Can Dogs Eat Honey Nut Cheerios?

You enjoy a bowl of tasty crunchy Honey Nut Cheerios while reading the local news at the kitchen table.

Your canine companion is sitting at your feet, staring up at you, and waiting for you to hand them the one thing they truly desire, the thing that motivates them and that would make their day.

Can Dogs eat Honey Nut Cheerios?

Yes, Honey Nut Cheerios are safe for dogs to eat.

Even though it’s not a good idea to give them their bowl of cereal for breakfast, it’s OK to provide them with a few Cheerios as a snack while you eat.

Many dogs will like the crunch and mild taste, but what they’ll enjoy most is that you’re giving them treats.

Let’s get more details about how you can share your Honey Nut Cheerios in a safe way.

Ingredients Of Honey Nut Cheerios

some honey nut cheerios on white background

Cheerios aren’t the best treat or snack for dogs, but they can eat them as an occasional treat.

So, to know if Cheerios are safe for dogs, you should first look at what they are made of.

Here is the list of ingredients of Honey Nut Cheerios:

  • Whole grain oats

  • Corn starch

  • Sugar

  • Salt

  • Tripotassium phosphate

  • Vitamin E is added to preserve freshness

Based on this information, let’s discuss how Cheerios can help our dogs.

Pros Of Feeding Your Dog Cheerios

Cheerios offer very few, if any, health benefits for canines.

In addition to the benefits of honey, they also have trace vitamins and minerals that benefit your dog.

Like all human treats, Honey Nut Cheerios should only be given to your dog occasionally, not as a regular meal.

Cheerios have long been advertised as a cereal that is good for your heart because of their purported ability to reduce cholesterol levels and shield you against various other health issues.

dog on left side honey nut cheerios on right side

Fiber

For optimal digestive health, your dog needs a diet high in fiber.

About 4 grams of fiber, including 1 gram of soluble fiber, can be found in a single serving of Cheerios for humans.

So, if your dog is feeling congested, a few Cheerios can do the trick!

Vitamins

Vitamins A, B1, B12, B6, E, zinc, thiamin, magnesium, folic acid, and vitamin D3 are all typically found in a typical serving of Cheerios.

Vitamins help maintain healthy blood cells count with clear eyes and skin.

Calcium

An adult dog needs some calcium in his diet.

Honey Nut Cheerios come with calcium.

They are a great way to improve their calcium intake and their small amount of phosphorus aids absorption.

Iron

Iron can also be found in Cheerios.

Although canines have a lower iron requirement than humans, the mineral is crucial to their health.

Cons Of Feeding Your Dog Cheerios

honey nut cheerios on left side brown dog on right side

Too Much Sodium

There is a shocking 126.7 milligrams of sodium in just one cup of Cheerios.

For a dog, such a quantity of sodium is excessive.

Be mindful that canines require only 0.25 to 1.5 grams of salt per 100 grams of food.

Your dog risks salt toxicity if it consumes too much salt.

Indications of sodium toxicity include:

  • Extreme thirst

  • Frequent urination 

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Loss of appetite

  • Lack of coordination 

  • Muscle weakness and tremors 

  • Convulsions

  • Lethargy

High Calories and Carbs

Cheerios are OK for four-legged friends to consume but are not the healthiest snack.

One serving of Cheerios (26 grams) contains 93.3 calories and 19.3 grams of carbs.

The sugar can lead to health issues, including obesity and tooth decay in your dog.

Cheerios are not a healthy option as a snack or reward for dogs due to their high carb and calorie content.

Aside from increasing their daily calorie and carbohydrate intake, dogs aren’t getting many additional nutrients.

High calories can contribute to weight growth and obesity.

Nut Allergies

Honey-nut cheerios are not a good choice if your canine friend has nut allergies.

However, the Honey Nut Cheerios have a “natural almond flavor,” although they do not contain any nuts.

Almonds are rarely the source of this.

Still, it could make people with nut allergies sick.

If that’s the case, you should stay away from these.

If you’ve given them to your medium-sized dog in the past and they were fine, then they probably don’t have any food allergies.

Urinary Problems

Consuming a lot of cereals and other whole grains might lead to kidney stones and other urinary tract infections.

Indigestion

Dogs have a more delicate digestive system than humans do.

As a result, their stomach has trouble processing foods like almonds, which can lead to bloating and gas.

Can I Give Honey Nut Cheerios To My Dog Every Day?

a lot of honey nut cheerios

Too many Honey Nut Cheerios (or any other flavor) are bad for your dog.

Overfeeding your dog with Cheerios can lead to excess weight due to the cereal’s lack of nutritious value and high sugar content.

You shouldn’t replace your dog’s regular meals with Cheerios, and you shouldn’t give them Cheerios as a tasty snack very often.

Many dog treats are available that are much healthier options.

It’s also possible for dogs to get stomachaches from eating too many Cheerios.

Don’t ever give them a bowlful equal to a human’s.

Only provide them with a couple of dry Cheerios to reward good behavior.

Can Dogs Eat Cheerios As Treat?

The safest option is plain Cheerios, which your dog can consume.

The original flavor of Cheerios is the best option, even if the flavored varieties may look more appetizing at first.

The primary reason is that they are the healthiest and have the least sugar.

However, Honey Nut is also a risk-free option.

It doesn’t have any chocolate, which is bad for dogs.

It also doesn’t include any lactose, a sugar that can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and even anaphylaxis in sensitive canines.

We can probably all agree that such are undesirable outcomes.

That is why it’s best to always serve dry Cheerios to them.

Cheerio Flavors That Aren’t Safe For Your Dog

Whole Grain And Multigrain Cheerios

Animal proteins and the vitamins found in vegetables are essential components of a dog’s diet.

They can’t handle consuming large amounts of grains because of how their bodies are built.

Not even the entire grains can help your dog. Once in a while, you can feed your dog some multigrain Cheerios.

Make sure it isn’t a staple in their diet.

Of course, if your dog is allergic to wheat, you must avoid this cereal.

Frosted Cheerios

Don’t give your frosted dog Cheerios because it would increase the amount of sugar in its diet.

Canines can safely consume frosted Cheerios.

But the high sugar content isn’t beneficial for your pet.

Diabetes, obesity, and heart disease are all possible consequences of feeding a dog an excessive amount of sugar.

Chocolate Cheerios

You probably already know this, but chocolate is highly harmful to dogs and should never be given to them.

Even though most people have had a close call when their dog accidentally ate chocolate, you should never knowingly feed your dog sweets.

Caffeine, found in chocolate, is another stimulant you should never give your dog.

If a dog has either of these conditions, it may also:

  • Diarrhea

  • Stomach Upset

  • Vomiting

  • Seizures

  • Excessive energy

  • Death

Please don’t eat the chocolate-covered or chocolate-flavored Cheerios.

No, your dog should not eat chocolate cheerios; I repeat, no!

Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Honey Nut Cheerios

honey nut cheerios on left side dog on right side

First said as a recap: dogs can not eat Honey Nut Cheerios.

Hopefully, you no longer have any concerns about feeding Honey Nut Cheerios to your dog.

Honey Nut Cheerios is a healthy, non-toxic, and well-tolerated cereal for most dogs if given just a few pieces.

Cheerios are beneficial for your dog despite the modest nutrient value since they include fiber and a few essential minerals and vitamins in minute amounts.

When it comes to feeding your human dog cereal, the sugar content is a significant consideration, and Honey Nut is one of the flavors with the least sugar.

Honey Nut Cheerios may not be suitable for your dog if they have certain health conditions, so check with your vet before giving them to your pet.

Your dog’s vet is always available to help you.

Before You Go…

Now you know the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat Honey Nut Cheerios?”.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Dimitra Kokologianni, DVM
Dimitra holds a Masters’s degree in public health and a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. She is a versatile professional with over 7 years of experience. Her passion for animal welfare and preventive medicine makes her an excellent resource for our readers.