is too much oatmeal bad for dogs

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

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? Is Oatmeal Bad For Dogs?

Once your dog is set to eat something prepared for you, there is no stopping him. Your dog will beg and beg until you finally give in. Or, as luck would have it, your dog will patiently wait by your side, until you drop some food on the floor and scoop it up.

We know this sounds all too familiar. Today was no different you were preparing oatmeal for breakfast, and sure enough, the dog was right there to whine until you give him at least a taste. If you knew it was fine, you would have given in right away. But, can dogs even eat oatmeal?

Some foods can be enjoyed by humans and dogs, equally. However, some foods can make your dog seriously ill. So, where does oatmeal stand?

If you are looking for answers to questions like can dogs eat oatmeal, is it safe, or is eating oatmeal even good for dogs, weve got your back! Read our article to find out!

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

Lets start off by saying: Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal. Its perfectly safe to give your dog some oatmeal if it really, really wants to.

If youre giving the dog oatmeal you prepared for yourself (or a family member), make sure that you didnt put anything in the meal that could potentially harm the dog. Your best bet is preparing oatmeal separately, according to the guidelines below.

Oats are not only safe, but theyre also beneficial to your pets health. So, you might want to look into the idea of giving oatmeal to your pet on the regular. Just make sure to prepare it properly, and youre good to go!

Introducing Oatmeal To The Pet

When you are looking to give your pet some new, unfamiliar food you must introduce it. Introducing food means giving your pet a small quantity of new food to try. If all goes well, you give it some more, a larger quantity each time, giving the pet time to adjust to the new food.

Introducing food is a method designed to avoid your pet being put off by something new. If you start with a full meal of the new food, its more likely that the dog will not like it which will result in the dog avoiding that food indefinitely.

Giving the pet oatmeal is no different so remember to start small!

Preparing Oatmeal For Your Dog

First and foremost,not all oatmeal is safe for your dog. If you are looking for a pack of oats perfect for you and your pet, remember these guidelines:

• Opt for a basic pack of oatmeal added flavors contain sugar, which is harmful to your pet
• Whole grain oatmeal is a better option than the processed variety it contains more nutrients valuable for your pet (and you, too)

So, if you pick oatmeal according to this, your pet will certainly enjoy eating it!

When preparing oatmeal for your pet, its principal that you cook it. Uncooked, raw oats are not so appealing and easy to digest for the dog. Cook it using water, and never milk! Milk and other dairy products can be upsetting to your pets tummy.

Dont make a full meal out of it dogs need a well-balanced diet to thrive. Consider oatmeal a side dish mix it in the regular dog food or sprinkle it on top.

Another major thing to keep in mind: dont give oatmeal to your dog every day. Once or twice a week is more than enough!

What Can You Add To The Oatmeal?

Everyone likes to spoil their furry baby. You must let your dog know that you love them and care for them, and whats better than giving them a tasty meal?

Oatmeal can be changed up in many ways to taste better because lets face it it tastes rather bland on its own. Some stuff you can add to oatmeal can harm your pup, so here are some safe alternatives:

• Pumpkin:pureed pumpkin is a great food to mix in oatmeal it can also be used to soothe your pups tummy
• Fruit:bananas, apples, and berries like blueberry can be added to the dogs oatmeal too just make sure to cut it to tiny bits beforehand
• Yogurt:adding yogurt will boost oatmeal with minerals (if youre not sure about this, check outour article on can dogs eat yogurt)
• Cinnamon:sprinkling some on top will make your dog very happy (and its anti-inflammatory, too)
• Peanut butter:dogs love peanut butter, so you can stir in some just make sure its natural, no-sugar peanut butter

What Amount Of Oatmeal Is Ideal For The Dog?

The amount of oatmeal you should serve to your dog is based on the size of the dog. Too little will not have enough benefits on the dogs health, and too much can give your pet an upset tummy.

So, use this table to determine how much do you need:

Furthermore, dose the oatmeal by this rule: one tablespoon of oats for every 20 pounds of the dogs weight. If your pet is lighter than 20 pounds (small and toy breeds), a teaspoon is more than enough.

Using Oatmeal As A Snack

If your dog particularly enjoys snacking on oatmeal, its not the worst idea to use oatmeal as a treat. Just remember the 10% rule treats should be no more than a tenth of the daily amount of food eaten by the dog!

If The Dog Eats Too Much Oatmeal

If the dog eats too much regular food, it will most likely vomit or spit but its not the same when it comes to eating too much oatmeal.

First of all, dogs should eat a small quantity of oatmeal because its food with a lot of calories. Dogs should have a low-cal diet to live a long and happy life.

Secondly, eating too much oatmeal at once can potentially harm your pets life. It can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, but your pet can also develop bloat.

Bloat is an extremely serious medical conditionthat affects even the healthiest of dogs. Its commonly known as a twisted stomach. If you suspect your dog has bloat, go to the emergency veterinarian immediately!

Please, for the safety and wellbeing of your dog, dose the oatmeal according to the rules!

Benefits Of Dogs Eating Oatmeal

Oatmeal can be a great addition to your pets diet. Its a nutritious, fiber-rich food. Fiber is very important to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Soluble fiber, found in oatmeal, helps the bowels, but it has more benefits than that. Fiber is also great for overweight dogs on restricted diets it helps process fats from the body and it lowers cholesterol, too.

So, lets see the nutritional value of one ounce of oatmeal (whole grained, raw):

Now, we can see that oatmeal has a lot of nutrients and useful minerals. Thankfully, your dog doesnt need a full cup of oats every day to see the benefits. A spoonful a week will usually do the trick your pet will feel better and it will be more playful!

But, how does oatmeal affect the dogs health?

Conclusion

To conclude, we would like to put an accent on a few things. Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal, and so many dogs love eating oatmeal. You can even add peanut butter or fruit to make it tastier!

It has a surprising amount of benefits to your pets health. The results will be visible in a matter of weeks a shiny, full coat of fur is a sure sign that these whole grains are great for your dog!

On the other hand, remember that less is more when it comes to dosing oatmeal. Its always better to put a dash of oats in the food than it is to add too much! Its better to be safe than sorry!

Learn More: What Can Dogs Eat? A Comprehensive List Of Dog-safe Foods