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Cats have heightened senses, but unfortunately heightened sense of taste isn’t one of them, and this is because they are dedicated carnivores, so they hardly need to taste their food. Plain chips are ok, but can cats eat Takis? can cats eat spicy snacks?
Can cats eat spicy snacks?
Takis are a brand of rolled corn tortilla chips that are coated in a spicy seasoning. The spices in Takis can be irritating to a cat’s stomach and digestive system. Additionally, Takis are high in sodium and fat, which can be unhealthy for cats.
Herbivores like cats have to be careful about the different foods, so they usually have more powerful taste buds. Cats eat the dead things they hunt – they don’t have to explore with their taste buds to ensure the food isn’t rotten or poisonous.
Generally speaking, cats cannot taste most spicy foods. They may sense a little spice, but it won’t come close to human taste. Therefore, your cat may not have a strong reaction to spicy foods at all. However, most cats can smell something spicy, so that they may avoid it altogether.
Unfortunately, cayenne pepper containing capsaicin can cause cats to vomit, have diarrhea, or develop other gastrointestinal problems. The good news is that many cats, and maybe, yours too, will avoid some spices because it smells awful. You usually don’t have to worry about your cat eating it in these cases.
Spicy foods usually contain a lot of spices. Of course, there are many ways to make food spicy that don’t necessarily mean using a lot of spices. For example, sometimes, you can use cayenne pepper.
Usually, a little spicy food will not upset your cat. However, you really shouldn’t let them eat too much spicy food because it can cause some problems.
Can cats eat takis? – The answer
This question is still very heated and controversial because the answer varies from one cat owner to another, simply because some cats like spicy snacks and food while others don’t. Your cat’s taste may differ from some others; Some cats do like Szechuan-style sauces and fajita-style sauces, including mustard!
The general answer is that cats can eat Takis; yes, they can. However, While Takis and most other baked snacks are not toxic to cats, they are not very good from a nutritional standpoint either. Primarily because they contain
- salt
- onion
- And garlic powder, among other ingredients.
Takis are one of the most popular snacks and are known for the spicy flavor they bring.
Takis contain artificial and natural flavors and colors, salt, and more than a dozen other ingredients, including spicy ones.
Some cats do not eat spicy foods, including Taki or any other spicy chips out there; you may need to check with your cat to see what it likes.
If you want to share a bag of chips with your cat, we recommend choosing the most accessible, plain kinds available at the grocery store.
Basically, you can offer any other type of chips that do not contain the spices, artificial flavors, or colors Takis have.
Can cats get sick from eating Takei?
- Yes, cats can get sick from eating a lot of Takis. While there are many spices in Takis that cats don’t like, just because they may want to eat it doesn’t mean it’s safe.
- Takis also contains many unsafe cat ingredients, including MSG (a flavor enhancer), yeast extract, citric acid (a preservative), maltodextrin, silica, natural beef flavoring, and artificial flavors.
- Most importantly, these chips are not the shape or type cats eat. The chips are made of large rounded rectangles that cats must break up before eating because their mouths are not like human mouths.
- If you are worried about the adverse reactions that may arise from your cat eating Takis, it is best to contact your veterinarian. Symptoms are unique to each cat, and it’s essential to ensure no problems before assuming everything is ok.
What are the risks of feeding Takis to cats?
There are several risks associated with feeding Takis to cats, including:
- Stomach upset: The spices in Takis can irritate a cat’s stomach and digestive system, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
- Dehydration: Takis are high in sodium, which can cause cats to become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to a several kinds of health problems, including kidney failure and seizures.
- Weight gain: Takis are also high in fat, which, if not in strict moderations, can lead to weight gain in cats. Obesity is a major health risk for any cats, and it can lead to a wide number of health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes, and even heart disease.
- Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. This can be caused by a number of factors, including eating a high-fat diet. Takis are high in fat, so feeding them to cats can progress their risk of developing pancreatitis.
What are the symptoms of Takis poisoning in cats?
If a cat eats Takis, they may experience the following symptoms:
- Stomach upset: Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
- Dehydration: Increased thirst, decreased urination, dry gums, and lethargy
- Pancreatitis: Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy
What should I do if my cat eats Takis?
If you think your cat has eaten Takis, it is important to contact your veterinarian immediately. They will be able to assess your cat’s condition and provide the appropriate treatment.
How can I prevent my cat from eating Takis?
The best way to prevent your cat from eating Takis is to keep them out of reach. If you have Takis in your home, be sure to store them in a sealed container in a cabinet that your cat cannot access. You should also avoid eating Takis in front of your cat, as this may tempt them to try to eat them.
If you have any concerns about whether or not a particular food is safe for your cat to eat, please consult with your veterinarian.
What are takis made of? The ingredients
Takis come in a variety of flavors. The exact list of ingredients for these flavors will vary (Fuego Hot Chili Pepper & Lime is my favorite).
However, in general, the core ingredients will include
- Maltodextrin
- Salt (toxic)
- Citric acid (a big no-no for cats)
- Flavorings
- Corn starch
- MSG
- Artificial flavors and colors
- Natural spices
- Onion and garlic powder (giant red flag)
- Glucose
- Sesame oil
- Chicken oil
- Sodium citrate
There are some ingredients from the list above that, at best, will only upset your kitten’s stomach. At worst, studies have shown that compounds such as sodium can cause severe health problems.
Can cats eat Takis? The conclusion
Takis, like most other baked snacks – are not toxic or dangerous in small amounts.
If your feline has eaten them before, there is no need to panic, especially if it’s in small amounts. However, this is a bad habit that needs stopping because you don’t want your pet to taste this snack.
Salt, garlic, and onion powder are the main harmful ingredients.
Salt increases thirst in the short term (which is not surprising). In addition, garlic and onions are common causes of red blood cell damage, anemia, and worse.
Therefore, even in small amounts, these ingredients may put your cat at significant risk. So if you can, it’s better to keep Takis away from your cat.
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