Sundays and pancakes go hand in hand. It’s hard to imagine a family breakfast without pancakes! What’s also hard to imagine is a family breakfast without our furry family members. So, while we’re enjoying our pancakes, you might have wondered at some point can dogs eat pancakes?
This is a good question. We’re big advocates of doing the research before introducing any new human food to your dog. No matter if it’s fruits, vegetables, or something else. You never know if something is toxic to dogs. Let’s take grapes as an example. For us, grapes are a delicious snack, but for dogs, they can be toxic!
But what about pancakes? Is it safe to share one with your dog? Can dogs have pancakes or are they dangerous too? Let’s see!
Can dogs eat pancakes?
The short answer to the question can dogs eat pancakes is yes, they can. But, it’s not that simple. There are a lot of things you need to consider before giving your dog pancakes. Your dog can sometimes have a pancake, but it should only be an occasional treat.
When you think about it, pancakes are made with flour, milk, eggs, and sugar. None of these ingredients are toxic for your dog. Some are just not as healthy, as sugar for example.
But, let’s take a closer look and answer in more detail the question of can dogs eat pancakes.
What’s the issue
Even though pancakes aren’t toxic, nor are they made of any dangerous ingredients, there are still some risks involved.
Some dogs are lactose intolerant, which means that the milk in the pancake batter can harm them. Besides this, many dogs also have a wheat allergy or are sensitive to grains. So, this can be an issue too.
The pancake batter you’re making for you and your family also probably contains a lot of sugar. And you know, too much sugar isn’t good for dogs either.
Of course, you could adjust the batter for your dog’s pancakes. Later on, we’ll share a recipe for dog pancakes that your pooch will love. But, basically the plainer the pancakes, the safer they are.
The same goes for boxed pancake mix. Generally speaking, it is safe, but it’s also very high in sugar.
No toppings
We’ve already said that your dog can eat plain pancakes. This is because they already contain a lot of carbs, sugar, and fat. So, it’s not a good idea to add a topping that is also high in those.
But, the toppings that are absolutely not safe for your dog are:
- chocolate
- toppings that contain Xylitol
- raisins
- honey
- any kind of syrup (Gold syrup, Maple syrup)
- Nuts, especially macadamia nuts
- Whipped cream
- butter
- jam
But what about fruit? Can dogs for example eat blueberry pancakes?
Blueberries are a safe fruit for dogs. But, your pooch shouldn’t eat too much fruit anyways. Fruits like blueberries are a source of carbs and sugar. With the carbs and sugar that are already found in pancake batter, it’s a good idea to not give your dog blueberry pancakes.
Dog-Friendly pancake recipe
Pancakes should only be an occasional treat. No matter if you’re making regular pancakes or dog-friendly pancakes.
But, you can simplify your pancake recipe to get a pancake batter that is much safer for dogs.
Ingredients needed:
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 2 tbs of baking powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1 egg
As you can see there is no sugar nor salt added to this recipe. That’s the only difference, the rest you’re doing just like with normal pancakes. You mix all the ingredients together. Another tip we can give you is to make mini pancakes for your pooch.
The toppings you can use for your dog’s pancake are:
- pumpkin puree
- crumbled bacon
- chicken
- plain yoghurt
- dog treat crumbs
Conclusion
Don’t feel bad if you let your dog eat a pancake every now and then. Dogs can eat plain pancakes as an occasional treat, it just shouldn’t be too often.
Also keep in mind that pancakes are tasty, but they have no nutritional value for your dog. They don’t provide them with any vitamins, minerals, or anything healthy. It’s just a caloric dense food that can make them obese over time.
Besides this, the first time you give your dog pancakes, monitor them. Pay attention to how they’re behaving, is there any unusual behavior, so they seem in pain, and so on. Some of the symptoms your dog could display are:
- vomiting
- gas
- diarrhea
- excessive thirst
- lethargy
If your dog shows any concerning symptoms make sure to take them to the vet. Let them know what happened and make sure to never give your dog pancakes again.
But, if your dog seems fine after eating pancakes if they have no discomfort or digestive issues, then you can let them enjoy pancakes sometimes.