Can Cats Eat Oatmeal?

Oatmeal, aka porridge, has become a breakfast favorite thanks to its many health benefits for humans. It’s easy to make, low in calories, and keeps you full for longer. A win-win for anyone trying to stay healthy and on the go.

Now, we’re guessing this might sound familiar: It’s morning, and just as you sit down with your bowl of oatmeal, you notice a pair of big, curious eyes watching your every spoonful. Before you know it, your cat is inching closer, convinced that anything you eat every day must be worth trying.

So, can cats eat oatmeal? Yes, cats can eat oatmeal - but before officially inviting your cat to join the oatmeal breakfast club, it’s important to understand how, when and how much oatmeal is safe to feed your cat.

Is Oatmeal Good for Cats?

Here are all the great benefits of oats and oatmeal for us humans¹ –

In all, oatmeal is a nutrition-rich dish. The question now is, can cats benefit from all these nutrients too? 

The answer here is ‘not so much’. Cats are carnivorous creatures. Their stomachs are made for extracting nutrients majorly out of meat. So, oatmeal should not ever become a diet replacement for your cat. Having said that, it will not harm your cat in moderation. You can feed oatmeal to your cat occasionally as a treat.²

How Much Oatmeal Can a Cat Eat?

Oatmeal is only to be given occasionally to your cat as a treat. A tablespoon is a reasonable quantity for that purpose. It is important to note that while occasionally feeding oatmeal may not harm your cat, excessive eating of it could.

If oatmeal is fed as a replacement in your cat’s diet, your cat will end up lacking essential nutrients that they otherwise would have derived from cat food. Moreover, high-fiber foods like oatmeal can also cause digestive problems in cats, especially those that already have gastrointestinal issues.²

Do Cats Like the Taste of Oatmeal?

Just like a cat’s next move, it is difficult to predict their liking of oatmeal as well. Cats usually like meaty and fishy tastes as their primary diet depends on them. However, cats are curious creatures. They would like to try new textures and tastes in food. So, you’ll have to figure out this answer on your own by feeding some of it to your cat. 

Don’t worry, curiosity won’t kill your cat. 

How To Make Oatmeal for Cats?

You can cook oatmeal for a few minutes or soak some oats overnight in water. You can then add them to your cat’s wet food.³ Don’t forget the recommended quantity. And even if you see your cat licking all those oats in a matter of seconds, don’t be tempted to add more or every day. Small quantity and occasional treat are the two main keywords here.

Also, do not ever feed oatmeal cooked in milk or oats soaked in milk. Cats are lactose intolerant. Milk and other dairy products can cause some serious harm to your cat’s digestive tract. Avoid any kind of toppings as well on your oatmeal. Make sure you always feed it plain. Avoid oatmeal cookies (especially ones with raisins or apple and cinnamon). The preservatives, butter, fats, etc. can harm your cat’s health and cause problems like vomiting and diarrhea.³

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Having a cat in the house is a beautiful experience. But there can be times when your feline ends up feasting on things they are not supposed to or you unknowingly feed them foods that can cause digestive upset or other problems for them. For those times and for all others when you have to take your cat to the vet unexpectedly, you can save up to 90% of the costs with pet health insurance. 

Cat Insurance helps to provide pet parents with additional financial support and peace of mind when it comes to the health and wellness of their pets. With a Spot plan, pet parents can receive up to 90% cash back on eligible vet bills. This way pet parents can focus on caring for and supporting their pets. Spot's also offers preventive care add-ons, which can help cover the eligible costs of spaying and neutering, dental cleaning, vaccinations, and other routine care services. 

Get a quote today!