Dogs love to have what we’re eating, whether that’s something healthy or bad for them! No matter what, if they see you eating it, your fur baby will want it! In fact, dogs love to have a snack of birthday cake!
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There’s no need to wonder why. Who wouldn’t want a yummy piece of birthday cake with all that delicious frosting?
One, very small bit (not bite) of frosting won’t hurt your fur baby, but more could make him sick.
The Problems with Dogs Eating Frosting
The sugar in frosting is one of the major reasons your canine companion shouldn’t eat frosting. Sugar can cause host of problems from tooth decay, diabetes, to obesity and more. Eating sugar can also cause digestive upsets in dogs, which can include vomiting and diarrhea. Is it worth making him sick? And do you really like cleaning up that kind of mess? It’s really not a good idea to give your fur baby sugar.
In addition to sugar, some artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, are also toxic to dogs.
Frosting may also include dairy. This can be a problem for dogs that are either lactose intolerant or have a milk allergy.
The fat sometimes used in frosting can also cause digestive upsets, or even pancreatitis in dogs.
And the frosting could be toxic, depending on the other ingredients it contains. Those that are toxic to dogs include raisins, chocolate, nutmeg, macadamia nuts, and more.
What to Do If Your Dog’s Eaten Frosting
First, consider the amount he’s eaten and the ingredients in the frosting. If the frosting was vanilla, then your dog should be OK, though he may have some vomiting, diarrhea, and have a stomach upset.
If your dog has eaten a large amount of frosting and/or it contains ingredients toxic to dogs, then it’s best to call the vet right away. They will have the best advice on next steps.
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Ask a Vet Live NowKeep Your Dog Safe from Food Accidents
The best way to keep your dog safe and healthy is to keep him from eating things that are not safe for him. Here are some precautions you can take to keep your fur baby safe:
- Don’t leave food where your dog can get it and be sure to supervise your pup when food is sitting out (such as at a picnic or party). People can be caught up in having fun and yakking, not paying attention to the dog. Your dog is smart and will take advantage of this situation and access the food that’s sitting out where he can get it! Be sure to supervise your dog and try to keep all food out of his reach.
- Keep your canine companion in a separate room when preparing or eating food. This also works during a party. Your dog won’t like it, but he’ll stay safe when you can’t supervise him closely.
- Don’t allow kids to feed your fur baby without adult supervision. Kids don’t know what’s safe for a dog to eat (or not). They think it’s fun to feed him! Always supervise kids who want to feed the dog. This way, your fur baby won’t eat something bad for him, and you can ensure the kids are safe from a dog who may try to snap at the food he’s offered.
- Invest in dog-proof waste baskets. These are a little more expensive; however, they do a great job of keeping dogs out of the trash.
- Ensure your dog is getting enough to eat. Dogs that don’t have enough food will try to eat anything and everything to fill themselves up.
Safe Frosting Alternatives for Dogs
If you’d like to prepare a doggie cake with frosting or make a frosted cake your dog can eat at your birthday party, then there are some alternative frosting ingredients you can try.
These include
- Greek yogurt (for dogs not allergic or lactose intolerant)
- Carob (to replace chocolate—dogs love this stuff!)
- Peanut butter
- Pumpkin (not the pumpkin used to make pie)
- Cream cheese (again for dogs that are not allergic to dairy or are lactose intolerant)
You can even add some fruit that’s safe for dogs, such as apples!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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