Can Dogs Eat Tortillas?

Yes, dogs can eat tortillas in moderation because the ingredients used to make tortillas are dog-safe.

But tortillas should not be given to dogs allergic to gluten or wheat, and make sure the tortillas are plain, with no additional spices or seasonings.

As you know now, the answer to the question “Can dogs eat tortillas?” let’s dive deeper into the topic and learn all you need to know to feed tortillas to your dog safely.

How Many Tortillas Can A Dog Eat?

black dog on the left side with tortillas on the right side

Although tortillas are dangerous to dogs in significant quantities, they are not poisonous to humans.

The primary reason is that dogs should not eat too many calories, as tortillas are high-energy food items.

Due to their high-calorie, salt, and mineral content, tortillas can raise a dog’s risk of health issues.

  • Moderate tortilla eating might not harm the health of an active dog who runs the extra mile to stay in shape.

  • Eating tortillas is dangerous for sluggish dogs who only need 10 to 20 minutes of activity.

  • Consuming tortillas is completely unhealthy for dogs with slow metabolic rates and sensitive stomachs, like most small and medium-sized dogs.

So you can feed your dog one tortilla without any problem, but don’t feed your furry friend too much.

Risks Of Feeding Tortillas To Dogs

Different dogs will react differently to small amounts of tortillas; while some dogs may be able to digest a bite or two of a tortilla wrap without any issues, sensitive dogs may have adverse effects, including vomiting and diarrhea.

Here are more details about the risks of feeding dogs tortillas:

Toxic Ingredients For Dogs

Wide tortilla varieties are packed with flavors or preservatives that can disrupt a dog’s digestive system.

Some preservatives, such as amylases and xylanases, can damage your dog’s pancreas when taken in excessive quantities.

Tortillas Contain Large Amounts Of Carbs, Fats, and Salt

As food for humans, tortillas have high salt, carbohydrate, and fat content.

These can cause your pet to gain weight and develop long-term health issues like pancreatitis and heart disease.

image with pasta in background and a font saying carbs on the front

Tortillas Can Trigger An Allergic Reaction

Flour or corn is the main component of tortillas, produced at home or purchased from a store.

Some dogs are allergic to wheat (including gluten), which can make wheat flour irritate their stomachs or worse.

The corn flour used in tortillas rarely causes problems in dogs but is relatively low in nutrients.

My Dog Ate Many Tortillas – What Should I Do?

If your dog is healthy and has no allergies, eating a few tortillas might not cause any problems.

However, consuming additional tortillas can result in a bad situation, and you might have to drag your furry friend outdoors to relieve gas.

If you notice lethargy or a stomach ache in your dog after he has had additional tortillas, take him to the vet immediately.

After feeding your dog tortillas, you must watch out for any indications of odd routines or behavior.

Don’t relax because the feast’s corn and spices could worsen your dog’s companion’s situation.

Tortilla Ingredients: Toxic To Dogs?

many tortillas with a towel over it

Can dogs safely enjoy tortillas?

No significant health risks are associated with dogs eating tortillas in small amounts.

To start with, tortillas come in two varieties: manufactured and homemade.

Learn about the most frequent components of processed tortillas and why they could harm your dog.

Still, you should ensure your dog is not allergic to corn before giving him a corn tortilla.

Corn Flour

Corn flour is perfectly acceptable to use in your pet’s food, yet it also does not contribute much to your dog’s diet due to its minimal nutritional value.

Those who enjoy baking their food find it particularly helpful because it is gluten-free.

Nixtamalization 

The first step in the tortilla-making process is nixtamalization.

It entails soaking corn in limewater, an alkaline calcium hydroxide solution.

Calcium hydroxide made for food is generally secure.

However, industrial-grade calcium hydroxide is poisonous and can cause serious harm or even death.

Amylases and Xylanases

It is frequently used in corn and wheat tortillas to extend the shelf life of the texture.

A pancreas disease or another medical condition may be indicated by an abnormally high amount of amylase in the blood or urine.

Transglutaminases, Oxidoreductases, And Proteases

These were used to alter the rheological characteristics of tortilla doughs made with wheat flour.

Salt

Giving your dog salty foods like tortillas is not an intelligent idea.

If dogs continuously overeat salt, they might dehydrate and develop more severe diseases.

Aiming for healthy salt content in your dog’s food would be beneficial.

Other Ingredients 

Table tortillas’ shelf life is extended using preservatives, acidulants, emulsifiers, and gums.

For dogs, we advise against feeding processed meals.

Even though some preservatives are safe for people, they can be pretty hazardous to your dog.

Why Are Corn Tortillas Bad For Dogs? 

For dogs, raw corn tortillas have the following adverse effects.

  • Itchy sensation

  • Swelling of eyes

  • Hyperactivity

  • Stomach upset/ Stomach disorder

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • High sugar level

When Do I Need To Visit The Vet?

picture of tortillas from near

Tortillas are not immediately toxic to dogs, and your puppy will probably not get ill after snacking on small amounts of plain tortillas.

However, the equation suddenly changes if the dog eats large amounts of the food and much worse if it’s a processed tortilla.

Whenever you experience any of the aforementioned adverse effects, consult your veterinarian for help and medication for your pet.

Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Tortillas?

dog on the left side with tortillas on the right side

Dogs can generally consume tortillas in moderation on occasion.

Giving puppies a lot of tortillas is a bad idea because they are calorie-dense and unhealthful.

It’s empty calories that could make your dog excessively weight.

Although giving your dog a few nibbles of essential tortillas is generally harmless, other, much healthier treat options are available.

You should be worried if your dog ate a significant amount of them by accident.

In that situation, be sure to get in touch with your veterinarian straight away.

As responsible dog owners, we should only give our puppies tortillas on rare occasions because they are high in calories and carbs and lack nutritional value.

Our dogs will eat anything we give them; so many healthy dog-friendly foods are available that giving our dogs high-calorie, empty-calorie food is not worthwhile.

There are a lot of other foods that dogs can not eat and do the same.

Click the link above to discover the foods.

Before You Go…

Now you know the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat tortillas?”.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Mena Emad, DVM
Mena has a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. His expertise, passion for animal welfare, extensive knowledge, and experience in the field of veterinary medicine make him an excellent resource for our readers.