Oats might be a part of your staple diet, but oats are also primarily used to feed livestock on farms.Oats grow in regions such as the United States and Canada. They can grow in poor soil, which makes them a crop favored by farmers.Oatmeal is an excellent source of whole grains. Oats contain something called ‘beta-glucan, which lowers the calcarosol level in our bodies and reduces the risk of certain cancers. Oats are high in fiber and have a rich texture overall which makes oatmeal a really good option to start your day with! The fiber content in oatmeal helps you with indigestion and promotes regularity. Oatmeal contains high levels of antioxidants, which reduce blood sugar levels. It contains a lot of minerals and vitamins, which are essential for your overall health. You can try mixing oatmeal with other things such as fruits and berries to increase its taste. The health benefits of oatmeal are unlimited, and oatmeal is an essential part of a balanced diet. But if oatmeal is that beneficial for us, is it any good for dogs? Can dogs eat oatmeal and get the same health benefits as we do from oatmeal? Continue reading to find out.To know more about different foods that dogs can eat, you may also like checking can dogs eat cake? and can dogs eat okra?Is oatmeal safe for dogs?Oatmeal is a staple for breakfast in many homes. It is generally favored instead of other breakfast options because of its versatility and good health benefits.Oatmeal is a great source of soluble fiber and regulates blood sugar levels and helps a dog who is suffering from digestive issues. You can feed your dog oatmeal because of the immense benefits it has on your dog’s health but however, keep in mind that you should only feed your dog one tablespoon of oatmeal for every 20 lb (9 kg) of the dog’s overall weight. You should not give more than this amount as oatmeal contains a high amount of calories. Oatmeal is a great alternative for those dogs who are having issues with the digestion of wheat and other grains. Oatmeal contains a lot of vitamin A, calcium, vitamin – B6, and magnesium which can really add to your dog’s overall balanced diet and keep your canine companion healthy. Precautions should be maintained while feeding your dog oatmeal. You should always cook oatmeal for your dog instead of feeding raw oatmeal to your dog. You should only serve oatmeal which is made from whole grain, as pre-packed oatmeal sometimes might contain sugar or any other flavor which might not add to a dog’s overall health. High portions of oatmeal are toxic to dogs.Benefits Of Oatmeal For DogsOatmeal is highly nutritious for your dog, and when you give your dog oatmeal in a safe amount, they get many health benefits.When you include oatmeal in your dog’s diet, it helps in improving their skin health. Oat grain is rich in vitamin B and linoleic acid, which is another type of omega-6 fatty acid. Vitamin B plays a significant role in your dog’s skin health, and it is involved in the production of healthy skin cells for your dog. Linoleic acid is crucial for your dog’s overall skin health and helps in maintaining the skin barrier of your dog’s coat, increases the efficiency of wound healing, and works against inflammation on the dog’s skin. Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber and calories; each cooked cup of oatmeal contains about 0.14 oz (4 g) of fiber in total. Fiber has a lot of health benefits, and when you serve your dog oatmeal in the right amount, the fiber in it helps your dog with his digestive system. Fiber moves quickly through the digestive system and helps the dog. Many dogs have high cholesterol levels due to their age, health conditions, and messed-up metabolism. Oatmeal can help these dogs by bringing down their cholesterol levels because oats contain beta-glucan, which is a type of fiber that has been long associated with improving heart conditions. Oatmeal, which is bland on its own, is healthy for your dog. A lot of dogs have problems digesting milk, so it is suggested to give dogs oatmeal with water instead of milk with no added sugar. Plain oatmeal can be a really wholesome snack for your growing pup that adds all the nutrients and vitamins needed for the pup’s growth. Other grains which are beneficial for your dog’s diet and health include barley, brown rice, rye, and millets. Both oat grains and rice can be a good addition to dog food as they both happen to be gluten-free, and both are a good source of fiber for your dog, which can act as a tool for weight loss as well. However, you should always choose white rice over brown rice for your dog as dogs have difficulty with the digestion of brown rice. White rice has comparatively less fiber as compared to brown rice, and this is the reason why cooked oatmeal and rice is given to a pup and dogs who have an upset stomach as it is bland and helps with vomiting and diarrhea.Potential Side Effects Of OatmealAlthough the health potential of oatmeal is immense, not all types of oatmeal are suitable for your canine friend.Raw oats can be really difficult for a dog to digest and may cause your dog an upset stomach or indigestion. While it is safe for your dog to eat something like Quacker oats, keep in mind that you should avoid any flavored oats which are made for humans. These flavored oats are mixed with seasonings such as raisins which are toxic for dogs. Flavored oatmeal is generally high in sugar and also happens to contain xylitol which is basically an artificial sweetener that can be really dangerous and harmful for dogs if consumed. Raw oats are really difficult for a dog to pass through its digestive system, and that is why you should always serve cooked oatmeal. If you have a dog with a really sensitive stomach, you should try talking to your local veterinarian before serving him or her oatmeal, as it might make its condition worse. If your dog consumes oatmeal in a large amount, it can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs have an issue breaking the lactose in dairy products; hence it is suggested to mix oatmeal with water instead of milk.Should you feed your dog oatmeal?If the oatmeal is prepared properly for your dog, it can be a really good addition to your dog’s everyday meal.The thing to keep in mind is that oatmeal only serves as a part of a balanced diet meal. Oatmeal is not proper food within itself and cannot replace dog food. It is a good idea to give your local veterinarian a call before making any drastic changes or addition to your pet dog’s diet as it might not go the way you think it would, and it would affect the dog’s health. There can be other additions to oatmeal in order to bring the notional value up and make it more delicious for your pet dog. You can try adding peanut butter to your dog’s oatmeal, and no-sugar peanut butter would be an even greater addition to your dog’s daily diet. Fruit can also be a good add-on for your dog’s oatmeal. Fruits such as bananas, strawberries, or apples are safe for your dogs to consume, and they can add more health benefits to already healthy dogs oatmeal. Fruit is really delicious as well for your dog. You can make your dog’s oatmeal more fiber-fun with the addition of pumpkin puree; this does not include pumpkin pie. Cinnamon is a great way to add more flavor to the oatmeal without the worrying part of adding more calories to the oatmeal.Try serving sunflower seeds as they act as antioxidants, and they are really great for a dog’s health; you have to be careful and not let your dog get to the black shell of seeds. A cup of plain yogurt can also be a really lovely addition to your dog’s oatmeal which will also help in boosting the calcium and vitamin intake of your dog. Oats can also be used to provide a soothing effect for your dog’s skin and coat by turning it into a healing paste that can be good for dogs. Oatmeal in a dog’s diet leads to good health. Try looking online for more oatmeal for dogs’ recipes.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for can dogs eat oatmeal? then why not take a look at can dogs eat catnip?, or Mastiff facts.
Oats might be a part of your staple diet, but oats are also primarily used to feed livestock on farms.
