How should you feed your dogs oatmeal?

Oatmeal should always be cooked and unseasoned when feeding your dog. When in doubt, feed plain and unseasoned.

Cooked vs Uncooked Oatmeal

Oats contain an insoluble fiber called beta-glucan. In large amounts, beta-glucan can prevent the absorption of important nutrients. It is best to feed cooked oatmeal to dogs to reduce the nutrient absorption issues associated with uncooked oats.

The Right Amount

Oatmeal should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily meal due to its high carbohydrates. You can substitute up to 1/4 of your dog’s regular meal for oatmeal. Feed one tablespoon of cooked oatmeal per 20 pounds of your dog’s weight.

Serve Oatmeal Safely

Make sure to let oatmeal completely cool before serving to your dog to avoid burns. Never add additional toppings such as sugar, jam, raisins or anything that could be harmful or toxic to dogs.

Possible Benefits

Oatmeal contains essential nutrients such as protein, fiber, manganese, copper, iron, and zinc, and several vitamins. The soluble fiber in oatmeal is associated with reducing the cholesterol levels and insulin response. Oatmeal is easily digested and can be a good option for dogs with digestive sensitivities.

Here is an example of how you can calculate how much oatmeal to add to your dog’s meal for 1/4 portion substitution.

A 60 pound dog that usually gets 2 cups of food per day:

1/4 of 2 cups is 1/2 cup.

1 tablespoon to 20 lbs = 3 tablespoons for a 60 lb dog.

Therefore, you can safely add 3 tablespoons of cooked oatmeal to replace 1/4 of your dog’s regular food.