Nutri-Grain Bars! These little snacks are lifesavers when it comes to busy days. You can grab one on the go, they’re tasty and ever so convenient. But wait a minute, since we enjoy them so much, how about sharing them with our dog? I know my dog would love a bite of mine, but is it safe for him to eat? Let’s find out.
The Problem With Nutri-Grain Bars and Dogs
Dogs can eat nutri-grain bars as treats once in a while with no problem, however, it’s not a recommended snack option for them in the long term. Nutri-grain bars are usually jam-packed full of sugar and carbohydrates which can lead to health issues in the long term. Such as obesity, diabetes, and even dental problems.
Obviously, we all love a treat once in a while and whilst a one-off occasion isn’t really going to do any damage, feeding them to your dog on a regular basis is going to do your dog more harm than good. Nutri-grain bars are not formulated for dogs and do not contain the correct nutrients to keep them healthy in the long run.
Basically: Nutri-grain bars are fine as a rare snack, but should not replace regular meals or regular snacking treats.
Nutritional Content of Nutri-Grain Bars (The Good & Bad)
- Calories: 130 (The high number of calories may lead to weight gain in dogs)
- Total Fat: 2g (The moderate fat content can provide benefits for dogs)
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g (The moderate amount of saturated fat can be good for dogs)
- Trans Fat: 0g (The absence of trans fats is positive for dogs)
- Cholesterol: 0mg (The lack of cholesterol is beneficial for dogs)
- Sodium: 85mg (The low sodium content can be advantageous for dogs)
- Total Carbohydrate: 25g (The high carbohydrate count can contribute to weight gain and other health problems in dogs)
- Dietary Fibre: 3g (The moderate fiber content can provide benefits for dogs)
- Sugars: 12g (The high sugar content can result in health issues such as diabetes and dental problems in dogs)
- Protein: 2g (The moderate protein content can be advantageous for dogs)
Ingredients in Nutri-Grain Bars (The Good & Bad)
- Whole Grain Oats (Beneficial – rich in fiber that aids digestion)
- Enriched Flour (Detrimental – lacking nutritional value and can be challenging for dogs to digest)
- Sugar (Detrimental – high sugar content can cause health problems in dogs such as diabetes and dental issues)
- High Fructose Corn Syrup (Detrimental – high sugar content can cause health problems in dogs such as diabetes and dental issues)
- Soybean and/or Palm Oil (Neutral – not harmful to dogs, but high in omega-6 fatty acids that may cause inflammation in large amounts)
- Fructose (Detrimental – high sugar content can cause health problems in dogs such as diabetes and dental issues)
- Corn Syrup (Detrimental – high sugar content can cause health problems in dogs such as diabetes and dental issues)
- Modified Food Starch (Detrimental – lacking nutritional value and can be challenging for dogs to digest)
- Blueberry Puree Concentrate (Beneficial – a natural source of vitamins and antioxidants)
- Vegetable Glycerin (Neutral – a common ingredient in dog treats, but may cause digestive issues in large amounts)
- Nonfat Milk (Beneficial – a source of protein and calcium)
- Leavening (Neutral – necessary for baking but not harmful to dogs)
- Natural and Artificial Flavour (Detrimental – may contain additives that are not essential for a dog’s diet)
- Salt (Neutral – necessary for flavor but should be limited in a dog’s diet)
Conclusion
Nutri-Grain Bars are not the bee’s knees when it comes to snacks for dogs. Despite their tempting flavors and convenience, the high sugar and carbohydrate content can be a bummer for a dog’s health and well-being. If you’re on the hunt for a paw-some treat for your dog, it’s best to stick with healthy, dog-friendly options.
