is oats good for dogs to eat

Are Oats Good for Dogs? Heres What the Science Says

Is there amore hearty way to start your morning than a bowl of oats? Rich, filling and packed with energytheyrea powerful fuel to get you through the rest of your day. But its not justour own breakfast bowl where youll find oats.

Increasingly youfind a healthy serving of oats in many commercial dog food recipes. On par with flaxseed for dogs, it's loved by pet parents as a complex grain that's gluten-free.

But are oats good for dogs?Is itsafe for your dog to eat them daily? And if so, are there any benefits of oats for dogs?

To find out, we searched through academic journals and researchstudies, examining the science behind oats for dogs. Well explore what benefits you can expect, and how you should prepare oats for dogs in the healthiest way possible.

Can dogs eat oats?

In short: Yes. Dogs can and likely should eat oats as part of their diet. Contrary to a popular view that dogs are strict carnivores,they are actually more omnivorous in their wild diet than many think.

Between their ancestral diet and their evolution alongside humansover the past 30,000 years,dogs caneat a wider range of foods than strict carnivores like cats.

But just because dogs can eat oats doesnt mean they necessarily should. To understand that, wedove into the research.

We found that oats are a phenomenal source of fiber, fatty acids, vitamins and overall nutrition.

So why are oats good for dogs? Here are5 key benefits:

Benefit #1: Better skin health

Weve all heard of omega-3s. Especially if you subscribe to Yumwoof's blog! Theyre the wonder ingredient found in oily fish. Its said they boost memory and general health in dogs and people.

What about omega-6s?

Linoleic acid is one type of omega-6 fatty acid in oats. Taken regularly, linoleic acid produces a luxurious, healthy coat and skin. Researchers supplemented a dogs diet with zinc and linoleic acid in one study. The results showed that dogs receiving linoleic acid saw significantly glossier coats. There was also less water loss through the skinimproving overall hydration [*].

When eaten in the right amounts daily, linoleic acid helps maintain the skin barrier, promotes wound healing and soothes inflammation [*].

Oats also contain B vitamins, which play a critical role in producing healthy skin cells [*]. Without a turnover of skin cells, wounds and rashes are far more likely.

Benefit #2: Lower cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is a vital part of your dog's body, helping produce horomones, vitamin D and substances involved in food digestion.But when it's consumed into too high amounts, itcan clog arteries which in turn reduces blood flow to the heart. That means less oxygen, less energy andpoor cardiac performance.

When looking at cholesterol,keep in mind it's a complex topic andnot always caused bya dogs diet. Metabolic and genetic health conditions can all contribute to high cholesterol levels.No matter what the cause, though, includingoatsin a dog's diet may bea viable solution to reducing cholesterol.

Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a fiber associated with improvedheart health. Not just that, beta-glucans are anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, immune system promoting and completely safe to eat[*].

They seem to be a superfood all around, but its their effect on cholesterol thatscatching theattention of scientists.

Oats have previously been shown to reduce cholesterol levels inhumans [*]. Now, another study in dogs observed similar findings. After eating oats for four weeks, dogs saw their cholesterol drop by 5% and LDL-cholesterol by 10% compared to a rice-based diet [*].

Its a remarkable result! And just one more reason oatshave been proven to be good for dogs.

Benefit #3: Aids digestions

One of the most common reasons we eat oats is a single ingredient: fiber. Fiber isa part of foodthat cannot be digested.

Sounds pointless? After all, the point of food is nutrition.

Thats true. However, fiber helps aid and support the digestive system. It feeds the helpfulbacteria living in your dogs gut. In turn, they take the fiber and convert it into short chain fatty acidsassociated with an improved healthspan.

Fiber also adds bulk toyour dog'sstoolto provide further digestive support.

Oats are extremely high in fiber. Every cooked cup contains over 4 grams offiber [*]. Research into oats for dogs digestion is limited.However, a study published in the Journal of Animal Science examined the use offiber in dogs. Oats, in particular, maximize fermentationhelping the microorganismwithout sacrificing any nutrient digestibility [*].

That means calmer stomachs with less constipation.

Benefit #4: Boosts immune system

Beta-glucans arent just beneficial for cholesterol. They alsohave provenimmune-enhancing properties. An analysis of beta-glucans in four speciesdogs, mice, piglets, and chicksfound different types of beta-glucans displayed different properties associated with better health [*].

One property was to upregulate the immune response. Levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) were raised in response to beta-glucans. IL-2 promotes the growth, proliferation and differentiation of white blood cells. It forms the backbone of white blood cell production and is therefore critical to a healthy functioning immune system.

Taken together, oats can boost your immune system and help your heart with every spoonful.

Benefit #5: Phenomenal nutrient profile

Oats are rightfully considered a key staple food. While we have already talked about linoleic acid, fiberand beta-glucans, thats just the tip of the iceberg. Oats have an incredibly high nutritional value.

Inside youll find protein (up to 15%), complex carbs, fats and dietaryfiber (up to 8.5%). Alongside these macronutrients, there is a complex mix of vitamins, minerals and other beneficial compounds [*].

These vitamins and minerals include calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. All of these components are essential to canine healthand add to how oats are good for dogs.

How to prepare oats for dogs?

According to the American Kennel Club, you can feed dogs up to one tablespoon (15 grams) of cooked oats for every 20 pounds (9 kg) of body weight.

But if youre just starting: go slow. Sprinkle a little into their normal diet and see how they react. Excessive oat intake can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and/or bloating. These issues arerare, though, and more likelyyour dog wont be able to get enough oats!

Keep in mind that oats ontheir ownare not nutritionally complete and balanced for dogs according to AAFCO standards.

They area high carb foodthat should be a relatively small part of your dog's diet. Yumwoof believes dogs should consume a low carb diet, keeping net carbs below 25% to avoid diabetes and other health issues.

Youshould not just feed a dog oats in any amountthey needs to be included in your dog'sfood at the right level to achieve an AAFCO complete and balanced diet.

The easiest way to feed your dog the right amount of oats is to find a dog food that already contains it as an ingredient. That way you don't have touse complicated software to balance your dog's diet.Here's a low carb dog food with cooked oatswe recommend.

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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.

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Are Oats Good For Dogs?

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Dog Pregnancy Calculator And Timeline

Yes, dogs can eat oats or oatmeal but in moderation. Oats are a brilliant source of soluble fiber and protein, which can support senior dogs with upset stomachs. Oats also contain iron and vitamin B6.

Oatmeal is good for dogs suffering from wheat allergies. Oats are quite low in gluten content too.

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Video

Is Oatmeal Safe For Dogs?

Oatmeal is very rich in fiber and consists of a variety of antioxidants, minerals, and nutrients. When served in moderation, oatmeal is much useful for dogs.

Mostly, it is used to bad fat in dogs and to reduce the risk of heart disease.

As it is low calorie it is the best and safe food for your dogs. Oatmeal is recommended for old dogs because they tend to irregular bowel moments, and fiber gives some relief. It serves as the best diet for overweight dogs.

Health benefits

Some of the health benefits of oats for dogs include

• Acts as a good alternative carbohydrate for canines
• Presence of vitamin B helps your dog develop a healthy coat
• Linoleic acid in oats ensures to keep your dogs skin healthy and strong
• Soluble fiber regulates blood glucose levels
• Dogs suffering from irregular bowel movements benefits when they eat oats
• Helps maintain immunity level healthily
• Enhances the production of Red Blood Corpuscles (RBC)
• Ideal for overweight dogs
• Less gluten quotient
• Lowers cholesterol levels

Side-effects

Lets analyze some of the side-effects associated with giving oatmeal to dogs.

• Feeding your dog with foods containing a good amount of fiber can cause vomiting and diarrhea
• Never prepare oatmeals using milk. Use water as dogs are very allergic to dairy foods. They do not absorb lactose as effective and smooth as humans do.
• Serve only well-cooked oatmeal and better avoid oatmeal sprinkled over food. Raw oatmeal will make it difficult for your dog to digest.
• Say No to grapes, raisins, chocolate, butter, and salt. These ingredients are harmful to your dogs health.
• Dogs are toxic to flavored oatmeal and also to ones containing Xylitol based sweeteners.
• Serve your dog oatmeal only at room temperature.
• Instant oatmeals are less in nutritional value. The least processed oatmeals are filled with more health benefits.
• The ideal serving part is not more than 1 tablespoon for every 20 lbs of your dogs weight.
• Oatmeals consist of more calories and carbohydrates. Eating a large part can cause bloat, vomiting, or diarrhea, which can be dangerous. Cooked oatmeal (not more than half-a-cup), twice a week is ideal for most dogs.
• As and when you start feeding human food to your dog, start off cautiously and notice how he takes it. If your dog shows any adverse reactions, contact your vet as soon as possible.

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How Much Oatmeal Can A Dog Eat?

Do not feed them too many oatmeals in one go. Once or twice a week, half-a-cup is more than enough(cooked).

Is Raw Oatmeal Good For Dogs?

Most dog owners would prefer to add cooked oatmeal. They will mix the oatmeal with their daily diet. For those who do not prefer cooked oats due to time restrictions, you can try oatmeal capsules.

You should understand that oatmeal capsules will not provide all the richness, taste, and nutrients present in natural oats.

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Which Is More Healthy: Plain Oatmeal Or Flavored Oatmeal

Better avoid additives, salt, and sugar-filled oatmeals. When we talk about using milk, give your dog only low lactose milk.

The most authentic way to cook oatmeal is by cooking it using plain clean water. Stick mostly to brands of oatmeals.

Lack of chemicals or pesticides in natural oats makes it one of the ideal choices. Oatmeal cookies containing raisins or chocolates are dangerous to dogs. So avoid them completely.

Oats are rich in fats and proteins. Nutrients and vitamins present in oats for dogs include selenium, iron, zinc, vitamin b, vitamin e, balances amino acids, manganese, biotin, copper, phosphorus, molybdenum, folic acid, and vitamin b5, b9.

Topical Benefits Of Oats For Dogs Or Pets

Oats are used in many commercial items. Most items use colloidal oatmeal in their products. Colloidal oatmeal means the use of finely grounded oats evenly distributed in the product.

As per reports, colloidal oatmeal promotes itch-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties.

You can try homemade soaks or the ones sold at your local pet store.

Oat Shampoos

Oatmeal shampoos are bets for pets with irritated, itchy, or dry skins. Healing herbs including lavender, chamomile, and calendula can be mixed with oat mixtures to improve healing.

Discuss with your local vet about the right kind of treatment based on her particular diagnosis

How To Serve Oatmeal To Dogs?

• Use water to cook oatmeal, not milk.
• Prepare oatmeal with no sugar or salt.
• Plain oatmeal is the best choice without any flavors.
• For a complete meal offer oatmeal with anegg or a small number of snacks.
• Let the oatmeal cool then serve your dogs with an oatmeal treat.

Berry Egg Oatmeal Recipe For Dogs

Ingredients:

Preparation:

• Heat oats with water in a small pan for 3 minutes.
• Add stirred egg into oatmeal and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add chopped treats in the oatmeal top after cooking.
• Serve it cool to your lovely pet as a treat.

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Is Oatmeal Bath Good For Dogs?

Zinc in oatmeal is good for a healthy coat and skin of dogs. As it has b-sitosterol which is good for the anti-tumor compound.It is a great stimulant and emollient.

• Soak Consider a soak for anti-inflammatory and anti-itching actions.
• Shampoos Oatmeal shampoos are good for bathing pets which avoids irritation and itching in the skin.
• Oat Poultice For other skin irritation and hot spots make a slurry of oats and wrap it in the tea bag or cheesecloth and apply this in an affected area.
• Dry oat Shampoo This shampoo helps to absorb oil from skin and coat which relieves itchiness.

How To Prepare Dry Oat Shampoo?

Dry shampoos with oat formulas can help to remove oil from the skin. It can also relieve itchiness.

How to prepare home-made oat soak?

• Fill a handful of dry oatmeal in a sock. Tie the sock in a bathtub. Fill the bathtub with water enough to pass through the sock.
• Let your dog soak in this oats immersed water for half-an-hour.
• When the time is up, rinse thoroughly well and dry.
• Use lukewarm water as dogs cannot handle really hot water.