Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk? Is Oat Milk Good or Bad For Dogs?

We all know dogs will try anything that looks like it might be tasty. Since plant-based, dairy-free milk substitutes are becoming increasingly popular in homes across the world, our dogs are coming into contact with them more frequently. Consequently in today’s post I’m asking can dogs drink oat milk?

I have a series of articles on foods dogs can eat and drinks they can imbibe. I write these largely out of a sense people may be concerned their dogs have ingested something intended for humans and are perhaps worried their dog might get sick as a result.

Hence, this article about oat milk is designed to provide answers to two questions:

• Can dogs drink oat milk… i.e. is it bad for them?
• Should dogs drink oat milk regularly?

During the course of this discussion, I’ll also look at the benefits and drawbacks of dogs drinking oat milk. But first, to avoid suspense, especially if you’re worried because your dog has just consumed oat milk, let’s cut to the chase…

Most dogs can drink oat milk (plain and unsweetened) in moderation without anything nasty happening, as long as it doesn’t contain harmful ingredients like xylitol.

Read on to find out more.

What is Oat milk?

Oat milk is a variety of plant milk that comes from… you guessed it, oats! It’s produced by removing the outer hull of the oat to leave the grain, which is soaked in water and then processed and filtered to leave a creamy alternative to cow’s milk.

The process of creating oat milk means that the bulk of the nutrients remains in the leftover pulp, however it’s still a nutritious food. Often, additional nutrients and flavourings are added towards the end of the process once the oat milk has been filtered.

Oat milk is extremely popular with vegans and people with lactose intolerance and its production has a comparatively low impact on the environment.

Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk?

As stated already, dogs can drink oat milk in moderation as long as it doesn’t contain ingredients known to be dangerous for dogs, such as xylitol, which is extremely toxic to them.

Additionally some varieties of oat milk contain added sugars and flavourings that shouldn’t really be added to a dog’s diet. Sugar increases the risk of canine obesity, which can both shorten life and decrease the quality of it.

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Is Oat Milk Bad For Dogs?

Yes, oat milk can be bad for dogs if it contains sugars or ingredients that dogs cannot eat. Furthermore, oat milk should only be given to dogs in moderation as it’s high in fibre.

While fibre is important in a dog’s diet, too much of it can result in gastrointestinal problems such as gas, constipation and diarrhoea.

As a general rule, if your dog drinks oat milk when your back is turned it’s unlikely that it’ll suffer anything worse than an upset stomach. However, you should always check the oat milk ingredients on the packaging to satisfy yourself that it doesn’t contain anything likely to cause a medical emergency.

As with any food or drink made for human consumption, if your dog consumes something you’re unsure about, speak to a veterinary professional for guidance.

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Is Oat Milk Good for Dogs?

Assuming it contains no harmful ingredients like xylitol and added sugar, unsweetened oat milk in moderation may provide some nutritional benefits to dogs.

In moderation dogs can digest oat milk easily and it contains nutrients such as protein, calcium, Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin D.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, plain unsweetened oat milk contains the following nutrients (among many others) per 100g:

See the all the details of the nutritional content of oat milk according to the USDA here.

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Summary

Indeed dogs can drink oat milk in moderation as long as it doesn’t contain xylitol, sugars or anything else that’s likely to be harmful to dogs.

Plain, unsweetened oat milk is likely to be fine as long as you’re not giving your dog large portions on a daily basis… once in a while a small portion is probably going to be fine.

Nutritionally, oat milk can contribute calcium, protein, Vitamin B-complex and Vitamin D to your dogs diet.

That said, you don’t need to give your dog oat milk or any other human food or drink to ensure your dog gets the nutrients it needs. Dogs can get all the nutrition they require from a balanced, veterinary approved dog food.

If you are going to treat your dog with an occasional slurp of oat milk be sure to check the ingredients to know whether or not it contains anything potentially harmful to dogs.

Finally, as with any food or drink your dog consumes by accident, be sure to check with your veterinary centre if you’re in any doubt at all about whether or not it’s going to be harmful.

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Does your dog drink oat milk… or has it when it shouldn’t have? Have you had problems because your dog drank oat milk or do you feel it’s been beneficial to your dog? Please let me know in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

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