Oatmeal for dogs? Yes!
The nutritional value is great, and it gives the dogs shiny coats. Oatmeal contains minerals, nutrients, antioxidants and fiber. You know it was a terrific way to start the day and serves a tasty snack during the day.
It may come as a surprise to know that it’s also a good canine food. It is indeed, but it also comes with a warning. Too much of it will result in digestive problems and could cause diarrhea and vomiting.
It’s the large amounts of fiber that’s the problem. In small quantities, and as a meal now and then (once or twice a week), it’s a terrific alternative. It’s an excellent substitute for carbohydrates in the dog’s meal plan. Small amounts of digestible fiber keep the correct glucose levels in the system, so preventing heart disease and diabetes.
Dogs are lactose intolerant, so never give them milk. You can give them cooked oatmeal made with water.
Amounts will vary with size
The oatmeal that you serve should contain no “extras” that you find in dog packets at the supermarket. It should be plain. You can add to that bits of cooked chicken or beef, and that really makes for a very tasty meal. The amount you give will vary with their size. Obviously, big dogs will eat more than small ones. Always check with your vet.
Your animal may also be gluten intolerant, so oats could be a great change from wheat-based foods. How do you know if your dog can’t handle gluten-based foods? He will tell you plain simple by having fits of diarrhea.
What does oatmeal have that gives them those shiny coats? It’s called biotin, part of the vitamin B family. It will change some nutrients into energy and plays an important role in the health of hair, skin, and nails.
Oatmeal is rich in vitamin B5, vitamin B9 and zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, and folic acid.
Wow, it’s no wonder that it’s such a great food. That’s why it’s so good for humans and for your dog, in small doses. It’s perfect for overweight dogs because the fiber processes fats. Just remember, easy does it. Moderation is the name of the game.
Don’t give oatmeal as a raw meal. This will be hard for the dogs to digest, especially the smaller variety. Also, don’t serve up flavored oatmeal (like cinnamon or blueberry). They could contain artificial sweeteners which are harmful to your dog.
Cook the proper oatmeal
Also, it is advised to avoid the “quick and easy” types of oatmeal that can be made in the microwave. These lose their nutritional value quickly. Rather get a pot of oatmeal going in the oven and let it cook for a while.
Also, to see how well your dog handles oatmeal, give him a very small amount and see if he likes it. He may sniff it and walk away and that will be the end of the oatmeal experiment. Let’s hope he doesn’t do that.
Or rather, try it with a bit of chicken or beef and see how that goes down. If that results in diarrhea, steer clear of oatmeal completely. That would be an unusual reaction, though. Most dogs lap up the oatmeal. Add it to their regular diet and that should do the trick.
It’s interesting to note that oats can help with several nerve disorders and it has been proven to prevent anxiety in anxious animals. Oats are also known to strengthen the spleen, pancreas, and immune system of dogs. The silicon in oats also help in strengthening the bones – so in addition to the fabulous shiny coat, you should have one very healthy dog.
Oh, did you know that oats have anti-inflammatory properties and skin-soothing ingredients too? No? Well, they do, so oats are just about the healthiest thing you can offer!
