Can dogs eat breakfast cereal?

Plain cornflakes, puffed rice, plain shredded wheat, and unsweetened bran flakes without fruit are low in sugar and do not contain anything toxic. A handful sprinkled on the floor can make a quick scatter game for a bored dog. Each cup of dry flakes carries about 100 calories, so use only a few pieces.

Some dogs enjoy the crunch as a low-calorie training reward.

Chocolate cereals contain cocoa. Raisin bran, fruit and fiber mixes, and muesli contain dried grapes or raisins. Nut clusters and granola may include macadamia nuts or be coated in sugar and oil. Frosted and honey-coated cereals are sugary and add nothing useful.

Some low-sugar cereals and bars use sweeteners, so check for xylitol on the ingredient list.

Leftover cereal milk is sugary and full of lactose. Many adult dogs get gas or diarrhea from milk, and chocolate cereal milk carries cocoa. Pour leftover milk down the sink rather than putting the bowl on the floor.

Plastic cereal bags are a choking and blockage risk too.

Dogs often knock over cereal boxes and eat large amounts. Check the box to see which type it was. A large portion of plain cereal can cause bloating and loose stools; chocolate or raisin cereals need a call to your vet. A 500 g box of plain cornflakes is close to 1,900 calories, so even a harmless cereal can cause a bloated, gassy dog for a day or so. Store cereal boxes in a cupboard rather than on the counter.