Cereal is a fairly common breakfast dish on our tables. And perhaps even more often they are eaten by children who will be happy to share everything with their dog. So it‘s natural that you may be wondering if it‘s safe to give cereal to your Australian Shepherd dog. In this article we will talk about whether a dog can eat cereal safely.
Can Australian Shepherd Dogs Eat Cereal? Well, there is no right answer if dogs can eat cereal or not. Simply because there are wide variety of different cereal brands and species. If it is a simple cereal, without additional flavors or other ingredients unsuitable for the dog – then yes, such cereal can be given from time to time. However, there are different types of cereal, and sometimes certain ingredients may not be suitable for the dog.
If you want to taste cereal with your Australian Shepherd, choose a simple, plain cereal that has no additives. And of course, as with all delicacies, do not give them much! Below you will find more information what kind of cereal are more suitable and which you should avoid giving.
Are Cereal Good For Australian Shepherd Dogs?
While a variety of cereal can be fine for dogs, most cereal you find in the store offer little to no nutritional value for the dog. Because grains add no essential nutrients to your dog‘s diet. Therefore, it should be given only sometimes if at all.
Many cereal contain so much sugar and are so highly processed that while they are safe to eat occasionally, they should generally be avoided.
The good thing is that it can occasionally be used as a snack during workouts. For example, plain cereal is harmless and at the same time cheaper than most dog treats. Cereal are best fed to the dog one at a time during training. You can also use peanut butter to lightly grease the flakes. It will be a healthy enough and very tasty reward for the dog during training.
Are Cereal Bad For Australian Shepherd Dogs?
While it may be okay for your Australian Shepherd to sneak a handful of cereal from time to time, cereals with potentially dog-toxic ingredients like chocolate, raisins, or nuts should be away from the dog.
Also, some cereal have artificial sweeteners like xylitol which should be avoided entirely as they are toxic to dogs. Frequently eating sugary cereal puts your pet at risk of obesity or even developing diabetes.
Additional problems can arise if you add milk to the cereal. Many dogs are lactose intolerant. Even small amount can cause severe diarrhea and discomfort.
Of course, you must consult your veterinarian before giving your Aussie human food. They can further advise you on which grains might be harmful to your dog.
Are Grain Foods Healthy For Dogs?
While there are a number of cereals that are considered nutritious for humans, they usually do not have the same nutritional value for your dog. However, some grains, such as oatmeal, may sometimes be recommended by veterinarians to help your dog with digestive problems, such as constipation.
While many grain products are fortified with vitamins and minerals that are considered beneficial to humans, in order for these vitamins and minerals to be effective, your dog should eat large amounts of grain. However, this would be a high risk of abdominal discomfort.
While some grains may be offered occasionally, grains should never replace your pet‘s normal diet.
Grains that are not only unhealthy, but also potentially unsafe for your dog are grains that contain more than 10 grams of sugar per serving, and even that amount can be too high.
Prolonged consumption of sweet grains can make your pet obese and increase risk of serious illnesses such as pancreatitis. Like humans, too much sugar in dogs can cause dental problems, including tooth decay and tooth loss.
Dogs Always Want To Eat!
As a dog owner, you will certainly notice day after day that there is almost no food that your dog does not want to eat. Unlike cats, dogs will try anything. Some dogs even try to steal food from their household cats!
But that’s also what makes it very dangerous. If you want your dog to stay healthy, then you should pay close attention to what he eats or what you give him to eat. There are cereal that has a lot sugar, chocolate or raisins that are simply poison for your dog.
We all want our animals to be healthy. That’s why it is also our duty to make sure that we don’t give him anything unhealthy.
Final Thoughts
You can give your Australian Shepherd dog cereal as described above, but only in small amounts. Make sure that these are plain cereal, without any harmful additives. If you are not sure, you can also ask your veterinarian. He knows best what is good for a dog and where could be problems.