Can Dogs Eat Waffles?

A serving of waffles smeared with butter and dripped with maple syrup is an appetizing breakfast. While we know ready-made waffles are among the not-so-healthy foods, we still keep them in the pantry because they are hard to resist and we try to make them less sinful by topping them with fresh fruits.

Most of us regularly eat waffles not just for breakfast but actually at any time of the day. But what if you’re in a household with dogs, who like to partake of everything you eat?

Can dogs Have Waffles?

More often than not, dogs eat waffles and turn out to be okay. But that does not mean you can just give some to your pet whenever he wants some. Giving dog some waffles for his birthday is acceptable. Giving him waffles every single day is a different story.

Are Waffles Okay For Dogs?

A waffle is made from a batter that uses flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, milk, eggs, and vegetable oil. All these ingredients are safe for dogs, except for the milk if your pet is lactose intolerant. Sugar, on the other hand, can be given to dogs only in small amounts.

When your dog can’t digest dairy products, consider making waffles without milk by simply using water instead of milk. Although it will not make your waffles rich, water can give them a lighter texture as well as crisper edges.

You can make a waffle without dairy. But can you make one without sugar? Yes! In fact, skipping the sugar makes waffle savory, making it an ideal dinner dish.

There are two things you should keep an eye on to figure out whether a waffle is safe for dogs or not. The first one is the ingredients in the waffle itself and the other one is the accompaniment to waffles.

Waffles with chocolate chips aren’t ideal for dogs. Depending on the amount of chocolate in your waffles, they can be toxic to canines. Moreover, certain waffle toppings are not safe for doggies. Take a look at the list of waffle toppings to avoid for dog:

• Avocado – if you wish to top your waffles with slices of avocado, make sure you are not sharing them with Fido. Avocado contains pepsin that is considered to be toxic for dogs.
• Ice cream – while dogs love ice cream, it’s worth noting that it is not really a wholesome treat for them. Ice cream is loaded with dairy and sugar, neither of which are advisable for a dog’s consumption.
• Nutella – who would say no to a waffle topped with Nutella? That’s one heavenly food! If you are thinking of eating some, just reserve that for yourself. Although Nutella only contains a small amount of cocoa, it is still very sweet for a dog.
• Lemon curd – this creamy spread will give your waffle a zesty flavor. But this spread is made by combining lemon, butter, sugar, and egg. Lemons should be avoided by dogs because they are high in citric acid that could upset your dog’s stomach.

Your dog will appreciate a simple waffle. But if you want to add toppings to your pet’s food, stick to fresh fruits and jams. You may also use a bit of honey if you like.

My Dogs Ate Some Waffles: Will They Make Him Sick?

In the event that your pup got into waffles, keep calm. If it’s just a small piece of waffle, it is highly likely that he will be fine. When you are not sure how many he has eaten, keep an eye for warning signs.

A small serving of plain waffles should not make your dog ill. But in case the waffles contain chocolates or xylitol, watch out for vomiting and diarrhea. These ingredients are not safe for canines. Be careful about giving your dog low-carb waffles as some may contain xylitol, which is used as a sugar alternative because it has fewer calories compared to the table sugar.

Dog-Friendly Waffle Recipes

Ever heard of “woofles” or dog-friendly waffles? Yes, there is such a thing! Of course, our pets deserve some treats, too. Show your dog some lovin’ by making any of these canine-friendly waffles!

Pumpkin Dog Waffles

The ingredients in this waffle will help keep Fido’s digestive tract running smoothly. Pumpkin and coconut oil are both good for the digestive system. Pumpkin puree is an ideal food for dogs with constipation, while coconut oil is helpful in reducing allergies and skin-related problems.

This waffle is loaded with protein because of oatmeal and eggs, while apple makes it one a more wholesome treat. This fruit, as long as it does not contain seeds, can be given to dogs. It can be added to their diet since it is loaded with fiber and antioxidants that can help in optimum nutrition. Here’s how to make this tasty and nutritious waffle snack that you can share with Fido:

1. Pulverize 1 and a ½ cup of oatmeal using a food processor.
2. Combine the powdered oatmeal with a cup of pureed Pumpkin, 2 eggs, one grated apple, and a ¼ cup of coconut oil. Mix everything until they are all well-combined.
3. Scoop your batter in your waffle maker.
4. Let it cool before serving to Fido.

In case there are leftover waffles, you may keep them in the fridge for up to one week. For this recipe, you are required to use pumpkin puree. If you are planning to use store-bought pumpkin, consider those that are not raw and not the sugary variety. There are organic canned pumpkin purees widely available in grocery stores.

Dog Chicken Waffle Treats

When your dog isn’t a huge fan of sweet foods, you could try giving him this savory waffle. Your dog will surely delight in the shredded chicken. What’s nice about this recipe is that it uses lactose-free milk. There are a few brands of lactose-free milk already out on the market, so you can easily buy some for dog. Are you ready for this tasty and savory treat? Here are the procedures:

1. Combine one egg, 1 and 1/3 cup of milk, and 4 tablespoons of melted butter in a mixing bowl.
2. Stir in a cup of shredded chicken.
3. Pour the batter in your waffle maker.
4. Remove from the waffle maker and allow to cool completely.
5. Serve to your dog. You may top with a dollop of yogurt.

Supposing you are not sure if your dog is lactose intolerant or not, observe him after eating dairy. If he ends up gassy even after eating small amounts of milk or butter, there is a high probability that he is lactose intolerant.

Gluten-free Amaranth Waffles

Dogs with sensitive tummies are often given gluten-free treats because those staples are usually free from allergens. Amaranth flour is very popular among people who are on a gluten-free diet. This flour is made from the powdered seeds of the amaranth plant, which are an excellent source of protein, iron, and magnesium.

This waffle will have a nutty and earthy taste because of the hazelnut and the amaranth flour. The carrot juice makes this waffle recipe more nutritious. It also balances out the flavor of your butter and makes the waffles naturally sweet.

1. Beat 3 and ½ tablespoons of butter using a hand mixer. You should get a fluffy consistency. To achieve that, it is important that the butter was already softened.
2. Stir in one egg.
3. Add two cups of amaranth flour, 2 tablespoons of hazelnut, a tablespoon of baking powder, and a cup of carrot juice.
4. Keep mixing until everything is well-combined. You should get a slightly thick batter. You may add more amaranth flour in case the mixture is a bit runny. If the batter ended up too solid, try adding a little more carrot juice.
5. Scoop it in the waffle maker and wait for it to cook.

Hazelnuts are safe for dogs, but if dog is allergic to nuts, you may use rolled oats as an alternative. You may also use spelt and millet flakes as substitute, in case your dog does not like the taste of rolled oats.

Spinach Banana Waffles

Spinach is a great addition to a canine’s diet because it is packed with protein, zinc, and niacin. Let’s add the fact that this vegetable is low in both cholesterol and fat. There are dog owners who don’t feed their pets spinach believing that the oxalates in it can harm their dogs. However, it would take large quantities of spinach for that to happen. This recipe only uses 10 leaves of fresh spinach.

Other than the spinach, it also has a small amount of Greek yogurt. Dogs who can easily tolerate lactose and dairy products can be safely given yogurt from time to time. In fact, yogurt can improve your dog’s gut because it comes with a rich amount of probiotics.

1. Create a batter by mixing half a cup of oat flour, spinach, half of a ripe banana, 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, and one egg. You will need a smooth consistency for this one, which you can do using a blender.
2. Pour the mixture or batter into small molds.
3. Bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from the oven and allow cooling completely.
5. Serve to your dog. If you wish to add syrup, you may serve it with a bit of maple syrup on top.

As you can see, this waffle was made using an oven. If you don’t have a waffle iron or an oven at home, you can create waffles in a grill pan. Just brush the pan with butter to prevent the batter from sticking to it. Apparently, your waffles will look like pancakes but that would not be a big deal if you’re just planning to make some for your dogs. You will still get the same waffle texture and taste.

Easy 4-Ingredient Dog Waffles

This waffle is the perfect meal you can do for your dog when you are on the go. Apart from the fact that it is quick to make, you don’t need a lot of ingredients to make this one. If your dog loves peanut butter, he will surely like this waffle because it has peanut butter in it.

1. Using a medium-sized bowl, combine one cup of oatmeal, one egg, and 1/3 cup of peanut butter.
2. Mash the banana using a fork and add it to your mixture.
3. Now that your batter is ready, scoop it in your waffle iron.
4. Wait for it to cook. Waffle makers indicate when the waffle is ready, but it should have a golden brown color when you get it out.
5. Allow for it to cool before serving it to dog.

For this recipe, it would be better to use a creamy peanut butter so you will get a rich texture. When buying peanut butter, consider those that don’t have too much oil and sugar. When you are buying peanut butter for your dog, also check the label to make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol or chocolate as both are harmful to dogs.

Important Reminder

While these waffle recipes are specially created for dogs, you should still offer them in moderate amounts. Waffles, no matter how healthy the recipes are, should only be treated as a snack or as an occasional treat for canines.

Conclusion

Consider waffles as occasional treats. It is not advisable that you regularly serve them to dog. There are a plethora of foods out there that offer more health benefits to dog than waffles. When you are planning to give them as a treat, make some that are free from ingredients that could harm dog.