is baby oatmeal good for dogs

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.

When its cooked and fed in moderation, oatmeal can be a great snack to share with your dog. Just make sure its prepared safelysteer clear of any dangerous ingredients that can make your dog sick and follow portion guidelines so she doesnt have too much.

But can dogs have raw oats? And what about oatmeal cookies? Heres what to know about preparing oatmeal so its safe for dogs to eat.

Is Oatmeal Good for Dogs?

Plain, cooked oatmeal can be a great addition to your dog's diet. This heart-healthy breakfast is rich in soluble fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins that help support your dogs coat and skin.

The high fiber content helps promote digestion and weight management. So incorporating cooked, plain oatmeal into your dogs food bowl may help regulate her digestive system and keep her feeling full longer, which is helpful for dogs who may need to shed a few pounds.

But when sharing your oatmeal, always steer clear from any extra ingredients that may make your dog sick, such as raisins or too much sugar.

Can Dogs Eat Uncooked Oatmeal?

Sprinkling raw oatmeal into your dogs food bowl might seem like an easy way to add fiber to her diet, but the uncooked grains are difficult to digest and can give her an upset stomach. Instead, prepare plain oatmeal with water and let it cool before sharing with your pooch.

How to Safely Prep Oatmeal for Dogs

Cooked, plain oatmeal can be a good addition to your dogs diet and contains many nutrients. But always avoid feeding your dog oatmeal that contains harmful toxic ingredients. Check the package for any of the following:

When cooking oatmeal, use water instead of milk because its better for your dogs digestive system. Cook the oatmeal as normal, without adding any sugar or salt. Let the oatmeal cool to room temperature before sharing with your dog, and start with small amounts as a complement to their usual food.

Always check with your vet before making any major changes to your dog's diet, especially if your pup has any health conditions or sensitivities.

How Much Oatmeal Can Dogs Eat Safely?

As with any new food, start slow. Just because oatmeal is OK to share with dogs does not mean she should have more than a few spoonfuls at a time! Youll want to avoid giving your dog too much oatmeal at once because the high fiber content can cause diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Note that these are just general guidelines. Its always best to check with your vet before making major changes to your furry friends food bowl.

• Extra-small dog (220 pounds) = 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, up to twice per week

• Small dog (2130 pounds) = 12 tablespoons, up to twice per week

• Medium dog (3150 pounds) = 1/4 cup (or less), up to twice per week

• Large dog (5190 pounds) = 1/2 cup (or less), up to twice times per week

• Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = 2/3 cup (or less), up to twice per week

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal Cookies?

Not all oatmeal is created equally, and therefore not all oatmeal snacks are safe for dogs. Oatmeal cookies that contain ingredients such as raisins, chocolate, nutmeg, or xylitol are harmful and should be avoided.

But even if your oatmeal cookie doesnt contain raisins, chocolate, or nutmeg, the high levels of sugar, butter, and oil found in baked goods can make your pet sick. Stick with plain, cooked oatmeal and avoid the cookies altogetherunless you can find a pet-safe option that satisfies your dogs sweet tooth, like:

There are plenty of naturally sweet human foods that dogs can also safely snack on. Just keep in mind that any treats should only make up 10% of your dogs overall diet. The other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food.

Featured Image: Adobe/evgeniarusinova

WRITTEN BY

April Saylor

Freelance Writer

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 you use baby shampoo for dogs? A vet answers

Can you use baby shampoo for dogs? Its a question you may have found yourself asking if your canine companion has come in all muddy after a walk and all you have to hand to get them clean is baby shampoo. While not ideal, a one-off bath with baby shampoo is unlikely to do your dog any harm.

Bath time has the potential to be a wonderful experience or an awful one for you and your pup depending on your dogs preferences, how you wash them and whether what you use soothes or exacerbates any skin issues they have. Thats why we always recommend you learn how to give a dog a bath and take some time to understand what products are suitable for your dogs unique skin and coat needs.

If you dont have any of the best dog shampoo to hand and your pup doesnt have a skin condition, then resorting to baby shampoo in a muddy emergency is perfectly safe. But its important that you dont use human shampoo to wash your dog on a regular basis as these formulas are too harsh for your pup and will strip away the natural oils their skin needs to stay healthy.

Below, Dr. Catherine Barnette goes into more detail around why vets dont recommend human-grade shampoos for use on dogs, signs youre using the wrong shampoo for your pups skin and coat needs, and her favorite tips for bathing your dog.

Dr. Catherine Barnette

Dr. Barnette graduated from the University of Florida in 2006 where she received both her B.S. in Zoology and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM). She has 15 years of clinical experience as a small animal veterinarian, treating dogs, cats, and occasional exotic patients. When shes not writing content as a freelance veterinary writer, Dr. Barnette lives in southwest Florida with her husband and daughter (plus two cats, a dog, and a rescued dove!) and enjoys kayaking, biking, and hiking.

Is human shampoo safe for dogs?

While the shampoo that you use to wash your hair with might seem like a gentle and appealing option for your dog, human shampoo can actually be damaging to their coat and skin if used regularly. There are several critical differences between dog skin and human skin; these differences mean that the two species require different types of shampoo for the best results.

Human skin and canine skin differ significantly in pH (acidity). Sources vary, but human skin is acidic, with apH of 4 to 6.0. Dogs, in contrast, have more alkaline(or basic) skin than this. Human shampoos are pH-balanced to work well on our acidic skin, while canine shampoos are pH-balanced for alkaline skin. Therefore, using human shampoo on your dog could negatively impact the pH of your dog's skin, leading to problems.

Dogs also have small amounts ofnatural oils in their coat, which keep their fur shiny and protect against potentially harmful bacteria and other microbes. Most human shampoos will strip these oils from your dog's coat. Human shampoos are designed to remove the large amounts of grease from our hair, so this will have quite a drying effect on your dogs skin and coat.

Human shampoos also tend to be quite heavily perfumed, which could irritate your pets skin and overwhelm their sensitive sense of smell.

Is baby shampoo safe for dogs?

Baby shampoos are often considered to be gentler than other human shampoos because they contain fewer ingredients and minimal perfumes. However, they are still intended for human skin, so they have an acidic pH.

Therefore, even baby shampoo can be harsher than high-quality dog shampoo on a dog's skin. On the other hand, baby shampoo should be safe for one-off use in an emergency, but avoid using it repeatedly.

Safe dog shampoo alternatives

Sometimes, you may really need to bathe your dog, but you don't have any dog shampoo to hand. So, what safe alternatives are there?

1. Baby shampoo

In an emergency, baby shampoo is unlikely to cause immediate pain or skin trauma for your dog. For example, if your dog rolls in something disgusting in your backyard and you dont have any dog shampoo available, a single bath in baby shampoo is unlikely to do any damage.

You shouldnt make a habit out of it, though, so it would be best to stock up on some dog-specific alternatives for next time.

2. Chemical-free human shampoo

But what about if you dont have dog shampoo or baby shampoo to hand? Other human shampoos are also fine for a one-off use, but try to choose one with as few chemicals as possible.

You should also avoid strong fragrances, which are often too strong for your dog's powerful nose. And remember to get some dog-specific shampoo as soon as possible so that you don't dry your dog's skin or cause other negative effects.

3. Dish soap

Another option for a one-off dog shampoo alternative is dish soap. The pH of dish soap is a lot higher than shampoos and soaps designed for human skin. This means that dish soap is much closer to the pH of dog skin and can make a good emergency substitute for dog shampoo.

Don't use it too regularly, though it's harsh and contains no conditioners, meaning it'll strip your dog's skin oils, leaving them itchy or sore. Try to choose a dish soap with as few fragrances and added chemicals as possible.

The 'original' version is likely to be better for your dog's skin than the one with added foaming degreasing power or rinse aid! After all, you're washing your dog, not your dirty pots and pans!

Will baby shampoo kill fleas on dogs?

Any shampoo, including baby shampoo, can reduce flea numbers on your dog. Creating a lather and allowing it to sit on your dog for several minutes can effectively drown or suffocate fleas. When you rinse your dog, these dead fleas will also wash off.

While this may seem like a good idea, it is not a very effective method for dealing with a flea problem. As soon as your dog returns to your home or yard, new fleas will jump onto them. Sadly, it takes more than a bath to break the flea life cycle! Bathing your dog does not provide any residual benefits. Instead, talk to your veterinarian about a prescription flea preventative for your dog.

These treatments, which are often given year-round, will treat your dogs current flea infestation while also preventing reinfestation. There are several flea preventatives available. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best one for your dog depending on your budget, their lifestyle, and whether you find tablets or spot-on treatments easier to give. You can also check out our guide to the best flea treatment for dogs where we outline the most reputable products currently available.

Choosing the best shampoo for your dog

Choosing the best shampoo for your dog

When bathing your dog, the most important thing is to use a shampoo that has been specifically developed for dogs. Suppose your dog has a specific skin condition, like allergies or seborrheic dermatitis.

In that case, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription shampoo that is specifically formulated to treat or prevent that skin disease. However, for most healthy dogs, any over-the-counter dog shampoo can be a good option for routine bathing.

Dog bathing tips

1. Avoid bathing too frequently

How often should I bathe my dog is a common question amongst pet parents and the good news is, you don't need to wash your dog anywhere near as often as you wash yourself!

Your dogs skin produces far less oil than human skin, so they only need to be bathed when they become smelly or dirty. Monthly bathing is a good starting point for most dogs, although you may find that your dog needs to be bathed more or less often, depending on their coat type and lifestyle.

Unless specifically instructed by your veterinarian, do not bathe your dog more frequently than once every other week.

2. Make bathtime an enjoyable experience

You will be bathing your dog approximately once a month for the remainder of your dogs life, so its best to make bath time as enjoyable as possible for them. Give your pup a few of thebest dog treatsduring bath time to help them develop a positive mental association with it.

If you bathe your dog in a sink or bathtub, consider smearing some peanut butter along the edges. (Avoid sugar-free peanut butter because it may contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.) Many dogs love the taste of peanut butter, so theyll often stand still while licking it off the sides of the bath!

Keep water out of your dogs ears and eyes during baths, and make sure the water is not too deep. Remember that they could easily slip or try to jump out, and any negative experiences could make them more fearful next time, so keep a close eye.

3. Rinse your dog thoroughly

You should always rinse your dog thoroughly after bathing. Even a high-quality dog shampoo can irritate the skin if it is not rinsed out. Therefore, it's essential to take the time to thoroughly remove all shampoo residue from the skin. Take care not to get too much water in your dog's ears, though. They won't enjoy this, and it will make their ear canals moist, predisposing them to ear infections.

What are the signs I am using the wrong shampoo for my dog?

With so many dog shampoos on the market, it can be hard to choose. There's not one shampoo that suits every pet, so its important to keep an eye on your pooch after bathing them to make sure no problems arise. If you are using the wrong type of shampoo for your dog, then you might see some of the following signs:

• Skin becoming pink or red
• Increased itchiness (rubbing at the face, licking paws, or scratching their body)
• Skin becomes flaky or crusty
• Bald patches appear
• Rashes or spots

Speak to your vet if your dog has had an adverse reaction to his shampoo, or the dog-shampoo alternative that you have used.

Although the answer to the question "can you use baby shampoo on dogs?" is technically yes, it's best to avoid doing so. Human shampoo lacks a dog-appropriate pH, and it's often too harsh for a dog's skin, containing more chemicals and perfumes. Talk to your veterinarian about the best shampoo for your dog to keep their skin and coat as healthy as possible.

For more great canine content, check out our guide to this simple grooming mistake can pose a serious health risk for your dog for an important tip for what to include in your dog's grooming routine.