Last updated on March 20th, 2023 at 08:46 pm

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Can Dogs Have Oat Milk?

Different milk sources seem to be all the rage these days. Oat milk is one of the top contenders for dairy milk replacement. Oat milk can have significant health benefits for humans who choose not to or can’t drink dairy milk. But what about our dogs? They may not be able to have dairy, but can they join us for a glass of oat milk before bed? 

Quick Answer

Oat milk is not necessary in a dog’s diet, but in most cases, dogs can have a few sips of unsweetened, unflavored oat milk in moderation as a special treat or to entice your dog to eat his dinner! As with anything, moderation is key.  

What is oat milk?  

Oat milk is a liquid beverage made from whole grain oats soaked in water. Sometimes an additional sweetener like sugar might be added to the drink. There is nothing toxic about oat milk in itself, and most dogs should be able to digest it quite easily. It contains some nutritional elements that aren’t often seen in other kinds of milk. For example, oat milk has vitamin B complex, calcium, and vitamin D. 

What are the benefits of oat milk?  

Because of its nutritional value, oat milk can help promote a healthy immune system, encourage healthy bone growth, and even help regulate blood sugar levels.  

Another possible benefit of oat milk for your dog is that it can be used as a special treat or meal topper to encourage your dog to eat. If your dog is a picky eater, not eating well, or is just bored of his food, try mixing in some oat milk and allowing the food to soak. The oat milk will add a unique flavor to the food and might entice your pup to eat. Again, only do this in moderation. Sometimes even just adding water to kibble does the trick to get your dog interested in his food again.  

Another advantage of oat milk is its relatively high fiber content. A dog with bowel irregularity might benefit from a small amount of oat milk to help move things along in your dog’s digestive tract.  

What are the risks of oat milk? 

Though it does have several benefits, oat milk also has a couple of risks associated with it. Oat milk has high fiber content, but this can be a double-edged sword. It may help with bowel irregularity for some, but it may be too much extra fiber and lead to constipation or diarrhea for others.  

These same benefits and risks apply to dogs, so if you think your dog needs a little more fiber, talk to your vet first to find out the best way to incorporate more fiber into his diet. 

Another potential risk of oat milk is the possibility of allergic reaction. When introducing any new food to your pup, it is important to watch for signs of allergies. Symptoms of an allergic reaction might include vomiting, lethargy, seizures, weakness, itchiness, and swelling in the face, ears, lips, and eyelids. 

You should also look out for oat milk that may have added sweeteners or flavors that can be harmful to your dog. Check the ingredient list thoroughly. The sweeteners are unhealthy for your dog, and they can also cause your dog to become way too hyper.  

Flavors and sweeteners in oat milk 

It is common to find different flavors of oat milk in your local grocery store. For example, you might discover vanilla oat milk, chocolate oat milk, or sweetened oat milk. These are all items you should avoid giving to your dog. Vanilla oat milk would be far too sweet for your dog. Chocolate-flavored oat milk isn’t safe for your dog since chocolate is toxic to dogs, especially in large quantities.  

If you are going to give your dog oat milk, you must first ensure that it is unsweetened, free of added flavors, and free of any other hidden sugars. If oat milk has sugar or sweeteners in it, it can cause an excessive amount of hyperactivity in your dog.  

 Some sweeteners commonly found in human food, like xylitol, can be harmful to dogs. Xylitol can cause low blood pressure and liver damage. It is best to avoid giving your dog any food labeled with this ingredient.  

Common sweeteners found in oat milk 

• Saccharin  
• Stevia 
• Sugar alcohols (xylitol)  
• Aspartame  
• Acesulfame potassium  
• Sucralose 
• Advantame  
• Neotame  

Oat milk ice cream  

  A new trend is oat milk ice cream! While it may sound like a delicious treat for humans, it is best not to give it to your dog. Oat milk, by itself, is fine in moderation. But when made into ice cream, sugars and sweeteners are often added, which are not suitable for your dog. Sometimes vanilla is also added, an ingredient that does not belong anywhere in your dog’s diet.   

Homemade oat milk  

The best way to ensure there are no toxic or unhealthy ingredients in oat milk is to make it yourself! The recipe for homemade oat milk is straightforward and only takes a few minutes! The first step is to blend one cup of rolled oats and four cups of water in a blender.  

Then, all you have to do is strain the contents through a fine towel or a fine strainer. A coffee filter might also work to separate the liquid from any larger particles!  

Conclusion  – Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk

Dogs are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. As long as your dog is consuming a well-balanced diet, there is no reason that oat milk would be necessary. But, as pet owners, we love to give our pups special treats every now and then. 

Oat milk is usually a safe treat option for your pup. In moderation, sugar-free and flavor-free oat milk will most likely not harm your dog. However, too much oat milk could cause gastrointestinal upset. If you want to give your dog some oat milk, finding a good balance will be key. Before making any changes or adding anything new to your dog’s diet, it is best to talk with your vet first. 

Read more about Cats and Oat Milk

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