Can Cats Eat Pringles? (Is it OK for Cats?)

When it comes to Pringles the very first thing comes in my mind that watching television with a bowl of this yummy snack is heavenly. But the question arises that can our feline friends enjoy this deliciousness?

No, cats shouldn’t eat Pringles, because the main ingredient in Pringles is potatoes. Potatoes contain a substance called solanine, which is poisonous to cats (and dogs). Solanine can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness and paralysis in cats. So it’s best to keep those chips out of your kitty’s reach!

In this blog post, I’ll discuss all different flavors of Pringles and which ones are the most dangerous for your cat. I’ll also talk about what you should do if your cat accidentally ingests solanine.

Why Does My Cat Love Pringles?

While watching TV if you just found your cat eating your Pringles then you must be wondering why do they love it so much.

According to a study by the pet food company Purina, the average cat spends about 10% of its waking hours grooming itself. That’s about 24 minutes a day! So, when your cat starts licking the salty flavor of Pringles it might be trying to groom itself.

Pringles are also high in fat and calories, which can be appealing to some cats. However, these extra calories can lead to weight gain and other health problems like diabetes. So it’s best to keep your cat away from the chips!

Different Flavor Pringles Vs Cats

We all know Pringles come in a variety of flavors like sour cream and onion, cheddar cheese, BBQ, and many more. But the question is are all these flavors equally dangerous or some are more harmful then others?

Here I’ll discuss the three most popular flavors of Pringles and how they can affect your cat.

1. Sour Cream and Onion Pringles

While I writing this article I’m also eating sour cream and onion Pringles, and I must say they are delicious. But unfortunately, these chips are not good for your cat.

The main ingredient in these chips is potatoes, which as I mentioned earlier contain solanine. Solanine is a poisonous substance that can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and paralysis in cats. So it’s best to keep these chips out of your cat’s reach!

2. Cheddar Cheese Pringles

This is a flavor that I’m sure most of us love, and unfortunately, it is also one of the most dangerous flavors for your cat.

The main ingredient in these chips is cheddar cheese, which can be very harmful to cats. Cheddar cheese contains a substance called casein, which is poisonous to cats. Casein can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and paralysis in cats.

3. BBQ Pringles

This is my personal favorite flavor, and I’m sure many of you love it too. But unfortunately, these chips are also very dangerous for your cat.

The main ingredient in these chips is BBQ sauce, which contains a substance called onion powder. Onion powder is poisonous to cats and can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and paralysis in cats. So, just like others, don’t let your cat eat these chips!

Why you Should not Feed Pringles to Your Cat?

As like you I also love Pringles but after knowing that it is not good for the health of cats now I keep it away from the reach of my cat. Here I’ll sharing some reasons which will definitely help you in taking a step back from giving Pringles to your cat.

1. Pringles contain solanine (a poisonous substance)

In upper portion of my article I have shared that potatoes which are the main ingredient of Pringles contain a substance called solanine. This substance is poisonous not only for cats but also for dogs. If by chance your cat ingests solanine then it can cause gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and paralysis in cats. So, to keep your cat safe it is better not to give Pringles to them.

2. Pringles are high in fat and calories (which can lead to weight gain)

As I have mentioned earlier in my article that cats love Pringles because they are high in fat and calories. Though these extra calories might be appealing to some cats but they can cause weight gain and other health problems like diabetes. So, it is always better to keep your cat away from the chips!

3. Pringles can cause choking (in case your cat swallows it whole)

Pringles are very thin and small in shape which makes them easy to choke on. If your cat swallows a Pringle whole, it could get lodged in their throat and cause them to choke. So, it is better to keep those chips out of your kitty’s reach!

4. Pringles can cause tooth decay (in case your cat licks it too much)

Though licking the salty flavor of Pringles might be a way for your cat to groom itself but if it licks it too much then it can cause tooth decay. So, it is better to keep those chips out of your kitty’s reach!

5. Pringles can cause stomach upset (in case your cat eats too many)

I forgot to mention one important thing earlier that Pringles are also high in sodium. If your cat eats too many Pringles then it can cause stomach upset. So, it is better to keep those chips out of your kitty’s reach!

Now What’s about Kittens?

As you all know that kittens are very curious by nature and they put everything in their mouth. So now you must be thinking that what will happen if a kitten eats Pringles.

The answer is simple, kitten should not eat Pringles. Because Pringles contain a lot of sodium and fat which can be harmful to kittens. And too much sodium can cause kittens to become dehydrated and can also lead to other health problems such as high blood pressure and kidney disease. Fat can also be hard for kittens to digest and can cause intestinal blockages.

In addition, the spices and flavorings used in Pringles may not be safe for kittens. If you want to give your kitten a snack, try giving them a small piece of cooked chicken or tuna instead.

What to Do If Your Cat Eats Pringles?

Just a few days back my cat ate Pringles, and I was very worried about it. But after doing some research, I found out that if a cat eats a small amount of Pringles then there is nothing to worry about.

Here are all the things which you should do if your cat eats Pringles-

1. Do not panic (Its not easy as I say)

From my bad experience, I can say that it is very difficult to stay calm when you see your cat eating Pringles. But it is very important to stay calm otherwise, you will not be able to think straight and take the right decision.

2. Keep an eye on your cat (for 24 hours)

After your cat eats Pringles, it is very important to keep an eye on them for the next 24 hours. This will help you in seeing if there are any changes in their behavior or if they are showing any signs of illness.

3. Call the vet (if you see any changes)

If you see any changes in your cat’s behavior or if they are showing any signs of illness then it is better to call the vet. The vet will be able to give you the best advice on what to do next.

4. Do not give your cat any more Pringles (obviously)

This one is quite obvious, but I thought I should mention it anyways. If your cat has eaten Pringles then do not give them any more. Giving them more Pringles will only make things worse.

The Summary

Oh no! Its my last bite of Pringles! Now I need to go and hide the packet so that my cat does not find it.

I hope I provide you all the information which you need to know about “Can cats eat Pringles?”

As you can see my answer was NO and its for any flavored or unflavored Pringles. So, its better to keep those chips out of your kitty’s reach!

I also want to remind you all that if you see any changes in your cat’s behavior or if they are showing any signs of illness then it is better to call the vet.

Have a nice day! 🙂