One of the first things I do in the morning after waking up is to have breakfast. I simply can’t start my day without having my favorite cereal and, as they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
My dogs are by my side 24/7, and this includes when I’m having breakfast. While I don’t normally give them something to eat until later in the day, this made me wonder. Can Dogs Eat Cereal? Is it safe for them?
Most cereals are safe for dogs to eat as an occasional treat, however, there are certain cereals that you should avoid giving to your dog. Certain cereals include ingredients such as chocolate, raisins, and nuts that are toxic to dogs, and should be avoided at all costs. It is also worth noting that most cereals provide no nutritional value to your dog, and long-term consumption of sugary cereals can lead to obesity, diabetes, and weight gain in dogs.
There are, however, cereals that can actually be very good for dogs as an occasional treat. Let’s have a look at them.
Cereals That Are Healthy For Dogs
If you’ve been to the local supermarket recently, you would have seen just how many varieties of cereals there are. So, picking one that can be healthy for you, and potentially your furry friend, can be quite a challenge.
But, since we’re focussing on which cereal can benefit your pup’s health, let’s have a look at cereals that are actually healthy for dogs.
Oat Bran
Oat Bran is rich in fiber which, as you might know already, can help improve colon health and anal gland issues. Since your dog’s dog food already contains a fair amount of fiber, you should only feed him Oat Bran occasionally to avoid giving him an upset stomach.
Bran Flakes
As with Oat Bran, Bran Flakes are rich in fiber and this can help to improve your dog’s overall digestive health. Bran Flakes are also known for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol in dogs.
Cream Of Wheat
If my dog has had an upset stomach, then I would normally feed him Cream of Wheat cereal because it is rather bland and soft, and won’t upset my dog’s fragile stomach. Be careful though not to feed this to your dog if he has a wheat allergy.
Can Dogs Eat Cheerios?
Yes, dogs can eat plain, oat-based Cheerios. If you give Cheerios to your dog, do it occasionally and serve it as a treat, or in place of other tidbits. They don’t cause any harm if given every once in a while, but they don’t provide any nutritional value to your dog either, so you’re better off feeding him cereal like bran flakes.
Can Dogs Eat Corn Flakes?
Yes, dogs can eat corn flakes, however, some dogs can have a corn allergy so you need to check on this before feeding it to your dog. It is also worth noting that, while Corn Flakes are safe for dogs, they do not provide any nutritional value.
Can Dogs Eat Rice Krispies?
Yes, dogs can eat Rice Krispies as an occasional treat and not as a meal replacement. Please note though that, even though this is a rice-based cereal, it won’t give your dog the energy to get through the day and it provides little nutritional value.
Can Dogs Eat Special K?
Yes, dogs can eat Special K cereal as it is made from rice and whole grains, however, it does not provide any nutritional value and should not be given as a meal replacement for your dog. Special K also contains sugar, so you need to make sure to give it to your pup as an occasional treat.
Cereals That Are Not Safe For Dogs
Cereal is a nutritious and healthy food for humans. But there are certain cereals that you should never give to your dog. The reason for this is that dogs have a very different digestive system than humans do, which means some foods that don’t bother us, can make them severely ill.
Certain cereals include chocolate, raisins, or nuts and can make your dog very ill when consumed.
Avoid giving the following cereals to your dog:
- Coco Puffs
- Froot Loops
- Lucky Charms
- Raisin Bran
- Reese’s Puffs
Conclusion
Hopefully, now you have a better idea of whether or not dogs can eat cereal.
For the most part, cereals are safe to give to your dog. But, you must be very careful of giving your dog any type of cereal that contains chocolate, raisins, or nuts. In fact, you should avoid these cereals at all costs.
Most cereals provide little to no nutritional value to your pup, but there are a few healthy cereals that you can give to your dog as an occasional treat. These include Oat Bran, Bran Flakes, and Cream of Wheat.
