Dogs can eat honey, and dogs can eat oats. But can dogs eat the Honey Bunches of Oats breakfast cereal? Read this guide to find out!
As a devoted dog mom, I know how much information there is out there about what dogs can and cannot eat. So, I sifted through all the information and shared what I found.
For ultimate pet safety, please ask your vet any questions you have regarding your dog eating Honey Bunches Of Oats.
What Are Honey Bunches Of Oats
Honey Bunches of Oats is a breakfast cereal produced by Post. There are a bunch of different flavors and varieties. At the time of writing this article, these are the current Honey Bunches of Oats varieties:
- With Almonds
- Maple and Pecans
- Granola French Vanilla Almond
- Honey Roasted
- Cinnamon Bunches
- Honey Roasted Granola
- With Real Strawberries
- Vanilla
It’s advertised a nutritious cereal because it’s made with whole oats. In fact, their website advertises it as being low in fat, having 14 grams of whole grains in each serving and 10 essential vitamins and minerals.
What’s in Honey Bunches of Oats? The ingredients in the main type of cereal – Honey Roasted – include: Corn, Whole Grain Wheat, Sugar, Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Rice, Canola And/or Soybean Oil, Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Corn Syrup, Salt, Molasses, Honey, Caramel Color, Barley Malt Extract, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Annatto Extract (color), Bht Added to Preserve Freshness.
It lists the vitamins and minerals in a separate list from the other ingredients. These are the vitamins it includes:
- Reduced Iron
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
- Vitamin a Palmitate
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6)
- Zinc Oxide
- Thiamin Mononitrate (vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin D3
- Vitamin B12
Nutrition Information
According to their website, Honey Bunches of Oats has the following nutrients in a 1-cup serving:
- Calories – 160
- Total Fat – 2 grams
- Monounsaturated Fat – 1 gram
- Sodium – 190 mg
- Total Carbohydrates – 34 grams
- Dietary Fiber – 2 grams
- Total Sugars – 9 grams
- Protein – 3 grams
- Iron – 16.2 mg
Safe In Small Amounts
Yes, dogs can eat a little bit of Honey Bunches of Oats without getting sick. The main flavor or variety doesn’t contain toxic ingredients for dogs. If you drop some on the floor and your pup eats it, they will probably be just fine.
The key here is small amounts. Just because it doesn’t have toxic ingredients doesn’t mean your dog gets their own bowl of cereal with you.
It has added ingredients that could harm your dog in the long run. The biggest concern with it is all the sugar and calories, which could contribute to health issues.
The other issues are the whole grain wheat and the fiber. This cereal contains gluten and not all dogs can digest gluten properly. And some dogs are really sensitive to fiber.
As a fellow pet owner, I think that if you can keep sugary human foods away from your dog, you’re going to take care of their long-term health. Even though Honey Bunches of Oats might be safe, it’s still not good to add to your dog’s diet.
Gluten And Dogs
Honey Bunches of Oats contain gluten, which is a worrisome ingredient for dogs. Some pet parents prefer to keep their pups on a grain-free diet. This makes sense to me since dogs are natural carnivores and predators.
VCA Animal Hospitals states that dogs should eat a well-balanced diet of meat and plant foods. It goes on to state that some dogs can do just fine as herbivores, but that’s a decision between you and your veterinarian.
But what about gluten? How do you know if your dog is allergic to it or has a gluten sensitivity?
Look for symptoms like gassiness, diarrhea, coughing, itching, or sneezing. If you notice your dog acting sick or lethargic, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Sugar and Dogs – Be Careful
Another reason to keep Honey Bunches of Oats away from your dog is because it’s way too high in calories and sugar. Sugar should make up a tiny percentage of their daily calories.
Just like us humans, dogs that eat too much sugar can cause a slew of health issues.
According to WebMD, too much sugar is dangerous for dogs. ” It can make your dog overweight and cause problems with their teeth. It can even lead to diabetes.”
The only sugar dogs should eat should come from natural sources, like fruits and vegetables.
Milk and Cereal Isn’t Good For Dogs
It’s never a good idea to pour a bowl of milk and cereal and give it to your fur baby.
Not only would this be dangerous for your dog’s health, but the milk could give your dog gastrointestinal problems – especially if you don’t know if they are lactose intolerant.
Don’t let your dog eat their own bowl of cereal.
How Much Of It Can Dogs Eat
It’s best if you don’t give your dog any Honey Bunches of Oats at all. If they happen to eat a few that fall on the floor, they will be ok.
But don’t give your dog a bowl of cereal as a treat or as a part of their regular diet. Your dog’s diet should be high in animal protein and low in processed sugary food.
Oat Dog Treats
Oatmeal is a safe cereal grain for dogs. It’s naturally gluten-free and a good source of fiber. That’s why I love to make homemade treats with oatmeal and oat flour.
If you want to make a sweet dog treat for your fur baby, then make some dog-safe oatmeal cookies. They’re made with oatmeal, banana, peanut butter, and an egg. It’s a simple and nutritious snack for your dog.
What about breakfast? Make your dog a small bowl of dog-safe oatmeal. The basic recipe is made with just oatmeal and water. In that article I explain which ingredients are best to mix in with it.
Final Thoughts
Even though whole grain rolled oats are good for dogs, your furry friend shouldn’t eat an entire bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats. The empty calories and added sugar could hurt your dog in the long run. It’s better to make a homemade treat that won’t cause weight gain or health issues.
More Dog Resources
Here are even more resources about other cereals dogs can and can’t eat.
Find lots of articles on breakfast foods dogs can and can’t eat right here on Spoiled Hounds.
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