French fries sure are tasty, and your dog’s puppy eyes may tempt you to toss them a fry or two. So, can dogs eat french fries? While the occasional french fry is unlikely to significantly harm an otherwise healthy dog, it’s certainly not good for them.

Find out why it’s best to keep french fries away from your canine companion.

Why French Fries Are Bad For Your Dog

French fries are high in fat and sodium, which can easily cause gastrointestinal upset in your dog. Signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Additionally, some french fries are covered in toxic seasonings that can result in serious, life-threatening illness for your dog. Under no circumstance should you give a dog a french fry with garlic or onion powder on it.

If your dog is eating food approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for their life stage, your dog is getting all their daily requirements in their commercial dog food. The commercial food needs to make up at least 90% of your dog’s caloric intake. Any treats, french fries included, should not comprise more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. French fries are high in calories, easily throwing off your dog’s balanced diet.

Potential Health Problems

French fries and other fried foods can cause or contribute to a host of specific health issues, including:

• Pancreatitis: Fatty foods can trigger inflammation in the pancreas, which causes severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pancreatitis usually requires hospitalization to treat.
• Diabetes: The high fat and carbohydrate content of french fries can contribute to the development of diabetes if regularly given to your pet.
• Obesity: Obesity shortens a dog's average lifespan and increases the risk of chronic health issues like diabetes or arthritis

French fries may also exacerbate health issues that your dog already has, such as chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, heart disease, or inflammatory bowel disease.

What to Do If Your Dog Eats French Fries

If your dog gets their paws on a couple of normal french fries, you’re usually okay to monitor your dog at home, contacting your veterinarian if you notice loss of appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea.

However, if your dog gets into a lot of french fries, it may be best to contact your veterinarian. They may still have you monitor at home, but the risk of your dog experiencing gastrointestinal upset is much higher. You should also contact your veterinarian if the french fries were seasoned with any toxic ingredients.

What to Feed Your Dog Instead of French Fries

There are many other healthier options you can feed to your dog as a treat. Aside from commercially prepared treats that are formulated with dogs in mind, the following fruits and vegetables may be good alternatives to french fries:

• Boiled or steamed sweet potatoes (no seasonings or oils added)
• Carrots
• Pumpkin
• Zucchini
• Apples
• Blueberries
• Air-popped popcorn (no seasonings or oils added)

Make sure to check with your veterinarian before adding any new foods to your dog’s diet, especially if your dog has an underlying health condition.