Can Cats Eat Potato Chips?

Potato chips are not a good snack for cats. A crumb or a single chip is unlikely to hurt, but chips are salty and greasy, and your cat does not need them. The safest choice is to keep chips out of your cat’s mouth.

Why are potato chips bad for cats?

Chips have three problems for cats.

Chips are salty

The ASPCA says too much salt can make pets very thirsty and make them pee more. Depending on how much they eat, the salt can upset the body’s mineral balance. The ASPCA lists vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, shaking, seizures, and even death as signs of salt poisoning. The ASPCA page does not name chips. But chips are a salty snack, so the same warning fits.

A cat that eats a whole bag is in much more danger than a cat that licks one chip. The ASPCA does not give a safe amount for cats, so there is no number to aim for.

Chips are greasy

Chips are cooked in oil. The ASPCA says fatty foods like nuts can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in some pets may inflame the pancreas. That is a small organ that helps with digestion.

Cat pancreatitis is not fully understood. The Merck Veterinary Manual says the cause is usually unknown. It does not name fatty food as a cause in cats. Still, a greasy snack gives your cat nothing good and may upset its belly.

Cats do not need them

The Merck Veterinary Manual says cats should eat a complete, balanced cat food, and it says to avoid table scraps. Chips add salt and fat but no help for a cat’s health.

Are flavored chips worse?

They can be. The ASPCA says onions, garlic, and chives can upset the gut and damage red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. The ASPCA says cats are more sensitive to these than dogs. Chips with sour cream and onion, barbecue, or other seasonings may contain them, so read the ingredient list. Even a small bag is not worth the guess.

For more on these plants, see our guides on onions and garlic.

What should I do if my cat ate a potato chip?

1. Take the chips away and check how much is missing.
2. Check the label for onion, garlic, or chives, and note how much salt is in the bag.
3. Put out fresh water. The Merck Veterinary Manual says salt problems are tied to water, and that they are unlikely when fresh drinking water is on hand.
4. Watch your cat for vomiting, diarrhea, shaking, or low energy.
5. Call your vet if your cat ate more than a crumb, ate a flavored chip, or seems sick.

Sources do not say how many chips are too many for a cat, so if you are unsure, ask your vet.

What about plain potatoes?

Chips are not the same as plain potatoes. Our guide to potatoes for cats explains how plain, cooked potato differs from fried and salted versions.

Better treats to try

Treats should be small and plain:

• Treats made for cats
• A few pieces of plain cooked chicken (see our chicken guide)

Keep treats small, and let a complete cat food be most of what your cat eats. For the full list of foods to avoid, see our guide to foods that are toxic to cats.