Pancake Day can be a fantastic excuse to indulge in a tasty treat, but if your dog or cat is greedily eyeing up your neatly arranged stack of pancakes, and giving you ‘the eyes’, it can sometimes be hard to deny them just a little taste. In a recent survey, 68%* of dog owners say they celebrate their dog’s birthday, so it makes sense that we want our pets to take part in other special occasions. But can pets eat pancakes? Is it safe, or is it something you should avoid giving them? Here’s what you need to know.
Can dogs eat pancakes?
The simple answer is yes, dogs can eat pancakes. Unless your canine friend has a dairy intolerance or an allergy, there shouldn’t be anything in pancake batter to cause them any harm. It’s worth remembering though, that pancakes are high in both carbohydrates and fat, so should only be fed to dogs in small amounts and as an occasional treat. Otherwise, you could find your dog putting on weight** or suffering from some serious indigestion.
What are suitable pancake toppings for dogs?
While the basic batter might be safe for dogs, remember to pay close attention to what you’re adding to it; pancake toppings such as chocolate, raisins, maple syrup and nuts can be poisonous for pups of all ages. Here at The Insurance Emporium, our data revealed 41% of claims for food-related poisoning (including chocolate & raisins) occur over the festive period.***
If you want to jazz your pet’s pancake up a little, extras such as banana, blueberries, peanut butter or dog biscuits could be more suitable.
Is it okay for my cat to eat pancakes?
Although cats have a reputation for enjoying milk, many are actually lactose intolerant; this means that the dairy in pancake batter could upset their digestive system so if you want to feed your cat pancakes, it might be best to try making them to a vegan recipe that they’ll find easier to stomach. As with dogs, you shouldn’t be feeding your cat pancakes all the time, even if they are vegan, as they have little nutritional value, but some every now and then shouldn’t hurt – although, cats are notoriously fussy, so whether your little feline friend will even like pancakes is a different question!
What are suitable pancake toppings for cats?
You could try apples, bananas, blueberries and watermelon, which are all suitable for cats. Try giving them a small amount of these in advance, however, just to make sure they actually like it, and if they don’t then keep it plain. Chances are your cat just wants a taste so they can feel involved, so they won’t need much.
What ingredients to avoid (toxic & harmful)
- Chocolate
- Raisins
- Artificial sweeteners such as xylitol
- Nuts
Key considerations for pets on pancake day
A common question we often hear is, ‘How many pancakes can I give my dog?’ but remember, pancakes are not a suitable substitute for your pet’s normal meal, they’re just a little treat, so give them in moderation; a tiny amount will make sure that if they do have a reaction, it will be minimal.
Make sure the pancakes have cooled before you give them to your pet as they can burn their mouths. And remember to monitor any that get dropped on the floor! As ever it’s always a good idea to check with your vet before you introduce anything new to your pet’s diet.
It’s natural to want to get your pet involved in those special occasions, such as Christmas dinner and trick or treating, after all, they’re part of the family, but you also want them to stay safe. The most important thing is to remember that these foods are treats, and your pets should only eat a small amount.
As a pet owner, you want to do all you can to keep your furry friend healthy and happy, so you might want to consider taking out pet insurance to help protect them against the unexpected, especially as average vet costs are something at the forefront of every pet owner’s mind. At The Insurance Emporium, we offer a range of pet insurance policies with a range of options to suit you, your pet, and your budget. Give us a call today, or look online for a free, no-strings quote.
*These findings are from a survey released by The Insurance Emporium to its marketing contact list of UK adults aged 18+ between October 3rd-21st 2024, which resulted in 2,348 responses from dog owners.
**The Insurance Emporium Pet Insurance will not cover any costs resulting from your pet being overweight.
***Data provided is from The Insurance Emporium’s internal data between 01.02.2025 to 31.01.2026 using paid claims for Pet (dog and cat) Poisoning (chocolate, raisins, alcohol, food, xylitol toxicity). The festive period is defined as between 01.11.2025-31.01.2026.
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