Can Dogs Eat Cereal Safely? It Depends.

You are eating your morning bowl of Lucky Charms, and your dog watches you take each bite. We all know that puppy dog eyes are hard to say no to, but sometimes we need to say it. If your dog is begging for cereal, can you give them some? 

Yes! But not from your bowl, and some risks can easily be avoided. Most cereals are okay for your dog to eat (in moderation), but there are a couple you should avoid. Cereal doesn’t add much nourishment to your dog’s diet, although some cereals are okay to give as treats. 

After reading this post, you’ll better understand which cereals are safe for your pup. It’ll also explain if there is nutritional value or if it’s simply a safe snack in more depth.  Lucky Charms and Cheerios, let’s go!

What Kinds Can Dogs Eat?

With your veterinarian’s approval, you can periodically give your dog a special treat of certain cereals, such as oatmeal, to help your dog with digestive problems like constipation. It’s important to note that cereals that are fortified with vitamins and minerals won’t improve your dog’s health. That’s because they’d need to eat far more cereal than they should in order to benefit from the nutrients. 

Because of the high risk of stomach issues, giving your dog a large amount of cereal is never a good idea, even if it is a “healthy” variety. While some cereals are acceptable to serve as a treat on occasion, the cereal should never be used to substitute your pet’s usual food because of how unhealthy it is for pups due to its high grain content. 

Additionally, many cereals have additives added during processing, making the breakfast staple much less nutrient-dense for both people and their canine counterparts. The good news is that, provided you give cereal to your pet in moderation, its generally low calorie and fat content won’t likely lead to weight gain. Some safe cereals for dogs include:

• Cheerios
• Cream of Wheat
• Special K
• Rice Krispies
• Corn Flakes

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Don’t Feed Your Dogs This

Cereals with a lot of sugar and no nutritional value should be avoided, yet they may not be harmful in moderation. These comprise, among many others, cereals like Frosted Flakes, Fruity Pebbles, and Lucky Charms. However, as they are toxic to dogs, cereals that contain raisins, chocolate, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol should never be consumed. 

These include several kinds of cereal that resemble candies, such as Reese’s Puffs, Cocoa Puffs, and Raisin Bran. Regular sugary cereals like those described increase your pet’s obesity and even diabetes risk. It’s likely that if it’s bad for you to eat it, your dog shouldn’t either. 

Once more, consult your vet before feeding your dog human foods. They can provide further information on which cereals can be bad for your dog. Anything like these should be avoided cereals like:

• Oreo O’s
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch
• Trix
• Chips Ahoy

Skip the Milk

Many dogs struggle to digest dairy products because they are, to some extent, lactose intolerant. The short answer to whether dogs can consume milk is that it depends. A small amount of milk is typically neither dangerous nor detrimental. 

However, there are exceptions, and consuming dairy products in large quantities or for an extended time might cause several health problems in dogs. Most dairy products, including whole milk, are high in fat, which, can lead to pancreatitis, a severe condition. 

Dairy products should be avoided wherever feasible or, at the very least, drank sparingly. Typically, dogs may have gastrointestinal distress at some point within twelve hours of consuming or digesting milk products. 

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Risks of Cereal for Dogs

There are only a few instances where cereal can be bad for dogs. It’s a good idea to keep the ones above and anything similar out of your pup’s reach. There are short and long-term issues if they always get into it. This can give you a better idea of why it’s not good for your dog.

Allergies and Intolerance

If a dog has a gluten allergy or lactose intolerance, dry or wet cereal may cause adverse reactions (such as milk). Avoid giving your pet grain and dairy products if you suspect one of these conditions. After providing a new human meal to your dog, always watch them closely. Some cereals’ high fiber content can help pets’ digestive systems, but overeating might cause upset stomach and constipation. Breeds of dogs with sensitive stomachs shouldn’t be given cereal, even grain-free cereal, as they may not tolerate elements from dog foods other than their regular food well. After all, the majority of your dog’s calories and nutrition should come from high-quality dog food.

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Dental Issues

If your pet overeats commercial cereal containing high sugar and carbohydrates, they may quickly put on weight. Obesity can cause serious joint stress in your pet and raise their risk for heart disease and pancreatitis. Sugary cereals not only contribute to weight gain, but they can also erode a dog’s tooth enamel. Oral bacteria in dogs will consume this additional sugar, causing plaque and tartar accumulation. 

Artificial Sweeteners 

Various cereal types containing artificial sweeteners like xylitol provide possibly the most significant health risks to your pet. There are chemicals or preservatives in breakfast cereals, even those with low sugar content. While humans can consume these without causing harm, many animals, including dogs, find the components toxic. Weakness, vomiting, and, in severe cases, tremors and convulsions can all be signs of xylitol poisoning.

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Conclusion

You can give your small dog amounts of cereal like cornflakes or Cheerios without any adverse reactions. You don’t want to provide your pup with too many dog-safe types because they offer less nutritional value than your dog’s regular food. 

If dogs fill up on treats, they won’t get their daily recommended vitamins and minerals from their food. The other cereals, like Lucky Charms or Fruity Pebbles, should be kept out of your dog’s reach. Some of the ingredients, like chocolate and raisins, can be harmful. The worst one will be anything that has artificial sweeteners in it. 

If you’re looking for a way to treat your dog, you can always get them doggie treats made just for them, and some can include fish oil or have calming effects. Be sure to check out our other articles on feeding your dog. Share this with a doggie owner that you know who loves cereal!

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Jenniveve84