Can Dogs Eat Cake? Health Benefits & Risks

Are you looking for a guide explaining can dogs eat cake? You clicked on the right blog as this blog will focus on whether dogs can eat cakes and if yes then which sorts of cake they can eat and what are the disadvantages of eating cake.

As a pet owner, you often try to feed your dog what you are eating as a gesture of love, but this is not true for all kinds of foods, as some human foods can be life-threatening for dogs.

 If you are fond of using social media, you might have seen people celebrating their dog’s birthday with a cake, and it might trigger you to celebrate your pet’s birthday, but before that, give this article a read and decide if it is suitable for your dog or not.

Can Dogs Eat Cake?

The answer is “No.” Dogs cannot eat cake because it’s not good for their health, as cake contains some toxic ingredients that can cause serious health issues. Cake doesn’t have any health benefits for dogs and can lead to obesity, diabetes, and serious heart problems. 

There are some exceptions to when a dog can eat cake. For instance, if you don’t add toxic ingredients to cake and bake a dog-friendly cake, you can give it to your dog, but still, it can be toxic due to fats and icings.

Are Pet-Friendly Cakes Safe for Dogs?

Pet-friendly cakes are specifically designed with dogs’ dietary needs in mind. These cakes are usually free from sugar, chocolate, and excessive fats. Instead, they might be made with dog-safe ingredients like peanut butter, apples, and pumpkin. Even with these healthy dog cakes, feeding them in moderation is essential.

Even when using healthy components, overfeeding can result in obesity and other health problems. To be sure new treats are acceptable and safe for your dog, always check with your veterinarian before adding them to their diet.

Also Read: Can Dogs Eat Artichokes?

Reasons Not to Give Your Dog Cake

Human cakes are not suitable for dogs for several reasons. First, they often contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate and xylitol, a common sweetener found in sugar-free cakes. These include damage to the liver or kidney or death as the consequences. But first, let us consider what human cakes are made of.

These are very rich in sugar and fats that can, on the other hand, disrupt the dog’s regular digestion. This process manifests itself in vomiting, diarrhoea, and, ultimately, the long-term development of severe diseases like diabetes. Therefore, it is crucial to keep human cakes out of reach of dogs.

Why Can Dogs Cannot Eat Cake?

Dogs cannot eat cake due to the ingredients present in the cake and the following are the reasons why you should not give cake to your lovely pet.

Excessive Sugars

One of the main toxic ingredients in the cake is sugars as dogs don’t have enzymes to digest excessive sugars so large quantities of sugars lead to serious health issues like obesity, tooth decay, and other diseases. So, cake is not a treat for your dog but a reason for their bad health. 

Even if you give sugar-free cake to your dog, it still can cause blood sugar because artificial sweeteners like Xylitol release an instant high level of insulin in the blood, leading to liver failure and hypoglycemia.

High Dose of Calories

Sugars, carbohydrates, icing, chocolate, and other toppings contain high calories that are harmful to your dog and don’t keep it fit and active. Consuming large amounts of calories can lead to excessive weight gain and obesity. As it is said, “Obesity is the mother of diseases,” so eating cake causes a number of diseases in dogs. 

Chocolate

Chocolate contains two main toxic ingredients including theobromine and caffeine. Theobromine is present in cocoa beans and even humans digest it slowly. Dogs are unable to digest large amounts of theobromine quickly and it becomes dangerous to their health as it can cause seizures, vomiting, breathing difficulties, increased heart rate, and indigestion. Caffeine on the other hand can cause poisoning in the stomach.

Dry Fruits & Nuts 

Nuts and dry fruits are the main components of each cake type and are unhealthy for dogs. Dogs do not contain enzymes for all the foods humans eat, so you have to feed them accordingly. Some nuts like macadamia nuts can cause food poisoning like vomiting and hypothermia. 

Raisins

Raisins are important ingredients in several fruit cakes and are one of the most toxic ingredients of cake for dogs. Raisins can cause lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite in dogs. 

Gluten & Dairy Products

Gluten and dairy products are not a good option for feeding dogs, and cake contains these products in large amounts. Gluten can cause allergic reactions in dogs and can cause digestive issues, as well as ear infections. Dairy products like cream, milk, and butter contain high amounts of fat, and excessive fats cause pancreatitis, a life-threatening disorder for dogs.

What Should You Do If Your Dog Accidentally Ate Cake? 

Eating human cake can be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening for the dog, so you must take the following steps if your dog accidentally ate the leftover cake.

• Check how much cake your dog has ingested. If it ingested a large amount, you need to worry, but if it was a small piece, keep calm.
• If your dog has eaten a large piece of cake, consult your veterinarian and ask for help.
• If the veterinarian is away from your home, do something to make your dog vomit.
• On the vet’s recommendations, you can give medicines that avoid choking and indigestion.

Signs and Symptoms to Monitor

After a dog has consumed cake, watch for symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, or urination. If the cake contains xylitol or chocolate, more severe symptoms such as seizures or collapse might indicate a potentially fatal response. Prompt veterinarian care is essential to control any harmful consequences.

What Kind of Cake Can Dogs Eat?

Here are some specific cakes that dogs can eat:

1. Peanut Butter Delight: Mix one cup of flour, one-third cup of oats, one teaspoon of baking powder, one cup of shredded carrots, one cup of peanut butter, and two eggs. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
2. Pumpkin Pleaser: Combine one cup of flour, one-half teaspoon of baking soda, one cup of pure pumpkin puree, one-fourth cup of vegetable oil, and two eggs. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
3. Birthday Meat Cake: Use one pound of lean ground turkey, two eggs, three cups of chopped vegetables (carrots, peas, and spinach), and one cup of cottage cheese. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.

Each of these cakes ensures that the treat is enjoyable for your dog and contributes to their health rather than detracting from it. Before adding new foods to your dog’s diet, always check with your veterinarian to be sure they’re suitable and safe for your particular pet.

Can Dogs Eat Cake on Birthday?

When it comes to cake for puppies or adult dogs, it’s best to stick to a cake made specifically for them. Regular birthday cakes for humans are unsuitable for dogs due to their high sugar and fat content and potentially toxic ingredients.

Can Dogs Eat Cupcakes?

Just like larger cakes, cupcakes made for humans are unsuitable for dogs. If you want to celebrate with your dog, consider making dog-friendly cupcakes that use safe ingredients and are free from sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Is There Any Dog-Friendly Cake Available? 

Yes, in the market, dog-friendly cakes, which we call Pup cakes, are available; you can either purchase them for your dog according to your veterinarian’s recommendations or bake a cake for your dog by yourself. You can follow these steps to make a cake for giving a treat to your loved dog,

• For the dough, choose whole grain wheat flour to provide your dog with dietary fibres, and use eggs and dog-friendly ingredients as a binding agent. 
• Instead of nuts and artificial flavours, use dog-friendly fruits and vegetables like carrots to add flavour and nutrients to the cake. 
• Your cake mixture is ready. Now, add this mixture to the pans of your choice and bake it for 25-30 minutes. 
• Stores sell dog-friendly toppings, such as peanut butter, which can make a cake look delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Although Cakes are a delight for humans, they can be life-threatening to dogs as they contain some toxic ingredients that cause poisoning, obesity, blood sugar, and heart diseases.  If you want to celebrate the birthday of your dog, you can bake a dog-friendly cake by yourself or purchase it from the market.