Usually, when you ask: „Can dogs eat cake?” you’ll get a definite „no.” Most cakes are full of sugar, especially those covered in frosting. Too much sugar can indirectly give your dog diabetes by leading to obesity. Cream fillings are also loaded with saturated fat, and some popular toppings like raisins, chocolate or macadamia nuts are highly toxic to dogs. That doesn’t mean a bit of cake is always off-limits.
Key Takeaways
- It’s not safe for dogs to eat human cakes ❌
- Unsweetened cakes made especially for dogs are OK ✔️
- You can use shredded carrots as toppings ✔️
Never Feed Your Dog Cake from a Bakery
So, can dogs eat cake? Of course, not! Unless the bakery owner is a health freak veterinarian, most cakes you’ll find there are bad for dogs. Even the simplest pound cake may have a high fat and sugar content, and chocolate cake contains cocoa. All of these can cause serious health problems for your pup, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Here’s a list of popular cake ingredients that are harmful to dogs:
- xylitol, which is found in sugar-free cakes and is toxic for dogs;
- macadamia nuts, which can damage the dog’s digestive system;
- dark chocolate, which contains caffeine and theobromine, both of which are poisonous to dogs;
- raisins, which can cause kidney failure.
If you can’t find any options without sugar, sweeteners, or the above ingredients, time to put your own baking skills into good use! You can even find sugar-free and grain-free cake mixes at some pet stores. Just make sure to read the label carefully before you buy.
What if your dog steals a bit of your own sweets? Take them to the vet to make sure they’re okay. But more often than not, he should be fine.
How to Make Cake for Your Dog’s Birthday?
If you can’t find a safe cake at the bakery, or if you want to make your own dog birthday cake, it’s not too hard. You don’t need any sugar, butter or lemon juice – all ingredients that can be dangerous for your dog.
How can dogs eat cake safely? It’s all about what you put in it. Here are some cake recipes you can enjoy together with your furry friend. Remember to never add vanilla extract to baked goods meant for your dog, as it contains alcohol.
Carrot Cake for Dogs
To celebrate your dog’s birthday, why not make them a carrot cake? It sounds like an oxymoron, but this dog cake recipe is both healthy and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of wheat flour;
- 2 tablespoons of canola oil;
- 2 tablespoons of peanut butter;
- 1 egg;
- ¾ cups of grated carrots;
- ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce;
- ½ teaspoon baking powder.
Preheat the oven to 325° F and grease a rectangular cake pan with oil. Sift the dry ingredients together in a bowl. Separately, whisk together the egg and peanut butter before adding the oil and apple sauce. Next, combine everything together. Add half of the dry ingredients at a time and stir after each addition. Finally, mix in the shredded carrots, put the mixture in the cake pan and bake for about 40 minutes.
5 Minute Pate Dog Cake
If your dog is a fan of pate, you can construct a birthday cake out of it! Just stack a few cans of pate on top of each other, or form a shape with a cookie cutter. Then sprinkle a few dog treats on top of it. Your dog will LOVE it!
Banana Cake for Dogs
This one is packed with healthy ingredients like bananas and oatmeal. It’s also easy to make, just combine all the ingredients in a bowl and bake!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of wheat flour;
- ¼ cup of quick-cooking oats;
- ½ teaspoon of baking powder;
- 1 mashed banana;
- ⅓ cup of water.
Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a loaf tin with parchment paper. Sift the dry ingredients together in a bowl, then mix in the wet ingredients. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 30–40 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
How to Decorate a Piece of Cake for Your Dog?
Can dogs eat cake with frosting? Not usually, but you can make a cake icing that is safe for dogs. Simply mix together:
- ½ cup of plain low-fat Greek yogurt;
- ½ cup of corn starch;
- 2–3 teaspoons of low-fat milk;
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
Spread the mixture over the cooled cake and let it set in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Then cut and serve!
As for the toppings, why not decorate your pet’s portion with dog treats? Other safe options include sliced carrots, sliced bananas, and shredded coconut.
