Yes, dogs can eat waffles as they are not inherently poisonous to your pup. But waffles are sugary treats that consist of empty calories and provide no nutritional value to dogs. Additionally, you may want to exercise caution depending on what ingredients the waffle is topped with.
Table of Contents
What are Waffles?
Waffles are like these crispy thin cakes made from fermented batter on a metal griddle with a honeycomb pattern on it, usually. A classic waffle is made using flour, eggs, sugar, salt, baking soda, milk, and oil or butter. As you can see from the listed ingredients, waffles consist primarily of carbohydrates and fat more than any other nutritional benefits.
Waffles are known to have originated in ancient Greece and are known as ‘obelios.’ This tradition of hot flat cakes was passed on to Dutch bakers where they made the waffles using pans with the grid pattern like we see today. Finally, waffles made their way to America, and the country fell in love with these baked creations. And this is how Eggos became a breakfast staple in the US!
France has its version of waffles known as ‘gaufres’ with additional ingredients like wine, lemon zest, and cloves.
Are Waffles Safe for Dogs?
Yes, it is okay if your dog ate a few bites of a waffle as it isn’t toxic to them. None of the basic ingredients are concerning for pups in the amounts used to make a waffle. Although, feeding your dog waffles regularly would be a poor choice for their overall health.
High sugar content: If your dog consumes a lot of sugar, it could lead to a host of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, hyperactivity, and dental problems.
Xylitol Poisoning: This is an artificial sweetener used in store-bought waffles that is toxic to dogs, even in small quantities.
Toxic toppings: Avoid certain toppings that you may prefer on your waffles. Here are a few toppings to avoid – chocolate, raisins or any flavored or unflavoured syrups.
Allergic reaction to ingredients: It is recommended that you take your dog for an allergy test at your vet’s office to see if they have an allergic reaction to the wheat, soy, or other ingredients in the waffles
Mass-produced frozen waffles: This type of waffle has a lower calorie content but contains more additives and ingredients that could be toxic for your dog to consume.
Why are Waffles Bad for Dogs?
A waffle contains large amounts of calories, which could risk the health of your dog eventually. However, if the waffles are sugar-free, note which type of sugar replacement they use – mostly, it is either xylitol or sorbitol. Xylitol is poisonous to dogs, whereas sorbitol causes digestive issues in dogs.
Aside from xylitol toxicity, there are several conditions your dog could suffer from if you continue to feed them waffles daily:
Dental problems
Diabetes
Obesity
Cardiac diseases
Hypertension
Let’s breakdown each ingredient in the waffles, to know more:
Flour: Whole wheat flour is a healthy option as it is suitable for your dog’s digestive system. On the other hand, refined flour gives rise to digestive issues. So, it’s best to avoid them.
Sugar: Sugar isn’t toxic for them, but excessive sugar consumption is not healthy for your dog, giving rise to severe conditions such as high blood sugar levels and diabetes.
Salt: Salt is suitable for dogs in moderate quantities. Waffles contain only about a pinch of salt. So, the amount of salt in the waffles doesn’t cause any harm to your dog.
Eggs: Dogs can eat eggs unless they are not allergic to this ingredient. Waffles contain either 1 or 2 eggs, which is safe for a dog unless they are not allergic to eggs.
Milk: Again, milk is the sort of ingredient that is good for dogs unless they are lactose intolerant. Waffles contain a small amount of milk. So, there is nothing to worry about.
Butter or oil: Butter or oil are both sources of pure fats. Dogs can handle some oil or butter yet be cautious of the number of waffles they consume. Excess calorie intake can cause hypertension and cardiac diseases in dogs.
Total Calorie Count in a Waffle
A waffle made at home using quality ingredients has almost 500 calories. This is ironically more than calories present in frozen waffles bought from the market. Its calorie count is nearly 290 calories.
Are Waffles with Toppings Good for Your Dog?
Waffles are usually paired with sweet-tasting toppings. These toppings can be an assortment of fruits, syrups to caramel, or even chocolate shavings. You have to be mindful about feeding a waffle with toppings to your dog. This is because dogs react differently to certain fruits even.
The toppings that are healthy for your dog are:
Strawberries: These fruits are quite healthy for a dog. A bite or two of waffles topped with strawberries is a good idea for a snack.
Apple: Crunchy apple bits make for a good topping for some hot waffles. Another tip is to replace the syrup with homemade applesauce. Yum!
Blueberries: A waffle topped with blueberries is a great way to sneak nutrition into your dog’s treats!
Bananas: Dogs love bananas. So, why not opt for sliced bananas as topping for their waffles!
A homemade waffle with dog-safe ingredients in them can be fed as an occasional treat to your dogs. Though, it is best to consult your vet before making any changes in your dog’s meal plans.
What if My Dog Ate A Lot of Waffles Accidentally?
So your dog accidentally eats more than a few waffles? Or you ended up surrendering to their puppy eyes and gave a bite or two of your waffles?
First, check the ingredients that went into making the waffle. Make sure there is no xylitol in it. If it has this ingredient, seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. The only other concern is the large quantity of sugar in waffles. Too much sugar can disturb your puppy’s belly, causing some pain and discomfort. Watch your pet for any unusual signs for the next 24-48 hours. If you notice any, reach out to your vet.
So, another scenario is that your pet dog consumed your homemade waffles, but they had questionable toppings on them. Read ahead to know more:
Alternatives to Waffles
There are better options for dog treats to consider instead of sugary waffles, such as:
Fresh vegetables such as green beans, carrots, and broccoli
Homemade or store-bought dog-friendly waffles
Homemade Dog Waffles or Woofles:
There are great sweet and savory waffles recipes for your dog on the internet known as ‘woofles.’
Try out these awesome “woofles” at home for your pet:
Pumpkin dog waffles Recipe:
Ingredients:
1 and 1/2 cup of ground oats
1 cup of pumpkin puree
1 whole grated apple
2 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil
Mix all these ingredients and scoop the batter into the waffle mixer. Let the waffles or woofles cool down before serving them to your dog.
Note: Remove all the seeds from pumpkin and apple, as seeds are toxic to dogs.
Chicken dog waffles:
This savory dog waffle is loaded with proteins. To try your hands on the meal, check out the recipe below.
Ingredients:
1 cup of shredded chicken
1 1/4 cup of milk
Some oil
1 egg
What are you waiting for? Prepare these delicious woofles for dogs too!
Can Dogs Eat Eggo Waffles?
Frozen or toaster waffles like Eggo waffles are safe for dogs to eat plain once in a while. Read the ingredients on the box to ensure they do not contain chocolate or xylitol.
Although they are high in sugar and carbs, these waffles should be an occasional treat, if so.
Can Dogs Eat Belgian Waffles?
Belgian waffles are known for their lighter batter, which gives them an exquisite spongy texture. These waffles are also larger than any other waffles. This would mean that your dog would be eating more calories by consuming just one Belgian waffle even.
Can Dogs Eat Buttermilk Waffles?
Buttermilk waffles are a healthy option for your dog, unless they are lactose intolerant. Even though buttermilk has a minimal amount of lactose compared to regular milk, it may still cause some digestion issues in sensitive dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Gluten-Free Waffles?
Yes, dogs can consume gluten-free waffles, in moderation. If you prepare gluten-free waffles, use dog-friendly ingredients like Amaranth flour in your gluten-free waffles.
Can Dogs Eat Green Waffles?
Green waffles are made using rolled oats, egg whites, spinach, and banana. So, go ahead and prepare these healthy waffles and share them with your pet too!
However, these waffles are high in fiber, so ensure not to give your pet other high-fiber treats on the same day they eat these waffles.
What are the Best Dog Waffles?
There are great dog-friendly waffles available in the market nowadays. Their waffles are made with safe ingredients for your dog’s consumption– and they would love them too!
Here are top picks for the best dog waffles you can buy:
To sum it up,dogs can consume waffles but in limited quantities. The high sugar content can mess with your dog’s health over prolonged use.
This is why we have provided a couple of dog-friendly waffles recipes! Just make these for your dog while you whip up one for yourself. So, you can now enjoy your waffles while your pup enjoys their “woofles.”
And of course, keep your waffles to yourself, and tell your pup, “leggo of my Eggo pup!”
