Instructions
Decide whether supplementing with oat bran is appropriate for your pet. Dogs do not require the same diet consisting of carbohydrates and fiber that is important in human nutrition. According to Lew Olson, author of "Raw &Natural Nutrition for Dogs," dogs do not have the amylase enzymes or digestive tract needed for digesting and absorbing grains. Only in some cases should dogs be supplemented with fiber, Olson said, such as for puppies coming off milk, to support lactating mothers, and to help remedy constipation and diarrhea.
Check the nutritional analysis of your dog food if you are purchasing commercial products for your pet. Most balanced formulated animal foods will have bits of rice, vegetable or bran added to increase the fiber content. If the pet food you are currently using contains as much as 5 percent fiber, you probably do not need to supplement with oat bran. Oat bran is extremely high in fiber and is to be used alongside home-prepared meals and raw meat.
Purchase a high-quality source of oat bran. All oat products are sensitive to heat and sunlight and will denature if left exposed to open air and UV light. Choose oat bran sold in air-tight containers. If selecting oat bran from bulk, purchase only if the oat bran is covered with a lid. Often the smell of oat bran will tell you if it is fresh or not; it should have a sweet, grassy scent. If it begins to smell bitter or pungent, it has likely gone bad.
Add small amounts of oat bran to your dog's food. Dogs do not have teeth for grinding grains, so mix the oat bran with their food. This may be easiest with canned foods or wet meats. Start with the smallest dosage to test how your dog will cope with the extra fiber. Viv Harris, author of "The Healthy Animal Handbook," recommends 1/2 teaspoon added to food once daily. This can be increased to 1 teaspoon or even 2 teaspoons in large dogs if it is tolerated, but the dosage needs to be increased very gradually. Monitor your pet during this time and be prepared to reduce the dosage if it suffers digestive troubles.
How to Supplement Oat Bran for Dogs
Some dogs need help to digest in a happy and healthy way. If your dog suffers from digestive irregularity, diarrhea or constipation, you can add oat bran to your pet's meal once a day and support its level of dietary fiber. Oat bran is one of the highest sources of natural fiber in the diet and is also a rich source of minerals such as manganese, iron, phosphorous, selenium and calcium. Decide whether oat bran is right for your pet and use it to support a balanced and healthy diet plan.