Can dogs eat oatmeal? Maybe you had this thought if your dog begged for a taste while you were enjoying your daily bowl of oatmeal as part of your breakfast routine. If humans can eat oatmeal, can dogs safely eat it too?
The short answer is yes, dogs can eat oatmeal. If you serve oatmeal to your dog, you’ll be adding a bunch of health benefits to their diet; although, you do have to pay attention to both how you cook the oatmeal and how much you feed your pooch.
As always, you must ask your regular vet before sharing any human food with your beloved dog, including oatmeal. Here’s what you need to know about oatmeal and dogs.
How Is Oatmeal Good For Dogs?
If you add oatmeal to your dog’s diet, they’ll get the benefit of a range of vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal is a great source of vitamin B, which can ensure that your dog’s coat stays in top condition.
Oatmeal also contains good amounts of linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that has been shown to have a positive effect on canine skin health.
Other benefits include the levels of fiber oatmeal contains, which can help out with digestion issues, along with the potential to help lower cholesterol.
How Can I Safely Give Oatmeal To My Dog?
When preparing oatmeal for your dog, it’s important to factor in a number of considerations. First of all, always cook oatmeal in water and not milk, as this could aggravate a dog who has dairy issues.
Secondly, make sure that you don’t add anything else to the oatmeal while you’re cooking it. Avoid the temptation to add in the sort of salty and sweet toppings that you might use in your own breakfast oatmeal.
Thirdly, stick to cooking with plain oats. Commercial oatmeal brands, especially instant oatmeal packets, often contain extra sweeteners and artificial flavors that could harm your dog.
Once you’ve cooked some oatmeal for your dog, let it completely cool to room temperature before serving it. Also, remember that oatmeal should be a healthy supplementary food in your dog’s diet, so serve an appropriate sized portion.
The American Kennel Club recommends sticking to a ratio of one tablespoon of cooked oatmeal for every 20 pounds of your dog’s body weight.
Does your dog love snacking on oatmeal? How do you make sure you safely serve it to them? Tell us all about it in the comments section below!
