My typical Sunday afternoon can be summarized in two words: waffles and chill. The pooch knows not to interrupt me while I am making waffles. Once they’re done, it’s a whole other story.
Can dogs eat waffles, and are they safe for them? If you also have a furry friend who incessantly demands some of your waffles, read on.
Can Dogs Eat Waffles?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat waffles, generally speaking. However, if a dog ate one small bite, they will probably be fine.
Plain waffles can have some ingredients that aren’t safe for dogs. Too much sugar, or milk, can wreak havoc in a dog’s body.
Depending on ingredients, some waffles and toppings can be extremely toxic to dogs. Do not feed your dog waffles with chocolate and xylitol. Both ingredients are extremely toxic to dogs and can be fatal even in small quantities.
If you check the ingredients and give waffles occasionally, your dog should be fine. But don’t make them an everyday treat.
Are Waffles Bad for Dogs?
Waffles are made with different ingredients, and some are more harmful than others. Let’s look at the common ingredients and how they can affect your pet’s health:
Flour
If waffles are made with whole wheat flour, your dog should be fine. However, steer away from refined flour. It has no fiber and no nutritional value for dogs.
Sugar
Many waffles and toppings can be high in sugar, and this isn’t healthy for dogs. Even if the sugar is natural, it’s still dangerous for your pet. You should also watch out for syrup toppings – maple syrup, for example – as these are particularly unhealthy.
Sugar can cause blood sugar to rise quickly, which can lead to diabetes. Too much sugar also leads weight gain, obesity, and heart disease.
Salt
Too much salt isn’t good for your dog. It’s better to skip adding salt on top of these treats if they contain other ingredients that aren’t healthy for dogs.
High salt intake can lead to sodium poisoning and even the death of the pet.
Eggs
Eggs are generally safe for dogs unless they are allergic to them. If your furry friend is allergic to eggs, you should avoid them. Egg allergy is not that common.
Milk
Milk is fine if it’s used in small amounts. Luckily, waffles don’t contain too much milk.
Be extra careful if your dog is lactose-intolerant. Milk can lead to an upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Butter or Oil
Butter and oil aren’t necessarily harmful. Just don’t give your dog too much of either one to avoid weight gain or skin problems.
Too much fat, however, can lead to diarrhea, pancreatitis, hypertension, and heart disease.
Calories
Different types of waffles have very different calories. For example, homemade waffles typically have 500 calories. On the other hand, store-bought waffles have around 290 calories.
You want to be mindful of your pooch’s calorie intake. Too many calories lead to weight gain, obesity, and related health issues.
Are Store-bought or Homemade Waffles Better for Dogs?
By now, you probably think that store-bought waffles are safe for dogs. They are much lower in calories than homemade ones. But, these waffles can contain many harmful ingredients. Watch out for additives, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol.
Homemade waffles may be higher in calories, but you control the ingredients. With them, it boils down to portion control and making sure your dog doesn’t overeat.
Different Types of Waffles
There are many different recipes and toppings for waffles. Depending on what you put in them, they go from safe to extremely toxic to dogs. It’s good to know which ones carry bigger health risks for your furry friend.
Can Dogs Eat Waffles With Syrup?
Dogs shouldn’t eat waffles with syrup.
Caramel or maple syrup offers no health benefits to dogs and contains pure sugar. Too much sugar will lead to weight gain, obesity, and diabetes.
Besides, some syrups contain xylitol. If this is the case, even a tiny amount can cause xylitol poisoning. It is a severe condition that leads to low blood sugar, liver failure, and even the death of a pet.
If your dog ate waffles with syrup that contains xylitol, take them to a vet clinic immediately.
Can Dogs Eat Waffles Without Syrup?
Plain waffles without syrup are the safest for your canine.
Plain waffles are still high in sugar and carbs, so don’t feed your dog waffles every day. Waffles should never be considered a regular treat.
Can Dogs Eat Waffles With Butter?
Should you feed your dog waffles with butter? Dogs can eat waffles with butter as long as it’s used in small portions. They have a lot of calories and can contribute to obesity and related diseases.
Fats and sugars are not a good combination, though. Besides obesity, fats can cause pancreatitis, which is a painful and serious condition. Pancreatitis requires long treatment. Some dogs, like miniature schnauzers, are prone to developing pancreatitis, and you should keep them away from high fat intake.
Can Dogs Eat Eggo Waffles?
Eggo waffles are also known as frozen waffles or toaster waffles. Generally, these are safe for dogs.
However, you should make sure there is no chocolate or xylitol in them. Both are extremely toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Belgian Waffles?
Belgian waffles are usually larger than other waffles. They contain more calories, so they are not the safest for dogs. Especially not for dogs on weight management.
While these waffles usually aren’t topped with syrup, you should still avoid them.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberry Waffles?
Blueberry waffles are safe for dogs.
Dogs love and enjoy blueberries. Just be mindful of the waffles part and check their ingredients. Either way, fresh or mashed blueberries are always a better option.
Can Dogs Eat Buttermilk Waffles?
It’s best not to give buttermilk waffles to dogs who are lactose-intolerant.
Lactose in buttermilk can lead to many digestive issues. Dogs can experience an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. Usually, these pass with time. If they don’t, make sure to call a veterinarian because they might point to some other problem.
Can Dogs Eat Caramel Waffles?
Dogs should not eat caramel waffles.
The caramel syrup is highly concentrated sugar. Too much sugar leads to tooth decay, obesity and can cause diabetes.
If your dog is already diabetic, do not feed them these waffles. Maple syrup is also not the best option.
Can Dogs Eat Chocolate Chip Waffles?
Dogs should never eat waffles with chocolate chips.
Any form of chocolate is highly toxic to dogs because of the compound theobromine. While a small amount won’t kill a medium-sized dog, chocolate is very unsafe.
If your dog ate chocolate, it’s best to call a vet and immediately take them to a vet clinic. Make sure you bring a sample or packaging of chocolate, too. Different types of chocolate contain different levels of theobromine.
Can Dogs Eat Cinnamon Waffles?
Cinnamon waffles are relatively safe for dogs.
However, cinnamon can cause irritation and digestive problems. Furthermore, cinnamon sprinkles might provoke cough and breathing difficulties.
Can Dogs Eat Gluten-Free Waffles?
Gluten-free waffles are usually the safest even for healthy dogs. Still, don’t overfeed your dog.
Amaranth flour is usually the best choice for dogs.
However, you need to make sure that these waffles don’t have xylitol or chocolate. Both are highly toxic to dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Green Waffles?
Green waffles are usually safe for dogs with a few precautions.
They are usually made from rolled oats, egg whites, bananas, and spinach. These are safe for dogs unless there are specific allergies.
Green waffles are also very high in fiber, so don’t give them with other high-fiber foods.
Can Dogs Eat Potato Waffles?
Yes, your canine companion can eat a small amount of potato waffles.
Potatoes are safe for dogs, though baked potatoes are the best.
Make these waffles with safe ingredients, and don’t feed too many to your dog.
Different Toppings
Can dogs eat waffles with various toppings? The type of topping will determine the overall safety of waffles for your dogs. Some of them are super safe, while others can be highly toxic.
Safe Waffle Toppings for Dogs
There are many safe toppings that your dog will enjoy:
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Banana slices
These topping are best served without the waffles, however.
Toxic Waffle Toppings for Dogs
You should never use the following toppings and feed them to your dog:
- Chocolate
- Avocado
- Raisins
- Grapes
- Xylitol
All of these are extremely toxic to dogs and will result in a variety of severe medical symptoms and conditions. Even a tiny amount of these toppings can be lethal to your dog.
If your dog ate any of the above ingredients, call the Pet Poison Healthline and take them to a vet clinic immediately. In most cases, time is super important.
Can Dogs Eat Chaffles?
Chaffles are a popular treat in the keto diet and are usually made with cheese and eggs.
Are chaffles safe for dogs? Yes, in moderation, and if the dog is not lactose-intolerant.
Also, make sure chaffles do not contain xylitol or chocolate.
What if Your Dog Ate Too Many Waffles?
Waffles can be risky or safe for dogs, depending on their ingredients and the amount your dog ate.
For the most part, too many waffles will result in digestive problems. The dog might experience diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain. These will usually pass with time and bland diet.
However, if the dog ate waffles with xylitol, chocolate, or other toxic ingredients, you should take them to a vet clinic immediately. Even the small amounts of these ingredients can be fatal.
Have You Been Waffling?
Like most things in life, waffles are what you make them to be.
Some waffles are very safe for dogs. Choose plain waffles with no toppings, added sugar, or toxic ingredients, and your dog can eat waffles safely. Save them for Sundays only, though.
On the other hand, beware of too much sugar, salt, and toxic toppings. The risk is just not worth your dog’s health.
Still not sure about waffles? You can feed your dog these great and healthy treats instead.
