The short answer is yes – dogs can eat and enjoy French toast, although it is best given to them as an occasional treat rather than as a full meal. It’s absolutely fine to share a piece of French toast with your dog, but you may want to consider a few things first before going ahead and giving them a piece.
Most pet owners have likely shared French toast with their dogs, but can dogs eat French toast? Thankfully, if you’ve ever shared this tasty breakfast treat with them, it’s good news as French toast is usually safe for dogs to eat. They love it too! But just because it’s safe to eat doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthy for them too.
Some of the ingredients in French toast can make your puppy poorly. Read on to find out what ingredients dogs can’t eat, if it’s good or bad for them, and things to consider when feeding your dog French toast.
Can my dog eat French toast instead of one of their meals?
Although French toast typically contains milk and eggs – two ingredients rich in protein – French toast shouldn’t be given to your dog in replacement of a nutritious meal. In fact, French toast isn’t considered nutritious for dogs as it barely contains any of the essential vitamins and minerals their bodies require to function. Of course, French toast is delicious, and your dog will no doubt love it, but it doesn’t contain anything in it that would benefit their lifestyle.
Is French toast different to normal toast?
Yes. French toast is very different from normal toast as it is usually made by dipping bread in an egg and milk mixture and then fried in oil or butter, whereas normal toast is bread placed under a grill or in a toaster and buttered.
Is French toast safe for dogs?
French toast can be enjoyed by dogs and is perfectly safe to give them as a treat. You need to ensure you follow a natural recipe that does not contain any harmful substances for dogs. Any recipe you follow should be free from artificial sweeteners, sugars, and maple syrup, as this can be toxic to dogs no matter how small the quantity.
Which ingredients should I avoid in French toast?
As we’ve mentioned above, there are some ingredients you want to avoid when making your dog French toast. The main ingredients you should avoid are syrup, artificial sweeteners, and sugar.
As dogs can’t break down and digest sugars as our bodies can, they will usually face a bout of diarrhea or vomiting when they consume sugar.
Artificial sweeteners are particularly bad for your dog as they can cause a whole array of health problems for your dog, including obesity, diabetes, diarrhea, and vomiting if consumed regularly. Certain sweeteners such as Xylitol are toxic to dogs and can cause liver failure if ingested.
In addition to artificial sugars and sweeteners, Nutmeg is a big no-no when it comes to making French toast for your dog. Nutmeg contains a compound called Myristicin which can cause seizures in dogs, so it’s very important you keep Nutmeg out of your French toast recipe when making it for your dog.
If you want to share your favorite breakfast treat with your canine companion, consider keeping theirs all-natural with no unwanted nasties in it. You can even add fresh fruit such as bananas with a bit of peanut butter for a healthy dog treat.
When should I feed my dog French toast?
We recommend feeding your dog French toast in moderation, either as a treat for a special occasion such as their birthday or Christmas or as a small snack once a month. Feeding your dog French toast regularly (more than three times per week) is usually not advised as it can cause your pooch long-term health problems such as excessive bloating, flatulence, and, in some cases, kidney failure.
There are plenty of nutritious and healthy snacks on the market for your dog to enjoy, such as bananas and peanut butter. French toast should only be given to your dog as a rare treat and in small quantities.
How should I feed my dog French toast?
It can be tempting to throw your dog a full slice of delicious French toast whilst you’re enjoying yours, but the best way to feed your dog French toast is to chop it up into small, bitesize pieces and place it in their food bowl to reduce the risk of choking.
As French toast should only be consumed as a treat in small quantities, we recommend only feeding your dog a piece no bigger than 2cm width and 5cm length. You also want to make sure the toast has completely cooled down first before placing it in your dog’s food bowl.
Does it matter what bread I use for French toast?
As long as the bread you use doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients that could be toxic to your dog, most loaves of bread are typically safe for your dog to eat. Although brown bread is considered a healthier option as it contains a high amount of fiber and carbohydrates, you can really use any bread for French toast as long as it doesn’t contain anything that could be toxic to dogs, such as; raisins, chocolate, grapes or certain nuts and seeds.
Because bread is heavy and can sit on your dog’s stomach, you shouldn’t feed them too much. A whole slice is too much, so when feeding your dog French toast, opt for a very thin slice that isn’t much bigger than the crust. If your dog consumes too much French toast, you may need a trip to the vets.
How much French toast should my dog eat?
Because French toast is filling, you shouldn’t feed your dog much. Bread can also cause severe bloating in dogs as it is very dense. Because of this, you should only feed your dog a small amount of French toast as a rare treat. A small slice, no bigger than a crust, is absolutely fine, but a whole slice is too much.
If your dog eats more than a whole slice, you should contact your vet as a priority.
Is French toast bad for dogs?
French toast is safe for your dog to eat, but it won’t provide them with any health benefits. If anything, it’s certainly not healthy for them to eat every day.
Because French toast is loaded with carbohydrates, it can contribute to weight gain and obesity if your dog is over-fed, so keeping it to a minimum is best.
Can French toast upset my dog’s stomach?
Although French toast won’t usually upset your dog’s stomach, some dogs may become poorly or vomit after eating some. Just like any food, French toast has the potential to cause stomach issues depending on your dog’s sensitivities.
If your dog suffers from a bout of vomiting or diarrhea after consuming French toast, particularly if it happens more than once, it is possible they are allergic to some of the ingredients from your recipe. Should you suspect your dog is allergic to anything, it’s best to take them to your local vet to check it out and rule out anything more serious.
How should I make French toast for my dog?
It’s really easy to make dog-friendly French toast. Follow our steps below to give your dog the occasional perfect treat:
- Take one piece of bread and slice it into small strips
- Take an egg and mix it together with two egg whites until well mixed
- Add in milk to the egg mixture (we recommend coconut milk as some dogs can be allergic to cows milk)
- Spray a non-stick pan with cooking spray and heat lightly
- Dip bread segments into the mixture and fry in the pan until golden on both sides
- Remove from the pan once cooked and top with bananas and peanut butter for a more nutritious snack
Can I add Cinnamon to my dog’s French toast?
The great news is that Cinnamon is actually non-toxic to dogs and can actually be beneficial to your dog’s health in small quantities. Cinnamon is laced with anti-inflammatory properties making it a great addition for older dogs with joint pain and swelling. Cinnamon is also great for dogs with diabetes as it can help regulate their blood sugar and lower their insulin resistance. Next time you make French toast, consider adding in a pinch of Cinnamon for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Yes. Dogs can eat French toast providing it is free from any ingredients that could be toxic to them or cause them harm. It doesn’t matter what type of bread you use either; just ensure there are no hidden ingredients that could harm your dog, and you’ll be fine.
Remember: French toast should only be consumed in small quantities as a treat as it can cause stomach upset such as bloating, when consumed too much.
