Did you know that cats only have 473 tastes?1? Humans have about 9,000 taste buds. This means that a cat lacks many taste sensors, mainly sweet and also spicy. These flavors are not the same as ours when eaten by cats. Whether they can taste them or not, cats should not eat spicy foods, such as Takis, because most spicy foods contain harmful ingredients such as onions, citric acid, and chili powder. . So, can cats eat Takis? No, Takis contains ingredients that are harmful to your cat and can cause stomach aches and other negative symptoms.
What is Takis?
Takis are Mexican rolled tortilla chips that many spicy food lovers eat. They can be flavored with chili, lime, and salt. So, what’s in Takis? What makes them spicy? Below is a list of ingredients that these chips contain:
- corn
- Palm oil
- Maltodextrin
- Citric Acid
- salt
- corn flour
- Spices
- Onion and garlic powder
- Chili powder
- Dextrose
- Sesame oil
- Sodium citrate
Are Takis Bad for Cats?
Takis are exceptionally spicy and salty, meaning they can be dangerous for your cat to ingest. Most cats are sensitive to capsaicin found in spicy foods such as chili powder. It can cause digestive irritation and upset stomach, including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Eating large amounts of onion and garlic, or garlic and onion powder, can cause stomach upset, loss of appetite, bowel disturbances, and dehydration. Garlic and onions are in the Allium family, which are highly toxic to our feline friends, possibly resulting in red blood cell destruction if consumed in sufficient quantities.
Another ingredient, salt, depending on how much is ingested, has the potential to harm your cat. If your cat consumes too much salt, they may experience excessive thirst, lethargy, and diarrhea, among other serious signs.
Although rare, some cats may develop an allergy or intolerance to corn. For these cats, eating Takis can result in digestive or scratching issues, ear infections, and other skin issues.
Yes, Takis is mean to cats. The ingredients in Takis chips are harmful and do not benefit your cat. So, what if they got into your bag or ate some chips? Don’t panic. First, you may choose to monitor their signals closely and provide plenty of water to flush their system.
If your cat is experiencing any of the signs below, call your veterinarian:
- Vomiting
- Weakness or destruction
- Twitching or convulsions
- Stiffness
- Indisposed
- Diarrhea or constipation
A Regular Diet of Cats
A healthy cat needs high amounts of protein, moderate levels of fat, and few carbs. Cats are notorious carnivores, so they need a diet with a high meat content to stay healthy. Feeding them commercial cat food made for their specific needs is more sustainable than feeding them human food although they can tolerate some healthy human foods such as apples, carrots, and lean and cooked meat in moderation. Always talk to your vet before giving your cat any human food.
Final Words
Cats play an important role in our human lives as they help us emotionally, mentally, and physically. As a responsible cat owner, you will want to support your cat’s needs in every way, so avoiding Takis is best because the ingredients can cause digestive and other issues.
If your cat accidentally eats some Takis, watch for any of the signs mentioned in this article. If any signs persist longer than 24-48 hours, call your veterinarian. Takis is unlikely to harm your cat, although they may be uncomfortable for a few days.
Featured Image Credit: Diana Taliun, Shutterstock
