Can Dogs Eat Granola?

The Short Answer is:

Dogs shouldn’t eat Granola. Granola, whether trail mix, Granola bar, or cereal, has high sugar, fat, carb, and fiber content. Granola can cause a whole host of health issues in dogs when consumed regularly.

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

Granola cereals can be enjoyed in the morning or Granola bars as a quick afternoon snack. The sweetness and crunch of granola will appeal to all of us regardless of whether it contains Goji Berries or blueberries. Also we may be tempted to share it with our dogs but is it safe for them to consume? Before we delve too deeply into this topic lets give you a short answer first. 

Can dogs eat Granola?

Dogs should not eat Granola. Granola whether trail mix Granola bar or cereal has high sugar fat carb and fiber content. Granola can cause a whole host of health issues in dogs when consumed regularly. In addition to macadamia nuts chocolate raisins and xylitol granola may also contain toxic ingredients that can harm dogs. It is best to avoid feeding your dog Granola if you want to be on the safe side.

Can dogs have Granola?

Granola should not be given to dogs. People marketed granola as a healthy morning cereal or as a crunchy trail snack for those on the go. But dogs werenot meant to consume granola.  

Since most Granola is flavored and not plain it is essential that owners do not feed their canine friends Granola. 

However Granolas typically have a sweet salty or nutty flavor. Granola can contain a variety of nuts (including macadamia nuts) chocolate and raisins depending on what you buy. Granola that is sugar-free may contain an artificial sweetener known as xylitol which is extremely harmful to dogs. 

Is Granola good for dogs?

Granola does not benefit dogs unless it is plain Granola. Granola is fine to feed your pooch if that is what you prefer to do. 

Granola is packed with ingredients that can be harmful to our furry family members however.

Take a look at Oats & Honey Protein Granola from Nature Valley for an example of popular granola with great ingredients and nutritional value.

Is Granola bad for dogs?

Granola can be harmful to dogs. Dogs may suffer from upset stomachs if they consume Granolas as most of them contain ingredients that are harmful to them. Nature Valleys Oats & Honey Protein Granola is made up of the following ingredients: 

• Whole grain oats.
• Sugar.
• Soy protein isolate.
• Canola oil.
• Honey.
• Molasses.
• Rice starch.
• Soy lecithin.
• Baking soda.
• Salt. 
• Natural flavor.
• To preserve freshness added tocopherols (mixed tocopherols).

The following facts apply to Nature Valley Oats & Honey Protein Granola:

Nutritional Profile of Nature Valley Oats & Honey Protein Granola (1 oz or 28 grams)

So can dogs eat oats and honey Granola?

From the nutritional profile and ingredients of Oats and Honey Granola we can conclude that dogs should not eat this product. Are dogs able to consume this product? Granola with honey comes in 28 grams of 1 oz which contains 120 calories. Dogs should not consume that many calories. 

Generally dogs should consume only about 25 to 30 calories per pound each day. Considering two dogs one small and one medium heres how the high calories in oats and honey Granola may affect them. 

• The daily calorie requirement for a 10-pound Chihuahua is 250 calories. 
• The recommended caloric intake for a medium 70-pound Labrador is 1750 calories per day. 

Due to the higher calories in the oats and honey Granola the small Chihuahua dog would be more affected than the medium-sized Labrador dog. 

A Chihuahua consuming 1 oz of oats and honey Granola will consume almost half of his daily calorie intake. You have already given your Chi 250 calories for the day so he will be over by 120 calories. 

Granola made with oats and honey contains sugar salt carbs and fat. 

Granola on the other hand is often in small hard chunks or pieces that dogs may find difficult to chew. Granola may possibly damage a dogs teeth. Granola can also cause choking in dogs.

If your dog manages to swallow the Granola it may experience an obstruction in its stomach or intestinal system which will require immediate veterinary attention. In some cases surgery may be required to resolve the issue. 

Due to these reasons you should avoid feeding your pooch oats and honey Granola.

Can dogs eat Granola bars?

Granola bars should not be eaten by dogs. Also Granola bars contain ingredients that may be harmful to our K9 friends. When you take a look at the nutritional profile of Granola bars you’ll want to keep them away from your pooch. 

Next lets look at the ingredients and nutritional information of one of the most popular Granola bars on the market.

Can dogs have Granola bars?

Granola bars should not be given to dogs. It is not recommended to feed your dog granola bars because they contain a list of unhealthy ingredients and may cause upset stomachs. Here are the reasons.

Can dogs eat nature valley bars?

If you’re wondering “Can dogs eat nature valley Granola bars?”. First you should check the ingredients. Here are the ingredients in one of the most popular Granola bars Nature Valley Bars Oats ‘N Honey: 

Nature Valley Oats And Honey Ingredients

• Whole grain oats.
• Sugar.
• Canola oil.
• Rice flour.
• Honey.
• Salt.
• Brown sugar syrup.
• Baking soda.
• Soy lecithin.
• Natural flavor.

The following is the nutritional profile of Oats ‘n Honey Crunchy Granola Bars.

Nutritional Profile of Nature Valley Oats And Honey (1 Granola Bar or 21 grams)

So can dogs eat nature valley bars oats n honey?

Natur valley bars oats n honey are not suitable for dogs. We have discussed below how each of the above ingredients can affect your dogs health.

Whole grain oats in Granola bars are fine for doggy consumption

Moderate consumption of whole-grain oats is good for dogs. If your dog is allergic to wheat or gluten or sensitive to other grains whole grain oats are a great carbohydrate alternative. 

Linoleic acid which is a type of omega-6 fatty acid is also found in whole grain oats to promote healthy strong skin and coat in your pooch. Iron and vitamin B6 are also present in oats making them a good source of protein. 

It is important to consume oats in moderation since they are packed with soluble fiber so eating too many oats can cause loose or watery diarrhea. 

Oats are great for dogs in moderation however they are mixed with tons of sugar salt and oil which is why Granola bars are not good or safe for dogs. As a result you should avoid Granola bars and instead give your dog dog-friendly snacks and treats. 

Too much sugar in Granola bars is unhealthy for dogs  

The sweet taste of Granola bars is what makes them appealing to most people. They can however be expensive. There are 5.5 grams of sugar in just one Nature Valley Oats And Honey Granola bar! 

Its 5.5 grams of added and intentional sugar you’re feeding your dog which he or she does not need.  

Dogs obtain their daily sugar intake from their main meal which consists of complex carbohydrates. In order for our four-legged friends to live healthy and happy lives complex carbs get broken down into glucose or sugar by the body.  

Oats ‘n Honey Crunchy Granola Bars contain three types of sugar: sugar honey and brown sugar syrup.

No matter what they are called our canine friends consider them to be sugar and too much sugar consumption can result in many health problems including:

• Sugar in the dogs mouth is converted to acid by the bacteria which then destroys the enamel (outer layer) of the tooth.
• Cavities. 
• Weight gain.
• Canine obesity.
• Diabetes.
• Metabolic changes. 
• Diarrhea or vomiting caused by an upset stomach. 
• Pancreatitis. 

Make sure you choose sugar-free Granola bars carefully. Xylitol a sweetener found in some artificial sweeteners can be poisonous to dogs.

Sugar levels can drop suddenly and drastically if you consume xylitol. The reason is that xylitol gets absorbed into the bloodstream quickly which causes the insulin to be released quickly from the pancreas as well. Hypoglycemia in dogs can be caused by this quick and sudden release of insulin. 

Canola oil in Granola bars is not good for dogs

Nature Valley Bars Oats N Honey contains canola oil which is not healthy for dogs. However canola oil is considered refined fat even though it is not toxic to dogs. Because of this canola oil contains a high amount of fat specifically trans fat which is harmful to your pets health.

Grass-fed canola oil is used in many commercial Granola bars because it makes them extra crispy and crunchy.  

Despite being fine for us canola oil isnot the best oil for our pets. 

Its a good thing there are many healthier oil options for your K9 pals. The following type of oils are highly recommended for your dogs since they contain healthy fats: 

Organic virgin or cold-pressed coconut oil

Dogs with upset stomachs or gastrointestinal problems benefit from coconut oil. In addition it improves your dogs cognition freshens his breath moisturizes his skin and gives him a shiny coat.

Flaxseed oil 

Those with mobility issues arthritis kidney problems or high blood pressure should use flaxseed oil.

Olive oil 

Dogs with a coat of olive oil have a healthy immune system and a moisturized and shiny coat. Olive oil also protects against cardiovascular disease and minimizes the effects of diabetes.

Fish oil 

Dogs with inflammation and allergies benefit from fish oil which contains omega-3 fatty acids. As well as providing dogs with moisturized and healthy skin and shiny coats fish oil also provides them with a healthy coat. 

Sunflower oil 

Sunflower oil contains omega-6 fatty acids which boost your dogs energy keep their hearts healthy moisturize and soften their skin and give them a smooth and shiny coat.

Rice flour in Granola bars is safe for doggy consumption 

Granola bars contain rice flour as one of the ingredients that are safe for dogs to consume. Dogs who are sensitive to gluten or allergic to wheat products can benefit from this product. 

Too much salt in Granola bars can cause salt poisoning in dogs

Nature Valley Bars Oats N Honey Granola bars contain 70 mg of sodium per bar. Its way too much salt for our pooch and too much salt can lead to sodium ion poisoning. 

Dog food should contain no more than 0.25 grams to 1.5 grams per 100 grams. Salt in your dogs diet at this level is considered healthy.   

Your dogs regular meals already contain the right amount of salt that he or she needs. Human snacks with high salt content would add to the salt intake in their daily diet.

Salt poisoning is a risk for your four-legged friends. Dogs who have salt poisoning will show the following symptoms: 

• Frequent urination is a sign of extreme thirst.
• Lack of appetite is another sign. 
• Swelling of the tongue and lips is another sign.
• Headache.
• Shortness of breath. 
• Fluid buildup.
• High fever. 
• Nausea may lead to vomiting.
• Upset stomach.  
• Loose or watery diarrhea. 
• Convulsions. 
• Muscle spasms. 
• Muscle weakness.
• Confusion.
• Lethargy. 
• Fast heartbeat. 
• Seizure (in severe cases).
• Coma (in severe cases).
• Death (in severe cases).    

Be sure to contact your vet immediately if you suspect your pooch has salt poisoning or ate more than one Granola bar. Treatment for salt poisoning should begin right away. 

In order to combat dehydration your vet may administer electrolytes or IV fluid to your dog.

So can dogs eat oats and honey Granola bars?

Granola with oats and honey is not suitable for dogs. Granola bars are known for being very sweet and there is a lot of sugar (as well as salt) in just one bar. 

One Granola bar is very easy to steal and consume by our canine family members. Its important that owners remain vigilant and keep Granola bars like Nature Valley Granola bars with crunchy oats n honey on high surfaces where their pooch can not reach them.

Are Granola bars good for dogs?

Granola bars as we can see are not good for dogs. They contain far more harmful ingredients than beneficial ones. Due to the reasons listed above its best to avoid feeding your pooch Granola bars.

Are Granola bars bad for dogs?

Granola bars contain large amounts of salt and sugar so they can be harmful to dogs. Granola bars also contain a lot of calories. There are 95 calories in one Oats ‘n Honey Crunchy Granola Bar. For dogs especially small ones thats a lot of calories.  

Consuming too much salt can cause sodium poisoning and eating too much sugar can lead to diabetes weight gain metabolic changes dental problems and even pancreatitis. 

Granola bars are not a great snack for our four-legged friends.

Can dogs have plain Granola?

Granola can be given to dogs in moderation. Dogs will receive nutrients from Plain Granola including linoleic acid and vitamin B. 

Linoleic acid contains omega-6 fatty acids that can be helpful in keeping your canine friends skin healthy moisturized and strong. Vitamin B improves the shine and health of your dogs coat while vitamin B keeps your poochs coat shiny and healthy. 

A great source of soluble fiber for dogs especially if they suffer from digestive problems are oats. Dogs can also benefit from fiber as it helps regulate their blood sugar levels. 

Plain Granola does not contain any ingredients that may cause harm to dogs such as chocolate macadamia nuts or raisins. Sugar and salt should also be left out of the plain Granola.

So can dogs eat Granola?

Granola despite its crunchy crispy and sweet taste is not safe or healthy for dogs. Do not give in to your dogs sad puppy eyes when you’re eating Granola cereal or Granola bars. For the safety and health of dogs Granola should not be fed to them.

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.