Can Dogs Eat Granola?

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The diet of not only humans but also that of animals has evolved. In the past, people ate whatever was available to them, just like the animals. There was no balance in human foods. According to the fossil records of ancient humans, they used to eat raw vegetables, fruits, leaves, and even wood and bark.

Now the things are not the same. Over time, not only the fields of science and tech have advanced, but also the way we eat, the way we sit, and even the way we talk has remodeled lately. Human foods now include a variety ranging from simple fruit salads to baked Alaska, souffle, and macaron.

Things You Need to Know About Granola

In the 1860s, James Caleb Jackson’s health reformer made a grain-based food. He originally called it granola, a term derived from the Latin meaning grain.

Nutritional Values

Granola is considered a healthy food. It contains nutrients in a great number. Experts advise replacing the bowl full of candies and sweets on your kitchen counter with a bowl of granola mixed with some dried nuts and chopped fruits. Try it, and you will experience many health benefits.

A Good Breakfast Choice

The nutritional values of granola and its amazing benefits make it a good breakfast choice. No wonder if it’s just a granola bar, granola cereal, honey granola, chocolate granola, or plain granola. Yes, plain granola is as beneficial as others.

Moreover, some people don’t eat breakfast as it takes their time, while others opt to choose a breakfast that is easy to make. In both cases, granola is an ideal choice. You just have to grab a handful of granola on your way out to the work.

Dogs Eating Granola Is Okay?

One can say there is a debate going on whether feeding granola is safe for dogs or not. While some people say dogs can eat granola and are busy describing its benefits, others say that only a spoonful of granola will make your dog sick. So let’s settle this debate for once and all.

To put the long story short, it depends entirely on the granola ingredients.

Variety of Granola

There are many ways to eat granola, such as

grabbing a handful of raw granola mixed with dried fruits on your way out of the kitchen
a substitute for breakfast cereal
sprinkling it over yogurt, ice cream, or salad
for adding crunch to apple slices or smoothie bowl
using it as an alternative to breadcrumbs

Just like the number of ways we have to eat granola, there is also a variety of granola in flavors. All of them might be safe for humans, but some have harmful ingredients that can put your dog at risk while eating granola.

Can Dogs Eat Granola Cereal?

Just like you, your dog may want his first breakfast cereal to be granola cereal. No worries, you can feed granola to your furry friend. Granola cereal contains two main components: rolled oats and puffed brown rice.

Oatmeal and brown rice is not only humans’ diet. Dogs eat oats as well as brown rice in a normal routine too, making it safe as your dog’s diet.

Can Dogs Eat Granola Having Honey?

Honey granola is safe for your dog but in a moderate quantity. However, too much honey granola can cause diabetes or other diseases to your pet as they have sugars in high quantities.

In the same way, if you are eating a honey granola bar in front of your pet, he will ask for it, following his instinct. In that case, you can only let him have a small bite.

But don’t repeat this daily. A single bite of honey granola bars daily can be too much sugar for him.

Can Dogs Eat Granola Having Peanut Butter?

Peanut butter is also a good choice for your dog. However, before your dog eats an entire peanut butter granola bar, make sure it does not contain xylitol. It is a naturally occurring alcohol added as a sweetener in this type of granola and sometimes in peanut butter granola bars too.

Can Dogs Eat Granola Having Chocolate?

Dogs can’t have chocolate. It’s dangerous for them. It contains theobromine and caffeine, which humans can digest but dogs can’t. These two prove to be harmful ingredients causing chocolate toxicity in dogs. Moreover, the extent of harm your dog will suffer depends on the size of the dog and the amount of chocolate the dog ate. If a big dog had just a small bite, it may not harm. But the same quantity can harm your puppy.

So, try to avoid granola having chocolate in it, from serving to the dog.

Can Dogs Eat Granola Having Nuts?

Not all but the majority of the nuts are harmful to the dogs. For example, cashews are okay for dogs if they do not contain too much salt. Plain peanuts are safe for dogs, making peanut butter edible for the dog. You can also give them pistachios after removing their shell.

Macadamia nuts are a threat to your dog. It can cause several diseases, including inflammation in the pancreas, joints and tremors, and paralysis. Therefore, they should be avoided at all costs. Almonds and hazelnuts are not toxic for dogs, but your dog may struggle for air as they can easily obstruct the windpipe. So, it’s better to avoid these.

In short, before giving him granola bars having nuts, make sure they fall in the edible category for your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Granola Having Raisins?

Raisins are harmful to dogs, just like grapes. Professionals at health care centers are still in search of the substance present in raisins that are toxic for the dogs. But surely it causes kidney failure.

Try to avoid raisin granola bars, and make sure your dog doesn’t catch a glimpse of you eating raisins.

Can Dogs Eat Granola Bars?

Dogs eat granola bars and seem to like them. But you should be careful as many granola bars don’t suit your pet’s diet.

Granola bars made of rolled oats are safe for your dog. Rolled oats are whole grain treats, having no reason not to use them as a perfect snack.
Honey granola bar won’t harm your dog in small quantities.
Peanut butter granola bar is safe for your dog. But check out the ingredients before your dog eats it. Make sure it doesn’t have high contents of sweeteners and fibers.
Chocolate granola bars should be avoided because of the reasons described above.

Pet owners are always advised to make sure their dogs eat only those granola bars that don’t have harmful ingredients in them.

Nature Valley Granola Bars

Nature Valley dawned with the promise of introducing granola bars in the outside world. They make their own granola bars from fresh ingredients called nature valley bars.

Although these granola bars are safe and healthy for you, they might not be the same for your dog. These granola bars often have high contents of sugar, making them harmful for your dog.

Dogs can eat granola bars, but we, humans, are responsible for ensuring that eating granola bars won’t hurt our furry friends.

Two Wrong Strategies People Follow

People always follow one of the two extremes.

1- Not Considering the Possible Harms On Dog Health

They don’t care what is harmful to their dogs and feed them whatever they are eating, ending up at the vet’s clinic. They are responsible for their pets’ ill health. They need to know not all human foods are safe for them.

2- Saying A Complete “No” to Granola As Dog Food

Some people are extra-sensitive while feeding their dogs and don’t even let these innocent souls have a small bite. The same is the case with granola. They say it’s junk food in disguise, but isn’t it still better than many processed foods available in the market labeled as dog food. They have disadvantages on dogs’ health, but there are many benefits of eating them.

You just need to know what kind of granola to feed them and how much will be safe for them. In this case, by avoiding both extremes, you can choose a balanced diet for your dog.

Health Benefits Dogs Get from Granola

Let’s have a look at the number of benefits granola has to offer.

Improves Digestion

There are 6.9 grams of dietary fibers per 100 grams serving of granola. They play the same role in a dog’s body as in the human body. For example, they help improve digestion and avoid gastrointestinal upset and irritable bowel syndrome.

Improves Blood Circulation

Potassium and calcium present in granola help regulate their blood vessels function and prevent blood clotting in them, providing efficient blood circulation in the body.

Maintenance of Bones and Teeth

Granola provides a sufficient amount of calcium. Calcium is important for maintaining strong bones and teeth, not in humans but also in dogs.

Upsurge Immune Functions

Granolas are rich in proteins which play an important role in boosting one’s immune function. In addition, they provide the body with enzymes, hormones, and antibodies which are essential for an exemplary immune system.

It also makes the body’s white blood cells ready for any abrupt attack from foreign microorganisms.

Repair Body Tissues

Granola cereals containing whole grain oats or rolled oats have 60 to 70% carbohydrates. Biologists have always taught us that carbohydrates are the building blocks of your body’s cells and tissues. So it clearly shows that it can improve your dog’s health by repairing the body’s damaged tissues.

Promotes Muscle Health

Potassium is an essential mineral. It gives strength to your dog’s muscles, making him as tough as a full-blooded guy. But, beware, you can even fall for him (wink wink!).

Potential Dangers to the Dog’s Health

All of the granola bars are not harmful to dogs, but some harmful ingredients are. So let’s bring some pangs caused by these ingredients into the spotlight.

Diabetes

Dogs have sweet tooth just like humans. Store-bought granola has artificial sweetener in it. It might be in the form of maple syrup, brown sugar syrup, or any other form. All of them are high in sugar content. Regular intake of too much sugar can cause far greater damage to dogs as compared to humans, such as diabetes and a shorter lifespan.

Obesity

Too much sugar consumption can lead to high-calorie intake and weight gain. It also contains fats which add to obesity.

Weight gain from these ingredients can make your dog lethargic.

Arteriosclerosis

Granola also contains cholesterol. It is not toxic if consumed in moderate quantity. But too much consumption can cause arteriosclerosis.

This disease is characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol in arteries, making them thick and stiff and blocking the flow of blood to other parts of the body. It can eventually lead to a heart attack.

Dehydration

Nuts present in granola can trigger thirst. Just like humans, if dogs drink water after eating nuts, they might suffer cough and throat irritation. Sodium present in granola augments thirst.

Excessive sodium intake can lead to dehydration and sodium ion poisoning, symptoms of which include nausea, vomiting, and weakness.

If you observe even the slightest of symptoms of the above-mentioned ailments, visit a nearby vet as soon as possible to ensure the health of your tail-wagger.

The Downside of Making Your Dog Eat Too Much Granola

If your dog has exceeded the amount of granola, he is allowed to consume, or if you have mistakenly fed him more than he can digest, it can lead to diarrhea. Watch out for the most common symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, fever, or increased bowel movements.

Contact your pup’s vet instantaneously.

Which Is Best As Dog Food? Ready-Made or Homemade Granola

Ready-made granola can be fed to the dog after checking out its ingredients. But homemade granola for your friend is the best option.

Best Dog Granola Bars

You can make whole-grain granola or peanut butter crunchies for your pooch. Both of these are the best and easiest dog granola recipes out there.

Conclusion

Don’t let your dog down if he is craving some sweets. Granola is a better option than many other sweets. But do check out the ingredients if you don’t want to harm your dog. Another option is to make good quality and healthy granola treat at home, leaving you with no worries at all.