Can Cats Eat Oatmeal? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

cats can eat a small amount of plain cooked oatmeal made with water. It is not toxic and contains some fiber, but cats do not need grains. Avoid flavored instant oatmeal and milk.

Oatmeal for cats at a glance

Can cats eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 4 kcal per 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal
Main benefit	Fiber and some protein
Main risk	Flavored packets contain sugar and sometimes raisins or chocolate
Kittens?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; kittens have sensitive stomachs

How much oatmeal can a cat eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal has about 4 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult cat could have in a day if oatmeal were the only treat.

Cat weight	Daily treat budget	Max oatmeal per day
6 lb (2.7 kg)	18 kcal	4 × 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal
8 lb (3.6 kg)	22 kcal	5.5 × 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal
10 lb (4.5 kg)	26 kcal	6.5 × 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal
12 lb (5.4 kg)	30 kcal	7 × 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal
14 lb (6.4 kg)	34 kcal	8 × 1 teaspoon plain cooked oatmeal

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Fiber and some protein
Gentle on the stomach
Plain oats are not toxic

Risks

Flavored packets contain sugar and sometimes raisins or chocolate
Milk can upset a cat's stomach
Raw oats are hard to digest

How to feed oatmeal to your cat

Cook plain oats in water
Let it cool
Offer a teaspoon

What if my cat ate too much oatmeal?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your cat seems unwell.

Check your cat's full daily needs with the cat food calculator.

Oatmeal and cats: FAQ

Can cats have oatmeal?

Yes, cats can eat a small amount of plain cooked oatmeal made with water. It is not toxic and contains some fiber, but cats do not need grains. Avoid flavored instant oatmeal and milk.

Is oatmeal good for cats' skin?

Colloidal oatmeal shampoos can soothe itchy skin, but feeding oatmeal does not have the same effect.

Can kittens eat oatmeal?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Kittens have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete kitten food.

More "can cats eat" guides

Browse lists: human foods cats can eat · foods cats can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult cats. Cats with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Cats Eat Oatmeal?