is raw oatmeal bad for dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

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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.

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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

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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: Is Oatmeal Good Or Bad For Dogs?

Todays question: can dogs eat oatmeal? Is oatmeal good or bad for dogs? Scroll down for detailed answers.

What is oatmeal?

Many may have different ideas as to what oatmeal actually is. Depending upon where you live in the world, oatmeal may signify different things.

In the United States the term oatmeal can be visualized as flakes of grain and oats, or also referenced as the popular breakfast food.

Oatmeal consists of grains (oat groats) that have either been ground rolled or crushed. The oats can also be used in the production of many foods including, muesli, cookies, oatcakes and the classic British flapjack bar.

The oat grain itself is used in far more unexpected places, such as shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizing creams.

But can dogs eat oatmeal?

Oatmeal can be very beneficial for humans. The high beta-glucan content in the oats means it can lower blood pressure, and as part of a low-fat diet, has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.

With the added benefits of oatmeal in humans, dog owners may feel the urge to offer this wonder grain to their pets as well.

Clearly a great option for humans, which leads dog owners to ask can dogs eat it too? Is it okay to feed oatmeal to the dog while you are enjoying this healthy food?

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

The answer is YES, dogs can enjoy oatmeal just fine, but take a few precautions before feeding Fido anything and be sure to read the rest of this piece first.

There are always risks involved when offering your dog new foods and when offering the dog food meant for humans. Oatmeal is generally a whole food when bought as steel cut oats or shredded grain.

Whole foods have less potential for disrupting ones body and causing harm.

Powdered oatmeal in packets may offer certain side effects to dogs because of preservatives and sugar content, but overall oatmeal is safe food for all to enjoy.

Oatmeal can really be a great help to your dog if he is suffering from tummy or bowel problems such as upset stomach, uncomfortable gas, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.

Oatmeal has a soothing effect on the stomach lining as well as a calming effect when one eats the warm comfort food. Put the two together, and you have a recipe for soothing any ailment.

Health Benefits

The best bit about oatmeal is the high soluble fiber content.

This is great for keeping the bowel movements of your canine companion regular and in good order! Less time cleaning up messy spots.

Foods with high fibre soluble content also raise the immune system of your dog by keeping their body free of toxins. Strong immune systems leads to less sickness and longer life.

High fibre food will also keep your dog feeling fuller longer than usual, thereby lowering the risk of begging. The fibre from oatmeal can also help overweight dogs by helping lower cholesterol levels.

Fibre also plays a role in managing sugar levels, keeping your dog happy and on an even keel. Keeping a stable level of sugars will keep your dog at a low risk of diabetes as well.

Dogs develop diabetes just as humans do, so keeping the sugars of your dog balanced is an important aspect of pet ownership. Oatmeal can aid in this task and is perhaps a better treat to offer than a Milk-Bone or cookie.

Obesity, like in humans, can lead to high blood pressure and heart conditions (although this problem is less common in dogs as they dont tend to live long enough).

Oats are high in protein too, great for promoting healthy growth and muscle development. They have iron content and also manganese, which works as a catalyst for the body enzymes to produce fatty acids and energy.

The oats also contain vitamins, including Vitamin B-5 (panthothenic acid) which enables the body to extract energy from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

This also supports a healthy looking and feeling coat. Vitamins B-6 and B-9 (folate) are also present. If these amazing beneficial factors of oatmeal are not enough, the oats are also rich in silicon, which helps to keep the bones strong.

Outside As Well As Inside

As mentioned earlier, oatmeal is used in shampoos and moisturizers because of their soothing and healing properties. So as well as consuming the oats, the actual oats can be used in specific dog shampoos and soaps to help relieve itchiness and soothe a dogs irritated skin.

Humans know the effects of oatmeal on their own itchy, red, dry skin, especially in the winter. Imagine the benefits a dog would feel.

Dogs do not have the ability to understand the need for lotion, determine the best brand, purchase the lotion, and apply as needed.

Offering a homemade oatmeal treatment for the skin will allow your dog to be relieved of itchy and irritated skin.

Dogs that have itchy and allergic tendencies in their skin tend to be those who choose to chew their irritated skin endlessly. The itch is difficult to stop, and dogs are able to scratch their skin hard with their teeth. The chewing of ones skin can lead dogs to serious cuts and abrasions and may even lead to infection. Stopping the skin irritant before it starts is a good treatment plan. Products made with oatmeal are wonderful for the skin and will only benefit your dog if you choose to use it.

Interestingly, this calming effect oatmeal has on the skin, also works on the nervous system. Oatmeal is great for the more anxious dogs out there.

Eating Oatmeal

Oatmeal must be cooked before feeding it to your dog. Plain varieties of oatmeal without added fruit or flavorings are recommended, and likewise, ensure there is no added salt or sugar either. Added salt and sugar keep the benefits of oatmeal out of balance.

To keep the benefits of oatmeal high, serve your dog only pure oats. A sugar spike from processed oatmeal will lead to health problems, whereas as whole oatmeal will help resolve health problems.

Avoid the instant oatmeal; this tends to be packed with more artificial flavorings and ingredients. It is also safer to prepare the oatmeal using water instead of milk in case of any adverse reaction between the dog and the milk. A helpful hint for all dog owners is to always let oatmeal cool before serving. The eagerness to eat the comfort food may lead to a few burned doggie mouths.

Oatmeal should not be a replacement for your dogs regular diet and it is best to use it sparingly. Ideally if your pet is actually suffering from gastric problems.

Older dogs typically get the most benefit; their digestive system is most in need of some assistance. Using oatmeal as a tool to occasionally clear tummy upset or soothe nervousness is good. As is using oatmeal on the skin and hair in an effort to soothe abrasions.

A dog does not need constant use of oatmeal, either internally or externally, to be healthy. If you find yourself relying too much upon oatmeal, you may want to contact your vet to find another remedy or check for a larger problem than you suspected.

There have been an increasing number of cases of wheat and gluten intolerance in dogs that mirrors the increase in human cases.

No one is entirely sure why wheat and gluten intolerance are on the rise, perhaps it is due to the effects of the urban environments most of us now live, or perhaps it is dog owners projecting their own fears onto the dog.

Maybe we are just more aware of these intolerances, and they always existed but we just didnt know or understand them. Be sure to identify factors that the breed of your dog may find intolerable in oatmeal before serving.

Bearing that in mind, it is good to know that oats are low in gluten, (not quite zero but just a very small amount), certainly much less than wheat. Even though oatmeal is low in gluten, some are so sensitive to gluten that even a small amount can be upsetting to the system.

Oats make a great wheat replacement. Oats also make a great bread replacement in recipes that call for bread crumbs.

There is also no genetic modification occurring with oats, which is good to know for those concerned about Frankenstein Foods.

Oats are whole foods without risk of toxins, poison, pesticides, or chemicals being discovered within.

Conclusion

Oatmeal is one of the better whole foods made for humans that dogs can consume.

Like humans, there is always a chance the dog may be allergic to the oat grain, but that is very rare (much less common than say wheat). Oat grain is the widest tolerated grain for dogs!

You can use oat grain as a treat or as an occasionally addition to your dogs food.

Mixed with a little kibble or moist food, and the oatmeal should be very well tolerated and the benefits should begin to show in the wellness of your pet.

For these reasons, and like all foods it is best to introduce slowly and carefully. Oats can really benefit their digestive system and are jam-packed with fiber.