In this brief discussion, we’ll answer the question, “Can dogs eat Hash browns?” We will also talk about the health risks associated with hash browns, what will happen if dogs eat hash browns and what to do if your dog eats a hash brown.
Can dogs eat hash browns?
No, dogs cannot eat hash browns. Hash brown is a caloric-dense treat which contains excess amounts of salt, saturated fats, carbohydrates and harmful seasonings. Frequent or constant consumption of hash browns can greatly upset your dog’s health.
Dogs can sometimes suffer from an upset stomach and even develop pancreatitis. Therefore, it is best to avoid feeding such caloric-dense treats to dogs and opt for healthy and nutritious treats instead.
What are the health risks of feeding hash browns to dogs?
Hash browns are not considered healthy for dogs and should not be fed to them because of the health risks given below:
It can cause sodium poisoning in dogs
Hash browns have a high salt content which can trigger many health issues in dogs including salt poisoning. Consumption of foods with excess salt can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, excessive urination, excessive thirst and stomach issues in dogs.
It can cause obesity in dogs
Hash browns are caloric-dense treats that contain a lot of unhealthy fats and carbohydrates. Consistent Consumption of such high-calorie food can result in unhealthy weight gain which can eventually lead to obesity.
Moreover, such fatty foods can also upset your dog’s digestive system resulting in stomach pain and diarrhoea. Furthermore, developing obesity can create many other health issues for dogs including hypertension and heart disease.
It can cause solanine poisoning in dogs
Hash browns are made of potatoes which contain solanine, a toxic compound for dogs. Cooked potatoes have a comparably lower content of solanine than raw ones but they still contain enough solanine to upset your dog’s health. Therefore, you should avoid feeding hash browns to dogs.
It can cause garlic and onion poisoning in dogs
Hash browns may contain certain ingredients such as garlic and onion which are considered highly toxic for dogs. Consumption of such ingredients can lead to severe health issues including hemolytic anaemia.
Garlic and Onion can also greatly upset your dog’s stomach and cause diarrhoea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Moreover, dogs can also experience lethargy, and changes in appetite, heart rate, respiratory rate and urine colour. Therefore, it is best to stay cautious and keep hash browns away from dogs.
Can dogs eat Mcdonald’s hash browns?
No, dogs cannot eat Mcdonald’s hash browns. Mcdonald’s hash browns are deep fried and contain a lot of unhealthy saturated and trans fats. These fats can cause many health issues in dogs including long-term health problems like pancreatitis.
Moreover, the high salt content of such hash browns can upset your dog’s stomach and cause salt poisoning. Therefore, hash browns should not be given to dogs whether they’re homemade or bought from Mcdonald’s.
What will happen if my dog eats hash browns?
If your dog eats a small amount of hash brown, he will most likely be Okay. However, if your dog eats a considerable amount of hash browns, he can suffer from sodium poisoning, garlic poisoning or onion poisoning. The most common symptoms of poisoning include:
- Changes in appetite
- Dehydration
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy and weakness
What to do if my dog eats hash browns?
Most dogs won’t suffer from any health issues if they consume a small number of hash browns. However, if your dog consumes a large number of hash browns, keep an eye on your dog for any behavioural changes.
If your dog shows any unusual behaviour, call your vet immediately and make an appointment.
Conclusion
We answered the question, “Can dogs eat Hash browns?” We also talked about the health risks associated with hash browns, what will happen if dogs eat hash browns and what to do if your dog eats a hash brown.
