Can Dogs Eat Pancakes?
When you’re sitting down to Sunday brunch with bacon, eggs, and pancakes, chances are your dog will be interested in your food. While eggs can be OK and bacon should be off-limits (due to its high salt and fat contents), can dogs eat pancakes?
If you’re curious about sharing this favorite breakfast food with your pup, here’s what to know.
Can Dogs Have Pancakes?
Your dog will be happy to know that, yes, it is safe to share a small amount of plain pancake with them.
Pancakes for dogs should be plain, with no potentially toxic spices (such as nutmeg) or other ingredients (such as chocolate chips) in them. They should also not have any toppings.
Are Pancakes Bad for Dogs?
Even though they may be non-toxic, keep in mind that, for a dog, pancakes are essentially empty calories. In other words, pancakes add little to no nutrition for your pet. They should be considered a particularly special treat, given infrequently and in very limited amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Pancakes With Syrup?
Though pancakes can be an OK treat, syrup is a different story: That delicious golden liquid is not safe to share with your pet.
Real maple syrup is made from boiling sap from the maple tree and is made up of natural sugars. Although these sugars are what make the syrup sweet, they aren’t healthy for our dogs and can contribute to health problems such as obesity, even in moderate amounts. So, if you say yes to the pancake, say no to the syrup for Fido.
Other toppings on pancakes for dogs can be problematic as well:
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Artificial syrups have large amounts of sugar and sometimes contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
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Fruit compotes often have large amounts of added sugar and, sometimes, toxic spices such as nutmeg.
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Nutella contains sugar and chocolate, which is highly toxic to dogs.
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Butter is high in saturated fats and can cause obesity and pancreatitis.
How To Prepare Pancakes for Dogs
Though it’s best to stick with plain pancakes for your dog, that doesn’t mean you can’t be creative.
Try topping your dog’s pancake with a small dollop of canned dog food for a tasty food topper. Or use other dog-friendly fruits and veggies, like sliced apples, bananas, or a handful of blueberries. You can even try wrapping a dog biscuit inside the pancake to make a crunchy surprise for your pet.
How Many Pancakes Can Dogs Eat?
In most cases, you shouldn’t give your dog a human-sized pancake to snack on. Instead, keep the portions small and follow the recommended portion sizes below:
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Extra-small dog (2–20 pounds) = A 2-inch square piece of plain pancake once per week
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Examples: Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Pugs
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Small dog (21–30 pounds) = A 3-inch square piece of plain pancake once per week
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Examples: Basenjis, Beagles, Miniature American Shepherds
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Medium dog (31–50 pounds) = A 4-inch square piece of plain pancake once per week
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Examples: Basset Hounds, Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs
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Large dog (51–90 pounds) = A 6-inch square plain pancake (likely equal to one small pancake) once per week
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Examples: Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds
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Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = A 9-inch square plain pancake (likely equal to one large pancake) once per week
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Examples: Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees
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Other Foods You Can Feed Your Dog
If you love cooking for your pet, there are many different dog-friendly recipes you can whip up:
Remember that treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake; the rest must come from high-quality dog food.
Featured Image: Adobe/VK Studio
