Rice Krispies is one of the tastiest snacks.
You can have them as a bowl of cereal for breakfast, or turn them into other tasty treats.
Since your dog’s seeing you enjoying them, they’ll want some, too.
So can dogs eat Rice Krispies?
They’re mostly made out of rice, right?
Follow along to find out:
- 5 reasons why dogs can’t eat Rice Krispies.
- 4 Rice Krispies ingredients that are bad for dogs.
- What to do if your dog eats large portions of Rice Krispies.
- And a lot more…
Table of contents
Can dogs eat Rice Krispies?
Dogs can’t eat Rice Krispies because it has a high sugar content that’s not recommended for your dog. It also contains gluten from the malt flavoring, which your dog could be allergic to. Cocoa Rice Krispies also contain chocolate that is poisonous to your dog.
4 Rice Krispies Ingredients that are not safe for dogs
#1: Malt flavor
Malt flavor is commonly used in pet and human food to give it a sweet and nutty flavor.
It contains beneficial vitamins and minerals like:
- Zinc.
- Protein.
- Calcium.
- Vitamin B.
- Potassium.
- Magnesium.
But malt flavor also contains a protein called gluten.
Gluten is sometimes added to dog food to boost its protein and carbohydrate content. It also gives the food a chewy texture and helps bind the ingredients together.
But some dogs are sensitive to gluten. It’s one of the most common allergens in dogs.
One sign your dog is allergic to gluten is when you notice them not gaining any weight, even though you feed them a healthy amount of food.
That’s because if your dog is allergic to gluten, it irritates their small intestines, causing it to thin out its interior lining, limiting its ability to absorb nutrients.
Aside from not gaining weight, here are other symptoms to look out for to know if your dog is allergic to gluten:
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Dry skin.
- Itchiness.
- Hair loss.
- Constipation.
- Mucus-laden stools.
Tip: if you suspect your dog is allergic to gluten, consult their veterinarian on how to completely remove it from their diet.
#2: Sugar
The most common reason everyone enjoys Rice Krispies cereal is how sweet they are.
According to their official nutrition facts, a single serving of the original Rice Krispies contains 0.07 oz (2g) of added sugar.
While the chocolate Rice Krispies contain 0.42 oz (12g) added sugar.
Lastly, the frosted Rice Krispies contain added sugar 0.52 oz (15g).
But the sweetness of Rice Krispies is the main reason why they’re bad for your dog.
Sugar may be considered a carbohydrate, which dogs need in their daily diet.
But they don’t need it in the form of granulated sugars. Dogs need carbohydrates, which their bodies break down into sugar to use for fuel.
Constantly giving your dogs sugary treats can upset the microorganism balance in their tummy, resulting in diarrhea and vomiting.
It also increases their risk of developing health complications like:
- Cavities.
- Diabetes.
- Weight gain.
#3: Chocolate
If you’re a dog parent, then you probably already know that chocolate is toxic to your dog.
Chocolate comes from the roasted seed of Theobroma cacao. It contains the chemical methylxanthine, which is composed of theobromine and caffeine.
Dogs digest methylxanthine slower compared to humans, so if they ingest large amounts of chocolate, it can cause several health problems like:
- Coma.
- Seizures.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloating.
- Hyperactivity.
- Restlessness.
- Increased thirst.
- Rapid breathing.
- Increased urination.
- Rigid limbs/muscles.
Warning: If your pet has recently ingested large doses of chocolate, bring them to their vet immediately.
#4: Salt
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Salt?”
“It seems unlikely that Rice Krispies contain salt when it’s sweet?”
It may be sweet but according to the official Rice Krispies nutrition facts, a single serving of the original Rice Krispies contain 0.0031 oz (90g) of sodium,
The chocolate Rice Krispies contain 0.0049 oz (140 mg) sodium.
While the frosted Rice Krispies contain 0.0044 oz (125 mg) sodium.
According to BANR, an average of 33 lb (14.9 kg) adult dogs are recommended to only have 0.007 oz (200 mg) of sodium daily.
So if you look at the salt content of Rice Krispies, a single serving of the chocolate and frosted cereals almost reaches your dog’s daily salt intake.
You might also like: Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni? 7 Shocking Health Risks + 3 Tips
5 reasons why dogs can’t eat Rice Krispies
#1: Celiac disease
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune condition where your dog’s body can’t tolerate gluten.
As mentioned before, gluten damages the small intestine lining, making it hard to soak up vitamins and minerals like:
- Iron.
- Zinc.
- Iodine.
- Copper.
- Calcium.
- Magnesium.
- Vitamins B and C.
Although any dog breed can have celiac’s disease, the most common ones to have them are:
- Irish Setters.
- Samoyeds.
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers.
To know if your dog has celiac disease, here are symptoms to look out for:
- Seizures.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Dermatitis.
- Poor coat condition.
There is currently no cure for celiac disease, but the effects can be avoided by putting your dog on a gluten-free diet.
Warning: If your dog displays some of these symptoms, call their veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis, and to consult a proper diet plan to eliminate gluten in their diet.
#2: Obesity
Constantly feeding your dog high-calorie treats, like Rice Krispies, can cause weight gain, if uncontrolled, it could then turn to obesity.
According to a study, 22-40% of dogs are reportedly obese globally.
Obesity is caused by several factors including:
- Age.
- Breed.
- Gender.
- Feeding.
- Lifestyle.
- Neutering.
But one cause that you can control is your dog’s feeding habits. Giving your dog proper meal frequencies, and nutritious foods can help prevent obesity.
But some dog parents tend to overlook this, and choose to feed their dog whatever they like instead, which includes unhealthy human junk foods.
The dangerous thing about obesity is that it can also cause further health complications including:
- Cancer.
- Diabetes.
- Hypertension.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Heart disease.
- Urinary bladder stones.
Tip: Ask your dog’s veterinarian for a healthy diet plan to prevent or reduce obesity.
You might also want to know: 9 Ways To Deal With A Dog That Is Always Hungry
#3: Diabetes
If your dog is obese, a health complication associated with it is diabetes.
According to VCA, diabetes in dogs is a condition where their pancreas is unable to regulate blood sugar.
Besides obesity, diabetes can also be caused by several factors including:
- Age.
- Gender.
- Genetics.
- Cushing’s disease.
- Steroid medication.
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Chronic or repeated pancreatitis.
There are 2 types of diabetes, one where their body can’t turn sugar into glucose for fuel, and another where high sugar levels build up in their bloodstream.
The first type causes their body to break down protein and fats as an alternative fuel since their body can’t get it from glucose.
The other one causes an excess of sugar buildup in their blood, damaging multiple organs like:
- Eyes.
- Heart.
- Nerves.
- Kidneys.
- Blood vessels.
To know if your dog has diabetes, here are 4 major symptoms to look out for:
- Weight loss.
- Increased thirst.
- Increased urination.
- Increased appetite.
If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to dangerous effects like:
- Seizures.
- Cataracts.
- Ketoacidosis.
- Enlarged liver.
- Kidney failure.
- Urinary tract infections.
To learn more about diabetes, you can watch this video:
#4: Chocolate poisoning
As discussed, chocolate is toxic to your dog as it contains methylxanthine.
According to research, chocolate poisoning doesn’t depend on the amount of chocolate that your dog has eaten, but the type of chocolate.
Different types of chocolates contain different doses of methylxanthine.
Here’s a list for reference:
| Source | Methylxanthine content |
| Cocoa powder | ~800 mg/oz (28.5 mg/g) |
| Unsweetened baker’s chocolate | ~450 mg/oz (16 mg/g) |
| Semisweet and sweet dark chocolate | ~150–160 mg/oz (5.4–5.7 mg/g) |
| Milk chocolate | ~64 mg/oz (2.3 mg/g) |
| Cocoa bean hulls | ~255 mg/oz (9.1 mg/g) |
White chocolate isn’t mentioned as it rarely causes chocolate poisoning because it contains a very small amount of methylxanthine.
Since chocolate Rice Krispies contain cocoa powder, it contains ~800 mg/oz (28.5 mg/g) of methylxanthine.
According to the mentioned research, if your dog eats 0.007 oz (20mg) of chocolate, mild signs of chocolate poisoning can be observed, like vomiting and diarrhea.
Cardiotoxic effects can be seen from eating 0.0014-0.0015 oz (40-50 mg) of chocolate, while seizures can appear after eating 0.0021 oz (60 mg) of chocolate.
The lethal dose of eating chocolate for dogs is 0.0035- 0.017 oz (100-500 mg).
Since cocoa powder contains the highest dose of methylxanthine, feeding your dog large amounts of chocolate Rice Krispies increases their risk of chocolate poisoning.
Warning: If your dog shows any signs of chocolate poisoning, bring them immediately to their vet.
#5: Sodium-ion poisoning
Dogs need salt in their diet to maintain fluid equilibrium in their cells and help the function of their muscle and nerve cells.
As previously stated, an average adult dog needs 0.007 oz (200 mg) of sodium daily.
But if you constantly feed your dog foods that contain high levels of sodium, you increase their risk of having sodium-ion poisoning.
Sodium-ion poisoning occurs when a dog ingests large amounts of salt, without drinking water afterward.
If your dog doesn’t have access to drinking water, their cells start releasing water to even out the salt levels. This causes damage to their brain cells due to the lack of water creating neurological symptoms.
These are the symptoms to watch out for sodium-ion poisoning:
- Seizures.
- Diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Weakness.
- Muscle tremors.
According to a study, dogs’ acute toxic dose of salt intake is 0.077 oz (2.2g), while a fatal dose is 0.14 oz (4 g).
Tip: If you feed your dog any salty foods, make sure they drink water afterward to prevent sodium-ion poisoning.
Check out: 27 Easy Ways To Trick Your Dog Into Drinking Water (How-To)
”My dog ate a lot of Rice Krispies, what should I do?”
You left your dog alone for a short moment to get something.
By the time you return, you’re shocked to see them crunching and munching on your Rice Krispies.
Don’t freak out.
Remove the bag of Rice Krispies and place it somewhere they can’t reach, (and remember to keep it up there next time!)
Let your dog drink some water to dilute the sodium and sugar content of the cereal.
Check them for the next few hours, and make sure they drink a small amount of water in short intervals.
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Panting.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Dehydration.
- Constipation.
- Restlessness.
- Stomach upset.
The severity of the symptoms depends on the size and weight of your dog. Sometimes dogs don’t show any symptoms, but if they do, consult their veterinarian.
Warning: If your dog’s symptoms turn severe, contact their veterinarian immediately to prevent further complications.
Healthy Rice Krispies alternatives for dogs (100% safe)
#1: Rice dog treats
Instead of giving your dog a sugary rice cereal for breakfast, why not spoil them with a savory rice dog treat?
They’re usually made with brown rice, which is a healthier alternative to white rice.
You can even pick flavors like chicken or turkey.
As long as you choose the good-quality ones, you won’t have to worry about it poisoning or giving your dog diabetes.
#2: Homemade rice treats
If you want an easy and budget-friendly Rice Krispies alternative for your dog, then why not make them yourself?
You can either use white, wild, or brown rice, mix in some ground chicken breasts, and oven-bake them.
Yes, it’s that easy!
What’s great about homemade treats is you know exactly what ingredients you’ve mixed in so you wouldn’t have to worry about hidden toxic ingredients.
The only downside to them is that they spoil faster compared to store-bought ones, as they don’t contain any preservatives.
If you’re not feeding the treats to your dog, make sure to store them in the freezer in an airtight container and they will last for about 3 months.
Just make sure to defrost the treats before giving them to your dog, and be ready to become their favorite person.