When it comes to breakfast food, Cheerios are a people pleaser. Who doesn’t love a classic bowl of cereal and milk?
This delicious cereal has been around for generations. It was one of the original few breakfast cereals that promised heart healthy nutrition and fiber. It is a fairly nutritious choice for us humans.
So, a question a lot of us dog lovers have is, can dogs eat cheerios? In this article, we will tell you whether Cheerios are safe for dogs. We will also provide information on any of the health benefits or if it has harmful effects it may have on dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cheerios?
The short answer is dogs might be able to eat Cheerios. Cheerios are a somewhat safe option for dogs.
But at the same time, they can also be harmful. And we will tell you why.
Precautions of Feeding Cheerios for Dogs
Cheerios are not necessarily a bad food for dogs. Yet at the same time, they offer little nutritional value.
Cheerios are made out of whole-grain oats. Whole-grain oats offer little-to-no benefits to dogs.
Whole-grain oats are low in sugar, so they are not at risk of causing diabetes. They are pretty much just fillers or extra calories for dogs who need a high-energy diet.
When are Cheerios Harmful to Dogs?
Cheerios only become bad for dogs if your dog eats too much. So eating a bit of this cereal will not have any bad effects on your dog, whatsoever.
However, because they are made of whole-grain oats, some research suggests that they may factor into chronic Urinary Tract Infection or UTI in dogs. So it is best to keep this in mind and be cautious with this food.
Additionally, adding milk to your Cheerios dog treats will add fats to their diet. Too many fats can lead to medical conditions and obesity. This can also be harmful to lactose intolerant dogs.
The Best Types of Cheerios for Dogs
Plain Cheerios are the best option for dogs if you plan on feeding them as treats. However, as mentioned, the smaller the amount, the better.
Honey Nut Cheerios are also safe for dogs. However, plain Cheerios are the best since they have a much lower added sugar content.
Organic Cheerios are pretty much just the same with plain ones. It is still best to give them smaller amounts.
Multigrain Cheerios is not beneficial either. Eating them may have just similar effects to regular Cheerios.
Cheerios Protein is something that should be avoided by dogs. Although dogs need protein, this is definitely not the right choice for them. That is because it contains almonds which do not digest well in a dog’s stomach.
Frosted Cheerios should be avoided as well because it contains too much sugar. Too much sugar can lead to diabetes.
Certain flavored Cheerios are bad for dogs such as Pumpkin Spice Cheerios as they may contain nutmeg which is toxic for dogs. Other flavored Cheerios may be high in sugar as well, and thus should be avoided.
Learn More About What Human Foods Are Healthy or Harmful for Dogs
This article is part of our special series of articles about “What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?”
In the next article find out Can Dogs Eat White Chocolate?
