Can Dogs Eat Cheerios? A Vet’s Opinion

Cheerios are a type of breakfast. They are made from whole grains. Cheerios are notoriously famous in households all over the US. They are the go-to meal in the morning for many people. That is not a bad thing either since Cheerios are packed with flavor. They are low in calories and fat and are ideal for a dietary regime. However, cheerios are processed food. They should be included in a breakfast routine, but can you feed Cheerios to your dog?

Yes, you can give Cheerios to your dog. However, they offer little benefit to them apart from being a good source of fiber. Fiber is essential for the digestion and bowel movements of your puppy. Apart from that, there are no such nutritional benefits of Cheerios. Being low in calories can help if your dog is obese. Your dog will love their taste and crunch!

Let’s dive in:

Benefits Of Cheerios For Dogs

There could be several benefits of giving your dogs Cheerios since most of them include whole grain oats and vitamin E. However, they are filler calories and offer little nutritional value since these vitamins and minerals are not in adequate quantities to make a difference, yet we will talk about them to see how these minerals could be beneficial for your dog.

Whole-grain oats are great fillers for your dog if your dog is allergic to gluten or wheat. Oats are a great source of carbohydrates. Moreover, cheerios can also be a good source of omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for the healthy, moisturized, and firm skin of your dog. Nevertheless, cheerios are fillers, and these minerals are not adequate in quantities.

How To Safely Give Cheerios To Dogs

Cheerios offer few nutritional benefits. However, their consumption should also be limited since they are just filler calories. It would be best if you substituted them with nutritional calories, which will make your dog healthier.

You should only give ¼ cup of Cheerios to your dog in a single sitting. However, you could change the flavors and choose from honey nut Cheerios, but make sure not to go overboard since they are sweeter. There are other flavors like multi-grain Cheerios, which can be given for a change of taste, but grains won’t do much for your dog nutritionally. Hence, it would be really important for you to use Cheerios as a filler or component to make nutritionally beneficial meals for your dog. However, make sure to look for allergies when giving your dog Cheerios and start with a lower quantity. Moreover, ensure that the type of Cheerios you have chosen for your dog does not contain xylitol.

Will Cheerios Make A Dog Sick?

Some Cheerios are high in calories, which might mean that your dog might get obese. In 26 grams of standard Cheerios, there are approximately hundred calories and 20 grams of carbohydrates. This colossal calorie intake and carb intake can result in weight gain. Weight gain in dogs can manifest itself in the form of arthritis and joint pain.

Moreover, cheerios are an excellent source of sodium – as much as 126.7 mg in just 26 grams of Cheerios – this is a lot of sodium for dogs and is enough to cause salt poisoning in dogs. If your dog is going through salt poisoning, some of the symptoms you might see are extreme thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lack of coordination, muscle weakness and tremors, convulsions, and lethargy. Fiber is another critical component in Cheerios; since the empty calories and fibrous food are suitable for the regulation of bowel movements and smooth passing of stools, excess of anything is not good. Cheerios have a lot of fiber, and eating more means an excess of fiber for your dogs. This means that the digestive tract will have a difficult time absorbing the minerals, which could lead to fiber imbalance. Some of the symptoms to look out for are loose or watery diarrhea, frequent defecation, and accidental defecation since your pup cannot hold the stool in. If you see any of this after giving your dog Cheerios, make sure to stop giving them more fibrous food and contact your vet!

Vet’s Summary

Cheerios can be used as treats; they are made from whole grains. There are a variety of Cheerios that you can give to your dogs. Some of them are puppy Cheerios, honey nut Cheerios, or multi-grain Cheerios. However, with Cheerios, moderation is vital since Cheerios provide little nutritional benefits and are filler foods. Cheerios are, packed with sodium, fiber, and carbs; cheerios can be hazardous to the health of your dog in large quantities. Eating a lot of sodium can result in sodium poisoning, which can cause your dog to experience some of the following symptoms. Moreover, an excess of Cheerios may result in a spiked blood sugar level and surplus calories, which can cause obesity, among other issues. An excess of fiber can also disturb bowel movements if your pooch feeds too much on Cheerios! This could lead to loose or watery diarrhea, frequent defecation, and accidental defecation since your puppy cannot hold the stool. Probiotics are essentially healthy bacteria that are responsible for a healthy gut! You should add some probiotics to your dogs’ diet to help them stay clear of any gut problems or digestive issues they might face with age! Probiotics can also help fight digestive issues, such as diarrhea and constipation, and reduce the risk of infections. However, you should always consult your local veterinarian in deciding which supplements and probiotics will be beneficial for your pet friend!

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