I love eating oatmeal for breakfast because you can add strawberries, blueberries, and other fresh fruit. It makes it a well-balanced meal for you and me, but “can Pugs eat oatmeal?”
Can Pugs Eat Oatmeal?
Yes, as long as your dog isn’t allergic to gluten, and you don’t add any sugar, milk, or other rich toppings that can be bad for your pooch. When oats are prepared in water, they provide essential vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your pup.
If you’d rather not share your meals with our pup, then you may want to consider offering your pup a wholesome snack that is designed specifically for canines.
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As a pet owner it’s important to know what human foods Pugs can and cannot eat. Let’s take a look at why you should feed your dog oatmeal, how much to feed them, and how to prepare it.
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Oatmeal To Pugs?
We already know that oatmeal is good for humans, but does it offer the same benefits for dogs? While your dog will never eat as much in one serving as we do to get the same benefits we get, oatmeal is a healthy option for dogs.
As long as it is prepared properly, your pup receive the following benefits.
Wheat Substitute
Oatmeal is is an excellent grain for animals that suffer from wheat allergies. Pure oats oatmeal-like Quaker oats (look for the purple gluten-free banner on the package) are naturally gluten-free. Other brands that are gluten-free are Bob’s Red Mill, Montana Gluten-Free, and GF Harvest.
Essential Vitamins
Oatmeal is rich in fatty acids such as linoleic acid and Vitamins B and 9 which are known to keep a dog’s coat healthy and shiny. This is the reason that so many Pug shampoos are made with oatmeal.
Soluble Fiber
The high fiber in oatmeal is great for dogs that suffer from gastrointestinal issues. Oats are also a great soluble fiber source, which can help regular your pet’s glucose levels.
Increases Red Blood Cells
Oatmeal contains Vitamin B which is a great supplement for dogs that are recovering from anemia. Other foods that are rich in Vitamin B and great to add to an anemic dog’s diet are; bananas, sweet potatoes, rice flour, mackerel, watermelon, and lamb brain. (source)
Helps Overweight Dogs
Despite it being high in carbohydrates, this is a great healthy snack for overweight dogs. The fiber content in oatmeal can help make your dog feel fuller, helping them shed excess pounds.
Fun Oatmeal Facts
Oatmeal is consumed mostly at breakfast and it is known to lower cholesterol by 8% to 23%. It is considered a superfood that provides us with compounds called avenanthramides and powerful antioxidants.
National Oatmeal day is October 29, and January is considered National Oatmeal Month.
Over 65% of U.S. households have some brand of oatmeal in their cupboard.
The most popular toppings are sugar, raisins, bananas, and milk. Some of the most unusual toppings are peanut butter, eggnog, and cottage cheese.
Nutritional Facts
3.5 ounces of raw oats contain:
- Fat: 6.9 grams
- Calories: 389
- Protein: 16.9 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Carbs: 66.3 grams
- Fiber: 10.6 grams
It does have a lot of carbohydrates.
Is Oatmeal Safe For Pugs?
Yes, as long as you prepare it properly, your dog should be fine eating a small amount of it. You should feed your Pug no more than one tablespoon of oatmeal for every 20 pounds of their body weight.
The Dangers Of Feeding Oatmeal To Your Pug
Overfeeding your dog oatmeal can cause vomiting and diarrhea. If you’re feeding your dog oatmeal, limit their portions to once or twice a week.
You can enjoy eating oatmeal every day, but your Pug definitely can’t. Use common sense when it comes to feeding your dog human food and when in doubt, seek advice from your veterinarian.
Can Pugs Eat Instant Or Flavored Oatmeal?
No, you should never give your dog instant or flavored oatmeal. Instant and flavored oatmeal packages are often pre-loaded with sugar, salt, and artificial colorings which can be toxic for your pup.
Can Pugs Eat Oatmeal Cookies?
No, you should never feed your dog any baked sweets such as cookies, bread, scones and etc. If you do plan on baking oatmeal dog treats for your dog, make sure you avoid using any ingredients that can harm your pooch.
Never give your dog any store-bought pastries as they are loaded with sugar and high in calories, as it can cause upset stomach issues in Pugs.
Best Way To Prepare Oatmeal For Pugs
When it comes to preparing oatmeal for your pooch, keep it as plain as possible. Just boil the oats in water instead of milk. A dog’s body doesn’t break down lactose as easily as a humans, so it’s best to avoid feeding them dairy products.
Don’t add any additives such as salt, butter, brown sugar, chocolate, grapes, or raisins as these ingredients can cause your dog to become sick.
Toppings You Can Add To Your Pug’s Oatmeal
You won’t be able to add brown sugar, maple syrup or milk, their are plenty of extra toppings you can add to your dog’s oatmeal to make it even more flavorful.
Here’s some ideas you can add to your canine’s small bowl of oatmeal.
- Peanut Butter: Most dogs love eating peanut butter. You can add a teaspoon of dog-safe peanut butter (doesn’t contain Xylitol).
- Fruit: There are plenty of fruits Pugs can eat such as bananas, apples, blueberries, and raspberries that you can add. Make sure you cut them up into small bite-size pieces.
- Sunflower Seeds: Sprinkle some unsalted sunflower seeds on top and you’re dog will gobble it up. Sunflower seeds are great for Pugs and provide several benefits thanks to the powerful antioxidants.
- Cinnamon: Dogs love it and it is a great natural anti-inflammatory that doesn’t add any extra calories.
It’s important to remember that the more toppings you add, the calories increase. Pugs are prone to obesity, so keep the oatmeal plain and save the other toppings to give them treats throughout the day.
Alternatives To Oatmeal For Pugs
If you’re feeding your dog oatmeal because they love it, then you may want to consider some of these other human foods that can make a great healthy snack for your pup.
- Eggs
- Green Beans
- Salmon
- Pumpkin (pumpkin is a superfood for dogs)
As always, consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet to ensure it is safe.
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Oatmeal
Try feeding your Pug oatmeal and you’ll soon notice an improvement in their health. The first noticeable result will be the texture and shininess of their coat.
References And Further Reading
Verywell Fit – Jane Anderson – Is Oatmeal Gluten Free?
PetMD – Deidre Grieves – Healthy Foods Checklist: Oatmeal For Dogs