You’re sitting at the breakfast table, enjoying a warm and soft French toast, when you spot your pup eyeing them. It is hard to resist those puppy eyes but you’re not sure whether it’s safe for your dog. Although rich in proteins and fats, this does not mean French toast offers anything with nutritional value to your puppy. Made using a handful of ingredients, you may be wondering whether it’s a safe meal for your pup! Start reading to learn more about whether it’s safe to feed your pup French toast!
Can I feed my dog French toast?
Yes, french toast is safe for dogs but only when given in small quantities. Though made using ingredients like egg, milk, and bread, French toast offers no nutritional value to dogs since it’s given in small amounts. Moreover, it can cause digestive problems like diarrhea if consumed in large quantities.
Since French toast has a high-fat content, it can cause health problems like pancreatitis in the long run. Some dogs might be lactose intolerant, and feeding them French toast might lead to health issues. In addition to this, some people add raisins, nutmeg, or sweeteners to French toast, which can cause poisoning to allergic reactions in dogs.
Though it is safe in small quantities, it is better to feed your pup healthy meals that provide them with the nutrition required.
In what quantity can I give a French toast to my dog?
It is essential to note the amount of French toast you feed your pup. If you’re giving your dog French toast, do it moderately, as even though it is considered safe, French toast isn’t healthy for dogs. Giving them one or two bites would be considered safe as providing your dog with French toast regularly can lead to health problems like diarrhea, bloating, and in rare cases, kidney failure. Some dogs may be lactose intolerant, so giving them French toast can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal issues. Always ensure that there aren’t toxic ingredients present in it.
Consult your vet and check if your dog has any food sensitivity issues before introducing new foods. Several other options are available, like bananas, apples, peanut butter, etc. If your dog consumes more than one slice, immediately consult a vet.
Risks of giving your dog French toast
If not given moderately, French toast can cause health problems like vomiting, diarrhea, digestive issues, obesity, and in some cases, even pancreatitis in dogs. Some French toasts contain nutmeg, which is extremely harmful as it causes loss of appetite, muscle tremors, irritability, and seizures. French toast also contains gluten, which can cause a nutritional deficiency in some dogs.
Certain French toast recipes use flour, leading to bloating, intestinal blockage, and diarrhea in pups. The presence of sugar will cause cavities, weight gain, diabetes, and diarrhea.
If artificial sweeteners like xylitol are used to prepare French toast, it can be extremely harmful and cause liver failure.
How to prepare a healthy French toast for your pup?
Preparing French toast for your dog by yourself would help ensure that only healthy and safe ingredients are used. Here are steps to make a delicious treat to give your pup occasionally:
- Step 1: Take a slice of bread (brown bread is the healthiest option for dogs) and cut it into thin strips.
- Step 2: Beat one egg with two egg whites until thoroughly mixed.
- Step 3: Pour milk into the egg mixture (coconut milk is preferred as some dogs are lactose intolerant) and mix well.
- Step 4: Use a cooking spray to coat a pan and heat lightly.
- Step 5: Dip the pieces of bread into the mixture and place them in the pan until it is golden brown on both sides.
- Step 6: Remove the bread from the pan into a plate. You could serve it with bananas or peanut butter to make it more nutritional.
What are some alternatives to French toast for dogs?
There are many options available in the market if you don’t want to give your dog French toast. Some of them are:
- Carrots
- Apples
- Cantaloupe
- Green beans
- Banana
- Blueberries
What are some harmful ingredients to avoid while making French toast for your pup?
A commonly used ingredient in French toast is syrup. It adds sweetness to the French toast and makes it more flavorful. However, it is not suitable for dogs, and they should not consume foods with high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Dogs have difficulty digesting sugar, and sweeteners can cause problems like diarrhea or vomiting.
In a few cases, bread can be harmful to dogs as it contains yeast, creating gas in your pup’s digestive system. Gluten is also present in the bread, and this can cause digestive issues, skin irritation, etc. Avoid using any ingredients like raisins, chocolate, nutmeg as these cause severe health problems in dogs. It can lead to poisoning, seizures, and sometimes, even the death of your pup.
FAQs
Q1. Is toast terrible for dogs?
Toast mainly contains carbs, and too much of it can cause weight gain in your pup. Moreover, it doesn’t have a lot of nutrition, so it isn’t recommended for dogs.
Q2. Can dogs eat French toast sticks?
If given in moderation, dogs can consume French toast sticks. It should be safe as long as it isn’t frequent and doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients.
Q3. How often should I feed my dog French toast?
Only give your dog French toast as an occasional treat. Frequent consumption of French toast can be harmful in the long run, so it is better to provide it occasionally.
Conclusion
French toast is safe for consumption by dogs when given moderately as an occasional treat. Since it has no health benefits, and excessive consumption can lead to health problems, it is better to avoid French toast.If you are giving a French toast to your pup, ensure that it does not contain any harmful ingredients like nutmeg, raisins, sweeteners, etc. Consumption can cause health issues like diarrhea, vomiting, liver failure, diabetes, etc.
Always consult a vet before introducing new foods to your pup. Instead of French toast, you could feed your dog apples, bananas, blueberries, carrots, etc.
We hope we have answered all your questions about French toast for dogs! Please comment with your tips and thoughts. Thanks for reading!
Dr. Aram Baker has been with Santa Clarita Animal Hospital since 1995 and his special interests include behaviour medicine and dermatology. He graduated from the Cleveland Humanities Magnet Program in Reseda, CA and attended California State University at Northridge where he received a Bachelor’s degree in biology. He went on to pursue his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis. He also spent time in the zoological medicine department at U.C. Davis during his Junior and Senior years. He is dedicated to caring for all pets big or small, young or old with compassion, patience, kindness, and love.