Oat is a common ingredient in many brands of dog food.
But other than providing nutrients…
It can help when Fido has diarrhea…
But wait…
Some types of oatmeal could worsen Fido’s runs.
And that’s why I’m here to guide you and your pooch.
Continue reading to learn:
- 5 risks of feeding oatmeal to dogs with diarrhea.
- How much oatmeal to feed canines with the runs.
- 3 effective ways oatmeal can help Fido’s diarrhea.
- And many, many more…
Table of contents
Is oatmeal good for dogs with diarrhea?
Oatmeal is good for dogs with diarrhea, but it should be plain and cooked. Any added ingredients can be toxic for your dog or make diarrhea worse. Moreover, plain oatmeal is rich in fiber that can help firm up stools. Plus, its protein contents can give your dog energy.
Why is oatmeal good for dogs with diarrhea?
Oatmeal is good for dogs with diarrhea due to its fiber and protein content. Moreover, it also has a glycemic index level of 55. This means that oatmeal is easy to digest. That’s what dogs with diarrhea need the most.
“How can fiber and protein help my pooch’s runs?”
Here’s an explanation from Harvard:
First, fiber’s a carbohydrate from oatmeal. And it can’t be broken down by your dog’s gut.
So when Fido eats oatmeal…
Its fiber absorbs water inside your pooch’s belly. And that helps add weight to your dog’s poop.
Finally, this would get rid of loose and watery stools from Fido.
Next, there’s protein. And it’s a nutrient that can give your dog some energy.
When combined with fiber…
It keeps your pooch feeling full. This helps Fido fight off their diarrhea.
However…
As I mentioned in the intro, only plain and cooked oatmeal would work for dogs.
Why so?
That’s because flavored oats could be risky for your pooch.
And you’re about to find out the reasons.
Risks when feeding oatmeal to a dog with diarrhea
#1: Causes food poisoning
Plain oatmeals might sound boring to eat.
But it’s the safest choice for your furry friend.
And to explain why…
Let me show you the harmful ingredients that some oatmeal can contain. And how they can affect your pooch.
Starting with….
Xylitol
Some brands of oatmeal use xylitol.
It’s a chemical sugar that sweetens food.
However…
This ingredient’s toxic for your pooch.
Why? Experts say that even a small amount of xylitol can cause:
- Bouts.
- Death.
- Puking.
- Diabetes.
- Liver failure.
- Hypoglycemia.
- Slower movements.
Warning: If you notice any of these signs, get Fido checked by a vet ASAP.
High sodium
Instant oatmeal has high sodium or salt.
So if your furry pal eats that…
Science says it can lead to salt poisoning. This is also known as hypernatremia.
And now, based on another study…
If dogs eat too much salt, they might suffer from:
- Barfing.
- Fainting.
- Tremors.
- Confusion.
- Weakness.
- Dehydration.
- Spacing out.
- Trouble with moving.
Warning: Hypernatremia has a 20.6% fatality rate. So if Fido ate salty oatmeals, take them to a specialist for a check-up.
Raisins or grapes
Do you like adding fruits or berries to your oatmeal?
It might sound yummy or healthy for you…
But VCA Hospital says:
Food such as grapes and raisins are toxic for Fidos. Even one bite can be fatal for these furry friends.
And this also applies to other additives, such as:
- Cinnamon.
- Chocolates.
- Blueberries.
Warning: These sweeteners could lead to death in dogs. If your pooch ate them, it’s best to take them to a clinic.
All in all…
These ingredients show why your dog should only eat plain oatmeals.
Especially when Fido already has diarrhea.
#2: Some dogs are lactose intolerant
Other than grapes or berries…
Do you also like adding milk to your oatmeal?
Well, you should avoid that for Fido.
Why?
AKC says most dogs are lactose intolerant.
And this means they can’t eat dairy products.
“What happens if my pooch drinks milk?”
The common result is diarrhea.
But since your dog already has this trouble…
In that case, milk from oatmeal might turn things severe.
“You mean Fido’s runs can get worse?”
That’s right.
And you’ll know this if your pooch’s showing signs of:
- Bloody feces.
- Persistent barfing.
- Red or orange poop.
- Stool with a strong foul odor.
- Increased frequency in pooping.
Warning: Severe diarrhea can be fatal for canines. So if you notice these symptoms, call an expert for help.
Read next: 9 Reasons Why Your Dog Has Diarrhea At Night + 5 Tips
#3: Oatmeal can cause bloating
Though plain oatmeal can help Fido’s diarrhea…
It could still cause bloating in some dogs.
And that’s due to fiber from oatmeal. This type of carb also promotes gas inside your dog’s gut.
But if Fido eats too many grains…
The gas from fiber could get trapped inside their stomach.
As a result, your dog’s tummy would look swollen.
And that’s how you know when your furry friend is bloated.
“But is this dangerous for my pooch?”
That’s right. Bloating can be fatal to dogs.
To be clear, it’s also known as GDV.
Which stands for gastric dilatation and volvulus.
And according to AKC, the signs of GDV are:
- Panting.
- Salivating.
- Uneasiness.
- Hardened belly.
- Swollen tummy.
Warning: Bloat can be deadly for some dogs. Especially if they have diarrhea. So for Fido’s safety, visit a clinic if you notice the symptoms.
Now, if your pooch is farting a lot due to bloating…
You can massage your dog to help them.
Learn how to do that from this useful video:
Check out also: 11 Reasons Why Your Dog Suddenly Has Bad Gas + 5 Tips
#4: Some Fidos are allergic to oats
Oatmeals are available in many brands.
But they all come from the same type of grains.
That said…
Your pooch might be allergic to grains.
Fact: A study reveals that 7.6% of dogs could be sensitive to certain food.
And even though it’s a rare condition…
It’s still possible for any pooch.
So, how would you know if Fido’s allergic to oatmeal?
As per vets, you should look for signs, such as:
Warning: If your dog starts swelling, seek an expert immediately. That could be a sign of a fatal reaction to allergies.
Find out more: 11 Reasons Your Dog Vomits In The Morning + 3 Vital Tips
#5: Too much oatmeal causes constipation
Now, let’s say that oatmeal stopped your pooch’s diarrhea.
Sounds like great news, doesn’t it?
But don’t relax yet…
“Why not?”
Well, fiber from oatmeal might give you and Fido a new concern.
“Like what?”
For example, too much fiber could lead to issues such as:
- Weight gain.
- Constipation.
- Hyperkalemia.
- High blood pressure.
- Abnormal metabolism.
But from this list…
Constipation’s the most common problem.
And that means your pooch has trouble going potty.
“Wait… but how? This is ironic.”
That’s true. But remember what I said in the beginning?
Fiber absorbs water inside your dog’s belly.
So if your furry pal eats a lot of these carbs…
Fido’s stool might turn too solid.
And that’ll make pooping a hard task for your pooch.
“Then what should I do if my dog’s constipated?”
Typically, this problem goes away by itself.
You can even give your pooch a belly massage to help them out.
But since your dog just had diarrhea…
Constipation could cause an infection for them.
How? That’s because there might be feces stuck inside Fido’s gut.
With this, bacteria would build up within your pooch’s belly.
And that could turn fatal at any moment.
Moreover…
Doctors say this issue can turn into megacolon.
And it’s a severe form of constipation.
“How will I know if my dog has megacolon?”
For that, watch out for symptoms like:
- Vomiting.
- Laziness.
- Weight loss.
- Dehydration.
- Indoor pooping.
- Behavioral changes.
- Difficulty with pooping.
Warning: Megacolon can be deadly for dogs. Once you notice these signs, seek a specialist ASAP.
You might also be interested in: Help, My Dog Hasn’t Pooped In 4 Days! 15 Reasons + 5 Tips
How much oatmeal can I feed my dog with diarrhea?
The amount of oatmeal you can feed your dog with diarrhea depends on their weight.
Not to mention…
Vets say that giving new food to Fido could make their diarrhea worse.
So if your pooch has never had oatmeal…
Doctors advise you to feed your dog small amounts of grains first.
To be specific, AKC states:
You can give Fido 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of oatmeal per 20 pounds (9 kg) of their weight.
Here, you can use the table below as a guide:
| Breed size | Average weight | Amount of plain oatmeal per day |
| Small/Toy | 12 to 24 lbs (5.4 to 10 kg) | 1 ½ to 1 tbsp (2.84 to 14.3 g) |
| Medium | 24 to 59 lbs (10 to 26 kg) | 1 to 2 tbsp (14.3 to 28.3 g) |
| Large/Giant | 59 lbs to 100 lbs (26 to 45 kg) | 2 to 5 tbsp (28.3 to 75.6 g) |
Note: Remember, too much is never healthy for anyone. So if you still have any concerns about your pooch, it’s best to consult a vet.
What is the best food to give a dog with diarrhea?
All in all, oatmeal works great for dogs with diarrhea.
But if you’re worried about the risks…
Specialists state you can try other food for Fido’s diarrhea, such as:
- Turkey.
- Chicken.
- Bananas.
- Pumpkins.
- Ground beef.
- Watermelons.
- Cottage cheese.
- Plainly cooked rice.
- Pasta (plain and cooked.)
- Vet-prescribed probiotics.
Note: Ensure that these foods are cooked and plain. Don’t use any seasonings or preservatives.
Still got any doubts?
Visit the clinic with your pooch.