A bowl of cheerios with milk is a classic breakfast for many humans. It’s an easy, quick and somewhat healthy option for us… But is it also the case for our feline friends? Can cats eat cheerios?
Can cats eat cheerios?
The answer is… Yes and no. Regular cheerios are not toxic for cats. However, it’s not something you should be giving to your cat for a meal or even a treat, because it has no nutritional benefits. These cereals do not provide cats the essential dietary nutrients, so they are not very healthy for them to consume on a daily basis.
Be aware that there are many kinds of cheerio flavors, and some of them could be toxic to our feline friends.
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What are the signs of toxicity?
As we said previously, regular cheerios are not toxic to cats. However, as they are considered a carbohydrate, they are hard to digest for our felines. In other words, consuming cheerios in large amounts can cause an upset stomach, diarrhea or nausea.
On the other hand, chocolate cheerios, for example, are toxic for cats and should never be given to them. The agent called theobromine, present in every kind of chocolate, is lethal to cats. The symptoms include abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, tremors and it can even cause death.
Honey nut cheerios are also a big no for cats, because they contain a large amount of sugar and fat, which can lead to diabetes and obesity.
What to do if my cat eats cheerios?
If your cat eats one or two cheerio rings that you accidentally dropped, don’t worry – it will not poison your cat, and probably will not upset their stomach either.
If they’re not used to eating something like cereal, soft stools can occur, but it will probably pass on its own.
Cheerios can become a problem when cats start to eat them over a prolonged time, or a large amount at once. So, if your cat ate a large quantity of cheerios, make sure you keep them under vigilance. If any symptom occurs, call your veterinarian immediately.
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