Firstly, let’s answer the question as to why we should give porridge to our dog at all. Well, porridge for dogs can be a supplement if we are putting together a homemade diet for dog. Porridge should certainly not be the basis of such a diet, but as an addition it becomes a valuable source of carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Which porridges should a dog not eat?
Generally it’s better to avoid groats that contain gluten or are hard to digest. They can then be a source of food allergies, and the cause of stomach problems for dogs. Barley groats, pearl barley, pearl barley or semolina are not recommended. Among those recommended are buckwheat groats, millet groats, amaranth or oat groats. Dogs should also not eat short-cooked groats. It’s safer for the stomach to eat porridge in the form of a boiled pulp.
Can a dog eat buckwheat groats?
Yes, but only in reasonable quantities. It is a so-called pseudo cereal and does not contain gluten. This minimises the risk of your dog developing a food allergy. If we are looking for an ingredient to supplement B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine or potassium in our pet’s diet, buckwheat groats will be a good choice.
Buckwheat groats also contain fibre. It occurs in the form of so-called resistant starch – which is not subject to digestion. It regulates the digestive system and stimulates intestinal peristalsis. It also slows down the absorption of glucose.
Amaranth and buckwheat for dogs
Just like buckwheat, millet groats can be a source of many valuable ingredients in a dog’s diet. It is gluten-free, low in starch and easy to digest. It is also rich in valuable B vitamins (B1 – thiamine, B2 – riboflavin, B6 – pyridoxine and pantothenic acid).
Buckwheat can be a source of minerals for your dog. It contains magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron. It is rich in antioxidants – neutralising free radicals.
Amaranth, or amaranth groats to be precise, will play a similar role in dog food. It is rich in fibre, supports intestinal function and is a source of calcium and magnesium. Until recently, it was mainly available in health food shops – now it is increasingly available in supermarkets.
Can a dog eat barley groats?
Unlike the previously mentioned groats, barley groats contain gluten. It is also relatively difficult for your dog to digest. For these two reasons, caution should be exercised and it is better to choose another type of porridge – eliminating the unnecessary risk of food allergies and problems with the digestive system of our pet. It should be noted, however, that despite this, barley groats for dogs can also be a source of vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Can your dog eat oat groats?
Finally, there is oat groats, which are less popular but very valuable in a dog’s diet. It contains no gluten, fibre, vitamin E, B vitamins and minerals: iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and copper. It is also easy to digest.
The pros and cons of porridge in dog food.
Finally, a brief summary. The advantages of using porridge as a supplement in your dog’s home diet:
- source of minerals
- source of carbohydrates
- source of vitamins
- source of fibre – regulation of the digestive tract in dogs
Risks of using porridges in dog food:
- May cause food allergies (especially groats containing gluten)
- May cause digestive problems (hard to digest, short-cooked groats)
- May cause numerous gastrointestinal dysfunctions – if fed in excessive amounts.
