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Can Dogs Eat Cake?

Pet Diet & Nutrition 4 min read

It’s your dog’s birthday, and you have one question: can dogs eat cake?

This is certainly a question that many of us have asked ourselves more than once. It’s inevitable to feel the desire to share a delicious cake with our little one. After all, they are part of the family. Just as we include them in our celebrations, we also want them to enjoy themselves when the time to eat cake comes.

Sadly, human cake is not fit for dogs. But exactly why shouldn’t we share our cake with them?

Why Regular Cake Isn’t Safe for Dogs

Among the many ingredients that a regular cake can contain, usually the most common and concerning ones are sugar, chocolate, and artificial sweeteners. These ingredients should not be part of a dog’s diet as they can be harmful and cause serious health problems.

While sugar itself is not toxic for dogs, their body cannot metabolize it as efficiently as humans do. Because of that, regular consumption of sugar can cause digestive issues, dental problems, blood sugar level imbalances that can lead to diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, obesity, and other issues.

Artificial sweeteners can be toxic and should always be avoided. The most important example to mention is xylitol, a popular artificial sweetener that’s present in many different products for humans. Xylitol is considerably toxic for dogs and can cause symptoms as early as 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. If untreated, it can lead to seizures, liver failure, and even threaten their life.

As you may already know, chocolate is also toxic for dogs. Unfortunately, the consumption of this popular food can also lead to life-threatening consequences. Health complications that chocolate can produce are vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, heart and respiratory issues, and even coma.

What to Look for in Pet-Friendly Cakes

The good news is that there are many ingredients that, when used wisely, can make a safe, delicious cake for our beloved companions. Here are some of our favorite ingredients to use at the NHV

Oat flour is a nutritious ingredient that you can safely give to your little one. When cooked properly, plain, free of sugar or sweeteners and at the right amount, it can provide valuable nutritional support and benefits for the digestive system, heart, skin, and coat. 

Applesauce is also a delicious, safe ingredient that can be found in our cakes. Apple is one of the fruits that is safe for dogs. However, before giving it to your fur baby, make sure that you offer them only plain, homemade applesauce, since many commercial versions or recipes come with extra ingredients that can be harmful for dogs.

Applesauce is also a delicious, safe ingredient that can be found in our cakes. Apple is one of the fruits that is safe for dogs. However, before giving it to your fur baby, make sure that you offer them only plain, homemade applesauce, since many commercial versions or recipes come with extra ingredients that can be harmful for dogs.

Pumpkin is popularly known as a safe, healthy ingredient for dogs

Pumpkin is popularly known as a safe, healthy ingredient for dogs. That’s why our chef includes it in our cakes as well as our pumpkin treats for dogs. Thanks to its high fiber content, it can support digestive health and function as a prebiotic, while also providing nutritional benefits through the vitamins and minerals it contains.

Leave It to The Pros

Many other healthy pet-friendly ingredients can be used to make an enjoyable cake for your little one. Some of the ingredients that NHV chooses are rice flour, banana, sweet potato, blueberry, egg, among others, all expertly prepared in pet-safe quantities by a professional chef.

Remember that being cautious is important. Even if the cake looks safe for pets, it’s crucial to always read the ingredient list and make sure that it’s free of sugar, artificial sweeteners like xylitol, chocolate, heavy frosting, and other potentially harmful ingredients.

Introducing NHV’s Approach to Celebration Cakes

Here at NHV, we firmly believe that our beloved companions deserve to enjoy food too. Just because their nutritional needs differ from ours doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a cake. That’s why we’re dedicated to creating delicious, wholesome and safe cakes, so your little one can join in and celebrate every special occasion right by your side.

With that in mind, we have crafted our own pet-friendly cakes. Now, you and your fur baby have a healthy, tasty, and fun way to celebrate together! Our cakes and pupcakes, available locally at our boutique, contain nothing but healthy, safe ingredients for pets. Next time you’re celebrating your little one’s birthday, a special occasion, or simply the joy of being alive and sharing life with your furry best friend, NHV has the best pet-friendly options to help make the moment even more memorable.

Sorry global NHV fans – our cakes are currently only available at our local boutique in Vancouver, Canada. However, you can always grab our wholesome dog treats instead, which are made by the same chef!

Responsible Treating: Final Thoughts on Can Dogs Eat Cake

So, can dogs eat cake? As mentioned earlier, even if the cake is apparently safe for pets, always make sure that you read the ingredients label to confirm that there are no potentially harmful ingredients. This is especially important for pets who have a sensitive tummy and food allergies. Also, just because it’s safe for pets doesn’t mean that your pup can eat it every day. Just like any other treats, we need to use them in moderation.

At NHV, we prioritize health and well-being, and that includes joy, too! If you’re looking for a safe and delicious cake to celebrate with your little one, you’ll find it right here in our local boutique. And the best part? It’s made with the most important ingredient: love.

Dr. Carla Moran, DVM

Dr. Carla Moran, DVM

Dr. Carla Moran graduated from the University of Chile in Veterinary Medicine and later obtained a Diploma in Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases from the same university. She has had the opportunity to learn from diverse areas of the veterinary profession through her professional training, like small animal medicine, wildlife conservation, and public health. Dr. Moran loves being able to support animals and their guardians through natural medicine, and she strongly believes that nature can provide us with what every being needs to be happy and healthy, mentally, and physically.

Published: June 17, 2025

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