Bran is a piece of grain husk gotten from flour after milling, it consists of the pericarp, the seed coat, and the aleurone layers removed from cereal grains including rice, corn, millet, wheat, barley, and oats. It’s nutritious and contains fiber in large quantities. It is obvious this is edible, but so many questions including can dogs eat bran muffins? has been raised. This is an important question that every dog owner should know the explanation for to make sure you are feeding your pet something that is not harmful to its health.
Can Dogs Eat Bran Muffins?
A muffin is a thick round baked yeast roll served with butter and is usually toasted. So muffin bran is simply a bread toast made out of any cereal grains of your choice including corn, millet, etc, but added other ingredients like butter, sugar, and baking soda that might not be healthy for dogs due to their sugary and fat contents.
Bran are very good for dogs, they are high in fiber, which helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and they are overall healthy for dogs.
But they are not healthy for dogs once turned into muffins because muffin contains carbohydrates which cause excess fat and this might lead to obesity, also these muffins might contain onions and garlic which are toxic to dogs, so just note that muffin bran can only be given to dogs as an occasional treat.
Is Bran Good For My Dogs?
Both plant and animal components should be present in our pets’ diets, so bran should be considered because it is a great source of fiber, along with carbohydrates and proteins, and Yes, your dog can eat bran.
As a by-product of grain processing which contains the shell of the grain and its germs, bran can be used as an additional source of healthy fiber which helps to brush your pet’s intestines, promote the food lumps and improve overall intestinal motility.
The presence of selenium in bran furthermore helps in the synthesis of DNA which is a necessary component of almost all oxidative processes in the animal body.
Which Brand Is Best For Dogs?
Bran is rich in fiber and is very healthy for your dogs, it is one of the best remedies for constipation. Both soluble and insoluble fibers are not harmful to your dogs but the insoluble ones help further in the smooth waste passage.
So talking about the best bran for dogs, they include bran made of any of these grains explained below, this is as a result of its high nutritional values.
Rice Bran:
This includes just the outer shell of the rice grain removed after milling. It is mainly insoluble fiber, highly nutritious, and perfectly safe for dog consumption. It helps manage the fats in dogs thereby maintaining a healthy weight. It promotes healthy and regular bowel movements. The presence of fiber also helps in fighting off potentially harmful bacteria that might attack them thereby providing them a sound health.
Wheat Bran:
This is a highly nutritious insoluble brand and it’s very healthy for dogs. It is rich in fiber, provides energy, and wards off diseases from attacking our pups, such as cancer and diabetes. It overall prevents diarrhea which may be a symptom of some diseases, it prevents constipation by shifting digested foods to provide relief, It improves gut bacteria by helping them stay at a healthy level, it prevents any kind of gastrointestinal diseases, and also decreases diabetes.
Oats Bran:
Oat bran is the outer layer of the oat groat gotten from an oat plant, it is rich in fiber, vitamins, proteins, and minerals. It is commonly used as a dietary supplement to improve digestive health, reduce cholesterol and boost the immune system with the help of a soluble fiber known as beta-glucan. It can manage dog weight, also the presence of magnesium helps support the heart. Soluble fiber again helps to regulate blood sugar levels, so oats bran is excellent for dogs but don’t just give it to them abusively.
These three are highly recommended but that doesn’t mean they can’t have bran made of other types of cereals, more research will help you to get more clarified.
What Are The Side Effects Of Bran?
The overall goodness of bran in our dogs’ systems does not mean it has no negative effect on our dear pets. Bulky poop, diarrhea alongside dehydration, bloating, and stomach upsets can set in. However, all this can happen in one condition, which is the excess intake of bran. Bran should not be seen as their main diet, but instead as an occasional treat and that’s the best way to prevent all these side effects mentioned here.
Can Dogs Eat Bran Flakes?
Bran flakes are gotten by drying wheat and oat bran into flakes and then combining them into one flake using binders. Dogs can eat bran flakes but it depends on what it is made of. While some homemade bran flakes are rich in vitamins and minerals, most of them we purchased from stores are not healthy for dogs as they contain artificial flavors and preservatives that can harm your dogs.
Dogs should avoid sugar because it causes different kinds of sicknesses for them such as excess fat which results in obesity. So, make sure you choose organic bran flakes that have no sugar, although not in excess, in moderation will be more beneficial.
Can Dogs Eat Raisin Bran Muffins?
The quick answer is No, other parts of the raisin might not be harmful but grapes are toxic to dogs and can cause many health issues such as kidney failure, it’s better to avoid giving it to them entirely.
Anything that contains raisins in them can be harmful to our dogs and should be avoided to prevent any kind of harm that can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and much more in dogs.
Symptoms Of Raisins When Taken By Dogs
Aside from the first symptom that comes almost immediately which is vomiting, other sicknesses follow suit as a result of kidney failure. These include;
*Dehydration
*Bad Breath
*Diarrhea
*Loss of appetite
*Depression
*Weight Loss
*Decreased urination
*Weakness and so much more.
Don’t waste time consulting your vet doctor immediately after you start noticing any of these symptoms, remember delay is dangerous.
How To Give Bran To Dogs
For your dogs to take in extra fiber in their foods and help boost their immune system, bran should be added to their diets. This can be done by sprinkling some on their diets after soaking it in water, because that will help it digest fast, or simply by including some in their homemade cookies while adding ingredients.
Bran is highly nutritious and it has become one of the most common remedies for lack of fiber and constipation. Adding bran to your dog’s diet could be just perfect if you are cooking their meal from scratch.
Foods Your Dog Should Not Eat
You are solely the one taking decisions on what your dogs should eat and the ones they should avoid, and this is why you have to always be sure of what you let them eat. Don’t always conclude that what you a human being eats will be ok for them, as in most cases the reverse has always been the case.
While some are healthy for them, others are unhealthy and toxic to their system, and they include chocolate, avocados, onion, garlic, raisins, grapes, milk (except that of their mother), macadamia nuts, sugary foods and drinks, caffeine, salt, and yeast.
Final Thought
While some of these foods listed above are harmful when they eat it much, some of them are toxic and could be harmful even with a bite, so you have to be careful with the one to give them and also with the quantity you are giving.
