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Dec 25, 2023

Can dogs eat pancakes? A vet explains which ingredients are harmful, and recipe for pet

Pancake Day has arrived and people up and down the UK will be preparing to flip

Pancake Day has arrived and people up and down the UK will be preparing to flip up a storm over the stove.

Some will enjoy a fluffy American-style stack, whereas others opt for the more traditional French crepe.

Whatever your taste, one thing is for sure – kitchens across the country will see pancake-filled pet-owners battle with their conscience as they weigh up giving in to the charms of dogs begging for a piece of the action.

But fear-not, pet owners. Succumbing to your dog's desires might not be as harmful as you initially thought. Here's everything you need to know…

In short, yes, dogs can eat pancakes, says Dr Scott Miller, vet for natural dog food brand Barking Heads – however, there are a few things every pet parent should be aware of.

"Firstly, when making your pancakes, think about the ingredients you’re putting into your batter or the ingredients in store-bought batter or pancakes," says Dr Miller.

"Dogs can only consume plain pancakes with no addition to the batter, so if you like to indulge in chocolate pancakes, you’d need to leave the extra ingredient out."

He continues: "You should also check to see the sugar content, trying to keep this as close to zero as possible for your dog. As canines don't have the sensitivity to taste that we do, keep calories low whenever possible to keep them healthy and lean.!

"Consider any intolerances your dog may have – like milk or egg intolerance.

"If they do, it's best to use a batter that completely avoids these ingredients if you plan on sharing a pancake with your dog. If unsure whether your dog has any intolerances, it's always best to check with your vet."

There are also some toppings you can share with your dog, such as:

For those that wish to pamper their pooch with a specially-made pancake, The Dog's Trust published the video recipe for dog-friendly pancakes below:

The Dog's Trust makes clear that you should reduce your dog's usual food portion so they’re not overfed.

Dr Miller warns that dog-owners should be careful when feeding their pets shop-bought pancakes.

He says: "With store-bought pancakes, consider gluten-free, and avoid commercially prepared ones, but if they’re your only option, ensure they don't use a sweetener alternative, as xylitol is toxic for dogs.

"It causes issues from stomach upset to death in dogs depending on the amount they consume."