Don’t worry, dogs can eat pancakes too, Make sure that the pancake is plain and without any ingredients like syrup or peanut butter.
Fear-Free-certified concierge veterinarian Dr. Sada Grieve advised: “Plain pancakes are not intrinsically toxic, but they are not particularly nutritious,” Dr. Grieve told us. “Most are usually made with refined flours and sugars, which are calorically and carbohydrate-dense. An average-sized pancake (6-inch diameter) has approximately 175 calories, and a 20-pound ideal weight dog needs approximately 500 calories per day.” One full pancake is enough to give your dog the calories he needs for a whole day, so it’s best not to give him more than one.
What are the dangers of giving your dog pancakes?
Dogs may love pancakes, but they can be harmful to your pup if they are anything but plain. Sugar and butter are not good for dogs as those ingredients will make them gain weight quickly. If he has food allergies or lactose intolerance then avoid giving him anything with wheat in it because that’s what causes these problems.
But be aware of feeding your dogs pancakes. The biggest danger with giving your dog pancakes is accidentally putting other ingredients in them that are poisonous, such as chocolate or syrup that has xylitol in it. If you want to spoil your pup with pancakes, then they should be plain. But if not, Here’s a few other types of food that can still give them an extra treat. Scroll down below to know more.
Pancakes with syrup
Do your pup a favor and don’t give them pancakes with syrup. The biggest danger is that many artificial syrups (anything other than pure maple) can contain xylitol, which could be dangerous for dogs. You might be surprised to know that a tablespoon of sugar-free pancake syrup contains about 4.5 grams of xylitol per tbsp. That’s more than enough xylitol to cause hypoglycemia and even liver failure in a 20-pound dog. If your dog happens to get a hold of any sugar-free syrup with xylitol, then this could be considered an emergency.
Dr. Grieve said, “Pancake syrups of all kinds are heavy in sugars, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, etc. Average maple syrup has around 50 calories per tablespoon. A pancake with 2 tablespoons of syrup will have over half of the recommended calories for a healthy 20-pound dog. Imitation syrups are often made with xylitol to replace refined sugar. Xylitol is very toxic to dogs, even in small quantities. Xylitol can cause dogs (depending on the quantity consumed) to have dangerously low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and death. The initial signs you may notice are vomiting, weakness, ataxia (loss of muscle control), and tremors.”
Blueberry or banana pancakes
If you give your dog a piece of the blueberry or banana pancakes, he’ll be just fine. But if regular consumption continues for too long and these unhealthy snacks become routine in their diet- digestive issues may arise due to overloading with fiber from fruits such as bananas (and other fruits). Dr. Grieve said, “As with other pancakes, they are very calorically dense and can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues if eaten too regularly. If a dog eats too much fruit, it could lead to diarrhea. Moderation is best.”
Vanilla pancakes
Keep this in mind, Dogs shouldn’t eat vanilla pancakes or any pancake made with the extract. This is because it contains about 35% ethanol, and dogs cannot tolerate alcohol in their diet. Even though most of the ethanol will burn off when cooking your pancakes, it’s best to avoid giving them anything with vanilla extract or flavoring just in case. You can try finding an alcohol-free version if you love using that flavor too much.
You might not be aware of this, but some vanilla extracts and flavorings can also contain xylitol. So basically, unless you’re sure your dog’s ingredients are safe for them- I wouldn’t recommend giving him or her vanilla pancakes. “Ethanol is toxic to dogs (>10 ml of vanilla extract for a 20-pound dog to begin seeing clinical signs), so it is safest to use alcohol-free vanilla in case the dog accidentally finds the bottle,” Dr. Grieve said.
Protein, buckwheat, or almond flour pancakes
You can feed your dogs most pancakes that are made with different types of flour, as long as they’re plain and given only occasionally. But you should be careful if your dog has food allergies. So you’ll want to avoid wheat and pea protein.
“The different flours are fine for dogs, as well as soy and whey proteins. Coconut and almond flour is gluten-free, which is preferable for dogs with certain dietary restrictions. Pea protein should be avoided because research is currently being conducted to find out if it is definitely linked to heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy),” Dr. Grieve said.
How many pancakes can dogs eat?
For most dogs, treats makeup only about 10% of their diet with 90% coming from regular food. That’s the recommendation veterinarians give to help keep your pup healthy and happy. You may be wondering how many calories your dog should eat a day. To find out, talk with the vet about his nutritional needs and then use this calorie calculator (Just divide the total number of calories by 10 to find out how many calories from treats he can have per day.)
Symptoms of a dog eating sugar-free syrup or too many pancakes
It’s a good thing your pup is able to eat the occasional breakfast treat, but if he keeps eating plain pancakes too often then you might see consequences like obesity or diabetes. If your pup happens to get some sugar-free pancakes, it may lead to xylitol poisoning. Watch out for these symptoms if that happens:
•Vomiting
•Weakness
•Lethargy
•Seizures
•Pale gums
•Live failure (in extreme cases)
It turns out that if you give your dog too many banana and blueberry pancakes, he could have digestive symptoms like diarrhea or an increased need to poop. Too much fiber can also cause difficulties in absorbing nutrients from the food we feed them. If your pup is allergic to foods such as wheat, the symptoms of an irritant reaction can include itching and hives.
Now you can give your dog a bite of plain pancake every now and then, just make sure there’s no syrup or other ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What happens if my dog ate pancakes?
Due to their high calorie and sugar content, plain pancakes might lead your dog to become obese or acquire diabetes if consumed frequently. You might notice signs of xylitol poisoning if your dog manages to consume some pancakes with sugar-free syrup. Low blood sugar can cause xylitol poisoning symptoms, such as lethargy.
How much pancake can a dog eat?
Dogs can occasionally be given a bite or two of plain pancakes as a treat, but this human meal does not significantly improve the diet of dogs in terms of nutrition. Flour, eggs, and milk—or buttermilk for buttermilk pancakes—are common pancake ingredients that are generally acceptable for dogs to eat in moderation.
Can dogs eat pancakes with no syrup?
They can do so safely, yes. Not the pancakes themselves, but how much they consume, is the issue. When consumed infrequently as a treat and in conjunction with a balanced diet, plain pancakes or pancakes without syrup are safe.
Can dogs eat pancakes with maple syrup?
If the pancake is simple without any flavorings or toppings that are bad for dogs like chocolate, raisins, or xylitol, then yes, dogs can consume pancake mix.
Can dogs have waffles?
It's acceptable to give your dog the odd treat of a bite of simple, handmade waffles. Toppings with added sugar, such as chocolate chips and maple syrup, should be avoided.
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