Can Cats Eat Cheerios?

A few plain Cheerios will not poison most cats, but cereal is not a good treat. Cats are meat eaters and do not need grains. If your cat ate one or two, it is probably fine. Just don’t make it a habit. Sweet kinds, like Honey Nut Cheerios, are even less of a good idea.

Why is cereal not a good snack for cats?

Cats need food from animals. Cornell’s Feline Health Center says cats are obligate carnivores. That means they must eat nutrients that come only from animal foods. Their natural prey has “a minimal amount of carbohydrates,” says Cornell. Cereal is made mostly of grain, so it gives your cat very little of what it needs.

The Merck Veterinary Manual says the same in plain terms: cats eat mainly meat. It also says to avoid giving table scraps.

None of the sources we read name Cheerios or cereal as a poison. The ASPCA list of foods to avoid does not mention them. But “not poisonous” is not the same as “good for your cat.”

Are Honey Nut Cheerios okay for cats?

Honey Nut Cheerios are a sweet cereal, and the sources we read say nothing about them for cats. Cats do not need sweet food. Since there is no benefit, skip them.

Read the label if your cat ate some. Check for add-ins like chocolate or nuts. The ASPCA says almonds are high in oil and fat, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in some pets. A cereal with those add-ins is a bigger worry than a plain O.

Can cats eat cereal with milk?

It is better not to. Cornell says milk is not generally recommended for cats, because many cats cannot digest milk sugar well. The Merck Veterinary Manual agrees that milk can upset a cat’s stomach. The ASPCA says pets have little lactase, the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar, so dairy can cause diarrhea or other stomach upset.

Our guide on whether cats can drink milk has more.

Can I give my cat other cereals?

The same rules apply to every kind of cereal. Plain and unsweetened is the least risky. Skip any with chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, or sweeteners. Our guide on oatmeal for cats covers one related grain.

How much is too much?

The sources we read do not give an amount of cereal for cats, so we won’t make one up. Cornell does give a general rule for all treats: they should be no more than 10 to 15 percent of a cat’s daily calories, and only given once in a while.

Extra calories add up fast in a small animal. Cornell says obesity is the most common nutrition-related problem in cats. It raises the risk of arthritis and diabetes. The Merck Veterinary Manual says overfeeding can lead to obesity and other serious health problems.

What should I do if my cat ate Cheerios?

For a few plain pieces, no action is usually needed. Keep an eye on your cat for the next day or so.

Call your vet if your cat:

• Throws up more than once
• Has diarrhea that does not stop
• Seems tired or weak
• Stops eating

Call your vet or a poison hotline if the cereal had chocolate, nuts, or other add-ins, or if your cat ate a lot.

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661

Both may charge a consultation fee. Don’t try to make your cat vomit at home unless a vet tells you to.

What can I give my cat instead?

A complete, balanced cat food should be your cat’s main meal. Cornell says a balanced commercial cat food is generally the best choice, because home-made food is hard to balance. For a treat, use cat treats made for cats, or a few pieces of your cat’s own food. See also our guide to foods that are toxic to cats.