Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

Oatmeal is a favorite breakfast food made from hulled oat grains. It comes in several varieties, including milled, rolled, and steel-cut. Nutritiously, it enhances any diet with high protein content and a large amount of dietary fiber. It is rich in vitamin A, iron, calcium, vitamin B-6, and magnesium. Its delicious taste is an added bonus.

You may already know that oatmeal is a healthy choice for a balanced diet. But is it beneficial for dogs as well? Let’s explore.

The Benefits of Oatmeal for Dogs

Everything that makes oatmeal beneficial for humans also makes it good for dogs with some exceptions.

Oatmeal is a healthy option for dogs because it is bland on its own. Oats cooked with just water, without added milk, sugar, or other toppings, offer your pup a wholesome snack or meal topper. This provides all the vitamins and nutrients mentioned without any worrying additives.

It can also be a good way to sneak more water into your dog’s diet, particularly if you add extra warm (not hot) water to the oatmeal after it has cooked.

How to Feed Your Dog Oatmeal

To ensure oatmeal is a healthy snack for your dog, choose the right variety and cook it correctly. Follow these guidelines to avoid any issues:

• Cook it. Cook oatmeal before giving it to your dog instead of feeding them raw oats.
• Whole grains are better. Only serve your dog oatmeal made from whole grain oats. Processed grains offer less health benefits, and may upset your dog’s stomach.
• Stick to the basics. If serving pre-packaged oatmeal, check the ingredient list first. Some pre-packaged oatmeal varieties contain added sugar or other flavorings.
• Keep portions small. Plain, cooked oatmeal contains about 150 calories per cup. While that might not sound like a lot, keep in mind that dogs require significantly fewer calories than we do (a 25-pound dog, for example, should only be eating about 550 calories a day to maintain their weight). So when it comes to feeding your dog oatmeal, a spoonful or two is usually more than enough.
• Don’t use it as a meal replacement. Even though oatmeal has plenty of good benefits for dogs, it’s still missing many of the nutrients necessary for a well-rounded canine diet. Use it as a snack or a meal topper—instead of as a meal itself—to ensure your pup still gets what he or she needs.

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What You Can Add to Your Dog’s Oatmeal

While brown sugar and maple syrup should be avoided, there are plenty of extras you can add to your dog's oatmeal to make it more exciting.

• Peanut Butter: Most dogs already love peanut butter, and a teaspoon or so of an all-natural, no sugar added variety makes a great addition to your dog’s oatmeal.
• Fruit: Cut up some dog-friendly fruit into bite-sized pieces and stir it in. Some good options include bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or apples.
• Pureed Pumpkin: Make oatmeal even more fiber-ful by stirring in some pureed pumpkin. Just be sure it’s pure pumpkin, and not pumpkin pie filling.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a natural anti-inflammatory and also a great way to add more flavor without adding calories (plus dogs love it!).
• Plain Yogurt: Plain Greek or standard yogurt is a delicious addition to oatmeal and will bring in a further boost of calcium and vitamins. Avoid flavored yogurts, though, which often have a very high sugar content.
• Sunflower Seeds: Unsalted sunflower seeds are powerful antioxidants great for dogs. Sprinkle a few kernels on top of the oatmeal, but avoid giving the black shell.