If you are like most people, you are amazed by how quiche tastes. After all, there is a reason why this French delicacy is popular worldwide. But what about your dog? Is quiche allowed to dogs or not?
Can dogs eat quiche? No, ideally, you should avoid giving your dog quiche because most human quiche recipes include ingredients that are either harmful or even toxic to dogs. However, you can indulge your dog with quiche treats made using dog-friendly ingredients exclusively.
In this article, we will describe what quiche is and what it is made of. We will also discuss which common quiche ingredients are dangerous to dogs and give tips on what to do in case your dog eats quiche. Finally, we will offer some dog-friendly quiche recipes.
What Is Quiche, And What Is It Made From?
Quiche is a specific type of French tart or, in simpler words – an egg pie. It is made from a pastry crust filled with savory custards and chunks of meat, seafood, cheese, or vegetables. Quiche is creamy with a soft texture and can be served both hot and cold.
The pastry or pie crust is made of water, flour, milk, butter, and salt. The filling allows the cook to be more imaginative but usually involves ingredients like eggs, cheese, heavy cream, bacon, onions, garlic, and spices.
Quiche For Dogs – Yay Or Nay?
If talking about standard and popular quiche recipes, we will have to recommend keeping them away from your dog’s food bowl. Therefore, the official verdict on quiche for dogs would be nay.
Anyway, if you are a fan of quiche and want your dog to enjoy the tasty blend of creamy ingredients, you can prepare a dog-friendly quiche. In such a case, the verdict would be yay.
Troublesome Quiche Ingredients
There are several ingredients that make quiche a no-go for dogs. Some of them are risky when consumed in larger amounts or too frequently, while others are straightforwardly toxic. Let’s take a closer look at each ingredient.
Ingredient number 1: EGGS
In general, eggs are safe for dogs and loaded with health-boosting ingredients. In fact, many commercial dog foods feature eggs in their formulas. However, if eaten in excess, they can be hard to digest and trigger tummy issues.
Additionally, eggs are known for their allergenic features and can cause adverse reactions in overly sensitive dogs. Finally, it should be noted that the egg yolk is rich in fats. Once again, in small amounts, these fats are healthy but, if overly indulged, can cause issues – pancreatitis and digestion problems.
Ingredient number 2: MILK
Milk and dogs are not a good combination. As puppies grow, they become less tolerant of milk. To be more accurate, most adult dogs are incapable of processing milk. This is because they lack lactase – the enzyme responsible for breaking down milk sugars.
When a lactose-intolerant dog consumes milk or any other dairy product, it develops a digestive upset in the form of diarrhea, bloating, gassiness, and abdominal pain. However, such dogs can drink lactose-free milk and plant-based formulas, like oat milk.
Ingredient number 3: SALT
The dog’s natural diet does not contain added salts. Dogs, like any other animal, need small amounts of salt as this mineral is critical for various body functions. Anyway, when consumed in excess amounts, salt can cause poisoning.
A dog with salt poisoning will experience vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, ataxia (lack of coordination), tremors, and seizures. Salt intoxication patients are in life-threatening danger and require immediate veterinary care.
Ingredient number 4: BUTTER
It is no secret that dogs like butter – its taste, its consistency, and its texture. However, same as for people, butter can be risky for dogs too. Namely, butter contains way too many fats than the dog’s sensitive tummy can handle.
Therefore, butter represents a two-fold danger to dogs. In the short run, too much butter can trigger a digestive upset and, in the long run, issues like unnecessary weight gain or painful inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
Ingredient number 5: CHEESE
Cheese is another food item dogs love but sadly are not allowed to eat. Cheese poses a risk for dogs because of several reasons. First of all, it is high in salt, and as already explained, salt can be poisonous. Second, it is a dairy product, and most dogs cannot handle members of this food family. Third, cheese is rich in fats.
It is worth mentioning that not all cheese options are equally bad for dogs. Some cheese types like cottage cheese and mozzarella are healthier and safer, while cheeses like parmesan and gorgonzola are quite dangerous.
Ingredient number 6: BACON
Is there a dog that does not love meat? The answer is no. However, just because dogs are carnivores that thrive and grow on meat-based diets does not mean that every meat makes a great part of their diets.
Bacon is not suited for dogs because it is too fatty and salted. Plus, most bacon forms are smoked, and the smoking process is associated with certain adverse health effects. A small chunk of bacon every now and then will not do harm, but more regular use is a risk.
Ingredient number 7: ONION/GARLIC
Onion and garlic are almost always included in quiche recipes, either as raw veggies or dried and powdered as spices. Regardless of the form, both garlic and onion are toxic to dogs. Even if consumed in small amounts, these members of the Allium family can cause poisoning.
The most severe consequence associated with garlic and onion is anemia. These foods contain chemical compounds that cause the destruction of the red blood cells, which results in their removal from circulation.
What Should I Do If My Dog Ate Quiche?
If your dog ate quiche – stole a piece from your plate, or climbed on the counter, it is important to remain calm and act responsibly. Here is a short description of what you need to do.
Step number 1: Take the quiche away – The first thing you need to do is remove the uneaten remaining of the quiche or alternatively get your dog to another room.
Step number 2: Assess the situation – Try to evaluate how much your dog ate and remember the exact ingredients included in the recipe.
Step number 3: Call the veterinarian – Call your trusted veterinarian and explain what happened. Provide as much information as possible.
Step number 4: Do as instructed – Based on the info you provide, the vet will decide whether it is best to wait and see how your dog feels or to have it brought to the office.
Dog-Friendly Quiche Recipes
With the risky ingredients covered, it is time to roll up your sleeves, put the apron on, and start mixing dog-friendly foods into tasty quiches. Since the pastry or pie crust is generally unsafe and with a low nutritional profile for dogs, most dog-friendly quiche recipes are crustless. Here are three popular recipes for crustless dog-friendly quiche.
Recipe number 1: DELICIOUS TURKEY QUICHE
Ingredients:
· 8 eggs (beaten)
· 1 ½ cups plant-based or lactose-free milk
· ½ pound lean turkey meat
Instructions:
· Spray the pan with a low-fat baking oil
· Mix the eggs and milk in a bowl
· Chop the turkey meat and add it to the bowl
· Pour the mixture into the pie pan
· Bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.
Recipe number 2: SAVORY VEGETABLE QUICHE
Ingredients:
· 8 eggs (beaten)
· 1 ½ cups plant-based or lactose-free milk
· 1 cup of veggies (carrots, green beans, broccoli)
Instructions:
· Spray the pan with a low-fat baking oil
· Mix the eggs and milk in a bowl
· Blend or finely chop the veggies
· Pour the mixture into the pie pan
· Bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.
Recipe number 3: SWEET FRUIT QUICHE
Ingredients:
· 8 eggs (beaten)
· 1 ½ cups plant-based or lactose-free milk
· 1 cup of fruits (berries, bananas, apples, peaches)
Instructions:
· Spray the pan with a low-fat baking oil
· Mix the eggs and milk in a bowl
· Blend or finely chop the fruits
· Pour the mixture into the pie pan
· Bake for 45 minutes at 375 degrees.
SUMMING UP: Can Dogs Eat Quiche?
Whether quiche is suitable and safe for dogs depends on the ingredients used to make the recipe. Generally speaking, most quiches are not recommended for dogs because they often contain potentially harmful or even toxic ingredients.
However, if you do not mind preparing your homemade dog meals, you can always whisk up several dog-friendly ingredients and make quiche treats that are safe for dogs. On the other hand, if your dog steals a piece of your quiche, it is best advised to give your trusted vet a call.
FAQs
Can dogs eat spinach quiche?
As long as the rest of the used ingredients are dog-friendly, the answer is yes. Dogs can eat spinach as the amount of this ingredient in quiche recipes is small. When preparing spinach quiche for your dog, make sure you avoid salt and spices.
Can dogs eat quiche Lorraine?
No, dogs must not eat quiche Lorraine. This is because the original quiche Lorraine recipe includes onions, and onions are toxic to dogs. Even when baked and thoroughly cooked, onions have chemical compounds that cause anemia in dogs.
