is brown sugar oatmeal bad for dogs
Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?
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.
Is Oatmeal Good for Dogs?
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.
How to Serve Oatmeal Safely to Dogs
When preparing oatmeal for your canine companion, make it with water, as opposed to milk. Dogs are very sensitive to dairy, and their bodies dont break down lactose as easily as humans do, says Dr. Fox.
If you plan to share your oatmeal, make sure its cooked and not sprinkled raw over food; serving it raw will only make it harder for your pup to digest. It should also be plain; while humans might enjoy additives, such as salt, butter, chocolate, raisins, or grapes, these ingredients can be extremely harmful to a dogs health. Never feed your dog flavored oatmeal, as it often contains more sugar and may even have artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Once the oatmeal is cooked, serve it at room temperaturegiving your dog food thats too hot can cause burns inside their mouth.
Dr. Fox also advises owners to stay away from instant oatmeal. While its faster and easier to prepare, its highly processed, and the health benefits your dog gets from eating oats will decrease. It loses its nutritional value, explains Dr. Fox. The least processed version provides the most health benefits.
Dietary Advice
Whats important to remember is that too much of any human food can be upsetting to a dogs stomach. Just because youre eating oatmeal daily for breakfast doesnt mean your dog should, too. Generally, you can feed your dog one tablespoon of cooked oatmeal for every 20 pounds of their weight.
Dont give your dog too much oatmeal at once because it contains a lot of carbohydrates and is relatively high in calories. Consuming a large amount can also lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and/or bloat, which can be life threatening. Half-a-cup of cooked oatmeal (at most), one to two times a week is more than enough for most large dogs. Your dog should be eating a well-balanced commercial diet, Dr. Fox says.
When introducing human food into your dogs diet, start off gradually and gauge how well he handles it. If he has any adverse reactions, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Here at the AKC, we field many queries from anxious dog owners about what is and isnt safe for their canine companions to eat. Questions range from the obvious (Can dogs eat steak bones?) to the trendy (Can dogs eat quinoa?) Check out more Can dogs eat articles on AKC.org to see what foods could be harmful to your dog, includingcherries,avocados, andonions.
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe (Quick & Easy!)
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe (Quick & Easy!)
Written by Alia Kay on 6 Comments This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.
This easy Brown Sugar Oatmeal recipe makes the best, creamiest oatmeal ever. It is a healthy, satisfying breakfast that requires only 5 ingredients and 15 minutes to make! Learn how to make homemade brown sugar oatmeal from scratch with this quick and simple recipe.
Brown Sugar Oatmeal: An Easy Breakfast
You are going to love this easy brown sugar oatmeal recipe, because it is made with simple, nutritious ingredients and it tastes amazingly delicious. I always like to make oatmeal from scratch, because that way I get to control the ingredients and the amount of sugar in it. Not only that, homemade oatmeal just tastes so much better than the oatmeal packets you buy from the store.
This homemade oatmeal recipe is made with basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand in the kitchen, such as milk, egg, brown sugar, butter and rolled oats. I know that its not common to see an egg in the ingredient list for an oatmeal recipe, but it adds so much richness and creaminess to texture of the oatmeal. The egg also adds a boost of protein and makes it a power breakfast that will keep you feeling full all morning!
How to Make Brown Sugar Oatmeal from Scratch
Full instructions are included in the recipe below. But as a brief overview, to make this homemade oatmeal recipe, simply:
- Make the flavor base: Combine the milk, egg, brown sugar, and butter in a pan.
- Add the oats: Stir in the rolled oats (use gluten-free if required) and simmer until thickened.
- Serve: Ladle the oatmeal into bowls and serve with your mix-ins or toppings of choice.
You oatmeal is now ready to be served. Be sure to enjoy it while is it nice and warm!
Possible Recipe Customizations
The base recipe is perfect on its own, but feel free to customize the oatmeal to your liking. For the photos in this post, I topped the oatmeal with fresh blackberries, chopped almonds, and an extra sprinkle of brown sugar. Variation options for oatmeal are truly endless, but here are some ideas for toppings and add-ins:
- Fresh berries: Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries
- Dried fruit: Raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries
- Chopped nuts: Walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, cashews, or peanuts
- Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, or sunflower seeds
- Baking Chips: Chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or peanut butter chips
- Coconut: Shredded coconut or coconut flakes
- Nut butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter
- Extract: A splash of vanilla or coconut extract
- Spices: A pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg
Feel free to experiment with the variations above to suit your personal preferences. The beauty of homemade oatmeal is that it can be tailored to your liking, making it a truly versatile dish.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
Looking for more breakfast inspiration? Here are some of my favorite recipes:
If you make this Brown Sugar Oatmeal recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below, because I love hearing from you!
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe (Quick & Easy!)
Alia KayThis Brown Sugar Oatmeal recipe makes the best, creamiest oatmeal ever. It is easy, healthy, and ready in just 15 minutes!
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings
Calories 384 calories
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups milk, of choice
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup rolled oats
- Optional toppings: Fresh berries and chopped nuts
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, egg, sugar, and butter over medium heat until smooth.
Stir in the oats and bring mixture to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes or until thickened.
Garnish with optional toppings, if using, and serve warm.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe (Quick & Easy!)
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe
Everyday Easy Eats. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use any of my recipes, text or images without prior permission.
Can Dogs Eat Brown Sugar?
Chowtime Charmers!
Curated Dog Bowls with Your Dog's Name
Shop Now!Like many, I love adding some Sugar to my oatmeal. On this particular day, I was very clumsy and sprinkled some Brown Sugar onto the kitchen table. When I turned around to grab a towel, my Labrador had already licked it off. I almost panicked and wondered, Can my dog eat Brown Sugar? Heres the brief answer first.
Can dogs eat Brown Sugar? No, dogs should not eat Brown Sugar since it contains high glucose content and high levels of yeast. This combination can cause the dogs blood sugar level to suddenly increase and lead to health issues such as vomiting, upset stomach, and even tremors in dogs. If your dogs accidentally ate Brown Sugar, they should be fine since it isnt toxic. However, avoid feeding your dogs Brown Sugar regularly as doing so can lead to a whole host of health issues down the road.
Can dogs have Brown Sugar?
No, dogs should not have Brown Sugar. To fully understand why dog owners should keep Brown Sugar away from their canine friends, lets take a look at what Brown Sugar is and it can affect our dogs health if consumed regularly.
Brown Sugar vs white sugar
To fully understand what Brown Sugar is, lets compare it to white sugar.
Both Brown Sugar and white sugar are considered sucrose or sugar.
What sets Brown Sugar apart from white sugar is this:
| Brown Sugar | White Sugar |
| Brown Sugar has not been refined. | White sugar has been refined. |
| Brown Sugar is made with molasses. | |
| Usually marketed as the better, healthier, and natural sugar. |
While Brown Sugar sounds like the better sugar to give our four-legged friends, its still not a good idea. Thats because Brown Sugar is still sugar at the end of the day, whether its been refined or not, marketed as the healthier natural sugar, or made with molasses.
Our canine friends bodies do not know the difference and they absorb Brown Sugar as sugar. Therefore, Brown Sugar is bad for dogs. In this next section, well discuss how Brown Sugar can negatively impact your dogs overall health.
You may also like: Can Dogs Eat Mochi? The Sugary Truth!
Is Brown Sugar bad for dogs?
Yes, Brown Sugar is bad for dogs if consumed daily or regularly. Since Brown Sugar is simply considered sugar to our K9 friends, heres how it affects their health and overall wellbeing.
Brown Sugar for dogs is a no-no!
Avoid feeding your furry friends Brown Sugar because sugar, in general, will cause the following in dogs.
Brown Sugar can cause upset stomach in dogs
Its not a good idea to add Brown Sugar to your dogs diet. When dogs eat sugary food or treat, they can get an upset stomach. Our K9 friends bodies contain healthy levels of helpful bacteria and other microorganisms in their guts to help them digest the food they eat.
When they ingest more sugar than usual or more sugar than what they are used to, this higher dose of Brown Sugar can disrupt the healthy balance of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms in their guts. Dogs will then have an upset stomach and they may vomit or have bloody and explosive diarrhea.
So, does sugar give dogs diarrhea?
Yes, sugar can give dogs diarrhea so dont be surprised if you see vomit or bloody diarrhea all over your carpet or flooring after your pooch has ingested some Brown Sugar. If you dislike having to clean up your dogs diarrhea or vomit, its best to keep Brown Sugar or other types of sugar away from your four-legged friends.
Handy Hint: Dog vomit can come in a range of different colors from yellow, green, red, and black. There are also different types of dog vomit that can tell you why your dog is vomiting and feeling sick. Check out Dog Vomit Color Guide and be sure to save this guide for future reference.
Brown Sugar can cause dental issues in dogs
Just like when we eat lots of sugar we can get cavities, dogs can also get cavities from consuming too much sugar.
When we feed our furry friends Brown Sugar, the bacteria in their mouth uses the Brown Sugar to produce acids that eat away the minerals in the enamel. When this happens, the outer coating of the dogs teeth slowly disappears and this puts your dog at risk of dental disease.
Your pooch may start to have tooth decay, cavities, and tooth loss.
To avoid dental disease in dogs, youll want to avoid feeding your pooch sugary food, snacks, or treats. This means staying away from all types of sugar, including Brown Sugar.
If you notice your pooch has consumed Brown Sugar or other sugary food, its best to brush his or her teeth. My dogs vet advised that I brush my dogs teeth every day. For busy pet owners, its fine to brush your dogs teeth weekly as well.
RELATED: Best Dog Toothpastes Reviews and Comparison
It is highly recommended to have your dogs teeth checked and professionally cleaned at least once a year by your vet. This helps to prevent dental diseases in dogs and helps them maintain their healthy pearly whites.
Brown Sugar can lead to canine obesity
Although Brown Sugar is not refined, it is still sugar. Sugary food is mainly considered empty calorie food and our four-legged friends should avoid this type of food at all costs. Thats because empty-calorie food and sugary food can cause your dogs to gain weight.
When dogs gain weight, it puts unnecessary stress on their joints, chest, and can even affect their gait. To make matters worse, weight gain can also affect your dogs quality of life.
When dogs gain weight or become overweight, all that unnecessary weight is putting stress on their joints so they may start to experience joint pain. This pain can cause them to lose interest in walking, running, playing, and other physical activities. Your fur babies may also start to become lethargic and may prefer to stay in his or her doggy bed for hours.
Weight gain can also put additional stress on your dogs chest wall and this can cause your pooch to have difficulty breathing.
Other health issues your pup may experience from weight gain include heart disease, arthritis, and respiratory issues.
The good news is that these health issues can be avoided by being careful with the type of food we feed our canine friends and keeping all types of sugar, including Brown Sugar, out of our dogs diet.
Brown Sugar can cause affect your dogs metabolism
When dogs consume too much Brown Sugar, it can increase their insulin secretion. When this happens, it affects your dogs hormones and over time, they will start to lose their muscle tone and their fat storage will increase.
Additionally, their energy levels will start to decrease and their immune system may weaken.
All of this can cause your dogs to feel more tired, weak, and be less active. Your pooch may also be more prone to obesity, infections, and other hormone-related diseases.
As we can see, feeding your pooch Brown Sugar can cause changes to his metabolism and body. To prevent this from happening, its best to keep Brown Sugar away from your furry friends.
Brown Sugar can cause diabetes in dogs
When your dogs metabolism changes and he keeps gaining weight, theres a high chance that he will develop diabetes, specifically Type II diabetes. Dogs with Type II diabetes are not able to properly process sugar because their pancreases have been negatively affected.
The dogs pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, which is a hormone that helps to control the amount of sugar (or glucose) in the dogs blood. When the pancreas is negatively impacted, it starts to produce very little insulin or simply does not produce any insulin at all.
As a result, theres a high buildup of sugar or glucose in the dogs blood which means the dog has diabetes.
You may be interested in: Can Dogs Eat White Chocolate?
Regularly consuming Brown Sugar may lead to pancreatitis
When dogs consume lots of sugar, such as Brown Sugar, it can cause pancreatitis. Thats when the pancreas becomes inflamed and it can be quite painful. You may notice your dog crouching over or bent over in almost a praying position.
Their front legs and head are lowered onto the ground while their rear-end is sticking up in the air.
Signs and symptoms of pancreatitis include:
- Vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Diarrhea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Fever.
- Lethargy.
- Loss of appetite.
My dog ate a bunch of Brown Sugar! What should I do?
If your dog ate a bunch of Brown Sugar and is experiencing any of the above symptoms, youll want to contact your vet right away. Your vet may ask you to bring your dog in so that they can perform a thorough check-up of your pooch as well as other types of necessary tests including laboratory tests, pancreatic tests, and ultrasounds.
The sooner your dog is treated, the better the prognosis so make sure to get in touch with your vet right away if you notice any of the above symptoms.
Is Brown Sugar safe for dogs?
As we can see, Brown Sugar is not safe for dogs, and pet owners should avoid feeding their pooch Brown Sugar. Its best to keep Brown Sugar or other types of sugar away from your canine friends since it doesnt provide any health benefits to our dogs and can negatively affect their overall health and well-being.
Other names sugar goes by that are unsafe and unhealthy for dogs
There are many human food and snacks that contain either white refined sugar or Brown Sugar. Since both of them are unhealthy for dogs, its best to keep them out of your dogs diet.
Sugar can be very tricky to pinpoint when youre looking at the list of ingredients because they go by various other names. Watch out for the following ingredients and keep them away from your pooch:
- Corn syrup.
- Molasses.
- Honey.
- Fructose.
- Sucrose.
- Sorbitol.
- Caramel.
- Beet pulp.
Fun Fact: Juice concentrate is another name for sugar. Many powdered juice concentrate contains added sugar which is harmful to dogs. Check out Can Dogs Drink Apple Juice? to find out if Apple Juice is safe for canine consumption.
Brown Sugar and dogs
Can dogs eat oatmeal with Brown Sugar?
No, dogs should not eat oatmeal with Brown Sugar. While oatmeal by itself is fine for doggy consumption, Brown Sugar is not. So if you plan on feeding your pooch some oatmeal, that is fine, just avoid adding in the Brown Sugar or choose plain non-sugar oatmeal.
Oatmeal by itself is packed full of antioxidants, minerals, and nutrients. If you plan on feeding your pooch some oatmeal, be sure to feed them oatmeal in moderation without the Brown Sugar.
Check out: Can Dogs Eat Cereal?
Can dogs eat Brown Sugar cinnamon pop tarts?
No, dogs should not eat Brown Sugar cinnamon pop tarts. Pop tart is a human snack that is awfully sweet and is considered an empty calorie food. No matter what flavor the pop tart is, it is not healthy or safe for dogs in any shape, way, or form.
The same can be said when it comes to Brown Sugar cinnamon pop tarts. They are unhealthy for dogs and regularly eating this could lead to health issues such as diabetes, weight gain, dental disease, arthritis, metabolic changes, and even pancreatitis.
Check out: For more information on Pop Tarts and how this snack can affect your dogs health, youll want to check out Can Dogs Eat Pop Tarts? Well go over several reasons why your dogs should avoid this sweet human snack and you dont want to miss it!
Can dogs eat Brown Sugar oatmeal?
No, dogs should not eat Brown Sugar oatmeal. Similar to how dogs should not eat oatmeal with Brown Sugar, dogs should also avoid Brown Sugar oatmeal.
Our dogs bodies naturally produce sugar when they consume complex carbohydrates from their regular healthy and well-balanced diet. They dont need us to feed them sugar or food dosed in sugar.
Can dogs eat maple Brown Sugar oatmeal?
No, dogs should not eat maple Brown Sugar oatmeal. While oatmeal itself is relatively healthy for dogs in moderation, flavored oatmeal such as maple Brown Sugar oatmeal is not healthy for canine consumption and is loaded full of sugar.
As we discussed above, regular sugar consumption can lead to a host of health issues in dogs.
Its important to point out that while oatmeal contains tons of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are beneficial to our dogs health, be careful not to overfeed them oatmeal. Thats because oatmeal does contain tons of natural fats which can be harmful to dogs.
Can dogs eat sweet potatoes with Brown Sugar?
No, dogs should not eat sweet potatoes with Brown Sugar. Sweet potatoes by themselves are nutritious to dogs. They are packed full of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamins A, B6, and C. Theyre also an excellent source of fiber for dogs.
However, when the sweet potatoes are mixed with Brown Sugar, they are no longer safe for doggy consumption.
Usually, sweet potatoes with Brown Sugar are when you make Brown Sugar roasted sweet potatoes or classic candied sweet potatoes and both are terrible and unhealthy for dogs.
Find out: Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes?
DISCLAIMER: THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICEThe information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding dietary needs.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_sugar
https://blogs.library.duke.edu/rubenstein/2016/02/25/amari-stokes/
With over five years of specialized experience as an animal writer, my expertise lies in dog nutrition, health, behavior, grooming, and training. I am dedicated to delivering helpful and informative content that caters to the well-being of our furry friends. My primary goal is to empower pet owners with knowledge and ensure our canine companions thrive in health and happiness. In my free time, I love volunteering at local dog rescue centers.
