Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.

My 25 kg Golden Retriever stole a handful of salty, garlic-seasoned tortilla chips from the pantry while I was loading the dishwasher — is this dangerous?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

The salt and garlic seasoning are the real concern here. A plain corn tortilla is low risk for a 25 kg dog, but garlic powder and excessive sodium can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and in larger amounts, red blood cell damage. Watch him closely over the next 12 hours for any signs of stomach upset or unusual lethargy. Offer fresh water to help flush excess salt, and call your vet or the ASPCA poison line at 888-426-4435 if he starts vomiting repeatedly or seems depressed.

Tortilla — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

A plain corn or flour tortilla is not toxic, but check for salt and seasoning.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Tortilla is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

A heavy salt load drives up thirst and urination, and in the worst cases leads to sodium ion poisoning, which is a genuine emergency.

Tortilla can turn up now and then, but not as a daily habit: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Tortilla food facts page.

Open the full food page: Tortilla food facts →