If you have a dog, you might have wondered that kids love lucky charms, so your dog would love a marshmallow treat too. But in general, marshmallows are a no-go for dogs. You might want to consider another treat for your pooch.
But the question is, can dogs eat lucky charms? Let’s find out the pros and cons of both sides about these sugary snacks!
What Is “Lucky Charms?”
The infamous lucky charms are a breakfast cereal brand, it was first made in 1964 by the General Mills and is a fan favorite. These cereals are made up of many different colored marshmallows, and different shaped oats. These shapes are associated with different symbols for luck.
The box and packaging also features a leprechaun, whose name is Lucky! This is a mascot for good luck amongst the Irish people.
What are lucky charms made out of?
When they came out, initially they contained oats, but now there is a whole mix of different kinds of cereals, which include, marshmallows and glazed frosted pieces. These are all sugary.
Moreover, the ingredients in these cereals are corn syrup, modified corn starch, sugar, whole grain oats, calcium carbonate, salt, and >2% of Trisodium phosphate (for color retention), red 40 lake and blue 2 lake and finally TBHQ (for freshness over a long period of time).
What are the benefits of lucky charms?
Of course, there are a few benefits of giving your dog lucky charms, let’s talk about them below.
The dangers of giving your dog lucky charms
As long as the consumption of these treats is not too often, or in large quantities, it should be fine with no worries at all. But, as they say “the abuse of anything is dangerous”, as is the case with lucky charms,
let’s find out what these harms could be below.
Is The Lucky Charm For Dogs, Gluten Free?
This is not true, as lucky charms are made out of oat and wheat ingredients, which are rich in gluten. Gluten causes celiac disease in humans. While dogs don’t have this disease, it is good to know that they might cause gluten sensitivities and allergies in dogs.
How to tell if your dog has eaten lucky charms?
If you see that your dog is very lazy or less active than it usually is, the chances are that it has eaten the sugary cereal. Sugar acts like a drug for dogs, and a large consumption can cause the dog to vomiting or even start rapid and frequent panting.
If any of these symptoms are present, the best course of action would be to getting help from a vet. Then, depending on the condition the vet will induce activated charcoal or force a vomit from your dog to get these sugary treats out of the dog’s system.
What happens of my dog has eaten too much Lucky Charms?
If your pooch has had a lot of sugar or these sugary treats to eat, they could end up having hypoglycemia. This is caused by the alarming levels of sugar in the blood stream, which will lead to a drop in the dog’s blood sugar level.
As marshmallows are hollow, they are filling the dog’s stomach and stopping him from eating essential elements like fat and protein, which are essential for growth.
You will have to induce a vomiting at home, and then follow that with a trip to the vet, just to be on the safe side.
Can Lucky Charms Kill Dogs?
Eating marshmallows won’t kill a dog. But again, if the quantity is large and it is frequent, it can cause serious life problems such as liver and kidney failure, diabetes, heart conditions and over-weight too.
So, feeding these treats should only happen once in a while, not all the time. Everything should be alright if the moderation is kept in check.
Should I Give Lucky Charms To My Puppy?
Ideally, you should not give a puppy these. While they might be able to ingest them, but their digestive system is not developed yet to digest and harness the energy to build and grow from these cereals.
The only thing this would lead to, would be a very sick puppy. So it is best to avoid feeding them these cereals.
When should you take your dog to the vet?
If your dog seems fine and is not giving of any of the symptoms, then it’s fine, and there’s no need to worry. This means that the dog has safely ingested and digested them, and there is no need to worry.
But, if your dogs are showing signs of nausea, or is agitated, or if you notice them being overactive, or even lazy, and if they have stomach upsets or even diarrhea. Then it is high time to take a trip to the vet. Some dogs have fragile digestive systems and these sugary treats just aren’t for them.
How often should your dog have lucky charms?
Due to the high and dangerous amounts of sugar in these treats, it is best to give them once in two weeks. Overfeeding of these has diverse and several bad effects on your dog, ranging from health problems such as diarrhea to obesity.
While these lucky charms have a few benefits attached, they do not overweigh the bad effects. It is important to know that these should only be treated as a once in a while treat, in little quantities, and not a frequent meal replacement.
How to feed lucky charms to dogs?
The method of feeding depends on the quantity you plan to give the dog. If you plan on giving one or two bites, then it’s alright to do so.
But, if you plan on giving a big treat, then it is always best to consult with your vet before, as it can prevent any mishap, and the vet will recommend the correct amount to feed your dog, keeping in mind factors such as weight and age, etc.
The ideal start should be slow and steady, otherwise you would cause them to have stomach problems and even diarrhea, as discussed above. You can also mix it in their regular feed, to sneak it past them.
Lastly, you may give it as a rewarding treat. Or mix it with their favorite meal, or give it with their toy during play time.
Are Lucky Charms Toxic To Dogs?
Absolutely…not! These cereals are made out of wheat and artificial flavors, which are safe for dogs to eat.
The cause for concern arises when your dog has too much of it to eat, which will lead to obesity because of the alarming sugar content in these cereals. The maximum you can give is 1 cup for a day, and you should also keep an eye out for the dog’s diet too.
Before starting to feed them, these treats, consult your vet for expert advice on dosage and the suitable food for your dog to prevent any health issues.
Do Lucky Charms Have Xylitol?
The short answer is yes, as instead of sugar these cereals use Xylitol. Dogs cannot digest this properly, and this leads to a rapid fall in blood sugar levels.
Xylitol is a sweetener used in many foods, so before you buy any food for your dog, check the ingredients list. The recommended dose for Xylitol should not be more than 70g for dogs.
Are there any healthier alternatives to lucky charms?
Yes, there are quite a few alternatives you can treat your dog to, and not have to worry so much. Let’s talk about them below.
How many lucky charms should I feed my dog?
This includes a lot of factors, which include the dog’s age and his weight. If you plan to feed a puppy, then consult a vet for expert advice. As puppies have various and different needs to grow and develop. The recommended dose for dogs should be from half a cup, to the maximum extent of 1 full cup a day.
Why do dogs love lucky charms?
Dogs are known to love Lucky charms as they contain marshmallows, and marshmallows are the favorite of many dogs. As they are soft and sweet, who doesn’t love marshmallows?
Conclusion – Can Dogs Eat Lucky Charms?
Just like any other treat or food, marshmallows are not harmful in little quantities. They might not be the ideal treat for your dog, but they don’t have life-threatening diseases either. Just remember to keep an eye out for allergies, or choking hazards.
