Can Dogs Eat Oats and Oatmeal?

Oats are great for dogs, and they are safe in any form, but they are absolutely perfect for oatmeal. Oats are a healthy grain, whole of complex carbs and fiber, that support digestion and overall gut health! Dogs can enjoy oatmeal as a snack with fruits or peanut butter and even eat oats as a replacement for their regular meal—but only on special occasions.

dog and oatmeal in a bowl with a spoon with blueberries in the background

Table Of Contents

Is oatmeal healthy for dogs? And are oats good for dogs?
Types of oats and how dogs can eat them
- What will happen if my dog eats raw oats?
How to safely feed your dog oatmeal
FAQs

Dogs can eat oatmeal, but even though it’s healthy, it shouldn’t replace their regular meals all the time. Oats are fine and nutritious, and they are often recommended for obese dogs to aid in weight loss. However, they should still fit into the 10% of extra food (beyond regular dog food) that dogs are allowed to eat. Limit oats to 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Is oatmeal healthy for dogs? And are oats good for dogs?

Like always, I try to find really good studies about dog nutrition, and this time, I found a great one. Here’s a link if you want to read further: this study analyzed the effect of oats and other whole-grain cereals on dogs’ overall health. Here are the key learnings!

Oats and oatmeal are good for dogs. The study showed that oats have a positive effect on dog gut health and beneficial bacteria. But, we have to be careful and not give them too much, as they can’t handle fiber all that well.

Oats are high in dietary fiber that improves gut health

Oats are rich in β-glucans, a type of soluble fiber that improves your dog’s gut health. This fiber helps keep their digestive system running smoothly by feeding the beneficial bacteria in their gut. As these fibers ferment, they produce something called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which have many benefits for your dog, including:

Maintaining a healthy gut environment by lowering the pH level in their colon.

Improving the growth of good bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.

Keeping harmful bacteria like Clostridium perfringens at bay.

Dogs that eat oatmeal have diverse microbiota

The study showed that dogs that eat oats have a more diverse gut microbiota—basically, a wider range of good bacteria in their gut. Why is this important? A diverse microbiota is linked to better digestion. Oats actually help grow beneficial bacteria (called Bacteroides) that break down food and extract nutrients!

Oats help with energy metabolism and intestinal health

When your dog eats oats, their gut bacteria break down the fiber and produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These fatty acids help with:

Providing energy to the cells lining your dog’s intestines.

Supporting gut health and reducing the growth of harmful bacteria.

Helping regulate their metabolism.

While oats don’t produce quite as many SCFAs as rye, they still have a positive effect on your dog’s gut health. This doesn’t mean you should give your dog oats every day—it just means that as an occasional treat, they can be a great choice!

Oatmeal is easy to digest and is good for dogs with sensitive stomachs

Oats are super easy to digest! They contain a lot of soluble fiber, so oats break down faster in the stomach compared to other grains from the study, like rye or wheat. This makes them a perfect choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Again, you should only give your dog oats as an occasional treat, not all the time.

Types of oats and how dogs can eat them

Oats come in various forms, and they are more or less the same when it comes to nutrients. The only difference is how easy they are to prepare and whether or not they contain additional additives!

Rolled oats – Rolled oats are steamed and flattened, which makes them soft and very quick to absorb milk or water. If you use them to make oatmeal, it will take much less time to prepare compared to regular oats. They are absolutely safe for dogs, but avoid adding sugar or too many spices.

Instant oats and quick oats – These are pre-cooked oats that often come with extra flavorings and sweeteners, so you should not share them with your dog. Dogs shouldn’t eat quick oats or any other instant oat version. However, if they eat some by accident, don’t worry—your dog will be fine as long as the instant oats don’t contain xylitol, a zero-sugar sweetener that is toxic to dogs.

Porridge oats and cooked oats – Dogs can eat porridge oats and cooked oats! They are soft and easy to cook, chew, and digest.

Steel-cut oats – Steel-cut oats are less processed, as they are made from oat grains that are chopped into pieces. If you’re cooking them, you need to boil them a little longer than rolled oats because it takes time for them to soften. Dogs can eat steel-cut oats but don’t add sugar or artificial sweeteners.

What will happen if my dog eats raw oats?

Nothing bad will happen, but your dog may find it hard to digest raw oats. While I can’t imagine dogs eating uncooked oats straight from the bag, I’ve seen dogs eat lots of weird things. If this happens to you, don’t worry!

How to safely feed your dog oatmeal

Now that we know dogs can eat oatmeal and that oats are great for your dog’s health, let’s look into some of the typical add-ins we like to use when making overnight oats or oatmeal. Not everything we enjoy is safe for dogs, so please check the list below!

Oatmeal toppings that are safe for dogs

Peanut butter: Adding peanut butter to oatmeal is a great way to include protein and healthy fats. Dogs can eat peanut butter, and you can add some to their oatmeal to make a nutritious treat!
Bananas: Oatmeal with bananas is my go-to breakfast, and my dog eats this combo almost every week! Dogs can eat bananas—they are safe, healthy, and loaded with potassium, which is a very important mineral.
Apples: Apples are also safe for dogs and make a great choice for cooked oatmeal. I find them super refreshing, and when combined with bananas, they really make a complete meal.
Strawberries: You can also add strawberries to oatmeal. They are dog-friendly fruits that are packed with vitamins and healthy fiber!
Coconut: This is a fun topping as it adds extra crunch! If you usually make oats with coconut, you’ll be happy to know you can share this with your dog. Coconut is safe for dogs to eat.

Oatmeal toppings that are somewhat safe for dogs

Honey: Honey is safe for dogs in moderation. However, even though it’s a natural sweetener, you shouldn’t give your dog oatmeal with honey. If you’re making oatmeal for your dog, stick to dog-friendly fruits and avoid honey or sugar.
Cinnamon: While dogs can eat oatmeal with cinnamon, it’s best to limit the spices you share with your dog. Cinnamon isn’t toxic, and tiny amounts are okay, but it’s better to make oatmeal with fruits or peanut butter instead.

Oatmeal toppings and add-ins that you should never give to your dog

Chocolate: While chocolate isn’t as toxic to dogs as raisins, it’s still one of the most dangerous foods for them. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be harmful even in small amounts.
Artificial sweeteners: Avoid these entirely! Sweeteners can be really bad for dogs, and some like xylitol are highly toxic. Always check the labels if you’re using store-bought oatmeal.
Raisins: Oatmeal with raisins is toxic to dogs. Raisins (and grapes) are dangerous because they can cause kidney failure. Never give your dog oatmeal with raisins.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat brown sugar oatmeal?

Brown sugar is not toxic to dogs, but it’s better to give them plain oatmeal with fruit and avoid sugar! A single serving of brown sugar oatmeal won’t harm your dog, but overall, you should stick to healthier options.

Can dogs eat Quaker oats?

Yes, dogs can eat plain Quaker oats! Quaker oats are simple rolled oats that you can prepare like any regular oats. They are great for overnight oats and oatmeal, as long as you avoid instant oats with flavors, sugar, and other additives.

Are flavored oatmeal safe for dogs?

Most flavored oatmeal are fine for dogs, but they are not ideal. They often contain added sugar, and if labeled as “healthy” or “low-calorie oatmeal,” they may include artificial sweeteners that are absolutely not okay for dogs! If you want to treat your dog to oatmeal, stick to plain, cooked oats and add natural, dog-safe toppings like bananas, apples, or peanut butter.