anyway. But, I’ll tell you a secret. I don’t eat them anymore. When I was growing up, my dad was always cooking them for us when we had family dinners. He would also take us to the park with our dogs. Every time we’d go to the park, my dad would buy tater tots. We were usually the first ones there, so he’d feed them to the dogs. At the time, it seemed like a harmless thing to do. It just didn’t occur to me that they could be unhealthy for the dogs. So, when I got older, and started eating tater tots, I didn’t think much of it.
I have been working in animal shelter for the past six years and I have been raising the puppies of different breeds. I have had experience in training the puppies in obedience, agility, and other dog sports.
My main objective is to train the puppies to become good family pets. They should be well-behaved and trained to be loving, loyal, and obedient.
Contact me:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (912) 634-3631
Address: 102 Village Way Crk Saint Simons Island, Georgia(GA), 31522
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