Can Dogs Eat Honey Nut Cheerios?

Health

Honey nut cheerios are one of the healthier breakfast cereals you can get from the grocery because it is relatively low in sugar and isn’t filled with artificial ingredients. This is true for humans but can dogs eat honey nut cheerios?

This article will answer that question, explain the benefits and hazards of this food as well as provide an alternative you can make at home.

Can Dogs Eat Honey Nut Cheerios?

Yes, dogs can eat honey nut cheerios because there is nothing in this cereal that is toxic. However, this cereal provides little nutritional value for our canine family members, so it’s not recommended for dogs to eat this frequently or in large portions.

Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Cheerios

Compared to other cereals and many other convenient foods you can get from the grocery store, honey nut cheerios are fairly healthful. They’re not filled with artificial colors, flavorings, and sugar.

Plus, they’re about the size of your typical training treat, so it’s easy to toss piece after piece to your dog. Because dogs love them, it’s a convenient treat to reinforce new lessons or reward good behavior.

Potential Hazards of Giving Your Dog Honey Nut Cheerios

Although Cheerios are better for your dog than many other popular breakfast cereal, it’s not exactly your best option for treats.

Apart from the fact they’re merely a source of empty calories, consuming cereals too frequently can put your dog at higher risk of these health concerns:

Urinary Issues

Diets rich in whole grains and cereals can make dogs more prone to urinary issues, including urinary tract infections or kidney problems due to urinary crystal formation.

Dogs that are already experiencing such issues are often shifted to grain-free or low-grain diets.

Obesity & Diabetes

Cheerios are made of starch, sugar, and oils. These ingredients aren’t beneficial additions to the typical canine diet. Instead, consuming too much of it can lead to excessive weight gain or even obesity and diabetes.

Better Alternatives to Honey Nut Cheerios for Your Dog

A good alternative to honey nut cheerios would be small, bite-sized pieces that are just as crunchy but have minimal or no grains and sugar. Here’s a dog treat recipe you might want to try:

DIY Training Treats for Dogs

This is an excellent alternative to cereal because it offers better nutritional value. It is made of both tuna and egg, which are good sources of protein. Plus, they’re more flavorful, so your dog will be more motivated during their training sessions.

Ingredients:

1 can Tuna
1/2 cup Brown Rice Flour
1/2 cup Chickpea Flour
1 Egg
1/4 cup Cheese, grated

Instructions:

Empty your can of tuna—water and all—into a large bowl.

Add both types of flour before cracking your egg into the mix.

Mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined.

Transfer your mixture into an 8×8 baking pan.

Press the mixture down to flatten it out into a sheet.

Place your pan in the oven and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.

Remove your pan from the oven and remove the treat sheet from the pan.

Cut up the sheet into whatever size is most appropriate for your dog.

Scatter the treat pieces back into the baking pan, place it back into the oven, and bake it at 275°F for 20 minutes for 50 to 60 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the treats to cool completely before you transfer them into an airtight container.

Notes:

Use tuna in water instead of brine to keep sodium level to a minimum. Plus, make sure your tuna doesn’t contain any harmful preservatives and extenders.

Choose a sharp-smelling cheese that isn’t filled with fat or artificial ingredients. Avoid artificial coloring altogether.

You can keep these treats at room temperature if you’re going to use them right away. Or, you can refrigerate them to make them last about a week.

Final Thoughts

Although honey nut cheerios are not harmful for your dog to eat sometimes, this cereal doesn’t offer the same nutritional value for dogs as it does for humans. To avoid the potential hazards keep your dog’s consumption of this food limited, and find alternative snacks and dog treats that are healthier to give them.