Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Plain Cooked Only

Cook plain oats in water until soft, let them cool, and add a spoonful to your dog's meal. Do not add sugar, milk, butter or toppings.

• Cook with water.
• Cool completely.
• Serve a small spoonful.
• Watch for stomach upset.

Flavoured packets contain sugar and sometimes raisins, chocolate chips or nuts. Raisins are dangerous for dogs, and macadamia nuts are toxic. Oatmeal cookies may contain raisins too.

Cooking oatmeal in milk can cause stomach upset, since dogs have little lactase according to the ASPCA. Use water.

A spoonful or two is plenty. Extras like this should stay a small part of the day's food. A common vet guideline is that treats and extras make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Dogs differ by size, age and health, so ask your veterinarian if your dog has a medical condition, is a puppy, or is on a special diet.

Some owners add a spoonful of plain cooked oatmeal to meals. It can be gentle for some dogs, but it is not a treatment for any condition. Dogs with grain allergies or specific diets should avoid it unless a vet agrees.

Maple, brown sugar, apple and cinnamon and fruit packets have sugar, flavours and sometimes dried fruit. Some contain raisins. Do not share them.

Homemade dog biscuits using oats can be a fun project, but use dog-safe recipes. Avoid xylitol, raisins, chocolate, macadamia nuts, onion and garlic.

A spoonful for a small dog and two or three for a large dog, mixed with food, is plenty. Oatmeal is filling and starchy, so more can lead to weight gain.

Cook it well, and cool it fully.

Common mistakes include using instant flavoured packets, cooking with milk, adding raisins or sugar, and giving large bowls. Another is using oatmeal cookies as a treat.

If your dog ate a lot of flavoured oatmeal with raisins, call your vet.

Puppies can have a small spoonful, but need complete puppy food. Seniors with diabetes should have oatmeal only with vet advice. Dogs with grain sensitivities should avoid it.

If you are unsure, ask your vet.

Oatmeal, rice and plain pasta are all common starches that dogs can eat plain and cooked in small amounts. Oatmeal tends to have more fiber, which can be helpful or can cause gas, depending on your dog. Rice is lower in fiber and is often used when vets suggest a bland diet. None of these is a necessity if your dog eats a complete commercial food.

If you want to add a topper, think about the whole day's calories. A spoonful of cooked oatmeal on a meal is a small extra, but a bowl is a meal in itself. If your dog has diabetes, kidney disease or a food allergy, ask your vet which extras are acceptable. Always introduce a new food slowly, giving a small amount first and waiting a day, so that you can tell what caused any upset.