Can dogs eat oats?

Oats are part of a balanced human diet. This whole grain is full of natural nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins, and amino acids. Eating a bowl of oatmeal or oat-based cereal can even lower your risk of heart disease. But can dogs eat oats and reap the same benefits? 

Yes, dogs can and should eat oats. This food can improve your pup’s digestion, energy levels, and heart health. Feeding your dog oats gives them access to a plethora of vitamins and minerals: 

• Iron to support red blood cell creation

• Antioxidants to boost their immune system

• Protein for strong muscle growth

• Fiber for smooth digestion and healthy stools

• B Vitamins to support energy levels 

• Zinc boosts your dog’s immunity and supports healthy skin, coat, and nails

• Vitamin E to protect cell health 

• Magnesium supports muscle function, the nervous system, and electrolyte balance
• And many more!

Oats are a superfood for dogs because of these nutritional benefits. That’s why oats are a key ingredient in Sundays’ all-natural chicken dog food. 

Is oatmeal good for dogs?

Oatmeal is a heart-healthy food for humans. But is oatmeal good for dogs, as well? Considering oatmeal is basically cooked oats, yes oatmeal is good for dogs. 

Before serving oatmeal to your dog, scan the ingredient list. Plain oats should be the only ingredient. Any additional flavors, ingredients, or sweeteners will be no good for your pup. 

While allergies to oats are rare, keep an eye on your dog after you give them oatmeal for the first time. Vomiting, diarrhea, itching, and hives are all symptoms that your pup could be allergic to this food. 

How to Cook Oats for Dogs

If you choose to feed oats to your pup, make sure it’s free of any ingredients besides oats. Dogs can reap the most benefits from simply eating plain oats. Additional flavors or sweeteners aren’t necessary – most dogs love how cooked oats taste. 

Some sweeteners like xylitol are extremely toxic to dogs. That’s why most vets recommend feeding dogs only plain oats. Always check the nutrition label for unnecessary ingredients before feeding your pup. Most grocery stores carry plain oats without any additives. 

Cooking oats for dogs is simple. It’s the same as making yourself a bowl of oatmeal. Just make sure you use water instead of milk. 

You can cook the oats in a pot of boiling water or put it in the microwave. Always check the packaging for further instructions. 

Your pup also doesn’t need a huge portion of this food. Dogs can benefit from relatively small portions of oats and oatmeal. Start your dog off with one or two tablespoons of oats. If your pup has no issues digesting the oats, feel free to increase the portion size. 

Can dogs eat oats if they are raw? Steel-cut and uncooked oats are a choking hazard for dogs and can be hard for them to digest. For these reasons, we suggest cooking the oats before feeding them to your pup.

Why do dogs need whole grains in their diet?

In recent years, there’s been a hot debate about whether or not dogs should have grain in their diet. A wide misconception amongst pet parents is that grain allergies are the most common dog allergy. That’s why some of the most popular commercial dog food recipes are grain-free. 

In reality, less than 1% of dogs are allergic to grains. However, some pups do experience digestive upset when they consume dog food made with peas, potatoes, or legumes. Most grain-free recipes use such ingredients because they are inexpensive sources of protein and starch. 

These ingredients can be harmful to your dog’s health. That’s one reason that they are so cheap compared to other protein sources. An FDA investigation even found that some grain-free foods caused dogs to develop canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

DCM is a fatal condition that causes heart failure in dogs. Lack of quality nutrition causes the heart to generate less pressure to pump blood through the dog’s body. The FDA report named 16 popular dog food brands that linked to DCM. 

Whole Grain-Inclusive Dog Food

To avoid food-related health issues, choose dog food that includes whole grains instead of peas, lentils, or potatoes. Sundays for Dogs is free of these harmful ingredients. Instead, Sundays’ recipes include whole grains like oats or quinoa. These grains are rich sources of nutrients and are also gluten-free to accommodate dogs with wheat sensitivities. 

Sundays is also 100% human-grade, using only whole food ingredients for complete and balanced dog nutrition. Plus, each recipe has 80% or more real meat for maximum protein and flavor. 

When you switch to Sundays for Dogs, we’ll build your dog a custom meal plan. This takes into account your pup’s breed, weight, activity level, and health history. Subscribe to Sundays and you’ll save 20% on every automatic reorder. Cancel, pause, or modify your subscription anytime. It’s what works best for you and your furry friend!