 The Short Answer is: |
No. Dogs cannot consume chocolate, wheat flour, and sugar, which are the key ingredients in red velvet cake. Theobromine and caffeine, two methylxanthines found in chocolate, are toxic to dogs because they cannot be broken down by them. |
The purpose of this article is to explain “Can Dogs Eat Red Velvet Cake?“.
There are many dedicated pet owners who treat their dogs like their children or best friends. I love my dog I talk to him a lot but I do not always think its a good idea to feed him the yummy things I prepare.
When you love cake for instance you want to share it with your best friend. And yes the dog will probably love it too. Whenever you feel like giving your dog a treat you should consider whether it is safe.
As you would do with a child Would you give a small child a taste of your cappuccino? Would you give them some wine?
So can dogs eat red velvet cake?
Unfortunately dogs cannot eat red velvet cake. Even if he does not get a piece he will judge you but this type of dessert can be quite toxic for dogs so you wouldnot be doing him any favors. It would be the opposite.
We will examine the ingredients in red velvet cake and discuss why some of them are dangerous to your dog in this article. Also we have a dog-friendly cake recipe that tastes so good you’ll be begging for it!
What is red velvet cake?
The history of red velvet cake is long and fascinating. Almost all of us agree that a good dessert must have some chocolate in it. Cocoa was however a luxury good for our ancestors for hundreds of years. During the 1500s it was Christopher Columbus who brought the first cocoa beans to Europe.
Cocoa did not become a staple of cakes until the Victorian era. At that time few could afford it. Cocoa wasnot just appealing because of its chocolate flavor; it also interacted with flour and made the cake softer.
Cocoa gives cakes a smooth texture which is why they are described as velvety.
It is difficult to determine who deserves credit for the invention of this exquisite dessert since red velvet cake as we know it today was only invented in the 20th century.
It is believed that Adams Extracts marketed this cake while the Waldorf Astoria Hotel insists that its cooks invented it.
Either way it is a luxurious cake and its taste is only surpassed by its festive appearance.
What are the ingredients in red velvet cake?
Most people believe that the cakes name comes from the red icing but thats not exactly true. The red food coloring most cooks use today was invented decades after the original recipe was developed.
Historically cooks obtained the special red color by reacting cocoa with vinegar.
Additionally during WWII there were many food shortages so people used beets instead of sugar; beets even stain your hands when you touch them.
If you do not use colors the cake will taste almost as good but it will look less impressive
You need the following ingredients to make a traditional red velvet cake:
- Butter
- Eggs
- Buttermilk
- Vanilla Extract
- Vegetable oil (preferably canola)
- White vinegar
- Flour
- Sugar
- Cocoa
- Salt
- Baking soda
- Red food coloring or powdered beets
- Beets some people also use cream cheese.
- Decorate the cake with strawberries raspberries or walnuts (optional)
Lets not waste any more time learning how to cook. Lets look at what really matters to us. Do these ingredients pose any health risks to dogs?
Ingredients like flour and baking soda (in small amounts) are not dangerous for dogs. In the same way the amount of white vinegar used in a cake poses no risk. Buttermilk has a lower lactose content than milk so your dog will not be harmed by it.
Butter
In spite of the fact that butter isnot toxic it isnot good for dogs. Pets with lactose intolerance may experience problems. Butter on the other hand is just fat. If a dog consumes too much fat in his diet this can lead to pancreatitis which is quite dangerous. If your dog eats just a little butter it would not cause any harm except maybe an upset stomach.
Cocoa
It is one of the most dangerous ingredients in red velvet cake for dogs. Theobromine and caffeine in cocoa are toxic to dogs. If your dog consumes cocoa especially powdered cocoa he will be at risk of heart attacks seizures and even death.
There are recipes that call for 20 grams of cocoa while Martha Stewarts recipe calls for 1/2 cup which would be around 60 grams which is a lot for dogs.
Dogs with different weights have varying levels of toxicity. It is a medical emergency if a medium-sized dog consumes 20 grams of cocoa powder.
In order to prevent your dog from stealing your chocolate in the future you should never feed him chocolate or even give him a taste. This is the most dangerous type of chocolate because it contains the highest amount of cocoa.
This calculator can help you determine whether your dog should go to the vet if it eats chocolate.
Cakes often require coffee whether brewed or in the form of instant powder. Such beverages are harmful to dogs in any case. In large quantities caffeine in particular is harmful to a dogs heart and can even cause death.
Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of proteins fatty acids iron and vitamins A and D so you can include eggs in your dog’s diet. There are 72 calories in one 50 g egg and it contains 6.3 g of protein so you can feed eggs to your dog.
Sugar
Unless your dog eats too much sugar it would not harm them at least not immediately. It is likely that the dog will develop a sweet tooth or sugar addiction just like humans. The long-term consumption of sugar can cause a number of health problems such as obesity diabetes and hypertension. A 100g serving of sugar has 387 calories.
Vegetable oil
Dogs can benefit from cooking oil if it is used in moderation but too much fat can cause significant health problems. Cooking oil also has a high calorific content. There are 884 calories per 100g of canola oil in the recipe which is quite a lot for dogs let alone humans.
Vanilla extract
Even though vanilla extract seems like a harmless ingredient to you dogs are quite sensitive to it. Vanilla extract contains 35% alcohol which the dogs system cannot break down. Dogs can eat vanilla straight from the pod.
When it comes to alcohol many cake recipes mention it in some way. Whisky or rum are used in many desserts none of which should be fed to dogs. Theres nothing wrong with the dog getting drunk and acting inappropriately. Drinking too much alcohol can result in dangerous drops in blood sugar and blood pressure as well as a drop in body temperature. The consumption of alcohol in any amount can also result in respiratory failure and seizures so consult your vet as soon as possible.
Fruit
It is common for red velvet cakes to be decorated with fruit such as strawberries or berries because the berries contrast nicely with the cream cheese icing. Your dog would not have any problems with these treats and they are actually quite healthy for him.
Despite being high in sugar strawberries are a great source of vitamin C vitamin B12 and copper. Also they are rich in fibers which can be helpful for a dogs digestion. You should however keep in mind that strawberries should only be served as a snack preferably cut into pieces to prevent choking. They can also cause diarrhea if consumed in large quantities.
Even better options for dogs are raspberries blackberries and cranberries since they have less sugar than strawberries. Furthermore all berries contain antioxidants which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals. Berry snacks also contain few calories and are therefore suitable for snacking. Ten blueberries are the perfect snack for a small dog but a large dog can eat twice that amount.
Dogs can enjoy walnuts as an occasional snack because they contain healthy fats proteins and minerals. The walnuts however should be examined carefully because they are prone to a particular type of black mold which is highly toxic to dogs. Mold can cause tremors in which case you should go to the vet as soon as possible. If your dog eats more than a few pieces of walnuts he’ll consume more than 600 calories.
You can make a dog-friendly cake
If you choose safe ingredients its fine to celebrate your pets birthday with a cake as a proud pet parent. The peanut butter and applesauce used in dog-friendly recipes are quite appetizing and not just for pets.
Here is an easy recipe you can use to make your dog feel special.
The following will be needed:
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup cooking oil
- 1/3 cup applesauce
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup grated carrots grated
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
It is very simple to prepare.
Whisk together the eggs oil apple sauce peanut butter carrot and honey in a bowl. Then add the flour and baking soda and stir to combine.
Line two cake pans with cooking paper and pours the batter in.
Bake for 30 minutes in the oven (at 180 degrees).
Put a thin layer of natural or organic peanut butter between the two parts of the cake before arranging it. Add a few berries and whipped cream to decorate! Have a wonderful anniversary!
Conclusion
When a dog wants something he can be extremely persistent but before you give in and give him whatever it is you are eating consider the ingredients. Chocolate desserts should be avoided by dogs. Dogs can get poisoned by chocolate. Also do not give your dog anything containing vanilla extract alcohol or coffee. If you want to give your dog something sweet do not give them too much sugar. If you really care about your dog bake him a cake that is not as opulent as the fabulous velvet cake but safe for him!
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
