What happens when you prepare a bowl of Froot Loops, and your dog wants some? Do you share some with them? Is that safe?
Froot Loops are some of the best breakfast cereals, packed with flavor. It might hearten you to know that you can give your dog the cereal, but it is best to be cautious because Froot Loops are manufactured using ingredients that might harm your dog.
Some ingredients to be cautious of include food coloring, wheat flour, corn, hydrogenated oil, and sugar. While some of these ingredients might not be as harmful on their own, combining them makes them unhealthy. Most notably, the corn might be too hard for your pup, while the sugar might cause their blood sugar levels to spike.
There are more things you should know if you choose to give your dog this delicacy, but more on that later.
Do Dogs Like Froot Loops?
Dogs have a sweet tooth that makes them suckers for anything sweet, and Froot Loops are some of the sweetest foods available. So, do not be surprised if you see your lovely pooch drooling over a bowl of your cereal.
However, you must remember that just because they have a sweet tooth does not mean you should let them eat anything sweet. Letting your pup eat Froot loops can cause them to overindulge, exposing them to the dangers of the cereal.
While giving your pup a small amount of this cereal is not harmful, it is not something you should do regularly. It is not the healthiest food, and you should discourage them from taking a bite out of your bowl of Froot Loops.
Why Shouldn’t You Give Your Dog Froot Loops?
No matter how much your pup seems to want the cereal, it is best to keep it from them. One of the reasons Froot Loops are not the best for your furry friend is their high sugar content.
Too much sugar in your dog’s blood increases their blood sugar levels and, in severe circumstances, can cause diabetes. The effects of high blood sugar on dogs are the same as on humans. Giving them a big serving of Froot Loops also leaves them at risk of gaining too much weight.
The cereal contains fiber from oats and dissolved maize flour. Both grains have hydrogenated trans fats and vegetable oil, which cause weight gain in dogs. Trans fats also increase bad cholesterol, or LDL, and harmful triglycerides.
Moreover, Froot Loops contain BHT chemicals, artificial colors, and natural fruit flavors. These can harm your dog.
If you want healthy food for your pup, only look for that with just over 3g of protein, 5g of sugar, and less than 5g of fiber. Healthy food also has at least 25%-40% of zinc-iron and other vitamins.
Froot Loops contain minimal amounts of vitamins A and D and even less zinc. This means the cereal is unhealthy for us and can be especially dangerous for your dog.
How Much Cereal Should Dogs Eat?
While it is true that dogs can eat Froot Loops, you might want to limit their intake. It is advisable to only offer them as a treat or reward.
When feeding your dog the cereal, follow the 10% rule: your dog’s treats should not make up for more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
Keep in mind that your dog doesn’t need Froot loops in their diet, so you can avoid them entirely. They contain empty calories, that is, calories with no significance to your dog. They also have sugars and preservatives, which can be indigestible in your dog’s stomach. The cereal can strain your pup’s digestive system, leading to unnecessary stomach problems and weight gain.
Can I Give My Dog Froot Loops Every Day?
You might be thinking, maybe I can give my dog just a few Froot Loops daily. As good an idea as this might sound, it is not. Giving them the cereal daily, no matter how small the amount is, can cause a buildup of its unhealthy aspects.
It also creates a bad habit for your furry friend; they might expect it to be an everyday thing and start behaving poorly when they don’t get any. You can give them a few pieces of cereal every other day or three times a week.
The health benefits of the cereal are minute compared to the dangers. In most cases, your pup will not get any benefits because they eat very few pieces that don’t amount to much. You can find healthier snacks for your dog instead of Froot Loops.
What About Puppies?
If you have puppies, you have to be even more careful. They are more susceptible to the risks of Froot Loops than older dogs. The preservatives and grains might be even harder on their stomach, causing digestive upsets.
Healthy Alternatives to Froot Loops
There are far much healthier alternatives to Froot Loops that are safer for your dog. They include:
Bran Flakes
This cereal is high in fiber and supports your pup’s digestive health. Bran flakes also help lower your furry friend’s cholesterol and blood pressure and boost their energy levels.
When serving bran flakes to your dog, ensure you don’t include any sugars or additives and moisten them with warm water to soften them.
Cream of Wheat
This is another healthy cereal, especially for dogs without wheat allergies. Cream of Wheat is made from ground wheat mixed with boiling water. It is recommended for dogs after they suffer from stomach sickness.
Although wheat on its own is not essential to your pup’s health, you can mix it with other useful ingredients to make them a nutritious meal.
Oat Bran
A fiber-rich cereal, oat bran is one of the best breakfast cereals for your dog. It is much better than store-bought foods. It is also good for their colon health and is suitable for dogs with weight management issues.
However, you should give it to your furry friend in controlled amounts. Too much Oat Bran can be dangerous and can cause gastrointestinal upset. You can mix oat bran with other foods to help add nutrition to your dog’s diet.
Final Thoughts
So now you know it is safe for dogs to eat Froot Loops, but you should control the amount they eat. The cereal has few nutritional benefits, and its health risks outweigh the benefits. It will be much better for your furry friend if you find them a healthier alternative like oat bran and Cream of Wheat.
If you choose to give your pup Froot Loops, ensure you only do it in measured amounts and do not make it a regular thing. You should also ensure your canine is not allergic to the cereal before feeding them any of it. As always, check with your vet before introducing any new foods to your dog.