how to add oatmeal to dog food

Recipe: Oatmeal Dog Food Meal with Chicken and Vegetables

Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast choice for humans, but is it a safe ingredient for dogs? In short, yes!

In this article we will talk about the benefits dogs get from eating oatmeal, and a recipe to come with it.

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

Yes, like I just mentioned oatmeal is great.

But like with any form of carbohydrates, moderation is key here.

Oats are high in carbohydrates so overfeeding older dogs is surefire way to put some extra pounds on them that they don't need.

Also, NEVER feed your dog uncooked, raw oats. They must be cooked.

Oatmeal Benefits

Oatmeal is high in fiber, and contains a lot of nutrients, minerals and antioxidants.

Thisoatmeal dog food recipe may not offer balanced nutrition for all dogs, so be sure to check with your veterinarian before switching your pup to this diet.

Oatmeal also makes a good substitute carbohydrate for dogs with wheat and grain allergies.

Being a good source of soluble fiber, oatmeal is beneficial for dogs with bowel irregularity issues and aids in regulating blood glucose levels.

Downsides of oatmeal

On the contrary, feeding a diet that offers too much fiber can cause gastrointestinal issues.

For this reason, this oatmeal dog food should not be the only recipe you feed your pet.

You can interchange it with other homemade recipes or serve it once in a while to help keep Fido's bowel movements regular.

Oatmeal Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2 cups chicken (cubed)
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables
• 1/4 cup dry quick oats
• 1/8 cup uncooked brown rice

Directions

Boil the water in a medium-sized saucepan.

Add the coconut oil and let it melt.

Add the chicken, rice and oatmeal.

Cook on medium heat for 20 minutes.

Stir the oatmeal dog food recipe to thoroughly combine all ingredients.

Add the mixed vegetables and cook for another 10 minutes on medium heat.

I used a Normandy mix of frozen vegetables in my recipe video above.

You could substitute any dog-friendly vegetables that you have on hand.

When I prepare homemade food for my dogs I like to use vegetables that are in season at the time.

They are cheaper and easy to find at any local grocery store or farmer's market.

Healthy, dog-friendly vegetable substitutions could include:

• green beans
• carrots
• beats
• pumpkin
• squash
• zucchini

After the vegetables have been added and you've cooked the oatmeal dog food recipe for an additional 10 minutes, remove it from the heat, cover the saucepan and let it sit for 10 minutes.

Once the food has cooled you can serve it to your dog.

The recommended serving size is about 1/2 cup for every 20-25 pounds of body weight.

You need to feed 2 servings per day.

Let's say your dog weighs 60 pounds.

He would need to eat about 1.5 cups of this oatmeal dog food recipe in the morning and 1.5 cups in the evening.

READ NEXT: 3 Canine Diseases Linked to Dog Food and Nutrition

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How to make oatmeal for dogs

Oats can be a great source of nutrition for dogs with gastrointestinal issues, especially senior dogs. Cooking oatmeal for dogs with sensitive bellies can help, especially if they are on a hypoallergenic diet.

Ill give you variations and substitutions where I can, plus helpful tips and tricks for success. Read on for this info as well as the recipe. If youd like to skip straight to the recipe, use the jump to recipe button at the top of the post.

You may also be interested in mypost can dogs eat oatmeal?and myhomemade meatballs for dogsrecipe. For ease of browsing, you can find all of my dog food recipes in one place

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Why you should make this recipe

• Hypoallergenic diet If your pup is on a special diet, or has belly issues, a spoonful of oatmeal can be a good option.
• Quick and easy Oats only take a few minutes to cook.
• Make ahead This recipe should make enough to feed more than one dog for the week.

Can dogs eat oatmeal?

Oats can be a great option for dogs with tummy issues. Sugar has always had a sensitive stomach, so when she was diagnosed with a few gastrointestinal issues, we spoke to her vet about what this meant for her diet.

Oatmeal should be part of their diet, not the only thing you feed them. Also, not too much, especially if you have a senior dog who isnt very active.

It is high in carbohydrates and they will gain weight if you feed them too much of anything, but specifically high carb food (just like people!).

You should not feed your dog raw oatmeal, always make sure the oats are cooked. Raw oats are hard for pups to digest and if your pet already has belly issues, this will not help them.

Ingredients

• Oats I use old-fashioned rolled oats. I dont use quick-cooking oats, but you can use them if thats what you have. Your cooking time will be slightly less than the recipe.
• Water Plain tap water is fine.

When cooking oats for dogs, you do not need to add salt, sugar, or any flavoring. Remember, this is not for your taste buds, its for your pup.

How to cook oatmeal for dogs

Cooking porridge, or oats, for your pup is one of the easiest things youll ever make.

1. Simmer water in a medium pot.
2. Add oats, while stirring, to the simmering water.
3. Bring to a boil, then turn down and let it bubble away for a bit until it is thickened. Set it aside and let it cool before feeding to your pet.

Oatmeal for dogs FAQs

Can dogs have porridge?

Yes! Making porridge (oats) for dogs isnt much different than making it for yourself. Its made with water, not milk, and cooked on the stove until the oats have absorbed the liquid.

Can dogs have raw oatmeal?

No. Do not feed your dog raw oats, it is quite difficult for them to digest.

How do I store leftover oatmeal?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.

How long will oatmeal last?

Cooked oats will last about 5 days.

Can I freeze cooked oats for dogs?

Yes! I like to freeze it in mini muffin pans. Then pop them out and store in a zip-top freezer bag. You can take out a little at a time without having to thaw an entire container.

To incorporate cooked oats into your dogs food, you can simply add a bit to their normal food. If you are going with a fully homemade diet, a website that our vet recommended to me is balanceit.com.

If your dog has developed a sensitivity to a certain food, often its protein specific and its usually chicken, you can try other proteins in its place. It can be a bit of a process trying to eliminate foods or figure out which ones are the culprits.

For us, we have the added issue of having to feed her a low fat diet. That means lean proteins in addition to the oatmeal and other vegetables. Lean ground pork works for Sugar, as does lamb and salmon, even though they arent necessarily low fat.

Dog treats using oats

Many of my dogs treats are made with oats. They are easy on the belly and also less expensive than store bought.

Check out this list for dog treat tools and equipment a few basics to get you started.

Youll need a medium sized sauce pan to cook the oats. I prefer using a sturdy rubber spatula to stir instead of a spoon, because I can scrape along the sides and bottom to make sure the oats dont stick.

Lastly, youll need a set of dry measuring cups and a liquid measuring cup.

Ive compiled a list of all things dog that we have actually used for Sugar. If you are like me, and you take your pup with you on adventures, the backpack and the booster seat for the car are the best things ever.

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Oatmeal for Dogs

Cheryl Bennett

Cooking oatmeal for dogs is quick and easy with this 2 ingredient recipe.

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dog Food Recipes

Cuisine Dog

Servings 4 cups

Calories 14 kcal

• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

• In a medium (nonstick) sauce pan, bring 2 1/2 cups of water to a simmer.

• Add 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal to this simmering water, stirring as you add the oats. Continue stirring until fully combined.

• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, stirring frequently. (If you do not stir the oats, they will stick, and could potentially burn)

• Cook for 7 8 minutes, until oatmeal is thickened and oats have absorbed the water.

• If you want to make a looser oatmeal, reduce oats to 1 cup.
• If using quick-cooking oats, you'll need to adjust the time, as they cook faster.
• Do not add sugar or salt to oatmeal that's not good for your dog.
• Store oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• I prefer using a nonstick pot, as oatmeal can stick.
• Remember that oatmeal will thicken as it stands, so let it sit on the stove for a few minutes if it isn't as thick as you'd like it.
• When re-heating oatmeal: It will become a solid mass in the fridge. You may need to add a teaspoon of water and stir it up before adding to your pup's food.
• NEVER feed your dog hot off the stove food. It will burn their mouths.
• Never feed your dog raw oatmeal.
• Sugar weighed 12 lbs., her portion size was about 2 tbsps. Speak to your vet about portions for your specific pet. Also, please consult your vet about dietary changes for your pet, as every dog is unique and what works for mine may not work for yours.
• Start slowly when adding oatmeal to your dog's diet. Any new changes could cause gastrointestinal issues.

Serving: 2tbsps.Calories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gSodium: 1mg

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Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, or a nutritionist, but with the guidance of my dogs vet, this is what I do for her.

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Can I mix oatmeal with dog food? Heres What to Do Next

Clubs Offering:

A healthy breakfast choice that offers an abundance of nutritional value to humans, oatmeal is a staple found in many peoples homes. But, can dogs eat oatmeal? The answer is yes, but there are some things you should keep in mind before feeding your pup this snack.

Oatmeal is high in fiber and contains a plethora of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. Served in moderation, oatmeal can benefit a dog in a variety of ways, says Dr. Carly Fox of New York Citys Animal Medical Center. It is a great alternative carbohydrate for dogs that may be sensitive to wheat or grains. Oatmeal contains vitamin B, which helps maintain a healthy coat, and linoleic acid, which is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that helps to maintain the strength of dogs skin.

Its also a great source of soluble fiber, which can regulate blood glucose levels and help dogs that have irregular bowl movements. But Dr. Fox cautions that feeding your dog foods containing a lot of fiber can lead to GI upset, whose symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.

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

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

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

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

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).

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The TRUTH about OATMEAL with Dogs?

Oatmeal is a pretty nutritious ingredient that appears in a ton of people foods. But did you know that it can also be awesome for puppers too?

Thats right! Oatmeal provides pooches with many of the same health benefits that it provides humans, so many owners are beginning to pick foods chock full of this tasty and nutritious grain.

Below, well explain some of the health benefits oatmeal provides, outline some of the things to think about when picking an oatmeal dog food, and identify a few of our favorites.