is it good to feed oatmeal to dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 30, 2024

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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.

Maintenance Formula Dog Food

Written By: Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva, VMD, cVMA | Professional Services Veterinarian, Wild Earth

Oatmeal is a delicious and nutritious pantry staple found in 75% of American households.

Packed with protein, vitamins, minerals, and a hearty dose of dietary fiber, its a great go-to meal. Whether you prefer your oats rolled, milled, or steel-cut, the health benefits are undeniable.

Have you wondered whether your canine companion can join you for a bowl of oatmeal?

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal safely and can actually gain some important nutritional benefits from oatmeal, but there are some guidelines you should follow.

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The Benefits of Feeding Oatmeal To Dogs

First, lets answer this simple question: Is oatmeal good for dogs? The answer is, yes. In fact, the same things that make the hulled oat grains good for humans are also the reasons theyre great for your pooch.

Oats contain soluble fiber which helps to maintain a healthy gut, nourishing both the gut microflora and the intestinal cells. Soluble fiber also helps keep your dogs bowel movements formed, and helps regulate blood glucose levels, which can help lower the risk of diabetes and cardiac disease. In addition to its high fiber content, oatmeal also boasts an array of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants that keep your dog looking and feeling their best, including:

Vitamin A
B Vitamins
Phosphorus
Zinc
Iron
Calcium
Copper
Magnesium

In addition, oatmeal contains linoleic acid. This is an omega-6 fatty acid that contributes to your dogs healthy skin! Learn about our Complete Protein Dog Food that features oats!

How to Prepare Oatmeal for Your Dog

Now that you know its safe to serve, how should you prepare oatmeal for your dog? Lets take a look at a few guidelines to follow.

Keep It Simple

The best way to introduce oatmeal into your dogs diet is to keep it as simple and bland as possible.

While we might have gotten used to the fancy flavored packets available at the grocery store, our pets dont need any of those additives or extra sugars. Some brands of instant oatmeal can even contain artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, that are known to be toxic to dogs.

That being said, stay away from those boxed flavored varieties, and stick to plain oats instead. You can include some of their favorite fruits and vegetables (in moderation) to help make it more flavorful and enticing.

Stick With Whole Grain Oatmeal

Before you check out, read the label on your container of oats.

Make sure the variety contains 100% whole grains, as opposed to processed grains. These lack many of the health benefits that whole grains offer. If possible, stick with organic oatmeal varieties, as well. These will be devoid of pesticides and other chemicals and will boast a higher nutritional count than other commercially prepared oatmeal.

Cook the Oats

To prepare pet-friendly oatmeal, simply cook the oats with just water. Never serve your dog raw oats as it might look like a tasty, crunchy snack, but uncooked oats can be incredibly difficult for your pup to handle. Not only are they a challenge to chew and swallow (leading to a choking hazard), but theyre also very hard to digest.

Dont add any milk or sugar to the mixture, and dont adorn the finished product with any special toppings such as nuts or brown sugar. Dogs are especially sensitive to dairy, as their bodies arent able to break down lactose as easily as ours can so that is why we recommend you stick with water. You can add some fruit, such as blueberries or bananas, but make sure only to add in small amounts.

Made this way, oatmeal is a great, wholesome snack for your dog, as well as a delicious meal topper. Its also a smart way to sneak in a few extra nutrients.

Improve Your Dog's Nutrition With Wild Earth!

Make sure the oatmeal has reached room temperature before you serve it. We might prefer ours hot, but you could burn your dogs sensitive tongue and gums if you serve it that way to him.

Dietary guidelines reveal that 3.5 ounces of raw oats contain 8% water. To increase the water content, even more, you can add a little warm water to the oatmeal after it has finished cooking.

Keep in mind that while its a yummy treat, oatmeal should never serve as a total meal replacement for your pup. It might be packed with certain nutrients, but its still lacking many of the vitamins and minerals dogs need for healthy growth and development. Remember that additional foods should only make up 10% of a dogs daily calorie intake.

Know the Right Portion of oatmeal for dogs

While plain oatmeal can be beneficial to your dog, its important to only serve it in moderation. One cup of plain, cooked oatmeal contains around 150 calories, which could easily push your pup beyond their recommended daily amount.

In terms of caloric needs, most active dogs only require around 25 to 30 daily calories per pound to maintain a healthy weight. That means if your dog weighs 30 pounds, they will need about 750 calories the entire day and this is only if they are active.

Knowing this, stick to just a spoonful or two when youre dishing it up. A good rule to follow is to serve one tablespoon of cooked oatmeal for every 20 pounds of your dogs body weight.

How to Serve Oatmeal to Your Dog

As with all new foods, we always recommend you speak to your veterinarian before offering it. If they give the green light, start off by feeding a small amount to gauge how your dog responds to this new food.

Remember oatmeal is high in fiber, so feeding too much could cause some unwanted tummy troubles - especially if your pup isnt used to high fiber food. Feeding your dog foods that contain a high amount of fiber can upset their gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

On the other hand, if your pup is already experiencing GI or bowel issues, a moderate amount of oatmeal can provide an extra dose of fiber necessary to help ease his discomfort. Older dogs, in particular, tend to have a more difficult time keeping their bowels regular, and a spoonful of oatmeal can offer the gentle nudge they need.

Additionally, oatmeal can be a great snack for dogs who are overweight as it can help your pup stay fuller longer and avoid overeating.

Our Oat-Based Products to Try

At Wild Earth, were proud to carry dog food and dog treats that contain hearty, healthy oats. This includes our Complete Protein Dog Food, as well as our Superfood Dog Treats.

Mixed with other yummy, nutritious ingredients including dried yeast, pumpkin, flax, spinach, chickpeas, and cranberries, our dog food features 31% complete protein and balanced nutrition made with zero meat. That means it is not only healthy for your dog, but they are better for the environment and the welfare of farmed animals too! Our treats combine oats with pumpkin, flax, peanut butter, and tasty koji for a treat your dog will love any time of day!

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