Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But can you feed your dog Weetbix? It would certainly be easier if we could all have the same breakfast. No hassle and – best of all – no overthinking! So can dogs eat Weetbix? Or will they have to stick with the kibble and stay away from the breakfast table?
For us humans, Weetbix is a health-positive breakfast. It’s full of fibre, can be customised to pretty much any flavour, and can be eaten dry or wet with milk for extra calcium. We’ve even heard about people using it as toast with butter and jam!
For dogs though, it’s better kept as an occasional treat. Here’s why you shouldn’t be sharing the Weetbix with your pooch too often.
Feeding your dog Weetbix
No matter whereabouts you live in NZ, there’s some sort of Weetbix in your local supermarket. It’s pretty much a staple food for many households.
However, it shouldn’t be a staple for your pup. You can feed your dog Weetbix in small amounts occasionally, but it isn’t designed to form the basis of a healthy and balanced diet for a dog. Having said that, a small piece won’t do any harm as an occasional crunchy treat.
Can dogs eat Weetbix safely?
Over time, humans have evolved to survive (and in many cases, thrive!) on a diet which regularly incorporates wheat and grains. The history of domesticated dogs and humans is closely linked, so most dogs have evolved to tolerate these well too.
This is why it’s often found in dog foods. But if you know someone who’s celiac, gluten intolerant, or unable to eat dairy products, you’ll know it can be quite individual.
Dogs who struggle to digest gluten won’t be able to eat Weetbix. If they’re allergic or intolerant, they might have digestive issues after you feed them Weetbix. Or it could even present as one of the many skin problems in dogs. You could try the gluten-free option though.
Sugar
Weetbix has a fairly low sugar content. That said, you still need to keep your dog’s teeth clean to prevent tooth decay. If you do feed your dog Weetbix, be sure not to add any extra sugar. They don’t need it!
Milk
Cereal and milk – is there a more classic pairing? If you want to feed your dog Weetbix, don’t add milk. Many dogs can stomach a couple of tablespoons without ill effects, but plenty of dogs are lactose intolerant. (In fact, cats are lactose intolerant too).
If your pup is lactose intolerant, you might notice vomiting or diarrhea within 12 hours after eating dairy. Even if they aren’t, you don’t want to add extra milk for the sake of it. But a bit of your mushy leftover milk-soaked Weetbix every now and then should be ok.
Share the love, not the breakfast
They say the way to the heart is through the stomach. And while we know you love your dog, showing it through human food isn’t always safe. And it isn’t just feeding dogs Weetbix that might cause issues.
In some cases they can chow down with you. Like if you’re eating eggs or plain chicken. In others, foods that nourish us are things that can poison your pet. Maybe you also want to know if your dog can eat vegemite? Basically, we just want to share our food with our doggos. And who can blame us? Check out ‘can dogs eat’ for some of the most common queries we see.
Provide a sickness safety net against the unforeseen with FREE pet insurance for one or more months when you sign up with PD Insurance today. And if you opt for our Deluxe plan, dental cover is included too.