Can Dogs Eat Granola? Truth + Healthy Recipes
Dogs are the closest friend of people. Therefore, anyone who loves canines likes to share their treats with them always. But, can dogs eat granola? This is a common question of many people as it is a very popular cereal product among them.
As they do not like their closest friend to be sick, they try to find the exact answer to this question. Therefore, this article is all about dogs and granola products.
So, can dogs eat granola? The answer depends on the ingredients of the granola recipe. If it doesn’t contain ingredients like; chocolate, raisins, or xylitol, you can give it to your pet without any trouble. But make sure not to use this as a regular treat and provide it in small quantities. If not, your friend will face difficulties with sicknesses like; overweight, vomiting, diarrhea, and high blood pressure.
As there are nutrients like; calcium, potassium, and protein, you can give granola in small amounts and make it a healthy treat for him. And also, you can make safe granola recipes at home. Therefore, as a good dog owner, give your full attention to the health and wellbeing of your pet because it is more important than anything else.
Accordingly, in this article, I have covered; what granola is, can dogs eat them, how it becomes harmful for them, and how to safely provide them for your furry friend.
Let’s get started!
What is granola?
Before focusing on; can dogs eat granola, let’s discuss its origin to have a clear idea about this food. Granola can be identified as a mixture of rolled oats and a variety of additional ingredients like; raisins, brown sugar, nuts that are used for breakfasts, and as snacks and coconut.
The origin of this food item dates back to the 1800s, the period of Sylvester Graham, who developed Graham crackers and Graham flour. Later, this Graham flour was used to make the batter by Dr. James C. Jackson for baking sheets which were broken up, baked, and again broken up, again baked.
Finally, the recipe for Granula came up. Then, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg has been developed a mixture of grains and baked all the grains, and called it Granula.
And later, it was renamed by Dr. Jackson Granola. But unfortunately, it didn’t reach the market at that time and was unsuccessful.
The next step of this is by Charles W. Post. There, he borrowed the previous granola recipe, and it was changed to Grape nuts. It was successful, and still, we can find it today.
By the 1960s, granola became a healthy food. At present, it has become a major morning cereal and a snack that is popular among many people.
Now, it is clear that granola is not a recently emerged food item. It has a long history, but still, it is popular among the people. So, many people who love dogs consider giving this to their pets.
Nutritional benefit of Granola for dogs
When you consider whether dogs can eat granola or not, it is worth finding out the nutritional benefits of granola for dogs. Here are some of the main nutritions included in Granola.
This is an essential mineral for dogs that is helpful for them to maintain the health of their bones, teeth, and muscles. And also, it improves the clotting of blood in the bodies of the canines.
- Potassium
This is another nutritional requirement that helps to sustain a dog because; it improves and maintains its muscles. Not only has that, but it also helps for the body functions.
The ability to regulate the acidity in the fluid of the dog’s body is also done by the potassium, which is included in granola.
- Dietary fiber
This functions in the body of the canine just like it functions in the human body. Accordingly, it protects and preserves the gastrointestinal system.
Diseases like; colitis, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome are also prevented by dietary fiber.
- Protein
The protein present in granola helps to carry three major body functions of the dogs; supporting their immune system, maintaining and repairing their tissues and cells, and also they help to create antibodies, hormones, and enzymes.
- Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates lay the foundation for other nutrients for your pets. They can easily gain energy through them for their regular life.
Can dogs eat granola?
Most dog owners love to share their treats with them. So, if you are a granola lover, you may do the same with that. But, can dogs eat granola? When you are feeding your pet, you should not only think about its favorites, your comfort, etc.
You have to pay special attention to their health. So, let’s see here in detail whether granola is good for your pet.
We can’t directly say that the canines can’t eat granola. It depends on the ingredients of the product. Yes, they indeed love to eat this cereal product as a snack as well as a good breakfast.
But, the most appropriate thing is to keep all of them away from the pet. If not, you have to concern about the ingredients list. If it is too long, there will be more preservatives and not suitable for your pet friend.
Most of them are safe for dogs except for ingredients like; raisins, chocolates, and nuts because they are toxic for them. And when it is mixed up with sugar, it will be more dangerous. And also, fiber may upset its stomach.
There will be granola products which all together or individually mixed with these toxic ingredients because they are produced for human consumption.
But as a good owner, you should remember that they are deadly ingredients for your friend. Therefore, it is better not to give this as a regular treat.
The experts have been only recommended to give them 10% of their food. You can calculate that amount by counting the calories that you need for your pet.
As an example, if your dog needs 1000 calories per day, you can provide a treat of 100 calories for them. Make sure not to overfeed them with granola because it will be harmful if the amount exceeds.
When is granola become harmful for the dog?
Now, you know the answer to the question; can dogs eat granola? Accordingly, they can eat in small amounts, and it will be harmful when it exceeds the amount.
Then, why and how does it become harmful? Here, let’s discuss it in more detail.
1. Contains sugar
Many food items that have been designed for human consumption contain sugar in high amounts, which is not suitable for dogs.
When they consume those products for a long period, they are likely to become overweight, get oral infections and cavities, have metabolic issues, and have diabetes.
Granola also contains sugar in high amounts. Therefore, it will cause various diseases if your pet consumes them for a long period as a regular treat.
2. Contain fiber in high levels
This is a food item that contains fiber in high levels. It is really good for people but not safe for the canines. They may cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems with this.
3. High fat
Canola oil is a common ingredient in granola. So, it is not good for the dogs. And the almond and walnut in them are not toxic for your pet, but they are of high-fat levels.
Therefore, they can lead to diseases like; high blood pressure causing many difficulties for the dogs.
4. Contains toxic ingredients
Some granola products contain toxic ingredients like; xylitol, chocolate, raisins, etc. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener, while raisins and chocolates are mixed up in most of them.
Therefore, make sure to check the list of ingredients to see whether these ingredients are there. If so, do not give them because they can even cause death for the dogs in the long run.
5. Blockade and choking hazards
There are many nuts included in granola like; almonds, walnuts, and even sunflower seeds which can lead to blockage or obstruction while your pet wolf down the food.
In such a moment, you need to immediately consult the vet.
6. Contains sodium
Sodium is rich in this food item where your friend will always be thirsty. Accordingly, it will face dehydration, and when the sodium content that reaches can be driven towards ion poisoning, diarrhea, vomiting, etc., can be caused.
How to give granola to the dog safely?
Can dogs eat granola? Is it a common problem for many dog owners because they like to provide their favorite food items for their pets? But, as it can cause health problems in the long term, here, I will provide you with some safe granola products for your friend.
1. Granola cereal
Your furry friend can safely eat this as most of them are made up of puffed brown rice and rolled oats. Both of them are safe and therefore do not fear to feed the dog with them.
2. Honey granola
You may think it is not safe to give honey granola as the sugar content is high. Yes, there is a lot of sugar in it, but you can give a little bit of it to your pet.
Make sure not to give more as it can call for diseases like; overweight and related health problems. But, there is no need to give a little bit.
3. Granola without raisins
It is not a secret that raisins are not safe for dogs because they are toxic for them.
Therefore it is important to avoid them in the granola recipe of your pet. Then, it will not cause health problems.
4. Peanut butter granola
Peanut butter granola is also safe for your friend. But, make sure that it does not contain xylitol.
Suppose the ingredients list does not include other harmful ingredients with xylitol. In that case, you can give them to your dog without any trouble.
And also, you can make granola safely at home for your pet. I will give some safe homemade recipes as;
- Granola peanut butter crunchies: – This is made of rolled oats, various kinds of seeds, and dried fruits that are packed with nutrients.
- Very berry doggy granola bars: – Cherries, different types of seeds with maple syrup are used for this.
Final thoughts
We have discussed; dogs can eat granola with more details. I think this article will work out for all the dog lovers as I have discussed some important areas related to canine feeding with granola like; what granola is, can dogs eat granola, how it becomes harmful for them and how to provide them for your furry friend safely.
Everyone who raises a pet dog likes to share their treats with them. But, dogs can’t consume everything that people can eat. Granola is considered an unsafe food item for dogs when provided in high amounts with its ingredients like; high sugar, chocolate, raisins, xylitol, etc.
But, there is no need to provide them with a small amount of it. And, you can safely give granola products like; granola cereal, honey granola, peanut butter granola. Also, granola peanut butter crunchies and very berry doggy granola bars can be made at home as safe food items for furry friends.
Pay your special attention to avoid giving in large quantities because it can result in harmful health effects like; overweight, high blood pressure, diarrhea, etc. So, as a good owner, you should only provide safe foods for your pet.
Thank you for reading this post. I hope it answered your burning questions about your dog. Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts.
