Feeding granola bars to your dog may seem like a harmless thing to do but there is more to consider than just making your dog happy and satisfying his canine curiosity.
There are quite a number of different granolas all around. The question is are they all safe for your dog’s consumption? Of course, your vet doctor will be in the best position to decide which granola is safe for your dog’s consumption.
Granola bars contain a combination of different food components and so it is important to be sure if all of these food components are safe for your dog’s consumption.
Most of the granola types are relatively healthy for your dog but some of them contain ingredients that are toxic to your dog. Find out in this article, which granolas are safe for your dog and which ones are not. Let’s go!
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Can Dogs Eat Granola Bars
Simply put, Yes. Dogs can eat granola bars. However, to be on the safer side, you could just avoid feeding your dog any granolas at all since there are some granola types that contain ingredients that are toxic for your dog.
But just in case you have to feed your dog any granolas at all, we have a list of the safe and unsafe granolas for your dog’s consumption right below.
First, there are some ingredients in human foods commonly found in granolas such as chocolates, raisins, nuts and artificial sweeteners; all of these ingredients are very toxic and unhealthy for your dog.
Granola cereals are mostly made of brown rice and oats, both of which are safe for your dog’s consumption. In small quantities, granola cereals are great for dogs. You do not want to feed your dog with too much granola cereal as they contain lots of fiber and too much fiber intake can cause diarrhea for your dog.
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Safe Granolas For Dogs
As we earlier mentioned, there are different types of granolas. Here are a list of some of the different granola types that are safe for your dog:
- Granola Bars
Granola bars made specifically for humans are a no-no for dogs. This is because the human granola bars contain ingredients that are harmful for your dog, including excess sugar. Ensure that you do not feed your dog these granola bars. There are other types of granola bars that are safe for your dog, including:
- Nature Valley Granola Bars
Nature Valley granola bars do not contain raisins, chocolate artificial sweeteners or any other toxic ingredients and so they are considered to be safe for your dog.
However, like with every other human food, moderation is key. Do not feed your dog an entire granola bar at a time. Feed him in small bits each day as this granola bar also contains high amounts of sugar which can lead to weight gain and an increase in your dog’s blood sugar level.
- Honey And Oats Granola Bars
This type of granola bar contains lots of sugar and so it is advised that you only feed this granola bar to your dog in small quantities. Little bits of honey and oats granola bars each day will not bring any harm to your dog.
- Raisin-free Granola
Nuts are packed with fatty acids that provide your dog with the healthy fat he needs for a healthy skin. Granolas containing nuts like macadamia nuts and peanuts are safe for your dog’s consumption.
So long as this granola does not contain raisin even in its smallest amount, or any other harmful ingredient like Xylitol sweetener or chocolate, your dog can safely consume it in moderate quantities.
- Peanut Butter Granola
As long as they do not contain any artificial sweeteners like Xylitol, Peanut butter granolas are safe for your dog’s consumption. Confirm that all the ingredients contained in the peanut butter granola are safe for your dog to consume.
Excessive sugar and fiber are not very healthy for your dog as they can lead to diarrhea. Although it might not result in any other severe health issues immediately, continuous intake of excess sugar will gradually result in diabetes, weight gain and heart disease in your dog.
- Honey Granola
Since honey is safe for your dog to eat, honey granolas are equally safe for your dog’s consumption. Honey is a natural source of sugar and so you must only feed your dog honey granolas in moderation as giving him lots of honey granola can result in weight gain and other severe health conditions.
Asides their high levels of sugar, some honey granolas contain high amounts of dietary fiber, a food component that your dog does not need a high amount of.
- Homemade Granola
Homemade granolas are a good option for your dog, if you must feed your dog some granolas. This is because you have a control over the ingredients that are contained in the granola and can also regulate the sugar and fiber levels in your dog’s favor, making sure that all the ingredients are totally safe for your dog.
Here are some safe ingredients that you can use to prepare your dog’s granola at home: Very berry doggy granola bars made with maple syrup, different seeds and cherries.
Granola Peanut Butter Crunchies made with different seeds, dried fruits and rolled oats. These ingredients are highly nutritious.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate A Granola Bar?
Depending on how long ago it was that your dog ate the granola bar, there are different steps to take. If it had only been two hours or less since your dog ate the granola bar, it is advised that you take him to the veterinary doctor immediately to induce vomiting so he can get the granola bar out of his system before it causes any damage.
If it has been well over two hours since he consumed the granola bar, pay close attention to your dog and look for signs of discomfort, stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, lethargy or granola bar wrappers in his feces. If you notice any of this signs, you are advised to visit your vet doctor immediately.
Final Summary
Even though your dog is interested in sharing your granola bar and practically begs to have some, it is important that you put your dog’s health and safety into consideration.
If you decide to give your dog some of the safer granola types, it is important that you restrict and put a limit on the amount of sugar that your dog consumes as excessive sugar intake can cause obesity and diabetes in your dog.
To avoid any digestive irregularities in your dog like diarrhea, as a result of the fibrous content of granolas, you can alternatively feed your dog plainly brown rice and oatmeal.
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