9 Shocking Reasons Why Dogs Can’t Eat Apple Jacks

Apple Jacks have “apple” in their name… 

So they have to be healthy, right? 

Wrong. 

“But do they at least taste like apples?” 

Wrong again. 

Nothing here is as it seems. So, if you thought this delicious breakfast was a good treat for your dog… 

Think again. 

Continue reading to learn: 

• 9 reasons why your dog can’t eat Apple Jacks. 
• Whether or not you should feed table food to your dog.
• Healthy alternatives to Apple Jacks you can give your dog.
• And many, many more… 

Can dogs eat Apple Jacks?

Dogs cannot eat Apple Jacks because they contain sugar and chemicals. They were also intended for human consumption, not for your dogs. So, you should not give this breakfast treat as a reward or an intentional meal.

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9 reasons why dogs can’t eat Apple Jacks

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#1: Dogs have their own food 

Does your dog stare at you the entire time you’re finishing your Apple Jacks? 

I know it’s hard to say no when your dog gives you irresistible puppy eyes. 

But you have to stand your ground for this one. 

Let me start by saying this.

The digestive systems of dogs and humans are very different. 

We can all stop pretending and admit that we consume a lot of junk and fatty food. 

You know what I am talking about here…

Chips, bacon, cookies, and more. 

While we feel relatively okay after eating these foods, dogs will feel different. 

For dogs, eating food not suitable for them can lead to: 

• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Pancreatitis. 
• And other health problems. 

Warning: Many processed human foods contain toxic artificial sweeteners. And they can cause extreme harm to your pup. 

Sugar and carbohydrate 

The two types of carbs are: simple and complex. 

Basically, simple sugars are those that are unhealthy. Like cake, candy, and ice cream.

Meanwhile, a complex carbohydrate has starch or fiber. Like fruits, vegetables, and grains.

But dogs are carnivores with very low nutritional requirements for dietary carbs. A dog’s body can’t break down carbs for energy. 

“So, what happens when my dog does not break down sugar?”

Any carbs it eats are just stored as unhealthy fat. And we all know that unhealthy fat will not do your dog any good. 

You may also wonder: Why Do Dogs Go Crazy For Food? 5 Reasons + Tips 

#2: Your dog may suffer from urinary and kidney infections 

Many dog owners do not know this, but Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are pretty common among dogs. A lot of the time, this is caused by bacteria in the urine.

PetMD says that you can tell that your dog has UTI if: 

• They pee all the time.
• They get incredibly thirsty. 
• You find blood in their urine. 
• Your dog pees inappropriately.
• They are having a hard time peeing.

Sugar can increase the frequency of UTIs in dogs. It raises urine acidity, allowing bacteria to thrive and grow faster.

“How much sugar exactly is there in Apple Jacks?”

In one cup of serving, this breakfast cereal contains 12 grams of sugar, says WebMD. And this is a lot for your dog.

Besides sugar, other foods that will cause UTI in dogs include: 

• Dairy.
• Spinach.
• Tomatoes.
• Raw carrots. 

If you want to know more about UTI in dogs, watch:

#3: Sugar is toxic 

All it is is empty calories. 

A life without sugar is no fun. It’s hard to imagine life with all the delectable sugar bombs. 

But your dogs may suffer significantly from this. Giving your dog a sugary treat every now and then causes more harm than you think.

“What is in sugar that makes it toxic to dogs?” 

Xylitol 

Xylitol is used a lot as a sugar substitute. This can be found in many gum, candies, toothpaste, and other processed food. 

And even the smallest amounts of xylitol can cause low blood sugar in dogs. 

Warning: Xylitol can even cause liver failure, seizures, and death in dogs.

#4: This will cost you an expensive trip to your vet 

Because of the unfamiliar environment and the smell of the clinic, some dogs are terrified of going to the vet. 

But most owners also hate visiting the vet because of the high costs. So, a trip to the clinic is never fun for both you and your dog.

Eating too much sugar for dogs can cause: 

• Gas.
• Diarrhea. 
• Vomiting.
• Depression.
• Excessive hunger.
• Extreme discomfort.
• Alarmingly high glucose levels. 

Since it’s hard to tell if sugar is the culprit, owners immediately take their dogs to the vet when they’re unwell.  

Not only is this a burden on your part, but your dog may feel uncomfortable too. 

In one study, it was found that more than half of all dogs in the study showed signs of fear in a veterinary setting. 

“But why does my dog hate the vet so much?”

Besides the unfamiliar environment and scent of the clinic, there is a deeper reason why your pooch does not enjoy vet trips. 

Pheromones 

When dogs feel stressed and other extreme emotions, they release pheromones. 

These chemicals are released by the different body parts of your dog’s body, like their ears, mouth, and paws. 

And fear pheromones affect dogs’ minds, making them change their behavior.

#5: This could upset their stomach

This problem may be the messiest among the others. 

Large sugar doses damage the micro-organism balance in your dog’s stomach. 

And this can lead to your dog having explosive diarrhea. Sometimes, they even experience vomiting. 

So, you should avoid giving your dog sugar if you don’t want to clean up vomit or diarrhea. 

“What do I do when my dog has an upset stomach?”

If you see your dog showing symptoms of an upset stomach, you should: 

• Allow them to fast.
• Give them ice cubes. 
• Do not give them too much water. 

If your dog’s stomach is upset frequently, discuss with your vet about a food allergy.

Warning: If symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort get worse, you should call your veterinarian right away. These symptoms could indicate pancreatitis, stomach bloating, an allergic reaction, or internal parasites.

#6: Table food is never a good idea 

“I’ll just give them one spoon.” 

We all know that’s not true. 

“I can’t help it, Petya. My dog is always hungry and keeps asking for my Apple Jacks!” 

Sharing food with your dog can create a bond. But it will not be good for them in the long run.

Many human foods are healthy for dogs. Like: 

• Apples.
• Carrots.
• Chicken.
• White rice. 
• Peanut butter. 

But once you start giving them table food, they won’t stop asking. So the best solution is to avoid this altogether. 

Remember that dogs learn from their parents what is acceptable behavior. Giving dogs table food, even after they’ve had a meal, teaches them that this is OK and they will act that way again. 

Oftentimes, this will result in your dog refusing to eat their own food.

Sounds familiar? 

This happens to a lot of fur babies. 

If this is currently happening to you, this is what you should do: 

• Lessen the treats. 
• Add chicken broth.
• Buy higher-quality dog food. 
• Mix home-cooked food and dog food. 

You may also wonder: 9 Ways To Deal With A Dog That Is Always Hungry 

#7: Your pooch may suffer from cavities 

When was the last time you checked your dog’s teeth?

You should start taking care of them because cavities can cause all sorts of problems, like gingivitis and periodontitis.

Warning: Bad oral health can cause your dog painful jaw fractures and even cancer.

The thing is, sugar does not cause cavities. 

“Huh?” 

I know, this is quite confusing. But just hear me out for a second. 

It’s not sugar that makes your dog get cavities. It’s the bacteria. 

When sugar is eaten, it interacts with the bacteria on your teeth to make acid. 

This acid is the cause of tooth decay because it slowly breaks down the enamel, which makes holes or cavities in the teeth. 

Enamel is the tooth’s thin outer covering. Without this protection, your dog’s teeth will encounter a lot of dental problems. 

Note: The VCA Animal Hospital recommends that you brush the teeth of your dog at least twice a day.

#8: Your pup may have diabetes 

Dogs can get type 2 diabetes if they eat too many carbs. 

Excess carbs convert to sugar, and too much sugar leads to diabetes. 

And if you will not start feeding your dog more nutritious food, this can eventually lead to obesity. 

Did you know that VCA Animal Hospital found that about 25% to 30% of dogs in the general canine population are overweight or obese? 

If your dog is overweight, it may be time to start cutting back on sugary treats and other unhealthy food. 

#9: This can cause changes in your dog’s immune system

Dogs who eat or drink a lot of sugar weaken the immune system cells that fight bacteria.   

There is no scientific proof that too much sugar weakens the immune system. 

But sugary foods and drinks are high in calories, which can negatively affect your dog’s immune function. 

And when your dog’s immune system becomes weaker, your dog may experience: 

• Cancer.
• Diabetes.
• Infections. 
• Osteoarthritis. 

Healthy Apple Jacks alternatives for dogs (100% safe)

Now that you know why your dog can’t have Apple Jacks, you should be more mindful about what you feed your pooch.

So, here are some healthier alternatives you can feed your dog instead: 

1. Milk-Bone Soft & Chewy Dog Treats
2. Buddy Biscuits Grain-Free Dog Treats
3. Rachael Ray Nutrish Savory Roasters
4. Dried Raw Single Ingredient Dog Treats
5. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Jumpin’ Stix