You may have noticed that oats have been a trending food among people who are weight conscious. If you have a dog at home, you might have wondered if your dog can eat oats as well. The good news is, dogs can eat oats in moderation.
It can also help your dog lose weight and make the costs shinier. Therefore, oats can be an excellent replacement for carbohydrates in your dog’s, although you may have to check with your vet about the serving size.
Nutritional Benefits for Dogs
Dogs that are allergic or wheat or other grains can eat oats without any problems. These are some of the nutritional benefits of feeding oats to your dogs.
Soluble Fiber
Oats have a high amount of natural soluble fiber, which makes them great for the heart and lowers cholesterol levels. Oats will satisfy your dog’s hunger faster, which will help in managing its appetite. The natural fiber present in oats is also good for dogs that suffer from gastrointestinal problems. That is why you will find that many food formulas on online pet stores like PetCareRx contain oats.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Fatty Acids
Oatmeals are rich sources of several vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Vitamin B complex
- Iron
- Folate
- Manganese
- Zinc
- Linoleic acid (Omega 6)
- Other essential fatty acids
Together, these nutrients help in maintaining your dog’s coat and boost their energy. Oats are beneficial when applied topically as well, so you will find them in several dog shampoos and other coat care products.
Protein
Oats contain protein as well, which forms an essential part of your dog’s diet. But it is not the bad protein that is found in wheat and other grains called gluten. The protein found in oats is similar to what you find in other sources like eggs, milk, and soy. That makes it a good supplement for animal protein.
Benefits of Feeding Oats to Dogs
These are some of the reasons why oats can be a good choice of food for your dog.
- As we mentioned before, if your dog is allergic to wheat or any other grain, oats can be a good substitute for that. You can also choose dog foods that contain oats instead of other grain fillers.
- Oats improve blood circulation in your dog and help the production of Red Blood Cells (RBC).
- The soluble fiber in oats can help in controlling your dog’s digestive system. So if your dog is suffering from stomach problems or has a sensitive stomach, you can make dog food with oats. Many dog food brands create sensitive stomach formulas using oats too.
- Oats will also help in maintaining a shiny coat on your dog.
What Kind of Oats Can You Feed Your Dog?
Oatmeals for humans come in a variety of flavors. But most of them are not safe for canine consumption. So stick to plain oats if you plan on making the dog food. It is best to go for organic and whole-grain oatmeal, as it would contain more nutritional values for your dog than the regular ones.
They will also be safer for your dog since they will not have any harmful chemicals. Before you buy oats for your pooch make sure you read the list of ingredients to ensure that it does not contain anything harmful. You may find oats bland, but do not make the mistake of adding salt or sugar while preparing oats for your dog.
It is best to cook the oats thoroughly before you feed them to your dog. Uncooked oats can create gastronomic problems and might cause harm to your dog’s health. If you cook the oats yourself, make sure it comes to room temperature before you feed it to your dog.
How Much Oatmeal Can You Feed Your Dog?
Your dog might not like oats in the beginning, so add a little bit to the dog food. You can start by adding one tablespoon for every 20 lbs of body weight. You may think that the amount is too less, but it is adequate to test the waters first and see if your dog likes the taste of oats or not.
Feeding too much oatmeal can also lead to stomach troubles. So start by giving small amounts and see if it wants more. Once you are sure that your dog likes oats, you can increase the serving size. But do not increase the quantity to more than half a cup in a week spread out in two or three meals.
If you do not feel too sure about handling the quantity yourself, you can stick to store-bought foods that contain oats. Or you can consult your vet to know exactly how much you can add to the meals.
Oats have several health benefits for your dog, and you can feed it in many different ways. You can also make treats with oats for your dog so that it does not feel bored by the repetitive meals. However, make sure that you stick to the quantity suggested by your vet, or it can do more harm than good.