Can Dogs Eat Tortillas?

Yes, dogs can safely eat a small piece of a plain, unseasoned flour or corn tortilla made from basic ingredients like flour or corn, water, and minimal salt. But that doesn’t mean they should eat them.  

Tortillas are essentially refined carbohydrates, so they don’t provide the protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals dogs can get from a complete and balanced diet.  

Not really. From a nutritional standpoint, tortillas aren’t beneficial for dogs. 

Because they’re high in carbohydrates, they’re mostly empty calories. Dogs do use carbohydrates for energy, but they already get the nutrients and calories they need from their regular food.    

While some tortillas contain trace amounts of fiber or minerals, the amounts are too small to provide meaningful health benefits.  

Overall, tortillas don’t add nutritional value to your dog’s diet and are best avoided. 

Some tortillas contain ingredients that are bad for your dog and may cause serious health problems.  

Avoid tortillas that contain:  

• Garlic or onion powder: Garlic and onions can damage a dog’s red blood cells and lead to anemia.  
• Excess salt: Too much sodium can lead to dehydration and can be particularly harmful to dogs with heart disease.  
• Butter or added oils: These increase fat and calories, which can trigger an upset stomach or even pancreatitis.  
• Spices or seasonings: Ingredients like chili powder or spicy blends can irritate the digestive tract, leading to vomiting or diarrhea. Even plain, unseasoned tortillas can still cause problems for dogs. Potential concerns include: 
• High carbohydrates and excess calories: Over time, frequent high-calorie treats can lead to weight gain. Obesity increases the risk of other health problems, including diabetes, joint diseases like arthritis, and heart disease.  
• Excess sodium: Even plain tortillas may contain more salt than is healthy for dogs. 
• Digestive upset: Some dogs are sensitive to wheat or corn, and suddenly introducing refined grains can cause vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or bloating. 
• Food sensitivities: True grain allergies are not common in dogs, but they can occur. Dogs with known food allergies or sensitivities may react to wheat or corn with itching, ear infections, or upset stomach. 

Because tortillas don’t offer nutritional benefits, veterinarians don’t recommend feeding tortillas to dogs regularly. 

If you do choose to share, stick to a very small bite of plain, unseasoned tortilla and only on rare occasions.  

If you had taco prep out on the counter and your dog intervened, there’s a chance they could have made off with a tortilla or two.    

A small amount of plain tortilla is unlikely to cause serious problems, but monitor your dog for symptoms such as: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Gas 
• Mild bloating 

These symptoms typically appear within several hours and will usually resolve on their own, but contact your veterinarian if symptoms last for more than 24 hours.  

If the tortilla contained toxic ingredients, such as onion and garlic or heavy seasoning, more serious symptoms may develop, including:  

• Lethargy 
• Pale gums 
• Weakness or collapse 
• Excessive vomiting or trying to vomit with nothing coming up 
• A hard, swollen abdomen  

If your dog ate a tortilla containing onion or garlic—or has these symptoms—head to your veterinarian and call the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) on the way. 

Think that your dog can’t celebrate Taco Tuesday too? Wrong!    

Treat them to a few fun taco-themed dog treats:  

If they’ve been exceptionally good lately (and what dog hasn’t?), throw in a taco-themed toy too: 

Can dogs eat corn tortillas?  

Yes, plain, unseasoned corn tortillas are generally safe in very small amounts, but they are best avoided since they contain no nutritional benefits. 

Can dogs eat flour tortillas?  

Yes, plain, unseasoned flour tortillas are technically OK for dogs, but they don’t have any nutritional benefits. For that reason, vets usually say it’s best to avoid tortillas altogether.  

Can puppies eat tortillas?  

No, avoid feeding puppies tortillas. They need a nutrient-dense diet formulated specifically for growth, and empty calories interfere with balanced nutrition. 

Can dogs eat tortilla chips?  

No. Tortilla chips are typically high in salt and fat and often contain seasonings that may be unsafe for dogs.