Can dogs eat granola? As a dog owner, you might ask if dogs can eat granola. Research has shown that dogs can eat granola, although not too much. Some of the foods that humans find healthy can be hazardous to dogs.
Therefore, it is essential always to check what your dog takes and how it reacts to its body to avoid accidents. The below points will guide you on everything you need to know about granola.
Understanding more about granola
Can dogs eat granola? Most people consider granola healthy due to its combination of honey, oats, seeds, nuts, and fruits. It is baked cereal that can be taken for breakfast and have a crunchy texture.
It also contains different nutrients depending on what it has been mixed with. Some nutrients include vitamin E, copper, zinc, selenium, and calcium.
Difference between homemade and store granola
If you have been looking for granola, the option is to make one at home or buy from the store. They both contain healthy nutrients, although it depends on what you need. For a homemade one, there are some advantages to making one for yourself.
They include choosing your ingredients, customizing the taste of your liking, and prep time. They can last longer if you buy from the store due to preservatives. It is also cost-effective because there is no need to buy ingredients. All of the above can be fed to your dog with portioning and aftercare to avoid reactions.
Can you feed your dog granola?
Can dogs eat granola? Since they are made crunch and with sweet ingredients, dogs can find it amusing and enjoy chewing. Back to the question, I guess it depends if dogs can or cannot eat granola. The reason being some granola contains an ingredient that is harmful to the dog.
Therefore if you are looking forward to feeding your dog, first check what granola has and if it is safe for your fur baby to consume. Below are some of the risks that can be caused to your dog when they eat granola.
Did you Know?
We have written many articles about what dogs can eat. But did you know about this one? Can Dogs Eat Mint?
Granola Can cause weight gain
Can dogs eat granola? Since granola contains too much sugar and fats, it can result in extreme weight gain if fed to the dog regularly. When a dog is overweight, it can have many health issues that risk its life. To avoid regular visits to the vet, always ensure you feed your fur_baby regulated granola with the correct ingredient.
Granola Can lead to gastrointestinal issues
Because it is made of oats, granola can contain too much fiber that is harmful to dogs. Fiber is known to cause bloating that can upset the dog’s stomach, which leads to vomiting and diarrhea. As the owner, ensure to feed it the right amount, which will not cause any harm.
Granola Can cause sugar-related problems
Like humans, dogs can also be affected and suffer from too much sugar intake. Diseases like heart conditions, diabetes, and cavities are among the health issues that can attack your dog. Therefore regulation of granola intake is vital.
Granola can contain harmful ingredients.
As stated earlier, granola can contain dangerous ingredients to your dog’s health. Some of the toxic ingredients include chocolate which can cause poisoning to the fur baby. Other symptoms include vomiting, heart attack, and panting. Sweetener is another harmful ingredient that can harm the dog by causing liver failure, seizures, and death.
Nuts are also an ingredient considered toxic to dogs. There are different types of nuts, all with their benefits to granola. As a dog owner, it’s good to know which nut can be dangerous to your dog. Macadamia is mainly known to cause dogs’ death; therefore, it is crucial to avoid them.
Not forgetting raisins, one of the dried fruits in granola, is also deadly to dogs. When taken by a dog, some of its symptoms are dehydration and tremor caused by toxicosis found in them.
Can Dogs Eat Granola?
By now, you understand if a dog can eat granola and its benefits to its body. Some of it include lowering cholesterol levels, aiding in digestion, improving muscle health, and helping to regulate the dog’s food intake. Every owner needs to check what their dog is feeding to maintain its health.
