Can Cats Eat Cheetos?

Cheetos are a crunchy corn puff snack made by Frito-Lay. This spicy treat is quite popular in humans and is considered one of the most loved snacks for everyone, but what about your little feline friend. If you are a responsible pet owner, you are probably wondering, can cats eat Cheetos?
Well, Cheetos are not poisonous to cats. However, they are not an ideal snack for your kitty as well. No matter how tasty they are, Cheetos are still junk food that offers less nutrition. Furthermore, cats are carnivores, meaning they need meat and cannot effectively process non-meat food.
We don’t recommend feeding your cat Cheetos because this treat contains numerous spices and a higher content of sodium. Too much sodium in cats can lead to several health complications, including salt poisoning.
Read on to learn why you should not offer Cheetos to your cats:

Why Do Cats Like Cheetos?

Cheetos are made of cornmeal. Vegetable oil, whey, salt, maltodextrin, canola oil, cheese seasoning, vegetable oil, and more. As you can see, this treat is rich in salt and dairy products that attract your feline. Furthermore, cats are curious creatures. As Cheetos features a unique scent, cats tend to fall for these delicious corn puffs.
The main reason a cat loves Cheetos is because of the high content of sodium in them. Remember that salt is toxic for your kitty. As cats have quite a sensitive stomach, too much salt can upset their stomach and lead to numerous health problems.

Why Are Cheetos Unhealthy for Cats?

To understand why Cheetos are unhealthy for your little feline friend, you must understand their ingredients and effect on cats. According to Thrillist, a bag of Cheetos contains the following ingredients:

Salt

One of the main ingredients that you should worry about is salt. For humans, salt is quite vital for nerve and cellular health. This ingredient is also crucial for cats, and without it, they won’t be able to perform effectively. However, according to some studies, too much salt does more harm than good.
Can cats eat hot Cheetos? Hot Cheetos are loaded with sodium content. If your cat consumes too much salt, it can lead to salt poisoning. Common symptoms of salt poisoning in cats include:

⦁ Lack Of Coordination
⦁ Lethargy
⦁ High Blood Pressure
⦁ Lack Of Appetite
⦁ Vomiting
⦁ Tremors
⦁ Excessive Thirst
⦁ Swelling
⦁ Diarrhea

Furthermore, if you feed your cat too much Cheetos and salt, they can lead to a stroke which is quite lethal. Remember that, cat’s immune system is not as effective as ours, so even a little amount of salt can cause these health complications.

Cheese Seasoning

No Cheetos flavor can be completed without cheese seasoning. However, it is one of the main reasons why you should not feed your cat this treat. As we all know, most cats out there are lactose intolerant, which means they cannot process dairy products, including cheese, effectively.
Can cats eat cheese puffs? Well, your feline’s taste buds might think cheese puffs are delicious, but their digestive system might beg to differ. Even a little dairy can cause some severe health problems in cats, including:
⦁ Dehydration
⦁ Polydipsia
⦁ Constipation
⦁ Diarrhea
⦁ Vomiting
⦁ Bloating
⦁ Abdominal Pain
⦁ Excessive Gas
⦁ Gastrointestinal Infection

Vegetable Oil

Can cats eat hot flaming Cheetos? According to the official website, flaming hot Cheetos contain three types of vegetable oil, such as sunflower, canola, and corn oil. A little amount of vegetable oil is healthy for your feline friend. However, too much of it can upset your cat’s stomach and digestive system.
In addition, the natural fat derived from animal products is fine for your kitty. But the vegetable oil that Cheetos contains offers processed fat that can surely lead to obesity and other weight-related problems.

Enriched Cornmeal

Well, enriched cornmeal doesn’t sound too bad, does it? For humans, enriched cornmeal is not the worst thing in the world to consume. However, corn is a grain, and cats are carnivores, meaning they cannot effectively process plant-based products, including grains.
Small animals and seafood offer the essential nutrient, minerals, and vitamins that your feline friend needs. So, if you feed them too much Cheetos, they won’t get their essential nutrients to survive. Furthermore, Cheetos are rich in carbohydrates that don’t do much for your kitty, except build up as fat.
In short, too much Cheetos result in fat that can lead to:

⦁ Heart Diseases
⦁ Diabetes
⦁ Arthritis
⦁ Muscle Pain
⦁ Obesity

Healthier Alternative to Cheetos for Cats

Cats are quite picky when it comes to food. They decide what they want to eat and won’t eat. Plus, no two cats are the same. If one kitty likes the taste of Cheetos, others might not even touch it. If your feline friend is begging for a snack; fortunately, there are several other options available that are healthier and tastier than Cheetos, including:

⦁ Cooked eggs
⦁ Fish
⦁ Chicken without the skin
⦁ Healthier cat food
⦁ Anchovies
⦁ Veggies

Most cat owners out there ask, can pregnant cats eat hot Cheetos? Well, the answer to this question is simple, NO. Don’t feed your pregnant cat Cheetos or other unhealthy treats because they can harm the kitten as well as the mother. For pregnant cats, stick with a regular and nutrient-rich diet.

How Many Cheetos Are Safe for Cats?

If your cat ate one or two Cheetos behind your back, you probably don’t have to worry about anything. However, because Cheetos are loaded with salt and dairy products, it’s a possibility your feline might get a little sick.
Suppose your cat consumed too many Cheetos; in that case, closely monitor your feline. If you see any abnormal behavior, immediately contact your vet and follow his instruction.

Conclusion

Can cats eat Cheetos? Well, Cheetos are free from toxicity, meaning they are not lethal for your feline friend. However, because this snack is loaded with sodium and dairy products, it’s not an ideal treat for your kitty.
If your cat is craving a snack, offer some healthier snacks such as anchovies or chicken without skin instead of Cheetos.