Adding oats to a pet's diet is a simple way to impart many nutritional
benefits. Besides nutritional benefits, many other benefits, from nervine
to disease treatment, can be realized, too. First, let's take a closer
look at some of the many health benefits associated with oats when they
are simply added to a pet's diet.

Nutritive - Simply put, oats are nutritious, being naturally high in
"good" nutrients and low in "bad" ones.

Oats are high in:

Protein (interestingly, wild oats contain from 27-37% protein while
cultivated varieties average about 17%). According to the World Health
Organization, oat protein is equivalent in quality to soy protein. So,
equal to meat, milk and egg protein.Soluble fiber (the fiber that helps
keep cholesterol levels low)Levels of iron, manganese, zinc, and B
vitamins (pantothenic acid, B5, and folate, B9)Oats are low in:

Gluten (some is present, but not nearly as much as in wheat)Genetically
Modified Organisms (so far, oats are not grown using GMO)Nervine - Oats
are considered a nervine, an herbal compound that acts as a general nerve
tonic, calming the nerves when necessary, stimulating their activity when
needed. Oats are used for treating a variety of nervous disorders.

Herbal - Oats benefit several body organs and systems, including: skin,
nervous system, stomach, spleen, lungs, and the urinary and reproductive
systems. Herbal qualities of oats include:

AntispasmodicCardiacDiureticEmollientNervineStimulantAntitumor - Oats
contains the antitumor compound b-sitosterol.

Digestive - Acting as a digestive aid to calm the intestinal tract.

Hormonal - Used to achieve hormonal balance. Also used as a uterine tonic.

Oats are also cholesterol lowering and reportedly good for treating a wide
variety of diseases in humans and animals, including: inflammatory
conditions, mental or physical exhaustion, depression, dyspepsia,
insomnia, fevers, sexual dysfunctions and as a tonic during menopause or
after parturition.

Oats can also be beneficial when applied externally (topically). Remember
that an animal's skin is its largest organ, and there is an active
absorption of many substances, thus adding whole-body benefits from
external applications of oats. These unique health benefits can include:

Anti-inflammatory and Calming - soothes itchiness and eczema, thus helping
calm the animal while he heals.Healing - High levels of minerals and
vitamins in the seeds may help with skin healing.Here are some tips on how
to use oats topically:

Shampoos - Oatmeal shampoos are readily available in most pet product
outlets, and many have added healing herbs. These shampoos are generally
mild, calming,soothing, anti-itch,and anti-inflammatory.

DogDaddy’s Cookin will feature videos about easy meals, nutrition, the latest products, supplements and weight control.

                                             RAW FOOD DIET FACTS                                          

Here are some facts to keep in mind about raw-food diets .

The protein and grain sources can vary in raw food diets .

Grains,except for oatmeal,must be cooked or sprouted.

All meals should include olive oil,walnut oil,or coconut oil.

Cooking with seaweed or adding nori seaweed increases the nutritional value of the meal.

Spices,such as rosemary and garlic,along with Italian spices ,are healthy.

All raw diets should be supplemented with calcium.

BEEF AND OATMEAL RAW DIET

1 cup cubed raw beef

2 cups oatmeal,soaked overnight in water

1 cup carrots,squash,or yams

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon molasses

1 teaspoon ground flax seeds

2 pieces nori seaweed,torn into small pieces

1 teaspoon of eggshell calcium or suggested dose of water soluble calcium.

Mix all ingredients together and serve.

SOURCE: The Canine Cafe'.