Many dog lovers are always looking for snacks to give their pups. With cereal so commonplace in an average person’s home, you may be wondering whether cereal is good, bad, or just OK for dogs. Generally, dogs can eat cereal but it depends on what type and the ingredients that are included so you should carefully read the labels before giving any to your dogs.
Common cereals that folks wonder whether dogs can eat include Honey-Nut Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Fruit Loops, Corn Flakes, Cocoa Puffs, or even oatmeal. Below we’ll discuss common ingredients to watch out for as various additives or sweeteners may not be safe or healthy for dogs to eat.
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Is Cereal Good For Dogs?
Most dog foods contain grains, which are safe for dogs to eat and provide many nutritional benefits. However, you should not give your dogs wheat or millet because they are hard for dogs to digest and are particularly harmful to dogs with thyroid disorders.
Generally, whole-grain cereals are safe for dogs to eat, provided that you avoid wheat and millet.
Rice
Whole grain rice is probably the healthiest grain for dogs. It’s easy for them to digest, and it is often used as a filler in many different types of dog foods, especially organic dog foods. However, avoid giving rice bran cereal to your dog since the healthiest option for them is made with whole grains.
Corn
Corn is another common filler found in many types of commercial dog food. It’s safe for dogs to eat in moderation but provides a lot less nutritional value. Corn is tougher for dogs to digest so you shouldn’t give it to your pups regularly.
Barley
Another grain that is found in many different dog foods, barley is not only tasty but also high in fiber. The increased amount of fiber in your dog’s diet is extremely beneficial to your dog’s digestive systems and helps to maintain regularity. Besides, barley is also a low glycemic cereal grain.
Oats
Oats offer a ton of nutritional value and are high in fiber, as long as they are not overly-processed. The added fiber from oats can help maintain your dog’s colon health and it is very easy to prepare a tasty treat for your pup.
Which Cereals Are Safe For Dogs?
You may think that you only need to avoid giving sugary cereals to your dog. For starters, you shouldn’t give dogs cereal coated with sugar like Frosted Flakes, Honey-Nut Cheerios, Fruit Loops, and Corn Pops.
However, you should also avoid cereals that have other harmful ingredients like Count Chocula or Cocoa Puffs, which contain chocolate and is actually poisonous to dogs.
Generally, look for whole-grain cereals with simple ingredients that don’t contain wheat or millet if you want to whip up a small treat for your pup.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Cereal in Moderation
Yes, dogs can eat cereal but you should avoid ones that have a ton of added sugar, chocolate, certain nuts since some are harmful for dogs, and preserved fruit like raisins which are toxic for them.
If you’re planning on giving cereal to your dog, you should also make sure that you don’t add any milk since most dogs are lactose intolerant. Instead, stick with cereals comprised primarily of whole grains and stir in a moderate portion into their regular food for an added crunchy treat that your dogs will love.