is oatmeal and peanut butter good for dogs
Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? How Much Oatmeal Should You Feed Your Dog?
Nothing feels better like waking up in the morning and digging into a bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal, topped with a concoction of fresh fruits, peanut butter, and other nutritious add-ons.
As a pet parent, you should know that its not unusual for your pup to share the same interest in what you are eating. But, can dogs eat oatmeal? It is nice to add to our dog's diet? Or are they better off munching on their favorite commercial dog food?
CanIs Oatmeal Good for Dogs?
Oatmeal is a delicious and nutritious breakfast staple that has been in American households for hundreds of years. It was introduced in America by the Scottish settlers in 1602.
And while some of us simply love to dig in a food bowl filled with oats, most are hooked to this healthy snack for its nutritional benefits.
Fortunately, the reasons that make hulled oat grains good for humans are also the same for dogs. When served in moderation, plain oats can benefit your furry buddy in several ways. Plain oatmeal is packed with proteins, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.
Oats also have a hearty dose of important vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, such as vitamin B, linoleic acid, calcium, phosphorus, and a lot more.
It is also a great alternative carbohydrate for canines with gluten allergies that makes them sensitive to grains or wheat.
Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Is it safe to give?
Oatmeal is safe for dogs as long as it is served plain and cooked. Or if you do add some toppings or mix other ingredients with it, make sure to stay away from chocolates, almonds, raisins, grapes, salt, and artificial sweeteners like xylitol since all of these are harmful to your pup.
When preparing oatmeal for your dog, mix it with warm water instead of milk because canines can be ultra-sensitive to dairy, and their bodies cant break down lactose properly the way we, humans do.
Most dogs would experience stomach upset, including vomiting and diarrhea when they consume even a small amount of milk.
Again, remember to cook oatmeal first before serving it to your dog because raw oats can be harder for him to digest which can only upset your dogs stomach. Uncooked oats can also be more difficult for your pup to chew and swallow, which can put him at risk of choking.
Additionally, never give your dog flavored oatmeal (e.g. blueberry, cinnamon, etc.), as it often contains more added sugar and it may even have xylitol or birch sugar, which is toxic to dogs. And while instant oatmeal can be easier and faster to prepare, its definitely not a healthy choice for your dog.
Before you purchase any oat, you should also read the label. Make sure that you are buying 100% whole grain oats as opposed to processed grains.
Apparently, whole grain oatmeal is more nutritious. The latter lacks the benefits that your dog can get from whole grains oats, and they can also be harder for your pup to digest.
Finally, avoid giving your dog too much oatmeal at once because it is high in calories, rich in fiber, and contains a lot of carbohydrates.
These can be a triple threat to your dogs health causing unhealthy weight gain, stomach upset, and other health issues.
Health Benefits of Oatmeal for Dogs
As mentioned earlier, adding oatmeal to your dogs diet can result in several health benefits when served properly and in moderation.
And this should not come as a surprise since too much of any human food can cause digestive issues to dogs. Just because you are devouring a bowl full of oats every morning, doesnt mean that your canine companion should, too.
Then again, when done right, feeding oatmeal to your dog can give him the following benefits:
Promote Healthy Coat and Skin Health
Some of the key nutrients present in oats are the B vitamins and linoleic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid.
B vitamins play an important role in keeping your dogs skin and coat healthy. In addition, linoleic acid is another potent fatty acid that supports skin health, and it can also help maintain the integrity of the skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and promote the healing of wounds.
Support Digestion and Regulate Blood Glucose Levels
Oatmeal is a rich source of soluble fiber, which can help dogs (especially older dogs) with irregular bowel movements, and it can also regulate blood glucose levels. As a result, a normal blood glucose level can lower a dogs risk for diabetes, heart problems, and other ailments.
May Lower Cholesterol Levels
Oatmeal can be beneficial for dogs with abnormally high levels of cholesterol, such as those with genetic or metabolic health conditions.
And this can be attributed to the presence of beta-glucan in oats, which is a type of fiber that has been associated with an improved heart condition.
However, more studies are needed to confirm the effects of beta-glucan in reducing cholesterol levels in dogs.
May Avoid Overeating
Its not advisable to give your dog oatmeal in large quantities at once as this can just upset his stomach and increase his chances of being overweight.
However, if your dog is already overweight, he can benefit from eating a moderate amount of plain oatmeal a few times a week.
As we know, oats are rich in fiber, which can make your dog feel full longer. As a result, he wont have the urge to dig on his bowl now and then, or to follow you around and beg for more food.
How Much Oatmeal Should You Feed Your Dog?
Your dog should be eating a balanced diet to ensure optimum health and safety. As a rule of thumb, you can add one tablespoon of cooked oatmeal for every 20 pounds of your dogs body weight.
How to Serve Oatmeal to Your Dog Correctly?
As discussed earlier, you should always cook the oatmeal first before serving it to your pup whether you give it alone, or sprinkle it on top of your dogs food. And of course, let it cool down for a while before giving it to your dog.
After serving your dog oatmeal, dont forget to observe his reactions, especially if its his first time. If you notice adverse reactions, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Homemade Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats Recipe (Quick & Easy)
Peanut butter oatmeal dog treats are the perfect homemade snack for your furry companion! Theyre delicious and nutritious and your pup will surely thank you!
Personally, I love making homemade treats for my pupand this peanut butter oatmeal dog treats recipe is no exception! Not only is it a fun activity to do with your significant other or children, but it also allows you to know exactly what is going into your dogs food! Additionally, these homemade treats cost a fraction of some store bought options!
Dog treats range in price depending on size and amount, but on average they are between $8-12. Treats that are branded as organic or all natural are often even more expensive than the average! In total, for baking about two dozen treats, it cost me around $4 to make this homemade peanut butter oatmeal dog treats recipe! Even better, many of these ingredients I had already bought to eat on my own, so I wasnt going out of my way to spend extra money on ingredients.
Many store-bought treats contain ingredients half of which I cant even pronounce! While I wouldnt consider myself an organic fanatic and I dont feed my pup entirely whole ingredients, I still find it important to consider what Im feeding my dog and to find the most wholesome and healthy treats possible. I love rewarding my pup for good behavior, but I dont want to overdo it with unhealthy options.
Chewie, our Chief Treat Officer here at Popular Doodle, has taste tested these treats and given them two paws up! If your pup loves peanut butter as much as Chewie does, theyll be sure to find these treats to be delicious. When I first went to the kitchen, Chewie was right behind me and it was hard to keep him out from under my feet! After a little taste of the peanut butter, he stuck by me like glue in case he got another lick or two. Shortly after the treats were put into the oven, the heavenly scent of peanut butter filled the entire house. This easily confused my boyfriend into thinking I was baking cookies for himbut who can blame him? They smelled delicious!
This peanut butter oatmeal dog treats recipe contains four common household ingredients. Its such a simple process that even a novice baker like myself can perfect them! Despite being a treat, you can rest easy knowing youre giving your pup a healthy, yet delicious snack! Theyre a low-sugar snack and are safe for humans as well! Peanut butter, oatmeal, and yogurt are all high in protein. Oatmeal also contains a significant amount of fiber which plays an important role in digestive health and can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Homemade Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats Recipe
What Youll Need:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 3 tbsp yogurt
- 1 tbsp honey
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- In a blender or food processor, put in the oatmeal and blend on high until it reaches an almost powder-like consistency.
- Mix the peanut butter, yogurt, and honey, then add in the blended oats.
- Place a dollop of peanut butter on your pups nose. (Do not skip, this is mandatory! )
- Once the ingredients are well-mixed, place the dough on wax paper and roll it out until its about a quarter-inch thick. If you dont have wax paper, you can sprinkle some whole-wheat flour onto a surface instead.) Then use cookie cutters to form the treats into shapes. This time we used dinosaur and Star Wars cookie cutters, but we love these adorable heart and paw shaped cookie cutters on Amazon!
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until they turn golden-brown.
Homemade Peanut Butter Oatmeal Dog Treats Modifications & Additions
I happened to have all of the necessary ingredients in my house, but that may not be the case for everyone! If you dont have everything in the ingredients, there are some pretty easy substitutions and modifications that can be made!
Almond Butter: If you dont regularly have peanut butter in your house, an easy substitute is almond butter! It basically has the same consistency as peanut butter which makes it a great substitute! Almond butter, like peanut butter, is safe for dogs, but always check to make sure it does not have any xylitol in it before giving any to your dog.
Oats: When it comes to oats, there are things to be aware of when giving some to your dog. When given in moderation, oatmeal is a great snack for your dog as its full of protein, vitamins, fiber, and minerals! When buying oatmeal, stay away from instant oatmeal. While it may be more convenient, it often contains more additives and preservatives which are best to be avoided. Essentially, it negates all of the positive aspects of oatmeal. Also, be sure you buy plain oatmeal without any flavorings. Many of these flavorings contain the artificial sweetener, xylitol, which is potentially lethal to dogs. In one or two of these homemade peanut butter oatmeal dog treats there is not much oatmeal, but if your pup were to eat a whole batch of these treats at once they may experience some gastrointestinal distress. Additionally, oatmeal should be cooked before giving it to your dog, as raw oatmeal can be much more difficult to digest.
Cheese: A fun modification that your pup would love is adding some cheese to the recipe! Cheese and peanut butter are some of Chewies favorite foodsso why not mix them together? Simply add around 12 cup of shredded cheese to the mixture before rolling it out!
Banana: If your pup goes bananas over bananas, consider this modification! This is a pretty easy modification to make and it adds a whole new flavor! Simply mash up one ripe banana (the riper the better) and add it to your mixing bowl to mix it in with the rest of the ingredients until well blended.
Pumpkin: For more of a fall twist, consider adding pumpkin to this homemade peanut butter oatmeal dog treats recipe. Make sure you use 100% pumpkin puree for this and make sure there is no added sugars. Simply add 12 cup of pumpkin puree as you are mixing the other ingredients together.
