Funyuns are one of my favorite snacks because of the delicious salty onion flavor that permeates each crunchy chip.
Even if your cat is staring at you expectantly while you enjoy a bag of funyuns, you should read this article first. Spices are found in many snack foods, and funyuns are no exception. Are funyuns safe for cats to eat?
Could a cat eat a funyun? Funyuns are not good for cats to eat because they are high in salt and fat and have no nutritional value.
Because of the high levels of salt and fat in funyuns, it is not a good idea to give them to your cat as a snack.
If you give your cat a few funyuns, you’ll more than double the amount of fat and salt they consume in a day. Funyuns should arrange to meet in a place free of cats.
Feeding cats Funyuns is sure to cause a wide variety of medical problems. Stop asking yourself if a cat can eat funyuns because the answer is no.
This article will delve into funyuns, explaining the potential dangers they pose to your cat’s health and why you shouldn’t feed them to your cat.
Can cats have Funyuns?
Having cats eat Funyuns is a no-go. While your furry friends probably won’t get sick from eating one or two Funyuns rings, their health will suffer from eating too many.
This is because of the high levels of both fat and salt in this crunchy food. This is more than they should consume in salt and fat on a daily basis.
You should know that feeding your furry friend a few pieces of Funyuns is not a good idea if you have ever considered doing so or are considering doing so now.
Below, we’ve outlined some of the problems that could arise if your dog or cat ate Funyuns.
What are funyuns?
Frito-lay, the company that produces Funyuns, advertises them as “a delicious, unique snack, with a crisp texture, fun to eat and flavored in onions,” and they were first sold in the United States all the way back in 1969.
Funyuns are primarily made of cornmeal and seasoned with a blend of onion and salt.
The cornmeal for Funyuns is made into a paste with water before being extruded.
The extrusion machine then kneads the paste and heats it to a specific temperature. After this is complete, the paste is used to create onion rings, which are then fried.
Are funyuns toxic to cats?
Sure, but it would have to be a lot. While a single or even a couple of funyun rings probably won’t kill your cat, the high salt, sugar, and fat content will have serious consequences over time.
Funyuns’ signature flavor comes from a combination of onions and garlic. Powdered onion is more dangerous than chopped onions because of its higher concentration.
By giving your cat funyuns, you are knowingly putting their health at risk.
What are Funyuns made of?
Before we get into the ingredients of Funyuns, we’d like to offer a helpful hint. Most labels will list ingredients from least to most prevalent.
In other words, ingredients are presented in descending order of importance.
There are typically only three main ingredients in a bag of Funyuns. Ingredients include fortified cornmeal, oil, and salt.
Funyuns Ingredients List and How They Impact Your Cat
- Fortified corn flour
- Mung bean oil
- Salt
- Msg
- Sugar
- Tomatoes and basil
Enriched corn meal
The enriched corn meal used to make Funyuns is typically sourced from dent class corn. Dent corn’s starch is soft, making it ideal for use in many processed snacks.
The dent class of corn is ideal for making funyuns and other snacks because of its mild starch and robust corn flavor.
Carbohydrate meal loses many of its healthy brans and germs while being processed. The cornmeal is called “Enriched” because it has been fortified with vitamins and minerals such as folic acid (B9), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), iron (Fe), and thiamin mononitrate (B1).
Using the term “enriched” for corn meal or wheat flour suggests that some of the meal’s nutritional value was lost during processing.
Keep the funyuns away from your cat if it has a corn allergy. Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure whether or not your pet is allergic to corn. Give your cat only one or two chips on rare occasions if you must.
Some Cats may Be Allergic to Vegetable Oils Used In Making Funyuns
Funyuns are typically made with canola oil, corn oil, or sunflower oil as the primary vegetable oil. Sunflower oil is the healthiest of the three oils and is recommended for cats.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, found in abundance in sunflower, are essential to maintaining your pet’s clear, moisturized, and shiny skin. This sunflower oil promotes cardiovascular health in felines and gives them a jolt of energy.
The fat in corn oil is great for a cat’s diet. Corn oil’s polyunsaturated fats also help maintain a soft, supple coat and smooth, supple skin.
Corn oil, in small amounts, can be safely added to your cat’s food. Some feline friends, however, have allergies to corn oil and should not eat Funyuns. If your pet is sensitive to certain oils, here are some alternatives to try.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are great for your cat’s skin and coat, and they’re also good for their heart. One of the best oils for felines is fish oil.
Like fish oil, safflower oil helps make your cat’s skin and coat shiny and healthy because of its high concentration of essential fatty acids like linoleic acid. However, due to the high calorie content, it should be fed to your cat only in moderation to prevent it from becoming overweight.
Cats with digestive problems can benefit from using coconut oil. Coconut oil is also effective in treating dry, flaky, and itchy skin in cats. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of coconut oil also benefit your cat’s oral and skin health. The Pennsylvania SPCA’s director of veterinary wellness, Dr. Jeffrey Stupine, VMD, says
Flaxseed oil is beneficial to a cat’s kidneys and blood pressure. Cats that are sensitive to fish oil can benefit from flaxseed oil. In cats, it reduces inflammation.
Baby aspirin for cats, if you will.
Some people call olive oil a “superfood,” Your cat will benefit from it just as much as we humans do. Fish is by far the most common allergen in feline species. Consequently, if your housecat has an allergy to fish oil, olive oil is a simple replacement.
Too much salt is harmful to cats
Funyuns have 280mg of salt for every 13 pieces. That’s a huge amount of salt for a cat. The daily salt intake for a cat is only 1 gram per kilogram.
Cats may experience stress and sodium poisoning if they eat more than 13 Funyuns chips at once. Some of the signs of sodium poisoning are:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Appetite loss
- Renal insufficiency
- Shaking muscles
- Dehydration
- Urinating often
Make sure there’s plenty of water available in case your cat eats a bag of Funyuns; doing so will prevent him from becoming dehydrated. Get in touch with your animal hospital and see if your cat needs to come in for an examination. You can eat guavas and watermelons instead of funyuns.
Sugar Can Lead To Feline Obesity And Other Health Issues
Your cat’s health and life may not be immediately in danger from sugar, but it will cause problems eventually. Sugar content in a cat’s daily food should not exceed 3%. More sugar than is healthy for a cat can be found in a single serving of funyuns.
Your cat doesn’t have a sweet tooth and doesn’t need sugary treats; feeding your furry friend excessive amounts of sugar can cause obesity, diabetes, and even tooth decay.
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is toxic to cats
The snack food Funyuns use an additive called monosodium glutamate to boost flavor. Some research has shown that MSG causes organ failure in animals, specifically in the liver and the kidneys.
If you feed your cat funyuns and it starts acting clumsy or throwing up, you should take it to the vet. If you’re feeling queasy, try taking 10 milligrams of Pepcid to settle your stomach. A small amount of Pedialyte can also aid in keeping your cat hydrated. Chickens or other similarly bland foods may also be helpful.
Each cat will have its own unique reaction to MSG, so if you notice anything unusual after feeding your cat funyuns, you should talk to your vet.
Onion powder and Garlic powder Are Both Toxic to Cats
Raw, fried, powdered, or cooked onions and garlic can all be harmful to cats. Cats should not eat funyuns because they contain onion and garlic powder, which is toxic to the animals.
Your cat won’t get sick from eating just one serving of funyuns because of the small amount of onion and garlic powder (2%). Even though it might take more than ten servings of funyuns for cats to experience onion toxicity, you shouldn’t feed them to your cat.
Your cat may also have an adverse reaction to very low levels of onion powder because cats are unique and so is their responsiveness to toxicity.
Both onions and garlic belong to the allium family, and eating even small amounts of these foods can have profound health effects.
Is it safe for cats to eat funyuns?
Your cats shouldn’t be feeding on funyuns, unfortunately. While a single chip probably won’t hurt your cat, giving them a lot of chips all at once could cause health problems down the line.
The amount of onion in a bag of funyuns is negligible and won’t hurt your cat.
However, the danger of excessive salt and fat remains. These snacks lack taurine and other essential amino acids because they are not made with animal-based proteins. Then why feed it to your cat?
What should I do if my cat ate funyuns?
Don’t freak out if you find out your cat has eaten a bag of funyuns. Keep an eye out for symptoms of sodium poisoning in your cat and report them to your vet as soon as possible.
Your cat can probably handle any problems that arise from his funyuns habit on his own. But if your cat is sensitive to corn, even just a few chips could set off an allergic reaction. The veterinarian always flushes the IV with fluids in these situations.
Do cats like Funyuns?
Whether it’s the smell or the taste, most cats just don’t enjoy Funyuns. It’s in a cat’s nature to notice when something is off, and the same goes for Funyuns. Even so, it’s best not to leave any Funyuns within the reach of any feline family members.
What are some feline-friendly and safe non-toxic Funyuns alternatives?
What are some good treats I can give my cat? is probably running through your head right now.
Cats are notoriously picky. When you know your cat well, finding the best treats for it is simple. Our furry friends are carnivores, as is common knowledge. They typically don’t require anything more than a premium, complete, and balanced cat food.
Cat owners may feel obligated to spoil their feline companions. The right cat treats can be used for a variety of purposes, including dental care, training, and medication administration.
Other snacks that are comparable to Funyuns are:
Fruits
Our canine companions enjoy snacking on blueberries, bananas, and watermelons (without the seeds). They are low in calories while being high in potassium and fiber. Vitamin content is high in them as well.
Eggs
Protein and amino acids can both be found in abundance in eggs. When served in moderation, they can be a fantastic and nutritious substitute for snacks like Funyuns. The risk of salmonella infection makes it unsafe to feed cats raw eggs.
Salmon
Salmon is safe for cats to eat. High-quality protein can be found in salmons. Omega fatty acids, which are found in abundance in these foods, are crucial for maintaining a healthy coat and skin.
So, can cats eat Funyuns?
Every pet owner has an obligation to provide for their animal companion. In other words, you should feed them only cat food and steer clear of any human treats or snacks.
Your cat will get the protein and essential vitamins and minerals it needs from high-quality cat food.
As we can see, Funyuns are loaded with salt and fat, and indiscriminately feeding them to your cats can cause them to develop sodium poisoning and other serious health problems.