Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?

Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal in small amounts. Plain oatmeal cooked in water is the best choice. Skip milk, sugar, salt, butter, raisins, and flavored packets. Some of those can make your dog sick, and a few are toxic. Oatmeal should be an extra, not a meal.

Is oatmeal good for dogs?

Plain oatmeal has some good things in it. The AKC says it has fiber, B vitamins, and linoleic acid, a fat that helps keep skin strong. Those are small perks, not a reason to feed it daily.

Too much fiber can upset your dog’s stomach. The AKC lists diarrhea and vomiting as possible results. It also warns that a big serving can lead to bloat, a dangerous swelling of the stomach. If your dog has health problems, ask your vet before adding new foods.

How to serve oatmeal to your dog

• Cook it in water. The AKC says to avoid milk, because dogs often have trouble digesting dairy.
• Serve it cooked, not raw. The AKC says to cook it, not sprinkle it on food dry.
• Let it cool. The AKC suggests serving it at room temperature so it doesn’t burn your dog’s mouth.
• Keep it plain. No salt, butter, sugar, chocolate, grapes, or raisins.

How much oatmeal can a dog eat?

The AKC gives a simple guide: about 1 tablespoon of cooked oatmeal for every 20 pounds of your dog’s weight. For a large dog, it says half a cup cooked, once or twice a week, is the most to give.

Start with less and watch your dog. If you see loose stool or vomiting, stop. Treats of all kinds should stay under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

Which oatmeal toppings are dangerous?

Plain oats are not the problem. The extras are. Watch for these:

• Raisins and grapes. The ASPCA says these can lead to kidney damage in dogs.
• Xylitol. This sweetener is in some sugar-free foods and flavored products. Pet Poison Helpline says it can drop a dog’s blood sugar and, in larger amounts, hurt the liver. Even a small amount can be harmful, depending on the dog’s size.
• Chocolate. The ASPCA lists it as dangerous for dogs.
• Macadamia nuts. The ASPCA says they can cause weakness, tremors, and vomiting.

The ASPCA says early signs of xylitol poisoning include vomiting, tiredness, and trouble walking straight. Seizures can follow.

Other kinds of oats

Can dogs eat instant or flavored oatmeal?

No, skip them. The AKC says instant oatmeal is highly processed. Flavored kinds can have added sugar and sweeteners, and xylitol is toxic to dogs. If you ever do give a packet, read the whole ingredient list first. It’s much easier to cook a spoonful of plain oats.

Can dogs eat Honey Bunches of Oats?

Not as a treat. It is a sweetened breakfast cereal, and the AKC’s advice is to skip sweetened and flavored oat products. We didn’t find a veterinary source that reviews this cereal. Recipes change, so check the label for raisins or xylitol. If your dog ate some and the label lists raisins or xylitol, call your vet.

Other foods to try instead

If your dog wants a small taste of what you’re eating, plain fruit or a bit of cooked plain food is easier to keep safe. See our guides to apples and bananas, or the full list of foods that are toxic to dogs.