Can Dogs Eat Cereal? (Solved & Explained)
The answer overall is yes, and dogs can eat some cereal. Still, like for us humans, several types are less healthy than others for dogs.
While dogs can eat many types of cereal, they should only have it as an occasional treat.
Cereal should also never replace the food you feed your dog as their main diet.
Safe Cereals For Dogs
- Cheerios
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- Corn Flakes
- Honey Bunches of Oats
- Grits
- Rice Chex
- Rice Krispies
- Special K
While a variety of cereals may be alright for dogs to eat, most cereals you find at the store offer little to no nutritional value.
We live in a time where it’s almost frowned upon to feed your dog anything but grain-free food and treats, so many dog parents may avoid feeding their furry friends cereal.
Again, since cereal does not add any important nutrients to your dog’s diet, only use it as a “sometimes food,” if at all, and not as a full meal.
Many cereal types contain so much sugar and are so highly processed that, while they are safe to eat once in a while, they should generally be avoided.
Healthy Cereals For Dogs
- Bran Flakes
- Cream of Wheat
- Oat Bran
While not necessarily toxic in small doses, cereals that contain high amounts of sugar and have no nutritional value should be avoided.
These include cereals such as Lucky Charms, Fruit Loops, and Frosted Flakes, among many others.
However, cereals with raisins, chocolate, or artificial sweeteners like xylitol should be avoided completely, as they are toxic to dogs.
These include Raisin Bran, Cocoa Puffs, Reese’s Puffs, and several other candy-like bowls of cereal.
Frequently eating sugary cereals like those mentioned puts your pet at risk for obesity or even developing diabetes. If it isn’t healthy for you to eat, it’s not good for your dog, either.
Again, it would help if you asked your veterinarian before giving your dog human foods. They can advise you further on which cereals might be harmful to your dog.
Cereals To Avoid
- Cocoa Puffs
- Froot Loops
- Lucky Charms
- Raisin Bran
- Reese’s Puffs
The most important thing for any cereal brand is to read the full list of ingredients and make sure they are all dog-friendly.
Some cereals contain chocolate, xylitol, or other toxic ingredients, which are very dangerous for dogs to consume.
The moral of the story is that if you don’t know for sure that every ingredient is safe, don’t feed it to your dog.
Remember that dogs should never have cereal with milk. This is because dogs’ stomachs are not designed to digest dairy products.
Some dogs are highly lactose intolerant, so it’s best to stay away altogether.
Dogs need a lot of protein, and cornflakes are all carbs. While eating the odd handful of cornflakes isn’t likely to cause major problems, it’s best to keep your dog snacking on pup-approved meals.
Some dogs have allergies to corn, and lactose intolerance is common in dogs. If your dog laps up a bowl of cornflakes and starts to display signs of sickness, seek medical attention at once.
Always double-check the ingredients. Xylitol is sometimes used as a sweetener, and it is lethal to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Frosted Flakes?
Avoid feeding your dog Frosted Flakes. Frosted Flakes contain way too much sugar for your pet to process.
Eating too much sugar can cause canine problems, including cavities, diabetes, and obesity.
Are the ingredients of Frosted Flakes toxic for dogs?
No, but it’s best to avoid them if you can help it.
Only a few bowls of cereal pose a serious threat to your pet if eaten. Watch out for the following ingredients that should set off serious alarm bells:
- Chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Macadamia nuts
- Xylitol
Because of the unhealthy ingredients commonly found in breakfast cereals, it’s best to avoid them if you’re looking for a replacement snack!
Conclusion
Remember, all dogs are different. Your dog may have an allergic reaction, so if they snack on cereal for the first time, keep an eye on them and call your vet if you see anything out of the ordinary. Can dogs eat Frosted Flakes cereal?
