How to make dog-friendly pancakes (with our vet-approved recipe)

A plate of dog pancakes and strawberries on a worktop, with a dog looking up from below
(Image credit: Getty Images/Toni Malinov)

If you're looking for a tasty dog pancake recipe, you've come to the right place! While your dog should primarily be fed the best dog food, these pancakes make a great treat for a special occasion – such as Pancake Day – and aren't as unhealthy as you might think.

As with all our recipes, this one has been checked and approved by our in-house vet, Dr. Rebecca MacMillan, who has more than a decade and a half of experience working with pets and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London.

She says: "Pup pancakes are great fun for your dog, but just remember that they add a few extra calories to their diet, so keep them as an occasional treat."

To learn how to make them, keep reading!

Dog pancake recipe

Ingredients:

Method:

1. Grab a bowl and mix the flour, egg and water together

2. Add a splash of olive oil to a pan and bring it to a medium heat

3. Ladle a portion of the batter into the pan

4. Cook the batter for around 30–40 seconds until the edges begin to color

5. Flip the pancake and cook for another 30–40 seconds

6. Add your toppings

Recipe courtesy of YuMOVE

Table with a bowl and whisk, egg and water. A hand is holding the whisk and a dog is trying to lick the bowl

(Image credit: Getty Images/Sviatlana Barchan)

Can dogs eat pancakes?

If you're wondering whether it's OK for dogs to eat pancakes, the answer is yes! According to Dr. MacMillan, a recipe made with flour, water, egg, and a bit of olive oil is safe for most dogs to enjoy.

She says: "Any time you introduce something new to your pet’s diet, it is important not to overdo it. So, offer a small amount to begin with and check there are no adverse effects, such as tummy troubles.

"You should give this recipe a miss if your dog has been diagnosed with an egg allergy though, or if they have a gluten intolerance. Gluten-free flour is available as an alternative for these dogs, however."

Buddy Budder Bacon Pooch Pancake Mix | Amazon

Buddy Budder Bacon Pooch Pancake Mix | Amazon

Prefer using a pre-made pancake mix? Try this all-natural option, which contains only four ingredients: oat flour, peanut butter, bacon, and maple. It’s super simple to make – just combine it with ¾ cup of water, cook on a pre-greased skillet, flip, and serve!

What toppings can I use?

When it comes to toppings, Dr. MacMillan recommends serving your pancakes plain or using non-toxic ingredients, like xylitol-free peanut butter, mashed banana, or the best wet dog food. If you're unsure about what toppings to avoid, take a look at our feature revealing foods that dogs should never eat.

She says: "You must never use any raisins, cover them in chocolate, or add any spreads that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, as all of these are toxic to dogs."

For more food inspiration, read our guide to the best dog treats and explore our favorite homemade dog food recipes.

Recipe approved by
rebecca macmillan
Recipe approved by
Dr. Rebecca MacMillan

Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).

Edited by Georgia Guerin.

Recent updates

This page was last updated on February 28 by Megan Milstead.

Megan Milstead
Staff Writer

Megan is a Staff Writer at PetsRadar, covering features, reviews, deals, and buying guides. She has a wealth of experience caring for animals, having grown up with dogs, cats, horses, guinea pigs, and more throughout her life. She studied BA Journalism at the University of Westminster, where she specialized in lifestyle journalism and was editor of Smoke Radio’s lifestyle website. Megan works alongside qualified vets and accredited trainers to ensure you get the best advice possible. She is passionate about finding accurate and helpful answers to your pet-related questions.

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