Oats are inexpensive, easy-to-cook and make an excellent source of essential proteins and fat for pets.
They also contain antioxidants as well as various minerals and vitamins, such as Zinc, Selenium, Iron, Vitamin E, Vitamin B, etc, in significant amounts. They have, thus, been an integral component of the human diet for centuries now.
In recent years, humans have become more aware of the importance of feeding their pets good and quality food. Pet parents are making informed decisions about what to feed their pets.
In this article, we will try to answer some important questions troubling cat parents.
Is it ok for cats to eat oatmeal? Can cats eat oatmeal cookies? How to make oatmeal for cats? How to make oatmeal porridge for cats? What are some cat-friendly oatmeal recipes?
Let us start by clarifying the basics first.
Table of Contents
Can Cats Have Oatmeal?
Yes, cats can have oatmeal but only in small portions.
As a matter of fact, as a doting pet parent, you should actually make deliberate efforts to include oatmeal in your cat’s diet plan.
Oatmeal is a rich source of calcium and vitamin 6, both of which are mandatorily required for bone formation in cats.
Moreover, vitamin B6 is an integral component utilized during the breakdown of protein into amino acids.
Oatmeal is also a good source of iron, which ensures regular and efficient working of enzymes and blood production.
The Manganese and fiber present in oatmeal helps in maintaining digestive health in cats and lowering cholesterol levels.
Lastly, oatmeal has diuretic, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties and can promote hormonal stability is expectant cats.
These are some of the prime factors that have established oatmeal as a safe and healthy food choice for cats.
Now that we have established the answer to our primary question — is it okay for cats to eat oatmeal? — let us look into how much oatmeal can you give to your feline friend.
How Much Oatmeal Can You Give to Your Cat?
Oatmeal is a healthy dietary choice for cats, only if given in small amounts.
Unlike dogs, cats are not omnivorous beings and thus, they typically do well on diets that are high in protein, but low on carbohydrates.
? While oats are an excellent source of protein, they are also quite high on carbohydrates and thus, should be fed in limited measures to cats. Oatmeal, when given in a high quantity, can meddle with you cat’s digestive system.
Moreover, cats should not consume more than 300 calories in a day. A typical oatmeal recipe sits at around 120 calories and thus, takes up a major portion of your cat’s daily calorie count.
Similarly, many oatmeal supplies contain chocolate and raisins, both of which are poisonous to cats. It is a good idea to include oatmeal in your cat’s diet, but be wary of the proportions.
Oat tea is an excellent supplement for cats. It is also quite easy to make. Boil a tablespoon of oat seeds in a cup of water and add this water to your cat’s kibble. This will not only make the kibble softer, but will also make it more nutritious.
Can Cats Eat Oats? Can Cats Eat Instant Oatmeal Or Rolled Oats?
These are some questions we frequently get from feline lovers.
Instant oatmeal and rolled oats make healthy cat food.
Rolled oats are first steamed and then turned into flat grains. This makes the oats softer, which is the prime reason why rolled oats take lesser time to cook.
It is completely okay if you are feeding your cat rolled oats. As a matter of fact, rolled oats make an excellent ingredient in snacks and treats as they easily absorb water while giving the treats/cookies a bit of crunchiness.
Instant oats are processed oats. They are pre-cooked, dried, and then rolled and pressed slightly thinner than rolled oats.
They turn into a mushy liquid when cooked for slightly over 5-10 minutes. They make an excellent cat food as they are soft, tasty and easy to digest.
Can kittens Eat Oatmeal?
If you recently adopted a feline ball of fur, it is only fair that you are quite concerned about their wellbeing and growth. This is the first sign of a loving pet parent.
? Can kittens eat oatmeal? Ideally, they should not be fed oatmeal when they are very young.
A good idea is to get oat grass and let your kitten happily nibble on it for a few weeks. Once their digestive system has adjusted to oat grass, you can begin to introduce oatmeal into their diet.
Yet another question that we constantly get from concerned cat parents is: Can cats eat uncooked oatmeal or can cats eat cooked oatmeal?
The answer to both the questions is yes. Cats can be fed both raw as well as cooked oatmeal, as long as it is in a small quantity.
Oatmeal Recipes For Your Feline Friends
Now that we have concretely established the answer to is oatmeal good for cats, it’s time to discuss some healthy oatmeal recipes for your feline friends.
1. Oatmeal Porridge for Cats:
If you have been scouring the internet for oatmeal porridge for cats recipes, look no further.
Cooking a bowl of oatmeal porridge for your cat is pretty similar to cooking oatmeal porridge for yourself.
? There are only two things you must keep in mind: cats are lactose intolerant and cannot digest milk. Thus, while cooking oatmeal porridge for cats, replace milk with water.
Second, go easy on the salt. Excessive salt consumption can lead to excessive urination and sometimes, even sodium poisoning. Just a pinch of salt is enough.
Take a bowl full of oatmeal and add two cups of water to it. Keep heating the mixture until it begins to thicken up. Once the oatmeal has developed a thick texture, to make the porridge tastier, add in a little bit of brown sugar.
While pet parents are usually advised to keep their pets away from sugar and sugary foods as they promote obesity, it is important to know that sugar is not toxic to cats.
Can Cats Eat Oatmeal with Brown Sugar?
Yes. As a matter of fact, consumption of brown sugar, in a controlled manner, isn’t unhealthy at all.
Brown sugar not only contains lesser calories than white sugar, it also has higher mineral content, which makes it suitable to be used in various pet recipes. Add in a bit of cinnamon at the end to add flavor to the porridge.
Alternatively, if you do not have brown sugar readily available at home, you can go with honey. However, use honey only occasionally.
Cats have a really small stomach and digestive system and excessive consumption of honey can lead to digestive issues in cats. It is safe to say that cats can be fed honey in oatmeal once every three days and that too in very small amounts.
2. Oatmeal Cookies:
Treats are an excellent way of promoting good behavior and education among pets.
While it is okay to rely on packaged treats, it is a better idea to cook homemade cookies and snacks for your furry darlings.
Can cats eat oatmeal cookies? Yes and all cats love oatmeal cookies. They are tasty, easy-to-make and depending on the ingredients used, super healthy too. Our favorite ones are Salmon oatmeal cookies and tuna oatmeal treats.
Salmon Oatmeal Cookies Recipe:
To make salmon oatmeal cookies, finely squish about 50 grams of salmon and mix it with a 1 full egg.
Next, take a pan and put about a spoonful of oil and add the salmon-egg mix to it. Keep stirring for about 5-10 minutes.
Finally, add oats flour and about a spoonful of oatmeal to this mixture and turn into a dough.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and use a spoon to create circles of dough on the baking sheet. Let the circles bake for about 15 minutes and your salmon oatmeal cookies are ready.
Tuna Oatmeal Cookies Recipe:
Tuna oatmeal cookies are equally easy to make. Buy a can of tuna and empty it contents into a bowl. Mix in an egg and add fish oil. Fish oil is an excellent source of omega-3 and has anti-cancerous properties.
Moreover, it is also known to make your pet’s fur shinier and healthier. Cats love fish oil. Combine all the ingredients and add oats flour and a spoonful of oatmeal to the mixture. Keep kneading the dough until it develops a homogenous texture.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and make rounds from the dough on the baking sheet. Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes and your tuna oatmeal cookies are ready.
3. Oatmeal Diabetes Diet for Cats:
Oatmeal is an excellent supplement. In combination with other ingredients, such as chicken liver, carrots or zucchini, vegetable broth, etc., it can promote insulin production and also strengthen the pancreas.
To make oatmeal diabetes diet for your cat, mix half a cup of organic chicken with half a cup of chicken liver and add in two tablespoons of oatmeal.
Add in raw carrots or raw zucchini and cooked green beans. Use vegetable broth to moisten and mix all the ingredients together and your super healthy oatmeal bowl is ready.
Conclusion
As a pet parent, finding healthy options that are also delicious to your pet friends is a difficult task.
Oatmeal is an excellent dietary supplement for cats. It is healthy, nutritious, scrumptious and also completely safe when consumed in limited proportions.
If you are dealing with a picky eater, try some of our oatmeal recipes and watch your cat purr in contentment.
