The term " oat" designates various species of herbaceous plants, two of which are widely cultivated for food and forage (Avena sativa and Avena byzantina). As a cereal, it is one of the most consumed ingredients in breakfasts and most used in traditional bakery, in the preparation of breads, cookies and cakes.
Currently, there are many guardians who choose to incorporate homemade recipes in the diet of their felines and wonder if cats can eat oatmeal. In this article on our site, we will explain if cats can eat oatmeal, what benefits its consumption could have and some precautions that we must consider before offering this cereal to our felines.
Is oatmeal good for cats?
Among the nutritional properties of oats, we highlight the high content of vegetable proteins, vitamins, fibers and vegetable fats. However, all its varieties contain gluten (although in less quantity than wheat), which can cause adverse reactions in felines intolerant to this substance.
Despite containing carbohydrates, its moderate intake can be recommended even for overweight cats, since its high content in Fiber helps regulate high levels of glucose and cholesterol in the blood, as well as providing satiety.
Therefore, oatmeal is a good food for cats, as long as we respect adequate amounts to their size, weight and state of he alth. He alth. In moderate doses, its introduction into your diet will help us offer complete and balanced nutrition to our cats. But excessive consumption could lead to some digestive problems, such as diarrhea or gas.
For this reason, it is very important to have the guidance of a veterinary to know the ideal doses of oats that you can offer your feline, considering its age, size, weight and state of he alth. In addition, with the help of a veterinarian, you can quickly detect and rule out the possibility that your cat has a food allergy or gluten intolerance.
Benefits of oatmeal for cats
In addition to being a highly nutritious food, oats are also considered a healing herb, with beneficial properties for the feline's skin and body.
Below, we summarize the main benefits of oatmeal for cats:
- Its proteins of high biological value can be easily assimilated, allowing the cat to digest them easily and take advantage of them optimally.
- Improves the he alth and appearance of the skin and hair, as it contains B complex vitamins, folic acid and minerals such as iron, manganese and iron. Oatmeal water for cats is a good homemade solution to add shine to their fur and keep their skin he althy.
- Its fibers help regulate cholesterol levels and blood sugar, and can prevent and help treat diabetes in cats.
- It is rich in folic acid and biotin, two essential nutrients to stimulate the production of red blood cells, the synthesis of iron consumed in food and the oxygenation of body tissues.
- Its high content of soluble fibers also favors digestion and intestinal transit, making it an excellent home remedy for constipation in cats and digestive problems such as diarrhoea, gas and vomiting.
- Oatmeal also provides a mild calming effect, and can be offered cooked to relieve or prevent stress, hyperactivity, nervousness or anxiety in cats.
How to prepare cat oatmeal?
Although oatmeal is a good food for cats, our cats will not always accept it easily. Raw oatmeal for cats is unattractive and difficult to digest, and can cause digestive disorders.
Therefore, it is best to offer cooked oats to our felines. Remember that milk is not a suitable food for cats, since most adult cats do not have the necessary enzymes to digest lactose. Therefore, we will cook the oatmeal in water, just about 5 or 6 minutes.
This technique can also be used to prepare a oat porridge for baby or elderly cats, since they are usually easy to digest and they do not require great chewing effort. Logically, we will not add sugar, sweeteners or other chemical additives that can harm the he alth of our cats.
Another excellent idea is to incorporate oats into homemade recipes that we prepare for our cats, being able to also combine it with other beneficial ingredients for cats such as turmeric or cinnamon. On our site, we teach you how to prepare tasty gourmet recipes that are one of the best options for preparing oatmeal for cats.
Regarding the recommended amount of oats for cats, the ideal is to consult a veterinarian to identify the optimal doses and the best way to incorporate this food into your cat's diet, considering the characteristics and needs specific to your body, and the purpose of its consumption.
