What cereal can dogs eat?
This dog article will answer the major question, “What cereal can dogs eat?” we will also discuss the ingredients of cereals that are unhealthy for your dog, how much cereal is safe for your dog, and what could be the potential benefits of consuming cereal for your dog.
What cereal can dogs eat?
Dogs can eat the following cereals:
- Rice Krispies
- Grits.
- Corn flakes
- Rice Chex
- Cheerios
These cereals given in moderate amounts are healthy for your dog, but consuming too much can cause adverse reactions in your dog.
What are the bad ingredients of cereals?
Following are the bad ingredients of the cereals your dog should avoid:
Xylitol
Most of the cereals have xylitol in them. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is used in human products, especially those that are designed for diabetic and obese people. Xylitol has zero calories which do not add to the weight gain of the body.
Xylitol is toxic for your dog because it can cause a continuous decrease in the blood sugar level of the body. The continuous low blood sugar level in the body can lead to the collapse of your dog.
Maintaining an adequate blood sugar level is necessary for the survival of your dog.
Sugar
Many kinds of cereal have high amounts of sugar. High amounts of sugar can cause pancreatitis, obesity, and diabetes in your dog.
Pancreatitis is a condition that develops over a period of time. It is a severe and painful condition characterized by an inflamed pancreas, the major organ of the body. The pancreas is responsible for releasing hormones and digestive enzymes in the body.
The inflammation of the pancreas hinders the release of hormones and digestive enzymes in the body. Following are the major clinical signs you will observe if your dog is suffering from pancreatitis:
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Preying position during an episode of pancreatic pain
Obesity is the next problem due to the long-term consumption of sugar. The extra sugar which is not needed in the body is converted into fat which is the normal body mechanism. This leads to fat deposition in the body of your dog which ultimately leads to a thick and heavy body.
Obesity can lead to chronic joint pain such as arthritis and heart problems.
Diabetes is the next problem that can be very dangerous and can prove life-threatening for your dog. Diabetes is of two types. One is called type I diabetes, and the other is called type II diabetes. Type II diabetes is more dangerous than type I diabetes.
Diabetes delays wound healing and decrease the immune capacity of your dog. The compromised immune capacity of your dog can make the dog vulnerable to several diseases.
Gluten
Many kinds of cereal have gluten in them. Gluten is the major ingredient of whole grain cereals. Gluten is not digested in the body.
Avoid giving gluten cereals to your dog. There are many kinds of cereals available in the market which are gluten-free. You can buy gluten-free cereals for your dog from a reputed brand.
Following are the clinical signs of gluten indigestion in your dog:
- Vomiting
- Distended abdomen
- Bloat formation
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
How much cereal is safe for your dog to eat?
Cereal is not a dog food but can be a dog treat. We give dog treats occasionally to the dogs. You should also give cereal occasionally to your dog.
You should give 10% of the daily calorie allowance from the cereals and not more than that. Consuming too much cereal can upset the stomach of your dog.
What are the possible benefits of consuming cereals for your dog?
Following are the possible benefits of consuming cereals for your dog:
Fiber
Most cereals have a high amount of fiber. Fiber can regulate the movements of the digestive tract of the body. The healthy movements of the digestive tract are essential in preventing conditions like diarrhea and constipation.
Fiber also limits the food intake of your dog because the insoluble fiber is not properly digested by your dog. This prevents obesity in your dog.
Calorie dense
Cereals are calorie dense, which means they give a sense of fullness to your dog. This will prevent your dog from eating more. In this way, it will prevent your dog from getting fat.
Allergy
Most of the whole grains are processed, so there are few chances of allergic reactions as most of the cereals have hypoallergenic agents in their ingredients.
Conclusion
In this dog article, we answered the major question, “What cereal can dogs eat?” we also discussed the ingredients of cereals that are unhealthy for your dog, how much cereal is safe for your dog, and what could be the potential benefits of consuming cereal for your dog.
References
https://www.rover.com/blog/can-dog-eat-cereal/
https://wildearth.com/blogs/dog-knowledge/can-dogs-eat-cereal
https://dogleashpro.com/dog-food/dog-nutrition/can-dogs-eat-cereal/
