Search data shows that more dog owners than ever are looking to celebrate Pancake Day (Tuesday 1st March) this year by making pooch-friendly crepes. Unfortunately, some of the ingredients in traditional pancake recipes could upset your dog’s stomach and even lead to health problems like diabetes.
Not wanting dogs to miss out on 1st March, Ocado have partnered with an expert in pet nutrition to create a recipe which is safe for dogs – even those with particularly sensitive tums.
Stephen Ward is the Founder of Heights Farm Premium Pet Foods – a high-quality, independent pet food manufacturer designed for animals with allergies and intolerances. Stephen is passionate about pet nutrition. He explains that, like us, dogs are what they eat:
“Dogs rely on us humans to take the very best care of their daily dietary needs. Ensuring your Dog enjoys a healthy nutritious balanced diet will in turn promote a long, active life with lots of fun and hopefully less costly trips to the vets.”
Stephen explains that traditional pancake recipes are not fit for doggy consumption:
“Traditional syrup-filled human pancakes would not be suitable for dogs as they contain salts, sugars and carbohydrates. A dog can’t break down the fats and carbs like a human does. If eaten regularly, the result would generally be rapid weight gain which of course can lead to chronic conditions such as diabetes.
“Also, more immediate issues may be seen in dogs with allergies, intolerances and particularly sensitive stomachs.”
Dog-friendly pancake recipe
Stephen has designed a recipe especially for dogs to enjoy this Pancake Day, replacing common allergens like wheat flour and cow’s milk with dog-appropriate alternatives. The recipe can be found on the Ocado website, where you can also purchase the necessary ingredients.
Ingredients
- 50g gluten-free brown rice flour
- 1 egg
- ½ banana, sliced, optional for topping
- 1 apple, sliced, optional for topping
- 1 carrot, sliced, optional for topping
- 1 cucumber, sliced, optional for topping
- 2 tbsp pumpkin purée, optional for topping
- 175g chicken breast, sliced, optional for topping
- 175g beef, diced, optional for topping
- 175g turkey breast, diced, optional for topping
- 2 tbsp Xylitol-free unsweetened peanut butter, optional for topping
Step 1
Sieve the flour into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle of the flour and add the egg and 100ml of lukewarm water before whisking until the ingredients are fully combined.
Step 2
Heat a non-stick frying pan to a medium temperature then add a ladle of the pancake mixture to the pan.
Step 3
Cook the pancakes for 30 seconds on each side before removing from the heat and leaving to cool fully. Add your dog’s favourite toppings and serve.
Tips for a healthy pancake day with your dog
If you’re going to celebrate Pancake Day with your dog, Stephen has a few more tips to ensure you’re prioritising your dog’s health:
1. As always, make sure your dog has access to plenty of fresh clean drinking water.
2. Adjust your dog’s daily feeds to account for the extra calorie intake.
3. As with all treats, remember to serve these pancakes in moderation.
