Can Dogs Eat French Fries? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

It can be really tempting to feed your dog something as delicious as french fries. Especially when they look at you with those puppy dog eyes and when you’re clearly enjoying them so much. Sometimes it’s safe to give your dog a human food treat, and other times it’s not recommended. So, can dogs eat french fries? Are they safe? What about sweet potato ones?

Here’s everything you need to know about feeding french fries to your furry friend.

In Short – Can Dogs Eat French Fries?

If your pup happens to eat a couple of french fries lying around on the floor, it won’t hurt them. French Fries are not toxic to dogs. But that doesn’t mean there’s room for french fries in your dog’s diet. Fries usually contain high levels of salt and fat which can be bad for dogs.

Feeding your pup a healthy human snack such as strawberries or apple is much better for them.

Are There Any Benefits of Feeding Your Dog French Fries?

No, not really. Just like hot dogs, french fries contain lots of fat and salt (which is why they taste so good) and these can cause some severe health problems in dogs such as obesity and salt poisoning if they consume a lot.

Furthermore, the oil used to fry the potatoes can cause your dog to get an upset stomach. This may cause vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, and lethargy.

As is the case with all foods, some dogs may be allergic to potatoes too. Ensure your pup isn’t allergic to potatoes if you decide to give them the odd french fry.

Are French Fries Safe for Dogs?

French Fries aren’t toxic to dogs but they’re not healthy either. So yes, it’s safe for your dog to eat the occasional french fry as a treat but it shouldn’t be part of their diet. They contain too much fat and salt which dogs shouldn’t eat.

If your dog is overweight, they really shouldn’t eat french fries at all. Instead, try feeding them healthier alternatives such as lettuce, cucumber, or asparagus.

How Many French Fries Can Dogs Eat?

Ideally, your pup shouldn’t eat any french fries as they’re not healthy for them. If, however, you do decide to feed them to your dog you should keep it to a minimum. One or two french fries might not be healthy, but they won’t cause any harm to your dog either.

Don’t give your dogs lots of french fries as this can cause some serious issues. If, by mistake, your dog does get their paws on a bag of french fries, monitor them for any signs of salt poisoning or an upset stomach.

Signs of salt poisoning include diarrhea, weakness, tremors, and seizures. Contact your vet right away if you suspect your dog has salt poisoning.

If you do give your dog a french fry, make sure it’s plain. Some fries have seasons such as garlic or onion salt on them which can be toxic to dogs. What’s more, some dips can also be toxic to dogs because of the additives or sugars they have. Only feed your pup plain fries.

Healthy Alternatives to French Fries to Feed Your Dog

If you really want to feed your pup french fries, a good alternative is to feed them homemade sweet potato fries. Sweet potatoes are full of nutrients and vitamins and are a much healthier option for pooches. In fact, sweet potatoes are often used in healthy fresh dog food recipes too.

Cut up a sweet potato into fry shape strips and slowly baked them in the oven. Don’t deep fry them as you would french fries, otherwise, they could be bad for your dog’s health too.

Even though they’re healthy, sweet potato fries should only be given in moderation. Pups should be getting most of their nutrients from canine-specific dog food. 10% of your dog’s diet can be healthy human snacks given as an occasional treat. Check out the BarkingTalk Food Page for more ideas on healthy snacks to give your pooch.

Final Thoughts – Can Dogs Eat French Fries?

In general, dogs should not eat french fries. This delicious fast food contains too much salt and unhealthy fats to be part of our pups’ diet. Having said that, if your pup eats a few french fries they shouldn’t have any bad reactions. French fries aren’t toxic to dogs, but they don’t have any nutritional value either. Stick to healthier human foods as snacks – your pup will thank you for it!