Just like all snacks, hot Cheetos are an inevitable part of a movie night, as well as any other night when you’re bored. Can cats eat hot Cheetos for the same reasons?
You may think that cats have their own preference, just like humans do. Some of us don’t like spicy things whereas others can’t live without them.
However, you don’t have to be an animal expert to know that felines aren’t fond of hot foods like Cheetos. What should you do if she managed to grab a bite of it while you were focused on your movie? Should you call an emergency vet or wait for any reactions?
There are a million questions we, as cat parents, ask ourselves when our little rascals become a little too adventurous.
Their spontaneous spirits are amusing at times, but they can also give us a heart attack every once in a while. You know human snacks aren’t their natural choice of food, so you probably wonder can cats eat hot Cheetos?
Can cats eat hot Cheetos?
You probably came here because your pet has stolen a few of your hot Cheetos. Now, you know that cats can indeed devour them, but the real question is should they?
Well, they shouldn’t because it doesn’t hold any nutritional value for them. In addition, these snacks contain certain ingredients that can be harmful to felines.
So, if your furry friend happened to munch down on these snacks, it depends if you should be worried. While a tiny bite isn’t likely to do any serious damage to your cat, you should be worried if she indulges in it.
Hot Cheetos aren’t made for feline consumption and you should not encourage her to eat them. These human snacks aren’t recommended because of the various ingredients that are a potential health risk for cats.
Why are hot Cheetos bad for cats?
We’ve established that human snacks aren’t the right choice for your feline. Now, you wonder why is that?
Cats are obligate carnivores and are wired to consume meat. It’s because they get all the needed nutrients from this source and other foods are more difficult to digest.
Speaking of nutrients, hot Cheetos is low on those. It doesn’t have many health benefits for humans, let alone our furry companions.
When facing a dilemma about whether you should offer your cat some snacks like hot Cheetos or plain potato chips, take the following into consideration.
Remember that there are no advantages to this food, and moreover, it can be harmful. Let’s see in what way are these snacks unhealthy for cats.
1. A load of carbs
First of all, a snack means that it’s not a proper meal, but something to stifle your hunger with. It also means something quick and tasty that will temporarily make your feel full.
However, to accomplish the feeling of fullness in the least amount of time, snacks are loaded with carbohydrates and calories. Simple as that, right?
Well, this snack that makes you feel full in a short amount of time doesn’t provide you with a lot of health benefits. We all love carbs and we need them daily, for sure. Cats require a certain amount of them as well, but how do you know if she’s had too much?
An average feline should consume approximately 200 calories per day which is enough to keep her fit and functioning. However, we all know what happens when we exceed the carb limit.
Can cats eat hot Cheetos and become overweight? Of course, they can! Besides being overweight, your pet could become ill if you’re constantly sharing your snacks with her.
She could start having problems with her stomach and experience some symptoms of an upset stomach. These include vomiting, diarrhea, as well as abdominal pain.
2. What about fat?
Next to carbs, hot Cheetos are packed with fat, and it’s not the healthy kind. The thing is, felines need a particular amount of fat in their diets as it serves different purposes in their bodies.
Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods such as mackerel and other seafood. These benefit your pet’s skin, fur, as well as bones, and teeth.
Besides, healthy, unsaturated fats are one of the most important energy sources for felines. They fuel their bodies and provide warmth; without them, cats could lose weight rapidly and fall sick quickly.
So, can cats eat hot Cheetos because of the fat content? No!
What’s wrong with the fat found in these snacks? The type of fat found in them is unhealthy and saturated. These are in no way good for your pet’s health.
Saturated lipids are a major cause for concern if your cat’s been consuming them regularly. They are known to raise cholesterol levels in the blood which can cause additional health issues.
With high blood cholesterol, your pet is at risk of suffering from a heart stroke and various heart diseases. Not to mention the additional pounds she puts on, and the trouble of losing them later on.
3. Can cats eat hot Cheetos because of the calories?
I don’t want to be a party pooper, but it’s not recommended. Sure, everyone needs calories and so does your pet. However, too much of this nutrient isn’t guaranteed to make her feel any better.
On the contrary, calorie-dense foods are known to cause various problems concerning feline health. Just like humans, they can put on extra weight which can add stress on their joints.
This may not be so alarming in her younger years, but older cats will experience a lot of trouble later on. Joint pressure can lead to inflammation, also known as arthritis. This is a painful disease that seriously undermines the quality of your pet’s life.
Therefore, you should really think of the future your cat’s going to have. I know it’s all done in the spur of the moment, but that one snack may cost her some pain in her later years.
As if this wasn’t enough, your obese cat will have her plate full of trouble. If she doesn’t manage to lose weight, there’s a chance of her developing diabetes.
So, you might want to cut down on the number of snacks she eats. This might mean fewer movies for you, but if that is what’s necessary for your feline friend’s health, you have to do it.
What else should you be worried about?
So far, we’ve seen how the regular consumption of these snacks can affect your pet and they’re not what you want happening. However, there’s more to these spicy chips than meets the eye.
There are a few more health concerns regarding your cat eating hot Cheetos. I know this might discourage you, but there are a ton of cat-appropriate treats out there like dried sardines.
Therefore, make sure she sticks to her own small bites that are specifically made for her carnivorous system. Apart from carbs, fat, and calories, you may want to be wary of the salt and spices found in hot Cheetos.
Salt content
I know it seems like the trouble is never-ending, but that’s the price you have to pay when buying snacks like these. When it comes to hot Cheetos, they’re packed with salt.
You know when you munch down on these snacks and it leaves your fingertips all salty? Yeah, that kind of salty. So, sodium isn’t recommended for felines because it can cause poisoning.
While humans don’t really like bland foods and use this table condiment for literally everything, cats are more than fine without it. Can cats eat hot Cheetos and get poisoned by salt? Well, it’s uncommon but it’s a very real possibility.
Sodium toxicity can make your cat feel nauseous and before you know it, she’ll begin vomiting and drooling all over the place. Furthermore, signs of salt poisoning include diarrhea, dehydration, excessive thirst, and urination.
These are some common symptoms to look out for, and they can range from mild to severe. Alarming signs involve tremors, seizures, and finally, a coma.
To prevent this from happening, keep your feline away from salty snacks like Takis and hot Cheetos. Her begging may be difficult to overcome, but remember it’s for her own good.
Can cats eat hot Cheetos because of spices?
This is a big no-no. We’ve confirmed why salt is bad for felines and spices are not much different. Some of them can be toxic just like sodium. Others don’t have to be but are still not recommended.
Usually, the spices found in these types of snacks include garlic and onion powder, chili, paprika, and others. Unfortunately, these are all known to be poisonous to felines.
Garlic and onion powder, as well as any other member of the Allium family, are off-limits for your pet. They’re known to destroy her red blood cells which leads to various types of anemia.
Furthermore, chili, as well as paprika, contain a compound called capsaicin. This strong spice could leave your pet with an upset stomach, which could provoke all sorts of unwanted side symptoms.
These can be similar to the signs of sodium toxicity, so it would be kind of hard to distinguish them. However, these include vomiting, diarrhea, as well as runny nose from all that strong smell.
But, I should remind you that your cat’s smell is way stronger than yours, so it’s likely she’ll run from these scents on her own. Just like black pepper, they serve as a natural cat repellent because of their powerful aroma.
To sum up
Can cats eat hot Cheetos? This question has been running on your mind all day, and I’m more than glad that I had managed to answer it.
These snacks are not good for felines because of the high levels of carbs, fat, and calories. Moreover, they contain certain ingredients that are harmful to your pet, such as salt and spices.
