is oat bran safe for dogs

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What is bran?

Bran is the hard outer layer of a cereal grain that surrounds the endosperm. In the case of a cereal grain, the endosperm is the good stuff we like to eat. The stuff that makes flour etc. The sad thing is though, we should also like to eat the bran because that is actually the best bit. Certainly the most nutritious bit. It contains protein, carbohydrates, b-vitamins and more besides. Its also a wonderful source of dietary fibre. And what does this have to do with dogs? Those very same things that make bran so good for you, makes bran for dogs good for your best friend too!

But as with so many beneficial foodstuffs that come our way courtesy of Mother Nature, we generally peel off and throw away the best bit. Think of an apple or a potato for example. For whatever strange reason, we actually peel off and discard the most nutritious parts. The skin!

In the case of bran though, it does at least go on to become a byproduct. A byproduct of the milling of the refined grains like wheat flour that were rather over fond of for our health. The good thing from the point of our dogs though is that this particular byproduct, bran, is exceptionally good for mans best friend. Thats why it is included in so many commercial dog foods. Aside from the fact its cheap of course, which is always a primary motivatory for the commercial dog food industry!

The crazy thing about bran though is that one of the reasons it is discarded in the milling process is the fact that its fatty acids shorten its shelf life. It spoils more quickly than the endosperm, the seeds that we like to mill and turn into cakes and pastries.

Types of bran

There are numerous types of cereal bran, all of which are excellent sources of dietary fibre for your dog. These include:

Rice bran Corn bran Wheat bran Oat bran Barley bran Rye bran Millet bran

My favourite bran for dogs though is oat bran, something Im also partial to in my own diet by the way!

Can Dogs eat Bran? Is bran safe for dogs?(Yes)

In the diet of pets, both animal and plant foods should be present.The latter is the main source of fiber, which many experts consider the fourth nutrient along with proteins, carbohydrates and fats.Vegetables do not provide a sufficient amount of plant fibers in the animals body, therefore, when asked whether it is possible for dogs to take bran, veterinarians give an affirmative answer. Yes. Dogs can eat Bran.

Why bran is useful to dogs

From time immemorial, dogs and their wild ancestors ate meat, that is, animal food.But along with this, the plant also entered their body first of all, with the contents of the stomachs of their victims, who feed on grass and seeds of cereals.Currently, their owners provide a balanced diet for the pet, but vegetables do not contain the required amount of fiber, and in winter the range of vegetables and fruits is rather scarce, and the cereals from which porridge is cooked for dogs sometimes do not contain dietary fiber at all.

Bran can be used as an additional source of healthy fiber.They are a by-product of grain processing and contain the shells of the grains and their germs.Bran is useful not only as a source of coarse dietary fiber, which acts like a brush in the intestines of the animal, promoting the food lump and improving intestinal motility, but also other useful substances, primarily:

• B vitamins;
• trace elements;
• polysaccharides.

Vitamins are involved in all vital processes in the body, increase its immunity, the ability to resist various infections.Among the trace elements that are contained in bran, selenium is the most important and valuable.He participates in the synthesis of DNA, is a necessary component of almost all oxidative processes in the animal body.

Bran contains beta-glucan this is one of the most important polysaccharides, which binds fatty acids in the intestine, lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood, preventing its accumulation on the walls of blood vessels.

Any veterinarian can tell dog owners about the benefits of bran.It is recommended to add them to the food of animals, because the bran:

• participate in the movement of the food lump through the intestines;
• change the glycemic index of foods and prevent too rapid absorption of energy from food;
• regulate the chair;
• improve intestinal motility;
• sorb toxins and other harmful substances and accelerate their removal from the body.

Note: Bran does not cause allergic reactions, so they can be given to absolutely any animal.However, there are certain rules according to which you cannot give a dog bran every day and in large quantities.Whether wheat, oat or rye, the bran contains phytin.This is calcium glycerophosphate, which slows down the absorption of many minerals, in the first place which is important! calcium.Bran, consumed in large quantities, can cause flatulence in a dog, become a favorable environment for the development of fungal infections, pathogenic microbes.In extremely rare cases, animals may experience diarrhea.

Which bran is better

Experts differ as to which bran wheat, rye or oat is more beneficial for the dog.Therefore, it makes sense to tell how each species is useful.

Wheat bran contains the largest amount of valuable dietary fiber, vitamins and selenium.With their regular use, the stool is normalized in the animal.Rye bran is somewhat inferior to wheat bran in terms of nutrient content, but not inferior in size to the positive effect on the pets body.They help to quickly remove toxins from the body, normalize the functions of the digestive system, cope with diarrhea and improve the functioning of the immune system.

There are benefits for the dogs body and from oat bran.They protect the dogs gastrointestinal tract from inflammatory processes in it, prevent obesity, the appearance of excess weight, so they are chosen if it is necessary to normalize the pets weight.However, they contain less vitamins than other food supplements.

In addition, other types of bran can be given to the dog:

• buckwheat will help cleanse the intestines and liver, remove toxins and other harmful substances from the body;
• rice normalize intestinal motility, stabilize stools and stop diarrhea;
• barley contain vitamin E, which strengthens the immune system and protects body cells from free radicals and prevents thrombosis;
• millet normalize stool and improve the functions of the urinary system.

Note: When choosing bran for feeding a pet, pay attention to their appearance and color, and other characteristics.The product should be gray-brown in color, odorless of mold and other impurities, which not only impair the nutritional properties of the product, but can also harm the pets body. It is better to buy bran in a pharmacy or health food stores.The main thing is to choose a product without additives, including fortified ones, and even more so without salt.Store the product in tightly closed glass moisture to prevent moisture penetration.

How and how much to give to dogs

The correct use of a useful food supplement allows you to avoid negative consequences.It is not recommended to give them to the dog more often 2-3 times a week and in limited quantities:

• small breeds 1-2 teaspoons;
• medium dogs no more than 2 dessert spoons;
• large breeds 2 tablespoons without a slide.

Bran can be combined with both meat and dairy products.Before adding to the food of the dog, they should be briefly soaked in warm water or broth, preferably in the morning.In the evening, a meat-and-vegetable dish is preferable, which requires a longer digestion.

For feeding, you need to pour the required amount of bran with kefir and leave for half an hour so that they swell.They can then be added to the feed.For losing weight dogs, you can prepare a dietary dish with vegetables:

• finely chop carrots and zucchini (or pumpkin);
• stew in any vegetable oil (preferably sunflower, olive, linseed);
• add water and bring to a boil;
• turn off the stove and add bran to the vegetables.

Such a dish should be combined with meat feed in the proportion 50% meat, 50% vegetables with bran.

The bran can be given to puppies, pregnant and lactating females.Puppies are introduced into the diet at the age of five months, starting with 1 teaspoon and gradually, in the absence of negative hypersensitivity reactions, the volume can be brought to normal.

Note: To prevent constipation in pregnant and lactating females, no more than 2 teaspoons of bran can be given and no more than twice a week.

What happens if excessive amount of bran is given to dogs?

An excessive amount of bran in a dogs food can lead to undesirable consequences for health: the absorption of vitamins and microelements decreases, the paranal glands become clogged, and a favorable environment is created for the development of pathogenic fungi and bacteria.Volvulus may occur.

The benefits of oat bran for dogs

Oat bran offers several noteworthy benefits for dogs. Firstly, it is a rich source of dietary fiber, which aids in promoting healthy digestion by preventing constipation and regulating bowel movements.

If youre like most pet owners, you want to give your dog the very bestincluding the best food.

And if youre health-conscious, you might be wondering if oat bran is a good option for your pup. Heres what experts have to say.

What is oat bran?

Oat bran is the outer layer of the oat groat, which is the whole grain kernel of the oat plant.

It is rich in fibre and contains a variety of nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Oat bran can be eaten as a cereal or added to other foods to increase their fibre content.

It is also commonly used as a dietary supplement to promote digestive health and reduce cholesterol levels.

The health benefits of oat bran for dogs

Oat bran is an excellent source of dietary fibre. Its also rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, and potassium.

In addition, oat bran contains a type of soluble fibre known as beta-glucan. This type of fibre has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, improve digestion, and boost the immune system.

For all these reasons, oat bran is an excellent addition to your dogs diet.

Oat bran and digestive health

One of the most important benefits of oat bran for dogs is its positive effect on digestive health.

Oat bran is high in soluble fibre, which helps to regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.

Soluble fibre also binds to toxins in the intestine and prevents them from being absorbed into the bloodstream.

This can help to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and bloating.

Oat bran and heart health

Another important benefit of oat bran for dogs is its ability to promote heart health.

Oat bran contains beta-glucans, which are a type of soluble fibre that has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, so feeding your dog oat bran can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Additionally, oat bran is a good source of magnesium, which is another nutrient that supports heart health.

Oat bran and weight management

In addition to promoting digestive and heart health, oat bran can also help with weight management.

Oat bran is high in fibre, which helps to keep dogs feeling full and satisfied after meals.

This can help to prevent overeating and weight gain. Additionally, the soluble fibre in oat bran can help to regulate blood sugar levels, which can also aid in weight management.

Are there other benefits of feeding oat bran to dogs?

In addition to being a good source of fibre, oat bran is also rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.

These nutrients are important for maintaining your dogs healthfor example, iron helps carry oxygen in the blood, and magnesium is essential for energy production.

At a glance the benefits of oat bran for dogs

• Oat bran is a great source of fibre and essential nutrients for dogs.
• It can help promote digestive health, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve heart health.
• Oat bran is also high in vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.
• It can be fed to your dog in a variety of ways including mixed into their food or as a treat.
• Before introducing oat bran to your dogs diet, its important to introduce it slowly and watch for any signs of stomach upset.

Are there any risks associated with feeding oat bran to dogs?

Oat bran is generally safe for dogs however, as with any new food, theres always a risk of stomach upset.

To avoid this, introduce oat bran slowly into your dogs diet and watch for any signs of digestive distress like vomiting or diarrhea.

If you notice any problems after feeding oat bran to your dog, stop feeding it and consult your veterinarian.

How to feed oat bran to your dog

Oat bran can be fed to dogs in a variety of ways.

One option is to simply add a spoonful or two to your dogs regular food.

You can also mix oat bran with water or chicken broth to create a gruel-like consistency thats easy for your dog to eat.

Or, for a special treat, you can bake oat bran into homemade dog biscuits.

Conclusion and final thoughts

Oat bran is safe for dogs to eat and it may even offer some health benefits thanks to its high nutrient content.

However, as with any new food, its important to introduce oat bran slowly into your dogs diet to avoid stomach upset.

If you have any concerns about feeding oat bran to your dog, talk to your veterinarian.

Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API