Is Granola Good for Dogs & Puppies to Have?
Since most dog owners readily share their food with their dogs, it is wise to understand if you should give them some of your favorite foods like Granola. With its simple recipe, granola is something people find easy to make, especially with its various available flavors.
The answer to the question on whether you can feed your dog with granola is this: you can feed your dogs with granola but not all flavors. Granola is made with different ingredients, which you can’t overlook while feeding it to your dog. For one, dogs can consume whole-grain granola because of its numerous health benefit. Yet, you cannot feed them with raisin because it is not safe for there.
Granola has become a food you find in most people’s diets because of its fibers as well as other nutrients. The richness caters for why people eat it any time of the day, especially as a snack. Although some people eat it in its bareness, others prefer mixing it with honey or peanut butter.
Can Dogs Like Granola?
Now that it has been established that dogs can eat certain flavors of granola, the question is how you can be sure your dog will like to eat granola. Well, from your experience, you must have deciphered that your dog wants everything you eat. Thus, you have a snack ready for their consumption.
How Healthy is Granola for Dogs?
You can never overlook the numerous nutrients you can get from granola. The presence of these nutrients makes it beneficial to the dog’s health. Quickly, let’s explore the various nutrients attached to granola.
Calcium
This essential dog mineral will help in maintaining dog’s bone, and teeth as well as their muscle health. More so, it helps in improving the clotting of blood in their bodies.
Potassium
Another essential mineral need to sustain the dog. This time it works in improving and maintaining the dog’s muscle. Moreover, it also works well on the functions of their blood function. Another function you’re sure to get from potassium is its ability to regulate acidity found in the fluids of their body.
Dietary Fiber
Fibers carry out the same function as they do with a human. They ensure the gastrointestinal system is duly preserved and protected. Also, they are used in the prevention of diseases like diabetes, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome etc.
Protein
These nutrients carry out three functions in the dogs: they support your pets’ immune system; they also main and repair the cells and tissues in the pet; in addition, they help in the creation of antibodies, enzymes as well as hormones.
Carbohydrate
Your pet will also be exposed to carbohydrate which is the foundation for other nutrients. Moreover, your pet can easily gain energy through carbohydrate.
Can Granola Be Harmful to Dogs?
With the pros, you might want to look for the cons as knowing both will build-up to your decision.
- It Contains Sugars: Dogs, like humans, possess sweet tooth, which makes their teeth susceptible to damage also. Despite the fact you cannot outrightly tag sugar as toxic for dogs, you must understand giving them granola regularly means you are exposing them to sugar. When that happens, you are also exposing them to things like diabetes and obesity. Sugar, also, can reduce your dogs’ lifespan.
- Sodium: Granola is rich in sodium, which will make your dog always thirsty. The result, thereof, is that your dog is prone to dehydration. And when they have sodium in excess, they are likely to suffer from ion poisoning, making them suffer from such things as vomiting, diarrhea, shakes, seizures among others.
- Cholesterol: You cannot outrightly call cholesterol harmful to dogs especially when its consumption is moderate. When your pet eats too much, however, it has a high chance of contracting Arteriosclerosis, a rare disease. The presence of this disease means that the arteries are coagulated and might be the cause of heart attack.
- Fat: When your dog eats too much fat, it has can easily gain weight, suffer obesity, and become lethargic.
- Calories: This is the same with fat. The difference here is that you cannot rule out the presence of calories in dogs’ food because they are high actives. To ensure safety, you need to regularly measure the calories they consume.
- Other Risk: Getting granola from the store means you are also exposing the dogs to certain things, which will eventually cause trouble for your pet.
One such thing is Xylitol, an alcohol that occurs naturally and replaces many processed foods. Although humans are not easily affected by this, dogs suffer a great deal. Moreover, foods from stores are rich in chemicals and preservatives that will be problematic for your pet.
Should Puppies Eat Granola?
Now that you are aware that dogs can eat granola, it is wise to hold on giving your puppies until they have exposed to human foods for a while. This is to avoid the same negative effect that adult dogs suffer.
To help you regulate it, the best option is to wait for about three to four months before introducing them to this diet.
Should Dogs Eat Honey Granola?
Since honey is safe for dogs when it is at a moderate level. Moreover, it is better than sugar because of its health benefits.
Should Dogs Eat Peanut Butter Granola
Peanut butter is also healthy for dogs. You simply must watch out for brands that use xylitol as a sweetening agent. These, as explained earlier, should be avoided.
Avoiding Raisin, Nut, and Chocolate Granola?
That people love raisin, nut, chocolate granola is no reason to offer it to your dog. Raisin affects’ dogs’ kidney. Some dogs, on the other hand, have issues with nuts. Chocolate also is filed with methylxanthines, a threat to dog’s health.
Care with Granola Bars
You should be careful when giving your dog granola bars because they might have harmful substance.
In summary, as much as dogs can eat granola, you must ensure it is moderated and that some toxic substances are avoided.
