Granola has gained a reputation for being a healthy and quick source of protein to outdoorsy and active souls: hikers, bikers, campers, you name it!
It is a fast, easy, and delicious meal or snack for pretty much everyone!
Granola is not just a single food. Rather, it is a combination of other healthy snacks such as nuts, oats, raisins, and other snacks high in fiber. Not to mention, it is a great source of protein, carbs, and fiber.
Although it is healthy for us, can we say the same for our dogs who accompany us while we eat?
That brings us to a question a lot of us dog lovers have is, “Can Dogs Eat Granola?”
In this article, we will tell you whether it is safe for dogs to eat granola. We will tell you if this food has health benefits or if it has harmful effects on our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Granola?
The short answer is maybe. Dogs can eat granola. Granola is not only an edible food for dogs, but it can also be nutritious.
However, as mentioned, this food has many components to it, and some of them may also be harmful.
For example, some store-bought granola contains ingredients that could potentially be toxic for dogs.
There is a way you can make a non-toxic granola for dogs. We will go into that later.
How Does Granola Benefit Dogs?
Granola is rich in certain minerals and vitamins. It is particularly rich in fiber, potassium, calcium, and protein. Let us touch on these benefits below.
First, granola is a great source of fiber. Fiber assists with a dog’s digestive issues. Foods rich in fiber, such as granola, can help prevent bowel movement problems.
Potassium can keep your dog’s bones strong and healthy. This makes granola a good food for older dogs.
Granolas are also rich in calcium which helps in the developing and maintaining bones and teeth. To add to that, granola can serve as a good source of calcium for lactose intolerant dogs.
Last, protein is an essential nutrient that can contribute to muscle development and tissue repair. Granola is an excellent source of protein.
Harmful Effects of Granola on Dogs
However, granola is also rich in nutrients that may be bad for your dog’s health. Nutrients that may be bad for dogs that are found in granola include fats and carbohydrates.
Granola can be high in fats. And the fats in granola range from coconut oil, vegetable oil, and nut butter. Regardless of type, they are all unhealthy for dogs.
This snack is also rich in carbohydrates. Although carbohydrates are the building blocks of all other nutrients, too much carbohydrates can cause conditions such as diabetes. And granola is high in sugar.
How to Make Healthy Granola for Dogs
Basic ingredients for granola include nuts, rolled oats, raisins, puffed brown rice, and chocolate. Raisins and chocolate are toxic for dogs, and nuts are not that good for them either.
Some store-bought granola contains xylitol, a sweetener that is toxic to dogs. To make a safe granola for dogs, try using puffed brown rice and rolled oats without added sugars and sweeteners.
Before you feed your dogs store-bought granola, check the sugar content or if it contains xylitol. You can also create your own granola at home to make sure they’re safe for your dog.
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?”
Up next find out can dogs eat prunes?
