are oats okay for dogs to eat

Are Oats Good for Dogs? Heres What the Science Says

Is there amore hearty way to start your morning than a bowl of oats? Rich, filling and packed with energytheyrea powerful fuel to get you through the rest of your day. But its not justour own breakfast bowl where youll find oats.

Increasingly youfind a healthy serving of oats in many commercial dog food recipes. On par with flaxseed for dogs, it's loved by pet parents as a complex grain that's gluten-free.

But are oats good for dogs?Is itsafe for your dog to eat them daily? And if so, are there any benefits of oats for dogs?

To find out, we searched through academic journals and researchstudies, examining the science behind oats for dogs. Well explore what benefits you can expect, and how you should prepare oats for dogs in the healthiest way possible.

Can dogs eat oats?

In short: Yes. Dogs can and likely should eat oats as part of their diet. Contrary to a popular view that dogs are strict carnivores,they are actually more omnivorous in their wild diet than many think.

Between their ancestral diet and their evolution alongside humansover the past 30,000 years,dogs caneat a wider range of foods than strict carnivores like cats.

But just because dogs can eat oats doesnt mean they necessarily should. To understand that, wedove into the research.

We found that oats are a phenomenal source of fiber, fatty acids, vitamins and overall nutrition.

So why are oats good for dogs? Here are5 key benefits:

Benefit #1: Better skin health

Weve all heard of omega-3s. Especially if you subscribe to Yumwoof's blog! Theyre the wonder ingredient found in oily fish. Its said they boost memory and general health in dogs and people.

What about omega-6s?

Linoleic acid is one type of omega-6 fatty acid in oats. Taken regularly, linoleic acid produces a luxurious, healthy coat and skin. Researchers supplemented a dogs diet with zinc and linoleic acid in one study. The results showed that dogs receiving linoleic acid saw significantly glossier coats. There was also less water loss through the skinimproving overall hydration [*].

When eaten in the right amounts daily, linoleic acid helps maintain the skin barrier, promotes wound healing and soothes inflammation [*].

Oats also contain B vitamins, which play a critical role in producing healthy skin cells [*]. Without a turnover of skin cells, wounds and rashes are far more likely.

Benefit #2: Lower cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is a vital part of your dog's body, helping produce horomones, vitamin D and substances involved in food digestion.But when it's consumed into too high amounts, itcan clog arteries which in turn reduces blood flow to the heart. That means less oxygen, less energy andpoor cardiac performance.

When looking at cholesterol,keep in mind it's a complex topic andnot always caused bya dogs diet. Metabolic and genetic health conditions can all contribute to high cholesterol levels.No matter what the cause, though, includingoatsin a dog's diet may bea viable solution to reducing cholesterol.

Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a fiber associated with improvedheart health. Not just that, beta-glucans are anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, immune system promoting and completely safe to eat[*].

They seem to be a superfood all around, but its their effect on cholesterol thatscatching theattention of scientists.

Oats have previously been shown to reduce cholesterol levels inhumans [*]. Now, another study in dogs observed similar findings. After eating oats for four weeks, dogs saw their cholesterol drop by 5% and LDL-cholesterol by 10% compared to a rice-based diet [*].

Its a remarkable result! And just one more reason oatshave been proven to be good for dogs.

Benefit #3: Aids digestions

One of the most common reasons we eat oats is a single ingredient: fiber. Fiber isa part of foodthat cannot be digested.

Sounds pointless? After all, the point of food is nutrition.

Thats true. However, fiber helps aid and support the digestive system. It feeds the helpfulbacteria living in your dogs gut. In turn, they take the fiber and convert it into short chain fatty acidsassociated with an improved healthspan.

Fiber also adds bulk toyour dog'sstoolto provide further digestive support.

Oats are extremely high in fiber. Every cooked cup contains over 4 grams offiber [*]. Research into oats for dogs digestion is limited.However, a study published in the Journal of Animal Science examined the use offiber in dogs. Oats, in particular, maximize fermentationhelping the microorganismwithout sacrificing any nutrient digestibility [*].

That means calmer stomachs with less constipation.

Benefit #4: Boosts immune system

Beta-glucans arent just beneficial for cholesterol. They alsohave provenimmune-enhancing properties. An analysis of beta-glucans in four speciesdogs, mice, piglets, and chicksfound different types of beta-glucans displayed different properties associated with better health [*].

One property was to upregulate the immune response. Levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) were raised in response to beta-glucans. IL-2 promotes the growth, proliferation and differentiation of white blood cells. It forms the backbone of white blood cell production and is therefore critical to a healthy functioning immune system.

Taken together, oats can boost your immune system and help your heart with every spoonful.

Benefit #5: Phenomenal nutrient profile

Oats are rightfully considered a key staple food. While we have already talked about linoleic acid, fiberand beta-glucans, thats just the tip of the iceberg. Oats have an incredibly high nutritional value.

Inside youll find protein (up to 15%), complex carbs, fats and dietaryfiber (up to 8.5%). Alongside these macronutrients, there is a complex mix of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds [*].

These vitamins and minerals include calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. All of these components are essential to canine healthand add to how oats are good for dogs.

How to prepare oats for dogs?

According to the American Kennel Club, you can feed dogs up to one tablespoon (15 grams) of cooked oats for every 20 pounds (9 kg) of body weight.

But if youre just starting: go slow. Sprinkle a little into their normal diet and see how they react. Excessive oat intake can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and/or bloating. These issues arerare, though, and more likelyyour dog wont be able to get enough oats!

Keep in mind that oats ontheir ownare not nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs according to AAFCO standards.

They area high carb foodthat should be a relatively small part of your dog's diet. Yumwoof believes dogs should consume a low carb diet, keeping net carbs below 25% to avoid diabetes and other health issues.

Youshould not just feed a dog oats in any amountthey needs to be included in your dog'sfood at the right level to achieve an AAFCO complete and balanced diet.

The easiest way to feed your dog the right amount of oats is to find a dog food that already contains it as an ingredient. That way you don't have touse complicated software to balance your dog's diet.Here's a low carb dog food with cooked oatswe recommend.

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Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal, and Should They?

Cooked oatmeal can be a healthy addition to your dogs diet. You should opt for plain varieties prepared with water instead of milk, and increase the amount slowly over time to assess your dogs tolerance.

Oatmeal is a common breakfast staple thats favored for both its versatility and potential health benefits.

It has also become an increasingly common ingredient in many types of commercial dog food.

While it seems clear that oatmeal is generally safe for your canine companion, you may wonder whether you should use caution with some preparation methods and if its truly healthy for them.

This article reviews whether dogs can and should eat oatmeal.

Oatmeal is highly nutritious and has been associated with several potential health benefits.

Promotes skin health

Oats are rich in B vitamins and linoleic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid (1).

B vitamins play a key role in skin health and may be involved in the production of healthy skin cells (2).

Meanwhile, linoleic acid is also essential for skin health and can help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, promote wound healing, and alleviate inflammation (3).

Although these benefits have not been studied in dogs specifically, dog skin is similar to human skin.

Supports digestion

Oatmeal is high in fiber, with over 4 grams of fiber in each cooked cup (240 grams) (1).

Fiber has been linked to a number of potential health benefits, especially in terms of digestive health.

Fiber moves slowly through your body undigested, adding bulk to stool to support regularity (4).

Although studies in dogs specifically are limited, research suggests that increased fiber intake may be beneficial for treating constipation (5, 6).

May lower cholesterol levels

If your dog has high cholesterol levels due to metabolic or genetic health conditions, oatmeal may be beneficial.

This is because oats are a good source of beta glucan, a type of fiber that has been associated with improved heart health (7).

Humans studies have shown that oats could help reduce cholesterol levels, especially in people with high cholesterol (8, 9).

One study in 14 dogs observed similar findings, showing that supplementing with oat beta glucan for 71 days reduced levels of total and LDL (bad) cholesterol (10).

However, more large, high quality studies are needed to confirm whether oats may help lower cholesterol levels in dogs.

summary

Although more research is needed, oatmeal may help support skin health, promote regularity, and lower cholesterol levels. However, studies on these benefits in dogs specifically are limited.

Although oats are a great source of nutrients, keep in mind that not all types are suitable for your furry friend.

In particular, raw oats can be difficult for your dog to digest and may cause stomach upset.

You should also steer clear of flavored varieties, which are often high in sugar and may contain ingredients that can be toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, raisins, or the sugar alcohol xylitol (11, 12).

Additionally, be sure to prepare oats with water instead of milk, as many dogs cannot digest lactose very well (13).

Finally, keep in mind that increasing their fiber intake too quickly can also cause unpleasant digestive side effects, including gas or bloating (14, 15).

To keep negative side effects at bay, its recommended for fiber intakes to increase slowly over time by 13 grams per day, as well as with plenty of water.

summary

While oatmeal can be nutritious, certain types may contain ingredients that are unsuitable for dogs and can cause adverse digestive side effects.

According to the American Kennel Club, you can typically feed dogs around one tablespoon (15 grams) of cooked oatmeal for every 20 pounds (9 kg) of body weight (16).

Given its rich content of soluble fiber, oatmeal has also become an increasingly common ingredient in many types of commercial dog food (17).

Its especially popular among pet owners with dogs who have difficulty tolerating other grains, such as wheat.

Some specific examples of dog food that contain oatmeal include:

• Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
• Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Lamb & Oatmeal Formula
• Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish and Oatmeal Recipe
• Castor & Pollux ORGANIX Organic Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe
• Nutro Wholesome Essentials Venison Meal, Brown Rice & Oatmeal Recipe

summary

Several popular types of commercial dog food contain oatmeal.

When prepared properly, oatmeal can be a healthy addition to your dogs diet.

Be sure to only feed dogs cooked oatmeal and opt for plain varieties prepared with water instead of milk.

You should also increase their intake gradually to assess your dogs tolerance.

However, keep in mind that oatmeal should be included as part of a balanced diet and not be used to replace commercial dog food.

Additionally, its a good idea to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dogs diet, especially if they have any underlying health conditions.

Can Dogs Eat Oats? A Guide to All Things Oats

Can Dogs Eat Oats? Oats-olutely!

A breakfast staple for centuries, oatmeal or oats set you up for the day and carry a whole host of health benefits. But can you share some of those with your beloved pooch?

Can dogs eat oats or oatmeal? And if so, how much can they have? Whats the best way to prepare oats for your dog, and what health benefits can your pup expect?

Can Dogs Eat Oats?

Yes, your furry little pal can eat oats.

This whole-grain cereal can be very good for your dog. However, preparation, type, and in moderation are points you need to be aware of.

Lets take a look at the different forms of the humble oat:

Can Dogs Have Oatmeal?

Oatmeal is probably the most recognizable form of oats in family homes. This popular breakfast choice is made from raw oats (groats) and can come in several varieties depending on how theyre processed:

• Steel-cut.

• Rolled.

• Instant.

Can Dogs Eat Steel Cut Oats?

As the name suggests, steel-cut oats have been chopped into smaller pieces with a steel cutter. This type breaks down easier as theyre cooked and significantly reduces the time you need to prepare the oatmeal.

Provided you make them correctly, your dog shouldnt have any problem digesting this type of oatmeal.

Can Dogs Eat Rolled Oats?

Rolled oats have been softened, usually by steam, before being placed through large rollers. The result is a flat, almost flake-like oat which cooks much quicker and is easier to digest.

Rolled oats, when prepared and cooked, can be an easy way to feed your pup this whole grain.

Can Dogs Eat Instant Oats?

The fastest-cooking oatmeal, instant oats go through a lengthier manufacturing process. Theyre steamed for the longest and then rolled even flatter.

And, yes, like both rolled and steel-cut oats, dogs can eat the unadulterated instant variety.

However, there are some provisos with oatmeal, take a look at our section on

When Are Oats Bad for Dogs?

Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk?

Like almond milk, oat milk doesnt contain lactose the only other ingredient is water. When consumed in small quantities, your pooch can benefit from the dietary fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals of oats as an alternative to dairy-based produce.

However, be sure to check the ingredients list on a carton of oat milk some brands include sugars or artificial sweeteners, which can be harmful to your dog.

Additionally, because oat milk is high in fiber, excessive consumption could lead to digestive problems for your dog. To be cautious, start by offering a small amount of oat milk and observe how your dog responds before considering increasing the quantity.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Oats?

No.

Although raw oats dont contain any toxins, they will be incredibly difficult for your dog to digest and can give them an upset stomach.

Cooked forms of oats, like oatmeal, or when oats are baked into a tasty dog-friendly treat, can be a better way to share the benefits of oats with your canine companion.

How Are Oats Good for Dogs?

Oats are highly nutritious. This whole grain is rich in fiber and contains a whole range of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants that can be beneficial to your pups health.

Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals found in oats, including iron, zinc, vitamin B, and the omega-6 fatty acid, linoleic acid can help promote a healthier skin and coat for your dog. Linoleic acid in particular, can boost the health of your poochs skin, helps to alleviate any inflammation, and better healing of wounds.

Gluten-Free and High in Fiber

For dogs who may be sensitive to gluten, oatmeal is a great alternative source of carbohydrates. Rich in soluble fiber, oats can help regulate your poochs digestive system and can satiate their appetite making them feel fuller for longer always a good thing if you have an ever-hungry dog with weight issues!

Good for Cholesterol Levels and Improves Heart Health

Thanks to high levels of the fiber beta-glucan, oats can also help lower the cholesterol levels of your pup and offer benefits to heart health.Recent studies have found that a dogs overall level of total cholesterol and health-damaging LDL cholesterol were reduced when their diet was supplemented with oat beta-glucan.

When Are Oats Bad for Dogs?

While oats can provide valuable nutrients for your furry friend, it's important to be mindful that not all varieties of oats or oatmeal are suitable for them.

Raw Oats

As previously mentioned, raw oats can be challenging for your dog to digest and may lead to stomach upset so they must be cooked first. And, interestingly, despite the potential benefits of oats for your dog's skin and coat, some dogs could be allergic to raw oats, resulting in dermatitis flare-ups.

Flavored Oatmeal

Avoid giving your pooch flavored varieties of oatmeal. These kinds often contain high levels of sugar and may include ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, nutmeg, raisins, cocoa, or xylitol.

Fiber

Remember, as with anything, moderation is crucial. Introducing too much fiber to your dog's diet too quickly can lead to side effects like gas, bloating, or diarrhea.

How Much Oats Should You Feed Your Dog?

When introducing new foods to your poochs diet, start off slowly. Too much of any human food can lead to gastro issues diarrhea, gas, etc.

As a rule, the feeding ratio is one tablespoon of oatmeal (ready-to-eat) for every 20 pounds in doggy weight. For example:

• Extra small dogs (weighing less than 20 pounds) 1 teaspoon to a tablespoon, one or two times a week.

• Small dogs (under 30 pounds) 1 tablespoon, once or twice per week.

• Medium dogs (30-50/60 pounds) quarter of a cup, up to twice a week.

• Large dogs half a cup (maximum), up to twice a week.

Note: these are general guidelines. Its always advisable to check with your vet before making any additions to the diet of your pup or if you notice any adverse reactions.

How Can I Feed My Dog Oatmeal?

When preparing cooked oatmeal for dogs, there are a few culinary tweaks you should make.

At Home

Always use water when making your pups oatmeal rather than milk or a non-dairy alternative. Also, avoid adding any butter or sugar to the oatmeal. Although milk, sugar, and butter can make oats more appealing to humans, most dogs dont digest dairy too well, and your pooch certainly doesnt need more sugar or fats.

If you feel you must give your poochs oatmeal a flavor boost or they turn their nose up at the oatmeal, try adding some dog-safe fruits like blueberries or bananas in small quantities.

On the Road

When youre traveling or out for the day, you may be tempted to use instant oats.

If you do intend to give your pup oatmeal from a pouch or a cup, always check its a plain variety. In that, it doesnt contain any added flavorings or sweeteners such as xylitol, which is toxic for your pup.

Final Thoughts

Oats can be a safe and nutritious addition to your dog's diet when given in moderation and prepared appropriately. The fiber and nutrients in oats offer potential health benefits, all in a tasty snack.

Whether you enjoy cooking for your pup or simply want to make sure you give your dog a more nutritious diet, you may have asked can dogs eat oats? The good news is, yes they can. Just ensure theyre properly cooked to get the paws up from your lovable pup.

Can Dogs Eat Oats? FAQs

Can Dogs Eat Uncooked Oatmeal?

Pretty similar to eating raw oats, when ingested, uncooked oatmeal can remain in your dogs digestive system for extended periods of time, which may cause potential health issues.

Even though oatmeal is processed to make it more digestible, this only applies when cooked.

Are Oats or Rice Better for Dogs?

As grains, both rice and oats are safe for your dog to consume. You will often find these two ingredients are added to commercial dog food brands. Both are gluten-free, which can be a bonus for some dogs, high in fiber and they both contain minerals and vitamins beneficial to your pups health.

Its a close call, but oats win out due to the extra fiber and minerals like linoleic acid, which can benefit their skin and coat health.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Oatmeal Every Day?

No, it may be a breakfast treat for us humans, but canines should only be fed oatmeal once or twice a week. Oatmeal is high in carbohydrates and relatively high in calories which can cause problems for dogs' digestive systems if fed oats too often.

Can Dogs Eat Oat Cookies?

Not all oatmeal is created equally, and not all oatmeal snacks can be considered safe for your pooch, no matter how appealing they look. Hidden toxins in many cookies including raisins, nuts, chocolate, nutmeg, or xylitol, which can be extremely harmful to your poochs health.

Even if the cookie doesnt contain any of these toxins, the high levels of sugar, butter, and other fats often found in cookies can make your pooch sick.

Can I Mix Oatmeal With My Dog's Food?

Yes, an ideal way of introducing oats to your dogs diet is to sprinkle some cooked oatmeal over the top of their food. Some healthier dog food choices, which are available commercially, even advertise oatmeal as a main ingredient.