Babies can eat them but are they safe for dogs? Can dogs eat Cheerios cereal? Keep reading and discover everything you need to know before they eat some!
Cheerios are marketed as “heart-healthy” by the American Heart Association and babies and toddlers eat them, so they must be safe for your furry friend too, right? The answer is mixed. Keep reading and you’ll learn about whether it’s safe to give your dogs Cheerios cereal.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating Cheerios.
- Can Dogs Eat Cheerios
- Are Cheerios Good For Dogs?
- Are Cheerios Bad For Dogs?
- How Much Cheerios Can Dogs Eat?
- Are Cheerios Good For Dog Treats?
- Can My Dog Eat Cheerios?
- Can Dogs Eat Regular Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat Honey Nut Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat Cheerios and Milk
- Can Dogs Eat Organic Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat Multigrain Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat Gluten-Free Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat High-Protein Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat Rice Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat Frosted Cheerios
- Can Dogs Eat Flavored Cheerios
- Can Diabetic Dogs Eat Cheerios?
- Can Dogs With Cancer Eat Cheerios?
- Can Dogs With Kidney Disease Eat Cheerios?
- Final Thoughts
- More Dog Food Resources
Can Dogs Eat Cheerios
Cheerios are low in sugar and are made with mild ingredients, so can you feed them to your pup?
They are safe for your dog to eat. That being said, they aren’t made with ingredients that do much good for your dog. They act like a nutritionally empty treat.
Let’s look closer at Cheerios – why they are good for your dog and what to watch out for.
Are Cheerios Good For Dogs?
Cheerios aren’t really good for dogs since they don’t get very much nutritional benefit from them.
Cheerios are made from whole-grain oats which don’t provide an essential component to your pet’s diet.
If you want to give your dog some Cheerios as a treat, do so sparingly. There are lots of other treats that will actually benefit them nutritionally.
Are Cheerios Bad For Dogs?
Cheerios are only bad for dogs if you give them too much. There is nothing inherently harmful about them. The whole-grain oats are low in sugar so they won’t harm their blood sugar levels.
It’s ok to give a few bits of Cheerios to your dog once in a while.
It’s been said that whole-grain oats might be a contributing factor to chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) in dogs. If you notice your dog suffering from UTIs, try eliminating wheat, corn, and oats from their diet first.
Always watch out for signs of allergic reactions when you give your dog human foods. This includes things like coughing, wheezing, scratching, or extreme thirst. It is very rare, but it’s still good to know what to look for.
How Much Cheerios Can Dogs Eat?
To be safe, only give them a very small amount (1/4 cup or less) once in a while as an occasional treat.
If your dog has never tried Cheerios, watch for signs of an upset stomach. If they have stomach problems like diarrhea or vomiting, call your veterinarian.
Are Cheerios Good For Dog Treats?
Yes, Cheerios make safe dog treats, as long as you only give them to them once in a while. It’s a good idea to mix things up and give them other (healthier) treats too. Dog owners, it is safe to use Cheerios as treats during training sessions.
Can My Dog Eat Cheerios?
There are lots of types of Cheerios out there and lots of ways to eat them. Let’s look at the most common kinds and look at how safe they are. Remember, always avoid giving your dog anything with artificial sweeteners. The best option is plain, unsweetened cereal. There just isn’t much benefit to your dog nutritionally, but it is a safe treat in small quantities.
Can Dogs Eat Regular Cheerios
Yes, dogs can eat plain Cheerios. In fact, plain Cheerios are the safest kind to give your dog since they have less sugar and other ingredients. This is the best kind to share with your fur baby if they have a sensitive stomach and need a mild training treat.
Can Dogs Eat Honey Nut Cheerios
There is more sugar in Honey Nut Cheerios, but this flavor is still safe to give your dog. Since it has more flavor than the plain kind, you’ll want to make sure you are only giving them a small amount. There isn’t much nutritional value in this cereal for your dog, but it is safe.
Can Dogs Eat Cheerios and Milk
Plain Cheerios and milk are safe for your dog in small amounts. Don’t give your dog a heaping bowl of milk and an entire bowl of Cheerios. Milk has fat in it and if your dog consumes too much fat it could contribute to health problems like obesity.
What about skim milk? Honestly, it won’t harm your dog in small amounts. Just like the cereal, it doesn’t have any nutritional benefits, so avoid it.
Can Dogs Eat Organic Cheerios
Whether the cereal is organic or not doesn’t affect how safe it is for them to eat. You still want to control how much your pet is eating.
Can Dogs Eat Multigrain Cheerios
Dogs need a diet high in animal proteins and vitamins from vegetables. Their bodies don’t thrive on high amounts of grains. Multigrain Cheerios are safe to give your dog once in a while. Your pup won’t benefit much from the whole grains.
Don’t make it a regular part of their diet.
Can Dogs Eat Gluten-Free Cheerios
Yes, dogs can eat gluten-free Cheerios. They are made with the same ingredients as original Cheerios, so still, maintain the same amounts you give your pup.
Can Dogs Eat High-Protein Cheerios
The Cheerios Protein cereal is made with almonds in it. A dog’s stomach doesn’t digest almonds very well so they might react with vomiting or diarrhea after they eat it.
For this reason, don’t let your dog eat Protein Cheerios.
Can Dogs Eat Rice Cheerios
Rice is another ingredient that acts as a non-nutritive filler for dogs. It doesn’t benefit them at all, but it’s also not harmful to them either. Dogs can safely eat rice Cheerios but don’t feed it to them very often.
Can Dogs Eat Frosted Cheerios
Since dogs shouldn’t eat too much sugar, don’t let them eat frosted Cheerios. Frosted Cheerios are safe for dogs to eat. However, the amount of sugar in them isn’t good for your dog.
Too much sugar in a dog’s diet can lead to diabetes, obesity, and heart problems.
Can Dogs Eat Flavored Cheerios
It seems like they are always coming out with a new flavor of cereal. Here are the most popular varieties of Cheerios and whether they are safe for dogs.
- Apple Cinnamon – Cinnamon is safe for dogs, but this variety is high in sugar. Feed with caution.
- Banana – Yes, this is safe.
- Blueberry – Blueberries are safe for dogs, but feed it to your dogs in small amounts.
- Cinnamon – This is safe for dogs to eat.
- Fruity – This is high in sugar, feed it to your dog sparingly.
- Honey – This is safe but high in sugar. Give it to them in small amounts.
- Honey Oat – This is safe but high in sugar.
- Maple – This is high in sugar, only give them a small amount.
- Pumpkin Spice – No, this is not safe. It contains nutmeg that could be toxic to dogs.
- Strawberry – This is safe but high in sugar.
- Very Berry – This is safe for dogs to eat but high in sugar.
Can Diabetic Dogs Eat Cheerios?
If you have a question about your dog’s health, please talk to your veterinarian. This post is informational.
Can Dogs With Cancer Eat Cheerios?
This is a very specific question about a dog’s health. Please ask your veterinarian if your dog can have Cheerios if they have cancer.
Can Dogs With Kidney Disease Eat Cheerios?
Please ask your veterinarian any questions about Cheerios and kidney disease. All dogs are different and this question needs a professional’s opinion.
Final Thoughts
Cheerios are a fantastic option as a “sometimes treat.” We always want to make sure our dogs are eating healthy diets full of protein and nutrient-rich foods. Cheerios have mostly empty calories.
While it won’t hurt your dog, don’t give them too much of this cereal. Always avoid harmful ingredients in cereals and read the ingredients label.
If you have any questions about food dogs can eat, please talk to your veterinarian.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more articles about other cereal and grains and if they are safe for your dog to eat:
- Can Dogs Have Amaranth
- Can Dogs Eat Barley
- Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch
- Can Dogs Eat Froot Loops
- Can Dogs Eat Fruity Pebbles
- Can Dogs Eat Granola
- Can Dogs Eat Honey Bunches of Oats
- Can Dogs Eat Pop Tarts
- Can Dogs Eat Weetabix
Find lots of articles on breakfast foods dogs can and can’t eat right here on Spoiled Hounds!
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Mark says
My Wheaten Terrier (Max) has been diabetic since he was 5 years old. He is now 13. He was on a very good diet from day one, so it was considered hereditary. He now has cataracts and difficulty seeing. We have fun playing “find the cheerio”. He loves them, his health is great, and it really helps with the poop function. I always wind up eating a couple of handfuls myself, but the cholesterol lowering claims seem to be exaggerated.