You might be having your cupboards loaded with a variety of cornflakes to offer you a nutritious, yet delicious breakfast. While you start your day with a healthy bowl of cereal, you want the same for your pooch too. You may be tempted to offer it to your furry friend. But, is it safe?
Well, cornflakes offer numerous benefits to us and are quite famous among quick breakfast recipes. However, before allowing your dog to hoover up any spilt flakes, you need to hold off and ponder, can dogs eat cornflakes? Read out the article to find out!
Are Corn Flakes Safe for Dogs?
Whether or not cornflakes are safe for your dog, depends on what’s inside a pack of cornflakes. They are derived from milled corn, along with salt and sugar. These basic ingredients in trivial quantity cannot harm the dog. In fact, corn is commonly found in many commercial dog foods. However, if your dog is allergic to corn, you may avoid this breakfast.
Cornflakes are a good source of carbohydrates and contain some vitamins and minerals, including iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. However, cornflakes are low in protein and fat, which are necessary for a dog’s diet. Thus, feeding your Fido cornflakes means providing empty calories without any source of energy.
Other human foods like turnips may also make dog owners wonder, can dogs eat turnips?
Can Dogs Eat Corn Flakes?
After a detailed description of the nutritional values loaded in cornflakes, you might think of feeding them to your dog. But, can dogs eat cornflakes? The answer to this depends on the amount of cornflakes you feed and the dietary restrictions of your dog.
The first concern should be corn. Some dogs might be sensitive and allergic to corn and so it would be a good idea to completely avoid feeding cornflakes to your dog. Even a small quantity could trigger the dog and lead to serious harm.
Along with that, other components, that is salt and sugar, can also have detrimental effects on your dog if consumed in large quantities. Hence, dogs with diabetics or on a low-sodium diet should strictly avoid cornflakes.
As a paw parent, you should check the nutritional label to see the components in a pack. If they are minimal and safe for your dog, then he is good to go. Even if the ingredients are safe, it’s best to only give your dog a small quantity of cornflakes.
A dog should not eat a full bowl of cornflakes for the meal, so it’s better to give them occasionally as a small treat.
Cornflakes are available in various flavours, which may include artificial colours, nuts, raisins, chocolate and sometimes xylitol(sweetener). These added ingredients to enhance the flavours are categorized as toxic food for dogs and hence they can’t consume it.
While cornflakes don’t offer much nutritional value, they are generally safe in moderation. Other carb-heavy snacks like poppadoms make pet owners wonder are dogs allowed poppadoms?
Can Dogs Eat Corn Flakes With Milk?
The question before this has to be, ‘Can dogs drink milk?’. Many dogs are lactose intolerant and they can have difficulty digesting milk. If your dog is not one of them and can digest milk then it is okay to feed him cornflakes mixed with milk.
But, you should never offer an entire bowl to your dog. Milk in large quantities can lead to adverse effects on your dog including diarrhoea and vomiting. Also, it is high in fat and natural sugar and thus can lead to obesity.[1]
While cornflakes don’t offer much nutritional value, they are generally safe in moderation for most dogs. Other human foods like yorkshire pudding make dog owners wonder, can dogs have yorkshire pudding?
Is There Any Risk of Feeding Corn Flakes?
Due to the added flavours and preservatives, there may be a risk in feeding your dog cornflakes. Firstly, it contains corn due to which some dogs might develop allergies. Many dogs are sensitive and allergic to corn, which may lead to skin irritation or upset stomach.
Dogs who are overweight or trying to maintain their weight should avoid cornflakes. It contains added sugar which can lead to obesity when consumed in large quantities. Obesity in dogs may lead to arthritis, pancreatitis or kidney disease, confirms Jennifer Grota at petMD. Also, crunchy foods like cornflakes can stick to a dog’s teeth, increasing the risk of dental problems, such as plaque buildup and cavities.
Last but not least, salt content in cornflakes. Human foods generally have high amounts of salt which might not be suitable for dogs.[2] It is important to check its content on the labelling. Only feed the dog if the contents are in a range suitable for dogs. High salt intake may lead to salt toxicosis.
The nutritional needs of huskies are different than other breeds, so even if small amounts of cornflakes are generally safe, it's best to avoid them and stick to the best dog food for huskies.
FAQs
Can I give cornflakes with milk to my dog?
You can feed cornflakes with milk but in small quantities. Some dogs are lactose intolerant and hence cannot digest milk. A combination of cornflakes and milk can cause problems with a dog’s stomach.
Are there any health benefits for dogs in cornflakes?
Overall, cornflakes do not have any visible benefits to your dog. Along with corn, it has many added preservatives and artificial flavours like salt, sugar, nut, chocolate etc which can be toxic to the dog in the long term.
Are there any safe alternatives to cornflakes for dogs?
Feeding your dog cornflakes regularly may cause nutritional deficiencies and lead to health problems. If you want to treat your dog with some cereal, choose safe options like oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
Summary
Can dogs eat cornflakes? In a nutshell, yes, dogs can definitely eat cornflakes but in moderation. They should not be given in place of a healthy meal as they fail to meet the nutritional requirements of a dog. The flakes do have a lot of calories but the essential protein and fibre are not present, providing empty calories to the dog.
Cornflakes can be given to the dog occasionally in the form of a treat as it provides a crunchy delight. However, if there are any signs of allergy or upset stomach, you may stop offering them to your dog and consult a vet immediately. Happy feeding!
While cornflakes are not toxic to dogs in moderation, they lack key nutrients like fibre for dogs that are vital to canine health. It’s best to look for more nutritious sources of fibre when feeding your dog
References:
- Burke, A. (2022). Can dogs drink milk? American Kennel Club.
- Gedon, T. (2023, February 17). Beware of human foods toxic to pets. Oklahoma State University.
