Celebrations and cake go together like strawberries and cream, and that’s why it feels natural to give our dogs something yummy like a doggy Birthday cake on their big day. We all treat our pooches like one of the family, and that includes spoiling them rotten on their special day. But what kind of cake is right to feed to your pet? Could you give them an ordinary baked gateau from the supermarket? No, you can’t offer human pastries to man’s best friend – birthday cakes for dogs aren’t the same as the ones we humans enjoy every year. Canine cakes are baked using a different set of ingredients – items of food that are all safe for dogs to eat. After all, you don’t want the birthday girl or boy getting an upset tummy on their big day, nor do you want an emergency trip to the vet thanks to toxic additives.
What’s the difference between a doggy birthday cake and a human one?
Us humans like nothing better than tucking into a treat that is loaded with sugar and topped with chocolate and cream. But when it comes to our fur babies, these ingredients just won’t cut it. Some food items are bad for them, and others are toxic with potentially fatal reactions. So what goes into a doggy birthday cake?
For starters, no sugar should be present in canine baked goods. Although the sweet stuff isn’t actually poisonous for them, it’s really not good for dogs and they don’t need it in their diet so birthday cakes for dogs should be sugar-free. That said, you must be very careful to not use xylitol either – this commonly-used sweetener is toxic for canines and can cause liver failure or even death so it must never be included in any doggy treats.
It’s a well-known fact that chocolate is harmful to our pooches, that’s because it contains theobromine, and the darker the chocolate the more of the toxic component it contains. So even though they might beg for it – chocolate cake is not for dogs. Grapes and raisins cannot be fed to our four-legged friends either, so fruit cake is off the menu as well.
That’s a lot of stuff to avoid, so is there anything special that you can feed the family pet to mark their birthday? Of course there is – there’s a whole range of delicious options they can safely chow down on it’s just a case of combining the right items. The kind of ingredients they can eat are straightforward and easy to get hold of, it’s just a case of understanding what to use and what to cut out.
What can a doggy Birthday cake contain?
With a list of forbidden ingredients, you might be wondering what can be used to make a tasty cake for your dog. There are some perfect ones that most pets enjoy and are easy to find in the shops.
- Peanut butter goes down a storm with most pooches and it can be used in a dog’s cake and as a delicious topping. Make sure that the peanut butter does not contain xylitol or extra sugar – the best kind to use is a doggy product that is guaranteed to be safe for your pet.
- Yoghurt is another versatile ingredient that is tasty and easy to use. It must be plain and free from sweeteners, something like a natural Greek yoghurt is best. Some dogs cannot tolerate lactose so avoid yoghurt if sounds like your pooch. For all doggies, don’t give them too much as dairy is difficult for dogs to digest.
- Coconut oil has a nice flavour and it’s great for your dog’s coat too. The runny kind that melts in a warm hand is the sort you are looking for.
- Bananas and grated carrots add extra taste, nutrients and a texture that dogs love.
- When it comes to flour used in a doggy Birthday cake, a whole wheat variety is by far the best one to use. If you are avoiding giving your dog wheat in their meals, rice or almond flour works well too.
- A regular egg is OK to add to a canine treat, it will help bind the mixture together.
The ingredients that go into cakes for dogs could easily be eaten by their owners, they are all edible for humans. Without the sugar content, however, us humans will probably not like the taste of cake made for dogs. Cooking up a treat that is yummy and safe enough for both humans and dogs to eat is a tall order!
Ready-made Doggy Birthday Cakes
Can’t bake but you want to treat your doggy on their birthday? Don’t worry, your four-legged-friend won’t be left out – they can have their cake and eat it too!. There are a couple of options readily available so you can treat your pet with ease. First of all, you can order a ready-made cake that they can sink their teeth into immediately. With different sizes to choose from, you can order something that suits your needs. From larger cakes that are designed to be shared to cute little individual cupcakes for tiny breeds or for dogs who are watching their weight. If you want to try your hand at baking, why not purchase a make-it-yourself kit that contains everything you need including the instructions. You are guaranteed a great result with a tried and trusted baking kit and they take all of the stress out of things.
Either of these choices can help make life that little bit easier for busy humans, and you will end up with a perfect lip-smacking treat for your beloved pet on their birthday.
A doggy birthday cake helps document the years
With the help of a yearly doggy Birthday cake, you can mark each passing year by taking a cute photo of your dog with their tasty treat. Pop the correct number of candles on the top and you have a record of each birthday that you can keep and treasure forever. What a great way to make lovely mementoes of your pet as they age. If you are active on social media, then a snap of your pooch and their birthday cake could be an annual Instagram hit!
Cakes for themed Dog Birthday Parties
If you’re going that extra mile and holding a themed birthday party for your pet, you need the dog Birthday cake to fit the theme seamlessly. With a little imagination, this can be done very effectively.
A few drops of food colouring can work wonders and help you to create toppings in the ideal shade. Having a pink party for the furry young lady in your life or a blue party for the cheeky chap is a perfect idea – with a few decorations in the same colour, it’s an easy theme to create anywhere.
- Throw a princess party for your darling little doggy and add heart-shaped cookies to the top of the cake. Make or order plenty of these doggy biscuits to decorate the room with and you’ll have a selection to share with any doggy guests that are celebrating with you.
- Bone-themed parties are a must when you are celebrating with your pooch. Bones are an easy shape to make with cookie dough or doggy-friendly icing so cake decorations are simple to do.
- Doggy-shaped cakes can be whisked up if you’re a star baker. Start with a regular round base and decorate it with doggy ears, eyes and a nose. If you’re really talented, you can do a portrait of your pet in dog-friendly icing.
- Don’t worry too much if the end result isn’t perfect – as long as it tastes great, your dog won’t mind a bit. It’s all about creating lovely memories and making the day special in any way you can.
Send a birthday cake to a doggy friend
If there is a special Fido or Rover in your life that doesn’t live with you, it’s a thoughtful idea to send them a Doggy Birthday cake to show how much you love them. If you’ve grown up and moved out of the family home and just miss your pet so much, order a special gift for them that they will gobble down with delight. Or whip one up yourself and take it over for a celebration in person.
Everything in moderation
It’s important to remember that, no matter what type of cake you provide for your dog, it’s a special treat that must be kept in check. And for many, just a change in their regular diet puts their digestion in all kinds of trouble. We all love spoiling our dogs, but we are in charge of what they consume and are wholly responsible for their good health so let them eat cake … but in moderation.
