Can my dog eat pancakes? If we’re talking about a pancake that isn’t fancy and loaded with extra toppings then yes, dogs can eat pancakes!
When we start delving into sugar filled pancakes made with chocolate chips, syrups and salty bacon then we have a different scenario on our hands.
However, to put it simply, a pancake with no added extras will cause no harm to your dog, if enjoyed in moderation and is part of a wider more varied diet.
Let’s look into the wonderful world of pancakes to see what they contain and if they have any nutritional benefit for our canine friends.
Which types of pancakes can dogs eat?
Are pancakes safe for dogs?
Yes, pancakes, generally speaking, are safe for dogs. The safest type of pancake for a dog to eat would be the crêpe, as it contains less additives. The thin consistency is often easier to swallow, avoiding a choking hazard.
The crêpe could be offered as a small portion with healthy fillings such as blueberries, strawberries and perhaps even a small amount of dog friendly peanut butter.
Keep in mind that this should only be a treat and not a common occurrence. Pancakes can contain high levels of carbohydrates and fats which can result in health problems, if consumed in excess over a long period of time.
Are pancakes bad for dogs?
If the odd pancake is ingested and does not contain toxic ingredients such as chocolate or raisins, then on the whole, pancakes are not bad for dogs to eat.
Contact your veterinary surgeon if a large amount of pancakes have been eaten by your greedy pooch or they have eaten a pancake that contains anything harmful to dogs.
Elements that can pose a risk to your dogs health include:
Chocolate: Chocolate contains a toxic ingredient called theobromine. Theobromine can take up to 18 hours to be processed by a dogs body.
During this time, it can cause damage to a dogs body systems including the cardiovascular system, central nervous system and respiratory system. Chocolate ingestion can cause symptoms such as:
- Seizures
- Loss of co-ordination (Ataxia)
- Irregular heart rhythms
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are required by a dog in order to provide energy for the body. A dogs body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose, also known as sugar. An increased amount of carbohydrates within a dogs diet can cause health problems such as:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Gastro-intestinal upset
- Cancer
Raisins: If your dog does consume pancakes with raisins or sultanas, then contact your veterinary surgeon immediately. Raisins can cause renal (kidney) failure in dogs. Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Polydypsia (Increased drinking)
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
Fats: In small quantities, fats are required by a dogs body in order to function correctly, with 10%-15% of a dogs meal consisting of fats. If too much fat is offered, then this can be detrimental to your dogs health. Symptoms of too much fat can include:
- Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the pancreas organ)
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
Can dogs eat pancakes with syrup?
Yes, dogs can eat pancakes with syrup, depending on the type of syrup.
Can dogs eat maple syrup? Yes they can! Maple syrup can be consumed in small quantities, as long as it is 100% natural and organic with no added sugars. A small amount of honey can also be offered for your pooch to enjoy as a special treat.
Artificial syrups should be avoided as they can contain too many processed ingredients, high levels of sugar, or harmful ingredients such as xylitol. Syrups such as golden syrup should also be avoided due to high sugar levels.
Can dogs eat blueberry pancakes?
Yes, dogs can eat blueberry pancakes. Blueberries make a great addition to a dog’s diet, as they contain a variety of vitamins and minerals as well as being low in calories, however it would be a better option to offer blueberries on their own as a treat rather than served with a pancake.
Blueberries contain high levels of:
Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps to protect cells within your dogs body from being destroyed or harmed from chemical reactions. Chemical reactions occur daily within an animals boy.
Phytochemicals: Blueberries contain something called phytochemicals, which interestingly helps to prevent some types of cancers! They also support the immune system and has antimicrobial properties, protecting the body against bacteria, fungus and viruses.
Fiber: Blueberries are a food source of fibre. Fiber is great for a dogs gastro-intestinal system, helping to reduce diarrhea and indigestion.
Antioxidants: Similar to Vitamin C, antioxidants found within blueberries can help to support cell growth and protection from chemical reactions within the body.
Doggy safe pancake toppings
If you decide to offer pancakes to your dog, then it is best to offer them a small portion on rare occasions. It may be a fun idea to give them a small amount of pancakes for their birthday each year!
Ensure that the pancakes only contain eggs, milk and flour with no extra ingredients such as sugar or chocolate.
When it comes to pancake toppings, you can really go to town with healthy options that your dog will not only love, but will actually be good for them too!
It may be best that the quantity of toppings actually outweighs the quantity of pancakes, as they will gain more nutrition from the toppings.
Banana: Bananas make a fantastic topping as they are low in calories but high in potassium, fiber and vitamins. They do contain high levels of sugar, so offer in moderation.
Peanut butter: Always check your peanut butter to see if it contains an ingredient called xylitol. Xylitol is a common sugar substitute that can be used in peanut butter, but it is highly toxic to dogs and can cause fatality.
If your peanut butter does not contain xylitol however, then feel free to offer a small amount to your dogs pancakes! Peanut butter contains a variety of vitamins as well as proteins and healthy fats.
Apple: Apples are a great snack for dogs and would make a brilliant pancake topping. Not only are they good for cleaning a dogs teeth naturally, they are also high in vitamins A & C.
Do not offer the core of the apple or apple seeds to a dog as they can contain a toxic ingredient called cyanide.
Mango: Once peeled and the large seed has been discarded, mango makes a great additive to a dogs diet. Mangoes contain high levels of vitamins such as A, C and E as well as B6.
Papaya: Papaya is a good topping to add to your dogs pancakes. It contains vitamins E, C and K as well as great levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Carrot: Carrots are not only low in calories, they are high in fiber and vitamins. Carrots also clean your dogs teeth whilst they are chomping down on the crunchy interior of the carrot.
Strawberries: Strawberries pack good levels of vitamin C as well as fiber. The enzymes found within strawberries can also make your dogs teeth whiter! Do be mindful, however, that strawberries can contain high levels of natural sugars, so feed in moderation.
Fish: Whilst we may not enjoy a fish pancake, our furry canine friends won’t be phased! Fish contains high levels of omega-3’s as well as magnesium, iron and protein. Always cook the fish beforehand and ensure there are no bones present.
Allergens associated with pancakes
Some dogs may have allergies which means that pancakes should not be offered as a treat. Dogs can sometimes have intolerances, similar to humans, to certain ingredients.
Ingredients such as wheat, milk and eggs can cause gastro-intestinal upset if an animal is intolerant to them. Symptoms of a food intolerance can include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Chewing at paws
Red hives appearing on the skin
Swelling of the eyes, ears or throat
Red, flaking skin
Skin irritability
If you think that your dog is having an allergic reaction post pancake ingestion, contact your veterinary practice immediately. Ensure that you take the recipe along with you that you used to make your pancakes and let them know what toppings were consumed.
Can dogs have pancakes - final thoughts
If we can enjoy pancakes as the occasional treat, why can’t our canine friends enjoy them too? Providing they are prepared with doggy safe ingredients and offered in small quantities, it is likely that your dog will love devouring their pancake treat.
A variety of toppings should be selected which can be of great nutritional gain for your dog. It is important to remember that pancakes should not be offered on a weekly basis, but as a treat on a rare occasion.
If you are worried about your dog after they can eaten pancakes, then always speak to your veterinary practice for further advice.
