#i offer one (1) slightly chonky update

[centralparkpawsblog]

Can Dogs Eat Waffles?

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Are-waffles-safe-for-dogs-to-eat-precautions-dangers-doggy-breakfast.jpg

I am one of those dog parents that believe that a bit of human food in moderation is acceptable, obviously dog-safe human food.

My dogs tend not to have a weight issue unless it’s trying to keep weight on them, so a few added calories through human food has never bothered me. 

Last weekend, my husband, Mike, and I were sitting down to a nice relaxing breakfast of waffles. And of course, our three dogs looked on with adoring eyes.

At our waffles, not us.

Mike asked if I thought it would be okay to give Ginger a small bite of a waffle.

Since I knew what went into the waffles, because I made them, I agreed she would probably enjoy a little bit.

The other two have food allergies, but before you think I was playing favorites, both Calvin and Sophie both got a bit of my bacon.

Can Dogs Eat Waffles?

The short and simple answer is, yes!

However, they have little to no nutritional value and have a significant amount of fat and calories.

For dogs who are overweight, this is a treat I would not recommend and, instead, offer something slightly lower in calories and higher in fiber, like a slice of apple or green beans.  

Waffles are one of those food items that I would give as what I call a “sometimes” treat, meaning its not even a once a week event. 

Can Dogs Eat Waffles with Syrup?

Technically, regular syrup will not cause harm to a healthy adult dog.

However, the syrup is just liquid sugar, and dogs do not gain any benefit from eating it, but neither is it considered toxic.

If your dog suffers from diabetes or weight issues, I would not recommend giving your dog syrup.

Also, if you are using a sugar-free syrup, it is best to check the ingredients to ensure it doesn’t contain xylitol[1] (which it rarely does, but always best to double-check), or sorbitol.

Although sorbitol is not considered toxic, it has been known to cause GI upset in both humans and dogs.  

Xylitol has become more common recently so you have to watch out for this ingredient in many human foods, such as peanut butter!

Ingredients That Could Cause Issues

Most ingredients are not an issue for the majority of dogs; however, if you have a dog with allergies, be aware most waffle recipes contain:

Flour

Eggs 

Milk

Butter or Oil

Sorry to keep bringing this up, but those ingredients are high in calories, so it’s not the best choice for overweight dogs. 

Sugar isn’t toxic to dogs, but it can cause health issues such as diabetes, weight gain, and hyperactivity[2].

However, if the waffles are sugar-free, be cautious of what sugar replacement they use.

Other ingredients to avoid:

Chocolate

Avocado 

Raisins

Are Storebought or Homemade Waffles Better? 

Hands down homemade waffles will always win.

I think that homemade is almost always better, though not always faster. The benefit of making yourself waffles is that there are no artificial preservatives or flavors. 

Additionally, you know what ingredients are going in waffles, and you have the option of making healthier ingredient choices.

For example, you can opt for whole wheat flour instead of the bleached flour, or you can choose unsweetened applesauce instead of some of the fats.

Both of which would make the waffles more healthy for your pup.

I like knowing that the food and treats I am feeding my dogs are, for the most part, healthy options.

And if I am giving them a treat like waffles, I think homemade is the lesser of two evils.

What Would Happen if a Dog Ate Waffles Every Day?

If someone opted to feed their dog a waffle a day as part of their daily diet, the dog would quickly become overweight and likely suffer from a nutritional imbalance.

Side effect: Chonky pupper

Additionally, your dog may have adverse side-effects from excessive sugar intake.

Dogs experience the same issues as humans do from large amounts of sugar in our diets. Sugar can cause diabetes, obesity, and hyperactivity.  

I have Brittanys, and I can’t even imagine how crazy they would be if they were on a sugar high.

What if Your Dog Eats Too Many Waffles

Accidents happen, and sometimes that means your dog got on the counter or table, like Sophie, and ate an obscene amount of food.

In this case, waffles.

First, ask yourself, did you put chocolate or other possibly harmful topping or ingredient in or on the waffles?

Look at me. I’m the waffle now!

If not, super.

If so, call your vet.

Often when dogs overeat their bodies will purge itself, i.e., your dog will vomit.

If not, they may have an upset stomach for a bit resulting in diarrhea or a lack of appetite.

It is best to check on your dog frequently to ensure they don’t have any severe adverse reaction to the waffles. Though it is unlikely, it is always possible. 

One last thing to check, if your dog was able to get the waffles, did they also get the butter you set out to go with them?

If so, watch for symptoms of pancreatitis, which is often induced by excessive consumption of fats[3].  

Can Dogs Eat Waffles with Toppings?

It depends on what kind of toppings:

Whipped Cream – Yes in small amounts, but it is high in fat, and double-check the ingredients of the sugar-free and fat-free varieties. Also, some dogs are more lactose intolerant than others

Berries – Perfectly okay, unless they have been sitting in sugar

Raisins – Nope, not a good idea; grapes arevery toxic

Chocolate Syrup or Chocolate Chips – Definitely not

Bananas – Yep, perfectly fine

Caramel – Not the best choice due to the sugar content but it is not toxic

Homemade Dog Waffle Recipe

The recipe below is one for humans who prefer a grain-free diet, so this recipe may work for both you and your pup.

  This recipe makes 2 waffles.

Ingredients

3 large eggs

2 bananas

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 1/2 Tbsp coconut flour – Other flours can be substituted

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 t baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Coconut oil for greasing the waffle maker – Other oils can be substituted

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until thoroughly mixed.

Preheat waffle maker to medium-low.

Pour 1/2 of the waffle mix into the waffle iron and cook for 5 minutes, turning halfway through if that is a feature on your waffle maker.

Let waffles cool before serving to your pup.

Conclusion

Waffles are not necessarily good for our dogs, but neither are they toxic.

The majority of dogs can enjoy waffles as an occasional treat with no harmful side-effects.

However, there are better dog treat options available to consider instead of waffles, such as:

Fresh fruits like apples, pears, or bananas

Fresh Vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, and carrots

Homemade or storebought dog treats

Overall, I don’t see the harm in giving a little bite here and there.

I know I do it with my pups from time to time.

And if they could talk, I am sure they would whole-heartedly agree!

References

https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/paws-xylitol-its-dangerous-dogs

https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/6-reasons-why-your-dog-shouldnt-have-sugar

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/dog-pancreatitis-symptoms-and-treatment

The post Can Dogs Eat Waffles? appeared first on Central Park Paws.

from https://www.centralparkpaws.net/faqs/can-dogs-eat-waffles/

#dogs #cats #pets #reviews