Can Dogs Eat Cereal?

The Short Answer is:

Although some Cereals are safe to feed to dogs, most of them are not healthy. As a result, we strongly recommend that dogs avoid eating cereals altogether and instead eat snacks or treats that are dog-friendly instead.

In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Cereal?“.

The United States is a nation of cereal eaters. While we’re eating our favorite cereal our dogs are probably begging for some as well. How can we resist their puppy eyes and offer them a bowl of our crunchy cereal? 

If you’re wondering “can my dog eat cereal?” this article is for you. We will discuss cereals and dogs in depth later but for now here is the short answer.  

Can dogs eat Cereal? That depends. You should not feed your dog cereal that contains ingredients that are toxic to dogs such as raisins chocolate or nuts. There are some cereals that are suitable for doggy consumption but being safe does not mean being healthy. If you do feed your dogs cereal make sure you do so in moderation. 

We’ll talk about which cereals are safe for dogs and which ones to avoid in this article. Lets dive right in!

Can dogs have Cereal?

Although some Cereals are safe to feed to dogs most of them are not healthy. As a result we strongly recommend that dogs avoid eating cereals altogether and instead eat snacks or treats that are dog-friendly instead.  

Cereals generally do not provide much nutritional value to our canine friends. Some cereals may be safe for dogs such as oatmeal cereals. This is because oatmeal cereals are mostly made of water. A lot of veterinarians recommend oatmeal Cereals to dogs suffering from constipation and other digestive problems. 

You should ask your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about the Cereals safety for your pets. 

Here are some of the most popular Cereals on the market today and whether your furry pooch can eat them.

Lets discuss Cereals negative effects on dogs before we proceed.

Is Cereal bad for dogs?

Its true that dogs can get sick from cereal. There are a number of reasons why cereal is bad for dogs.

Cereal has a high grain content which is unhealthy for dogs

There are a lot of grains in cereals so they are highly processed. The diets of our furry friends do not need to contain a lot of grain. Instead they need a balance of protein fiber minerals and essential vitamins. They can get these from meat vegetables grains and fruits.

Because cereals contain a lot of grain they are not healthy for our four-legged friends. Moreover many varieties of cereals are highly processed with additives added. 

Cereals contain additives that are harmful to dogs

Our furry friends are less healthy or nourished by the additives in the cereals. 

Cereals are packed full of sugar which can cause weight gain in dogs

The reason why cereals are so popular is they taste great both with and without milk. Their taste is enhanced by the amount of sugar in them. Make sure you carefully examine the ingredients as well as the nutritional profile before feeding your dog any type of Cereal.

Whenever a lot of sugar is used say over 10 grams of sugar per serving its best to avoid the cereal and give your pooch some canine-friendly treats instead.

Consuming too much sugar can result in health problems such as weight gain obesity in dogs dental issues such as cavities and tooth decay diabetes and even pancreatitis. 

It is important to remember that the bacteria in your dogs mouth use sugar to produce acid. This acid then damages the enamel of your dog. In dogs tooth decay can result from destroying the enamel on the teeth leading to dental disease.  

Avoid feeding your dog Cereals that contain chocolate nuts or raisins

Due to a chemical called theobromine chocolate is extremely dangerous and poisonous to dogs. These chemicals cannot be metabolized and processed by dogs. A dog cannot metabolize caffeine which is also found in chocolate. 

It is the combination of caffeine and theobromine in chocolate that makes it harmful to dogs. Both chemicals are actually used as blood vessel dilation agents heart stimulants diuretics and smooth muscle relaxants for medicinal purposes.  

Theobromine and caffeine have very different effects on our dogs body than they do on our own. 

When dogs eat a lot of chocolate-covered cereal or cereal with chocolate as an ingredient they may suffer from chocolate poisoning.  

Dogs suffering from chocolate poisoning may exhibit the following signs and symptoms:  

• Extreme thirst. 
• Frequent urination.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting. 
• Restlessness.
• Panting. 
• Increased heart rate. 
• Seizures (in severe cases).
• Muscle tremors (in severe cases). 
• Heart failure (in severe cases). 

You should contact your vet as soon as possible if you suspect your dog has chocolate poisoning as this requires immediate medical attention. 

As with raisins and grapes these foods are harmful to dogs as they can cause kidney failure or disease. It has been speculated that grapes contain the following chemicals: 

Salicylate

This aspirin-like drug is found naturally in grapes and it can decrease the dogs kidney blood flow. 

Mycotoxin

This substance which is produced by mold or fungus is also present in grapes.

Tartaric acid

Some cereals contain raisins such as Kelloggs Raisin Bran Total Raisin Bran and Post Raisin Bran. Make sure your pets do not eat these cereals.

Similarly if you suspect your dog has raisin or grape poisoning contact your vet right away. This type of poisoning also needs immediate medical attention. If your veterinarian is not available you can also contact the 24/7 Pet Poison helpline. 

Cereals that contain any of the following nuts should be avoided: 

Dogs are highly toxic to macadamia nuts

The consumption of macadamia nuts can cause dogs to feel weak depressed vomit and have difficulty walking. 

Similarly walnuts

In spite of the fact that walnuts are not toxic to dogs they do contain a lot of fat and dogs that consume food that is high in fat can experience upset stomachs and even pancreatitis. Moreover walnuts can be a choking hazard and even cause intestinal obstructions. When walnuts become moldy they contain a chemical called tremorgenic mycotoxins.

Additionally hickory nuts

may cause choking hazards intestinal obstructions and stomach cramps. A dogs stomach may be upset if it eats hickory nuts. Mycotoxins may also be present in moldy hickory nuts.

The following nuts have a high-fat content: 

• Almonds.
• Cashews.
• Pecans.
• Pistachios.
• Peanuts.
• Brazil nuts.

If you suspect your dog has accidentally eaten any of the nuts above make sure to consult a vet as soon as possible. Dogs may experience seizures muscle weakness and even tremors as a result of nut toxicity. You can expect your pup to develop pancreatitis if its not treated.   

Dry chunky or lumpy Cereal may be a choking hazard for dogs

You can find cereals that come in chunks and are lumpy. Cereal is potentially dangerous for dogs as it can get lodged in the dogs throat and cause choking.

Even if your pooch manages to swallow the chunky Cereal theres a chance that it may get stuck in their digestive tracts.

Cereals that are chunky or lumpy should not be fed to your canine companion. 

Is Cereal good for dogs?

It is not good for dogs to eat cereal. As a result of their fortification with minerals and vitamins during processing cereals are usually marketed as beneficial or healthy for humans but are they beneficial or healthy for our dogs?

No not really! Here’s why.

Even with the addition of vitamins and minerals to the Cereal your furry friends will not gain any health benefits from eating it unless they eat a lot and we mean a lot in order to receive those benefits!

Even if the Cereal is marketed as healthy its not a good idea to give your pup a lot of it. This is because dogs who eat a lot of Cereal may experience upset stomachs or gastrointestinal upsets. 

Cereal should never be substituted for your dogs regular food. For the reasons outlined above cereal cannot be used to replace or substitute for your dogs regular food. 

Is Cereal safe for dogs?

Providing the cereal does not contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs such as nuts chocolate or raisins it is relatively safe for them to consume.

Cereals are generally safe for dogs because they are low in calories and fat. You should only give your dogs Cereal in moderation since too much can lead to weight gain diabetes and other health issues. 

What Cereal is good for dogs?

Cereal is a favorite of my fathers. Cereal is what he would have for breakfast lunch and dinner if he could. He would almost always ask for Cereal from our Chihuahua Lily if he was eating it.

What kind of cereal is best for dogs? Lets talk about that now.

What Cereals can dogs eat?

Dogs can eat the following cereals: 

• Cheerios.
• Honey Bunches of Oats.
• Rice Krispies.
• Rice Chex.
• Corn Flakes.
• Oat Bran.
• Bran Flakes.
• Cream of Wheat.
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Cereals such as these should be avoided: 

• Raisin Bran.
• Reese’s Puffs.
• Cocoa Puffs.
• Lucky Charms.
• Froot Loops.

Can dogs eat Apple Jacks?

Dogs should not eat Apple Jackss Cereal because it is loaded with tons of sugar additives carbs saturated fats and salt. 

Furthermore this cereal contains a lot of calories. Even dogs who eat one cup of Apple Jacks cereal daily or regularly may gain weight develop Type II diabetes and dental issues suffer metabolic changes become lethargic and suffer pancreatitis. 

A cup of Apple Jacks cereal has the following nutritional profile. 

Nutritional Profile of Apple Jacks Cereal (1 Cup)

Generally dogs should not eat human foods that are high in sugar salt or calories. Due to the fact that Apple Jackss Cereal is filled with empty calories and does not provide any nutritional value to our canine friends it is best not to feed this sweet cereal to them. 

The best thing you can do for your dogs with urinary tract infections (UTIs) or kidney infections is to keep Apple Jacks Cereal away from them. Its because consuming a lot of sugar actually increases the acidity of your dogs urine allowing the bacteria in it to grow faster and thrive.

So can dogs eat Apple Jacks’ Cereal?

No absolutely not! Apple Jacks’ Cereal should not be fed to dogs for the reasons stated above. You can negatively affect your dogs immune system and functions by feeding him sugary snacks. Weakened immune systems can lead to diseases and illnesses such as these for our furry friends: 

• Infections. 
• Osteoarthritis. 
• Cancer.
• Diabetes.

Rather than feeding my two furry friends Apple Jacks Cereal I give them the following healthy dog treats instead. Both my Labrador and Chihuahua adore these treats and can not get enough of them.

When I opened the treat bag their ears would perk up they would run over to me and do a circle dance in anticipation of the delicious treats.

Can dogs eat Raisin Bran Cereal?

Raisin Bran Cereal should not be fed to dogs. Dogs are toxic to raisins in Raisin Bran Cereal. Also In addition it is rich in sugar and grain.

Can dogs eat Cereal with milk?

Cereals with milk should not be given to dogs. This is because most adult dogs are lactose intolerant and cannot process dairy products like milk. 

Lactose is the sugar present in milk and most adult dogs lack the enzyme lactase which helps break down lactose. 

Because of these reasons dogs should not eat cereal that contains milk.

Can dogs eat baby oatmeal Cereal?

You can give your dog the baby oatmeal Cereal in moderation. If you are going to feed it to your dog make sure its prepared properly. IA baby oatmeal cereal should be cooked with water and it should be plain without any flavoring

Can dogs eat Cereal flakes?

Cereal flakes can be eaten by dogs in moderation. Cereal flakes are usually made from corn so check with your canine companion to make sure they are not allergic to it. 

Cereal flakes such as cornflakes are high in carbohydrates without any protein so moderation is vital. These are basically empty-calorie treats for your dog. 

Can dogs eat Lucky Charms Cereal?

The Lucky Charms cereal should not be eaten by dogs. Lucky Charms Cereal is loaded with sugar which is unhealthy for our furry friends. 

Furthermore Lucky Charm Cereals contain refined grains that dogs do not need as part of their daily diet. 

In closing lets not forget that this cereal contains preservatives. A dogs stomach can be upset by sugar and preservatives which can lead to weight gain and obesity. Rather than giving your dog grain-based treats choose healthy options.

Can dogs eat Chex Cereal?

When it comes to “Can dogs eat rice Chex Cereal?” the answer is yes. Rice is safe for dogs but make sure it is low in sugar and does not contain any other ingredients that could cause harm. 

Rice Chex Cereal should not be used as a replacement for your dogs daily food.  

Can dogs eat fiber in one Cereal?

Fiber One Cereal can be eaten by dogs in moderation. Fiber one cereal such as Bran flakes are actually beneficial to your dogs digestive system because they are high in fiber. In addition to lowering cholesterol and blood pressure fiber-rich cereal can also increase your dogs energy.

Can dogs eat Reese’s puffs Cereal?

Reeses puffs cereal should not be eaten by dogs. We can see from a quick glance at the ingredients that they contain Hersheys Cocoas which are not suitable for dogs. In addition preservatives are added to Reeses puffs Cereal to increase its shelf life.

Can dogs eat Kix Cereal?

Kix Cereal can be eaten by dogs in moderation. Nevertheless due to its high sugar and carbohydrate content this food is considered empty calories for dogs. As such you should only give your dog Kix Cereal on rare or occasional occasions. 

Can dogs eat Cocoa Puffs?

Cocoa Puffs are a chocolate-flavored cereal that contains traces of chocolate so dogs should not eat them. All dog owners should keep chocolate away from their pets because chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs. 

Cocoa Puffs Cereal contains only a small amount of chocolate so your dogs would not be harmed if they ingest a small amount. 

Cocoa Puffs should not harm your four-legged friends if they consume several pieces. Nevertheless there have been cases where dogs have gotten sick if they eat too many Cocoa Puffs Cereal pieces. 

Whenever you notice your pooch eating Cocoa Puffs make sure to monitor him or her closely for any adverse reactions or behavioral changes. You may not notice symptoms of illness or toxicity for up to 24 hours. 

Immediately contact your vet if your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms: 

• Seizures. 
• Panting. 
• Shaking or trembling. 
• Abdominal swelling.
• Tachycardia or increased heart rate.
• Vomiting. 
• Diarrhea.  

In addition Cocoa Puffs contain tons of sugar which is not good for dogs. When dogs consume too much sugar they can develop a range of health issues including weight gain diabetes teeth decay or loss metabolic changes and even pancreatitis.

So can dogs eat Cereal?

We hope that this article was helpful to you and provided you with the answer you were looking for. Whenever you are unsure whether your pet can eat certain types of Cereal it is best to check the ingredients first as well as the nutritional profile. 

You can use this information to determine whether the cereal is safe for dogs to consume. You should avoid cereals that contain chocolate raisins or nuts and stick to the healthy ones we listed above. 

You should contact your dogs veterinarian if you still have questions about Cereals and dogs. 

Amanda (Author)

With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.

Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)

Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.