Once your dog is set to eat something prepared for you, there is no stopping him. Your dog will beg and beg until you finally give in. Or, as luck would have it, your dog will patiently wait by your side, until you drop some food on the floor and scoop it up.
We know this sounds all too familiar. Today was no different – you were preparing oatmeal for breakfast, and sure enough, the dog was right there to whine until you give him at least a taste. If you knew it was fine, you would have given in right away. But, can dogs even eat oatmeal?
Some foods can be enjoyed by humans and dogs, equally. However, some foods can make your dog seriously ill. So, where does oatmeal stand?
If you are looking for answers to questions like can dogs eat oatmeal, is it safe, or is eating oatmeal even good for dogs, we’ve got your back! Read our article to find out!
Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?
Let’s start off by saying: Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal. It’s perfectly safe to give your dog some oatmeal if it really, really wants to.
If you’re giving the dog oatmeal you prepared for yourself (or a family member), make sure that you didn’t put anything in the meal that could potentially harm the dog. Your best bet is preparing oatmeal separately, according to the guidelines below.
Oats are not only safe, but they’re also beneficial to your pet’s health. So, you might want to look into the idea of giving oatmeal to your pet on the regular. Just make sure to prepare it properly, and you’re good to go!
Introducing Oatmeal To The Pet
When you are looking to give your pet some new, unfamiliar food – you must introduce it. Introducing food means giving your pet a small quantity of new food to try. If all goes well, you give it some more, a larger quantity each time, giving the pet time to adjust to the new food.
Introducing food is a method designed to avoid your pet being put off by something new. If you start with a full meal of the new food, it’s more likely that the dog will not like it – which will result in the dog avoiding that food indefinitely.
Giving the pet oatmeal is no different – so remember to start small!
Preparing Oatmeal For Your Dog
First and foremost, not all oatmeal is safe for your dog. If you are looking for a pack of oats perfect for you and your pet, remember these guidelines:
- Opt for a basic pack of oatmeal – added flavors contain sugar, which is harmful to your pet
- Whole grain oatmeal is a better option than the processed variety – it contains more nutrients valuable for your pet (and you, too)
So, if you pick oatmeal according to this, your pet will certainly enjoy eating it!
When preparing oatmeal for your pet, it’s principal that you cook it. Uncooked, raw oats are not so appealing and easy to digest for the dog. Cook it using water, and never milk! Milk and other dairy products can be upsetting to your pet’s tummy.
Don’t make a full meal out of it – dogs need a well-balanced diet to thrive. Consider oatmeal a side dish – mix it in the regular dog food or sprinkle it on top.
Another major thing to keep in mind: don’t give oatmeal to your dog every day. Once or twice a week is more than enough!
What Can You Add To The Oatmeal?
Everyone likes to spoil their furry baby. You must let your dog know that you love them and care for them, and what’s better than giving them a tasty meal?
Oatmeal can be changed up in many ways to taste better because let’s face it – it tastes rather bland on its own. Some stuff you can add to oatmeal can harm your pup, so here are some safe alternatives:
- Pumpkin: pureed pumpkin is a great food to mix in oatmeal – it can also be used to soothe your pup’s tummy
- Fruit: bananas, apples, and berries like blueberry can be added to the dog’s oatmeal too – just make sure to cut it to tiny bits beforehand
- Yogurt: adding yogurt will boost oatmeal with minerals (if you’re not sure about this, check out our article on can dogs eat yogurt)
- Cinnamon: sprinkling some on top will make your dog very happy (and it’s anti-inflammatory, too)
- Peanut butter: dogs love peanut butter, so you can stir in some – just make sure it’s natural, no-sugar peanut butter
What Amount Of Oatmeal Is Ideal For The Dog?
The amount of oatmeal you should serve to your dog is based on the size of the dog. Too little will not have enough benefits on the dog’s health, and too much can give your pet an upset tummy.
So, use this table to determine how much do you need:
Small-sized breeds | Medium-sized breeds | Large-sized breeds |
One teaspoon of raw oats | 1-3 tablespoons of raw oats | Up to 5 tablespoons |
Furthermore, dose the oatmeal by this rule: one tablespoon of oats for every 20 pounds of the dog’s weight. If your pet is lighter than 20 pounds (small and toy breeds), a teaspoon is more than enough.
Using Oatmeal As A Snack
If your dog particularly enjoys snacking on oatmeal, it’s not the worst idea to use oatmeal as a treat. Just remember the 10% rule – treats should be no more than a tenth of the daily amount of food eaten by the dog!
If The Dog Eats Too Much Oatmeal
If the dog eats too much regular food, it will most likely vomit or spit – but it’s not the same when it comes to eating too much oatmeal.
First of all, dogs should eat a small quantity of oatmeal because it’s food with a lot of calories. Dogs should have a low-cal diet to live a long and happy life.
Secondly, eating too much oatmeal at once can potentially harm your pet’s life. It can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, but your pet can also develop bloat.
Bloat is an extremely serious medical condition that affects even the healthiest of dogs. It’s commonly known as a twisted stomach. If you suspect your dog has bloat, go to the emergency veterinarian immediately!
Please, for the safety and wellbeing of your dog, dose the oatmeal according to the rules!
Benefits Of Dogs Eating Oatmeal
Oatmeal can be a great addition to your pet’s diet. It’s a nutritious, fiber-rich food. Fiber is very important to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Soluble fiber, found in oatmeal, helps the bowels, but it has more benefits than that. Fiber is also great for overweight dogs on restricted diets – it helps process fats from the body and it lowers cholesterol, too.
So, let’s see the nutritional value of one ounce of oatmeal (whole grained, raw):
Calories | 104 |
Fat | 1.9g |
Carbohydrates | 18.6g |
Dietary fiber | 3.0g |
Total sugar | 0g |
Protein | 4.7g |
Sodium | 0.6mg |
Iron | 1.3mg |
Calcium | 15.1mg |
Potassium | 120mg |
Magnesium | 49.6mg |
Manganese | 1.4mg |
Phosphorus | 146mg |
Vitamin B1 | 0.2mg |
Vitamin B6 | 0.2mg |
Now, we can see that oatmeal has a lot of nutrients and useful minerals. Thankfully, your dog doesn’t need a full cup of oats every day to see the benefits. A spoonful a week will usually do the trick – your pet will feel better and it will be more playful!
But, how does oatmeal affect the dog’s health?
Keeps fur coat healthy | Vitamin B helps in making fur strong and shiny |
Aids the digestive system | Oatmeal is a great food for dogs with irregular bowel movements |
Keeps kidneys healthy | Oats are rich in calcium, which prevents kidney failure |
Preserves muscles and blood vessels | Potassium found in oatmeal keeps the heart and the body healthy |
Conclusion
To conclude, we would like to put an accent on a few things. Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal, and so many dogs love eating oatmeal. You can even add peanut butter or fruit to make it tastier!
It has a surprising amount of benefits to your pet’s health. The results will be visible in a matter of weeks – a shiny, full coat of fur is a sure sign that these whole grains are great for your dog!
On the other hand, remember that less is more when it comes to dosing oatmeal. It’s always better to put a dash of oats in the food than it is to add too much! It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Learn More: What Can Dogs Eat? A Comprehensive List Of Dog-safe Foods