Pancake Day is a fun occasion for all, and many dog owners love including their pups in the celebration. However, not all pancakes or toppings are safe for dogs to eat.
Canine Cottages has teamed up with Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, a canine behaviourist and nutrition consultant, to provide expert guidance on keeping your dog safe this Pancake Day, Tuesday, March 4.
Dr Emma warned: “While it’s tempting to share pancakes with your dog, it’s important to be mindful of what ingredients are safe. Some common pancake ingredients and toppings can be harmful, so choosing dog-friendly alternatives is key.”
To ensure your dog’s safety, avoid these common pancake ingredients:
- Xylitol (Birch Sugar): This artificial sweetener is highly toxic to dogs and can cause hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar), leading to serious health issues. Always check ingredient labels.
- Sugar and syrup: High in sugar, these can damage your dog’s teeth and contribute to weight gain. Instead, opt for naturally sweet alternatives like bananas or a small amount of honey.
- Chocolate: Toxic to dogs due to theobromine and caffeine. If you want to add chocolate flavour, choose a dog-safe chocolate alternative.
- Raisins and grapes: Even in small amounts, these can cause severe toxicity in dogs and must be avoided completely.
- Lemon and lime: Too acidic for dogs and can lead to stomach upset.
- Dairy: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, meaning milk and butter can cause digestive distress.
- Flour (wheat) allergies: If your dog has a grain allergy, swap wheat flour for alternatives like coconut or almond flour.
- Salt: Excess salt can lead to hypernatremia (salt toxicosis) in dogs, so it’s best to keep salty ingredients to a minimum.
- Bacon: High in salt and fat, bacon can upset your dog’s stomach and increase the risk of pancreatitis.
- Jam: Too much sugar makes this an unsuitable topping for dogs.
Dog-friendly pancake alternatives
If you want your dog to join in the Pancake Day fun, consider these healthy, dog-safe ingredient swaps:
Pancake ingredient substitutes
- Use bananas instead of sugar and milk.
- Swap wheat flour for coconut flour or almond flour.
- Replace milk and butter with soya milk or water.
- Cook pancakes with coconut oil or olive oil instead of butter.
Safe and delicious dog toppings
- Dog-safe peanut butter (xylitol-free)
- Dog-safe chocolate
- Fresh fruit like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, apples, and melon
- Vegetables such as peas and carrots
- Natural or Greek yoghurt (ensure that it’s xylitol-free)
- Dog treats
- Dog-safe bacon/flavoured treats
- Cheese (in small quantities)
- Egg shells (a good source of calcium)
- Honey (in small amounts)
- Flaxseed
- Cinnamon (in small quantities)
Dr Emma added: “It’s also important to monitor portion sizes when feeding your dog pancakes. Too many can lead to digestive issues or even pancreatitis. If you plan to treat your dog, consider slightly reducing their next meal to balance their intake.”
Lastly, don’t forget to check the temperature of the pancakes before serving them to your pup. Dogs often eat quickly and may not realise if food is too hot, risking burns to their mouth and throat.
Shannon Keary, PR manager from Canine Cottages, said: “Pancake Day should be an enjoyable experience for all members of the family – including our dogs. With these expert tips from Dr Emma, you can create a dog-friendly treat that’s safe and delicious, allowing your pup to celebrate alongside you.”
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