is oatmeal good for dogs skin
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
How to Make an Oatmeal Bath for Dogs With Itchy Skin
Many dogs will experience dry skin, itchy skin, or some type of skin issue at one time or another, whether its due to a change in weather or allergies.
When your pup is feeling itchy or their skin is irritated, its natural to want to help them. One at-home remedy for itchy skin that can help your dog feel better is an oatmeal bath.
More consistent itching or hot spots will need a veterinarians expertise, but if your dog only has minor itching or you notice some flaking in his coat, an oatmeal bath is a convenient and inexpensive home remedy.
Heres everything you need to know about oatmeal baths for dogs.
Benefits of Oatmeal Baths for Dogs
Whats so magical about an oatmeal bath? Oatmeal is a skin protectant with anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe itchy and irritated skin.
Oatmeal baths can help relieve a number of bothersome skin conditions, such as canine atopic dermatitis.
Oatmeal baths also help the skin form a protective barrier that keeps moisture in and slows the loss of hydrating ingredients from your dogs skin.
Dog Oatmeal Bath Ingredients
This at-home remedy is so simple that you may have all the ingredients in your kitchen pantry already.
Blender, coffee grinder, or food processor
Plain, unflavored oatmeal (instant oatmeal, quick oats, or slow-cooking oats all work equally well)
Warm waterbut not hot, as hot water can dry out the skin and can worsen inflammation
A bathtub
You can add either of these options to increase the moisturizing properties of your homemade oatmeal bath:
- 1 cup of high-fat milkfor an extra-creamy mixture
OR
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil or olive oil
Dog Oatmeal Bath Recipe:
Now that you have your ingredients, heres the recipe for the perfect oatmeal bath shampoo.
Blend or process the oats on the highest setting in your food processor, blender, or coffee grinder until you have a very fine, consistent powder.
Test 1 tablespoon of the powder to see if the oats are ground fine enough to absorb water. Stir the tablespoon of the ground oats into a glass of warm water.
If the oats easily absorb the water and the liquid becomes milky-looking with a smooth feel, you've blended long enough.
If the liquid doesn't turn milky, process the oats to grind them even finer. Test again. Repeat until you get a milky solution with a fine, silky feel.
How to Give a Dog an Oatmeal Bath
Once your oat powder is prepared, you are ready to give your dog a bath.
While bathing your dog, try to keep your pup from drinking the bathwater, although a lap or two of the solution will not be harmful.
Pour the oat powder into a tub of running warm water and stir evenly.
Fill the tub as much as your pup will allow. Most dogs will tolerate the water level to at least the bottom of their stomach, if not higher.
Put your pup in the tub.
Using a cup, slowly pour the solution over their body. You can gently rub some of the oatmeal directly onto any particularly bad areas.
After you have massaged the oatmeal into your dogs skin and fur and let him soak for 10 minutes, rinse the mixture off with warm water.
Use a towel to dry your dog off and brush out their fur. Never use a hot hair dryer on a dog. Your pup will be slippery due to the moisture of the bath.
Oatmeal Bath for Dogs: Spot Treatments
If your dog has a localized itch or minor skin rash, it isnt necessary to do a full-body oatmeal bath and soak.
You can apply a thicker paste directly to the affected area and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
Use the same blended oatmeal recipe, but only mix in enough water to form a thick paste.
While oatmeal baths are not a cure all for skin conditions and diseases that dogs can get, they can be a great addition to your dogs grooming routine, especially during drier winter months.
If your dog is suffering from fleas, yeast or bacterial skin infections, or another problem such as an endocrine imbalance, they will need prompt treatment from your veterinarian.
By: Laci Schaible, DVM, CVJ
Featured Image: iStock.com/Wojciech Kozielczyk
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.
