What’s better than waking up to a plate of pancakes? Waking up to a plate of blueberry pancakes! Topped with the famous blue-colored superfood, not only are they more flavorful but they’re also way more nutritious—perfect for kick starting the day!
However, today’s an exception to the unwritten rule that blueberry pancakes are best eaten before the clock strikes noon. Why? Because January 28th is Blueberry Pancake Day! And in celebration, you’re free to indulge in the fruit-sprinkled cake-inspired dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
Okay, we know you’re excited to scarf down as many mouthwateringly delicious blueberry pancakes—your furry friend most likely is, too! But before you head to the kitchen and whip up a batch for you and your pooch, let’s find out if it’s safe for dogs to eat blueberries.
Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
To answer the question, yes—it’s perfectly safe for dogs to eat blueberries. As a matter of fact, trading in your pup’s store-bought treats for the tiny, circular fruits comes with several health benefits.
Blueberries aren’t called superfoods for nothing. On top of being low in calories, they’re rich in fiber, vitamin c, and phytochemicals, making them excellent in boosting the immune system and improving overall health.
When it comes to a dog’s diet, fiber is very important. It helps the digestive tract function and digest food properly, preventing stomach issues, like diarrhea and constipation.
Vitamin C, on the other hand, is a nutrient that dogs are naturally capable of producing on their own. However, certain factors, such as stress, illness, or even over-exercising, can cause their vitamin c reserve to rapidly deplete. Since vitamin c is essential for the removal of free-radicals, disease prevention, and optimum health, supplementation is highly beneficial.
Lastly, we have phytochemicals; otherwise known as “cancer-fighting” chemicals. With their amazing antioxidant properties, they help the body get rid of toxins and carcinogens, which are substances that promote the formation of cancer. The benefits don’t stop there, though! They also aid in overall development, enhance brain function, prevent cell damage, and slow down aging—talk about super, right?
How to Have a Safe Blueberry Pancake Day with Your Pooch
Now that you’ve made sure that sharing blueberries with your canine friend is A-OK, you’re one step closer to having the Blueberry Pancake Day safety know-how down pat. All you need to do is keep the following tips in mind when preparing your and your dog’s celebratory flapjacks and you’ll be good to go!
Check the Pancake Mix Ingredients
Whether you’ll be making your own pancake mix or using store-bought ones, it’s best to make sure that they’re free of ingredients and additives that can harm your dog. Common pancake flavorings, like chocolate or raisins, for instance, are extremely poisonous to dogs and should be avoided completely.
It’s also best to avoid those with high sugar content, as well as artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Does Your Dog Have Allergies?
Another thing you need to do before bringing out your pancake batter-mixing kit is to remember whether or not your dog is allergic to any of the ingredients you’ll be using. Some dogs are allergic to grain or eggs; others are even lactose intolerant. So make sure to take your dog’s allergies into consideration or check with your veterinarian if you’re unsure.
Ditch the Extras
While we enjoy slathering our pancakes with maple syrup or butter, it’s not something we should do if we want to share them with our pets. Feeding them sugary foods can cause a number of health problems, including diarrhea, vomiting, cavities, unhealthy weight gain, diabetes, and even poisoning, especially when xylitol is involved.
When making pancakes for your dog this Blueberry Pancake Day, keep it simple and ditch the extras. Trust us, pancakes topped with blueberries alone will make any dog ecstatic!
Moderation Is Key
As much as we want to share the pleasure of enjoying stacks of blueberry pancakes with our furry friends every day, doing so can do more harm than good in the long run. So only let your pooch have them in moderation. Perhaps, only in special occasions, such as today. The good news is; blueberries can (safely) tide them over until the next pancake-themed holiday!
Do you and your dog love blueberry pancakes? Share your blueberry pancake-related stories below!
