Can dogs eat crisps?

Caution — salty and often flavoured

A plain ready-salted crisp won't poison a dog, but crisps are extremely salty and often contain onion or garlic powder in flavoured varieties.

The full picture

Crisps are essentially fried or baked potato slices with enormous amounts of salt and flavourings. A single crisp stolen from the sofa isn't an emergency. But crisps are one of the worst deliberate treats. Flavoured crisps — cheese and onion, salt and vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, BBQ — frequently contain ingredients toxic to dogs. Onion and garlic powder are especially common.

Risks to watch for

  • Sodium toxicity
  • Onion/garlic in flavoured crisps
  • Obesity
  • Choking

Safe portion size

Ideally none.

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Safer alternatives

  • Plain baked sweet potato chips
  • Carrot sticks

Unexpected vet bills can run into thousands

One emergency visit for food poisoning can cost £500–£5,000+. Compare UK pet insurance in 60 seconds.

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Related foods

Chips (fries) caution Popcorn caution Crackers caution
Written and reviewed by
The Can My Dog Eat editorial team

Every food page is cross-checked against UK veterinary sources including the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS), the Animal PoisonLine, PDSA, and the Merck Veterinary Manual before publication. We do not accept paid placements from brands. If you spot an inaccuracy, please let us know — we take errors seriously and correct them quickly.

Spot an error? Report it

Checked against UK veterinary guidance — see our editorial standards and source list. If your dog has eaten something and you need urgent advice, call a vet or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000.

Important: This page is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different, and individual factors (age, breed, health conditions, medications) can change what's safe. If in doubt, always contact your vet — or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 in the UK.