Dogs are often described as carnivores, but they’re not. As Omnivores, our dogs eat a lot more than just meat. Sometimes they eat things we didn’t expect or intend, like when a pup knocks over a garbage can to get that almost empty frosting container. Accidents and misbehavior aside, sensible pet-parents know that treats should be eaten sparingly, but do we really have to stick to that rule so hard on special occasions? Surely it’s okay if we celebrate our pet’s birthday with treats, right? Unfortunately, you have to be very careful about what you give your pup since there are foods in our fridge that can hurt our doggy friends.
Can dogs eat cake icing? Your dog can eat cake icing, but they shouldn’t. There’s no reason at all to feed your pooch sugar. There are plenty of treats your dog would enjoy that are far healthier, so instead of teaching dogs bad dietary habits, it’s better to avoid the issue.
Dogs & Icing: The Basics
On the surface, it might seem harmless to give your dog a slice of your birthday cake with icing, or even bake them one of their own for that special occasion. Sadly, there’s no good reason to do so and a laundry list of reasons why you shouldn’t.
From dental deterioration to diabetes and obesity, dogs, like their human companions, can suffer a whole slew of harmful health effects from eating sugary treats. In nature, a dog would never encounter anything like a piece of cake, so their bodies aren’t prepared to handle it.
If you have a sweet tooth, it might seem a little mean never to give your pet one of those tasty treats you so love, but it’s not. Dogs don’t know what sugar is unless you teach them. They can, and often do go a whole lifetime without developing the unnecessary and unhealthy habit of ingesting processed sugar.
Sugary Frosting & Your Dog
Homemade frosting contains a massive amount of sugar, just like many of the store-bought varieties. Letting your dog develop an addiction to sugar is not a good plan. It can upset their tummy and cause all sorts of health problems.
Many pet owners will already be arguing that either they only give dogs sugar very rarely, or that it’s never hurt their dogs before. As I always say, I’m not a specialist, so ask your vet about it. They’ll doubtless tell you the same thing. A little bit of sugary frosting probably won’t kill your dog, but it’s not a good idea.
How Icing Sugar Affects Your Dog
- Sugar will rot a dog’s teeth causing dental distress.
- Dogs, like humans, can become diabetic.
- Unhealthy dietary choices, like icing, can lead to obesity.
- Your dog may suffer intestinal distress from sugar consumption.
Frosting (Usually) Goes on Cake
In addition to the sugar in the frosting, most of the time, your dog is also getting cake underneath that frosting. That means even more sugar. On top of that, the average cake is made from wheat flour, which isn’t ideal for your dog’s stomach.
Although wheat and grains are common ingredients in dog food, it’s not natural for your pup’s stomach to digest these things. That’s only part of the cake-and-dog story.
Feeding your dog frosting on a treat almost always means a baked good below. Even if you skipped the wheat flour, other doggy health hazards are lurking in that treat. Baking powder or baking soda, and yeast are all toxic for dogs and used as leavening agents. Basically, that means they make cakes and breads fluffy.
Unfortunately, these ingredients can cause your pet some serious issues that you can’t see right away. Gastrointestinal issues (tummy trouble) are just part of what can happen. Your dog could end up having heart problems, seizures, and spasms as a result of eating the wrong human treats.
If you want to spoil your dog without spoiling their health, why not switch them to a better dog food instead? There are lots of fantastic grain-free brands, but I like Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy to Digest Dry Dog Food for my canine companions. I prefer going easy on their delicate doggy digestive tracts, and my dogs seem to love the taste. You can check out the details and learn more by clicking here.
Frosting Can Be Poisonous to Dogs
We’ve all met a dog owner who had pets that ate chocolate frosting or something else dangerous, and they swear their pup was just fine. Firstly, unless you are a veterinarian who personally checked the dog out extensively, that’s more like a guess than a reality. Secondly, dogs are resilient, and just because something ‘can’ kill you doesn’t mean it will. That doesn’t make it okay to feed your dog poisonous ingredients.
There are several frosting and other cake decorating ingredients that can seriously mess up your dog’s health. Yes, some can even kill your canine companions. Hence it’s not a good plan to let it slide and give them a little anyhow, as some people are inclined to do.
Always check labels on everything. If you buy a food that has no ingredients list, err on the side of caution. Instead of being lax about it, you should assume it’s pure poison for your pup.
Possible Frosting Ingredients That Are Toxic to Your Dog
When you’re reading labels on those frostings and treats for your dog, it helps to know what you’re looking for. If you have trouble remembering what’s right and what’s terrible, feel free to bookmark this article so you can use it as a quick reference.
Lots of the foods we put in icing can hurt your dog. Some of these can be alright in small amounts like milk. Meanwhile, others like Macadamia nuts can cause awful issues like depression, hypothermia, weakness, and vomiting. It’s best to avoid them altogether.
Here are some icing and cake ingredients that can damage your dog:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Chocolate
- Citrus
- Coconut & Coconut Oil
- Coffee
- Grapes & Raisins
- Macadamia Nuts
- Milk & Dairy
- Nuts
- Xylitol
- Yeast Dough
This is by no means a comprehensive list. Check the Animal Poison Control webpage for current information frequently. When in doubt, always throw it out. If you don’t know what an ingredient is or what it does, then assume it’s bad news. You can always look it up later. Save yourself a ton of vet bills and potential heartbreak by being more cautious than you think you need to be. Keep in mind that ‘sugar-free’ doesn’t mean ‘dog safe.’
Get Help if Your Dog Ate Bad Frosting
When in doubt, please take your pup to the vet if they ate frosting with a dangerous ingredient. Early intervention can save their life or health. While it’s not always possible to see the side effects, a dog who is vomiting or has diarrhea, it’s time to ask for professional assistance.
You can also call poison control in an emergency for help. Poison Control can tell you if you can do anything to help at home and whether you need an emergency vet visit.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435
Never put things off to ‘see if they get better.’ Your dog cannot help themselves, so as a good pet parent, you have to be responsible for their health and wellbeing.
Healthy Alternatives
You can make a healthy frosting alternative for your dog quickly enough. Ingredients like bananas, unsweetened natural peanut butter, unsweetened and unspiced pumpkin puree, and cauliflower that’s cooked and pureed all make fantastic dog icing.
There are plenty of great recipes for doggy treats and cakes. Skip the unhealthy foods like decorative gum paste and candies even if you think your dog would love them. It’s better to stick to things your dog would have in their diet in nature instead. Even food coloring can be a problem for your pup.
Choose a healthy, naturally sweet snack if you want to surprise your pup with an occasional treat. I suggest picking up some Greenies Original Regular Dental Dog Treats from Amazon. Instead of messing up their dental health, you could be making it better. You can check prices and availability by clicking here.
A doggy who accidentally gets their muzzle into some cupcakes and frosting will likely be alright. Often the worst side effect is some digestive upset for your pet and shame when you scold them. Still, it’s better to keep the frosted cookies and cakes somewhere your pet can’t reach them.
If you tend to keep your sweets on the countertop, then you need to make sure they’re inside a sealed container where your dog won’t be able to reach them easily. Cookie and candy jars keep out more than dust and bugs.
Of course, a sufficiently determined dog may find a way anyhow.
Keep Your Dog Out of the Frosting With Good Feeding Habits
It’s tough to say no to ‘the eyes’ sometimes when they beg for your frosted treats, but as a responsible pet owner, you need to say no. Never feed your dog from your plate. Dogs shouldn’t eat at the table or under it while their humans are having a meal.
Dog social structure requires a leader of the pack. As the owner, that’s you. What that means for healthy feeding is that you should always eat first and finish your own food or put it away. Instead of handing your pup snacks during mealtime, give them all their food in their bowl.
It’s okay to use treats for training, but don’t share food with your dog. Keeping a clear separation will help your dog learn healthy and natural eating patterns. In the long run, this will help your dog learn that food never comes from the garbage, or your counters, etc. Make sure they get enough food, in one location, in their bowl only.
Final Thoughts
Healthy and happy dogs don’t need any frosting at all. They will never miss it if they don’t have any. Plus, you can keep your pup from sugar cravings as well as health problems by preventing them from ever eating sugar.
Sure, it probably wouldn’t kill your dog to have a little bit now and then, but why start a bad habit? Think of it like smoking. You love your dog, and you wouldn’t give them a cigarette because it isn’t good for them, and it could be damaging. Treat frosting the same way.
Opt for healthy treats when you want to reward your dog or celebrate a special occasion. By making good choices, you can help your favorite canine companion live a long and healthy life.
