Oats for Dogs

Oats appear in many dog foods as a carbohydrate source, and not without reason: they're considered a comparatively well-tolerated grain and provide fibre alongside energy. We explain what makes oats as a raw material, why they play a role in canine nutrition, and what to watch out for.

What are oats?

Oats are a cereal obtained from the grains of the oat plant. In pet food, they're usually used as oat flakes, oat bran or oat gruel, less often as whole grain. Compared with wheat, oats contain considerably less gluten, which is why they're often described as a low-gluten alternative, even though they're not entirely gluten-free.

Alongside carbohydrates, oats also contain fibre, particularly beta-glucan, as well as a moderate proportion of protein and fat. This combination sets oats apart from pure starch providers such as white rice and makes them a somewhat more complex raw material in a recipe.

Why oats for dogs?

The fibre they contain plays a role in digestion, since it binds water in the gut and can influence gut transit. At the same time, oats provide energy through their carbohydrates, which the dog can use throughout the day. Combined, this makes oats a grain that serves as a base for energy and satiety in many feeding recipes.

Oats are often used for:

• Dogs that should have a lower-gluten alternative to wheat in their food
• Dogs with an active digestive system, where fibre plays a role
• Recipes meant to offer a degree of satiety alongside energy

Oats in canine nutrition

With oat-containing products, it's worth looking at how the grain has been processed: finely ground or well-swollen oats are easier to digest than coarse, uncooked flakes. The proportion in the overall food is also relevant, since oats should be a sensible addition rather than displacing the meat content.

If you prepare oats yourself, for example as oat gruel for a bland diet, always cook it thoroughly and serve it without additions such as milk or sugar. The same applies to finished food containing oats: a moderate proportion alongside a clear protein source is something quite different from a recipe where grain makes up the lion's share. You'll find more raw materials and their significance for canine nutrition in our raw materials lexicon.