Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

In most cases, oatmeal is the breakfast of choice for humans. But, can dogs eat oats? Ever considered sharing your morning oats with your furry friend after they've been cooked just right? Good thinking: oats for dogs are a healthy snack! Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal — and it's good for their health in several ways.

Here are the specifics:

Benefits of Oatmeal

Healthy Skin: Vitamin B is found in oatmeal, thus keeping your dog's coat healthy; additionally, oatmeal contains linoleic acid — an omega-6 fatty acid that promotes skin health and helps to address hotspots when detected on your dog as reported by Zoetis. According to petMD, giving your dog an oatmeal bath can serve as an anti-itch remedy if you have noticed hotspots on your dog and oatmeal is available.

Digestive Support: Soluble fiber can be found in abundance in oats. It thus aids in the regulation of blood glucose levels as well as irregular bowel movements. 

Lower Cholesterol Levels: Dogs benefit from the soluble fiber in oats in controlling their cholesterol levels. When it comes to the oatmeal, this is one perk that both humans and dogs enjoy.

Potential Side Effects

It is not a good idea to turn your dog into an oatmeal fan overnight – moderation is key. Feeding your dog too much oatmeal can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting. This is because oats contain lots of fiber. Therefore, to reduce these complications, slowly introduce fiber by 1-3 grams daily over time and it should be accompanied with plenty of water.

Take note: you should prepare oats for dogs using water rather than milk. The reason is that most dogs are lactose intolerant thus they are unable to easily digest lactose. This can lead to gastro issues.

How to Serve Oatmeal Safely To Dogs

1. Cook It: Always serve cooked oatmeal to your dog. Raw oatmeal is harder for dogs to digest.

2. Keep It Simple: Avoid putting fancy toppings and additives like butter, chocolate chips, salt, raisins, grapes or flavored oatmeal. Flavored oatmeal often contains artificial sweeteners and sugars which are harmful to dogs —especially diabetic pups.

3. Avoid Instant Oatmeal: Instant oatmeal is like speed dating – it lacks depth. Always opt for the least processed or the raw deal. This is because these contain lots of nutritional value.

Dietary Advice

The perfect oatmeal dog food combo ratio should be measured against your dog’s weight. One tablespoon of cooked oats for every twenty pounds of dog weight is the recommended feeding amount, according to petMD. Carbohydrate content and calorie content are both high in oats. Remember that moderation is the key, so avoid giving your dog so much oatmeal at once that they develop an overnight fondness for it. Overfeeding oats to your dog might cause digestive issues including vomiting and diarrhea.

Conclusion

Since each dog is different and has different nutritional needs, consulting your veterinarian will help you determine how much oats is right for your dog. Bon appétit, fur families!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat granola? 

Dogs can indeed consume granola but there are a few points to consider. Firstly, it should be ingested in moderation— as an occasional snack rather than a regular part of their diet. Two, you need to check on the ingredients in your granola. If it contains chocolate and raisins, it’s a NO! Three, it is better if you make your granola from scratch and keep it simple.

What should I be aware of before feeding my dog cereal? Can dogs eat cereal? 

It's not a straightforward decision of "yes" or "no" because there are cereals that contain dog-toxic ingredients while others are used as treats in dog training. Cereal has almost zero nutritional value to your dog. Plus, cereal contains high fiber levels that may cause constipation, diarrhea or flatulence. Many cereal brands contain high sugars that can lead to tooth decay, diabetes or weight gain. Therefore, if all ingredients are safe for your dog, you can feed them but in small amounts though.