Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal? Yes: Safe Amount by Weight

Safe

Yes, dogs can eat oatmeal!

Plain cooked oatmeal is safe for dogs and is a good source of fiber. Cook it with water, not milk, and skip sugar, raisins, chocolate and xylitol-sweetened flavors.

Oatmeal for dogs at a glance

Can dogs eat it?	Safe
Calories	About 5 kcal per tablespoon of cooked oatmeal
Main benefit	Soluble fiber that can support digestion
Main risk	Flavored instant oatmeal contains sugar and sometimes xylitol or raisins
Puppies?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; puppies have sensitive stomachs

How much oatmeal can a dog eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One tablespoon of cooked oatmeal has about 5 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult dog could have in a day if oatmeal were the only treat.

Dog weight	Daily treat budget	Max oatmeal per day
10 lb (4.5 kg)	35 kcal	6.5 × tablespoon of cooked oatmeal
20 lb (9.1 kg)	59 kcal	11 × tablespoon of cooked oatmeal
40 lb (18.1 kg)	98 kcal	19 × tablespoon of cooked oatmeal
60 lb (27.2 kg)	133 kcal	26 × tablespoon of cooked oatmeal
80 lb (36.3 kg)	166 kcal	33 × tablespoon of cooked oatmeal

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Soluble fiber that can support digestion
Gentle on many sensitive stomachs
Easy to mix with regular food

Risks

Flavored instant oatmeal contains sugar and sometimes xylitol or raisins
Raw oats are harder to digest
Large portions add calories

How to feed oatmeal to your dog

Cook plain oats in water and cool
Serve a spoonful mixed into food
Never add raisins or sweeteners

What if my dog 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 dog seems unwell.

Planning treats? Check your dog's full daily needs with the dog food calculator or dog calorie calculator.

Oatmeal and dogs: FAQ

Can dogs have oatmeal?

Yes. Plain cooked oatmeal is safe for dogs and is a good source of fiber. Cook it with water, not milk, and skip sugar, raisins, chocolate and xylitol-sweetened flavors.

Can dogs eat oatmeal cookies?

No. They often contain raisins, chocolate, sugar and butter.

Can dogs eat raw oats?

Small amounts are not toxic, but cooked oats are easier to digest.

Is oatmeal good for dogs with diarrhea?

Sometimes, but ask your vet. Persistent diarrhea needs veterinary attention.

Can puppies eat oatmeal?

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

More "can dogs eat" guides

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

Sources

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

Can Dogs Eat Oatmeal?