My dog has always been part of the family breakfast routine. She sits by my feet every morning, hoping for a bite of whatever I’m making. But regular pancakes aren’t great for dogs with all that sugar and syrup. I wanted to make something special that we could both enjoy.
That’s why these pumpkin pancakes became our weekend tradition. They’re made with dog-safe ingredients, so I don’t worry about what she’s eating. Plus, I can make a big batch and freeze extras for busy mornings. I just mix everything up while my coffee brews.
Want to spoil your pup a little? These pancakes are perfect. They’re simple to make and your dog will think it’s their birthday. Honestly, seeing her tail wag over homemade pancakes makes the extra effort worth it.
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs
- Dog-safe ingredients – Every ingredient is perfectly safe for your furry friend, so you can feel good about treating them to something special without any worries.
- Quick and easy to make – With just 20-35 minutes from start to finish, you can whip up a batch of these pancakes whenever you want to spoil your pup.
- Simple pantry ingredients – You probably already have most of these basic ingredients at home, making it easy to surprise your dog with a homemade treat.
- Healthy pumpkin benefits – Pumpkin is great for dogs’ digestion and adds natural sweetness they’ll love, plus it’s packed with vitamins and fiber.
- Perfect bonding activity – Your dog will love watching you cook for them, and you’ll enjoy seeing their excitement when they smell these pancakes cooking on the griddle.
What Kind of Pumpkin Should I Use?
For these dog-friendly pancakes, canned pumpkin is your best bet and what most recipes call for. Make sure you’re grabbing plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains spices and sugar that aren’t good for dogs. Pure pumpkin puree is what you want to see on that ingredient label. If you have fresh pumpkin on hand, you can absolutely roast and puree it yourself, but canned pumpkin is convenient and works just as well. Just double-check that it’s 100% pumpkin with no added ingredients – your pup will thank you for it!
Options for Substitutions
Making pancakes for your furry friend? Here are some safe swaps you can make:
- Canned pumpkin: Make sure you’re using plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling which contains spices that aren’t good for dogs. You can substitute with mashed sweet potato or butternut squash if that’s what you have on hand.
- White flour: Oat flour or rice flour work well as alternatives and are easier on some dogs’ stomachs. You can even make oat flour by grinding rolled oats in a food processor until fine.
- Oil: Coconut oil is a great substitute that many dogs love, or you can use a small amount of unsalted butter. Just make sure whatever fat you use is dog-safe.
- Cinnamon: While a small amount of cinnamon is generally safe for dogs, you can leave it out entirely if you prefer. Never substitute with nutmeg or other spices as they can be harmful to pets.
- Salt: The pinch of salt helps with texture, but you can omit it completely since dogs don’t need added sodium in their treats.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making pumpkin pancakes for your furry friend is using pumpkin pie filling instead of plain canned pumpkin, as the spices and sugar in pie filling can be harmful to dogs.
Another common error is making the batter too thick by adding too much flour at once – start with 1/4 cup and gradually add more until you reach a pourable consistency, since pumpkin can vary in moisture content.
Keep your heat on medium-low to prevent burning, as these pancakes cook differently than regular ones due to the pumpkin’s natural sugars, and always let them cool completely before serving to avoid burning your pup’s tongue.
Finally, make sure to use only dog-safe ingredients and skip any toppings like syrup or butter that might upset your dog’s stomach.
What to Serve With Pumpkin Pancakes for Dogs?
These pumpkin pancakes are perfect on their own as a special breakfast treat for your pup, but you can make the meal even more exciting with a few simple additions. A dollop of plain Greek yogurt (make sure it’s xylitol-free) on top adds some extra protein and makes it feel like a real pancake breakfast. You could also drizzle a tiny bit of honey or mash up some dog-safe fruits like blueberries or banana slices as a topping. For an extra special occasion, serve these alongside some scrambled eggs (no seasoning) to create a full doggy brunch that’ll have your furry friend’s tail wagging all morning.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: These pumpkin pancakes for your pup will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container. I like to separate each pancake with parchment paper so they don’t stick together. Your dog will love having these special treats ready to go!
Freeze: You can definitely freeze these dog pancakes for longer storage – they’ll keep well for up to 2 months in freezer-safe bags. This is great for making a big batch and having homemade treats on hand whenever your furry friend deserves something special.
Serve: Let frozen pancakes thaw at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving to your dog. You can also warm them up slightly in the microwave for just a few seconds if your pup prefers them a little warm, but make sure they’re not too hot before giving them to your four-legged friend.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-20 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-35 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 240-290
- Protein: 11-13 g
- Fat: 8-10 g
- Carbohydrates: 32-40 g
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 tsp oil
- 8 tbsp canned pumpkin
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch salt
Step 1: Whisk Eggs and Liquids
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 tsp oil
In a mixing bowl, crack the eggs and add the water and oil.
Whisk these together until the mixture is well combined and slightly frothy.
This will help create a smooth base for your pancake batter.
Step 2: Incorporate the Pumpkin
- 8 tbsp canned pumpkin
Add the canned pumpkin to the egg mixture and stir until the pumpkin is evenly distributed throughout the liquid base.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Adjust Consistency
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- pinch salt
Mix in the all-purpose flour, starting with 4 tablespoons, along with the ground cinnamon, baking powder, and a pinch of salt.
Stir until there are no streaks of flour remaining.
If the batter appears too runny, gradually add more flour up to 1/3 cup until the batter becomes thick and suitable for pancakes.
I like to add just a little extra cinnamon at this point to make them even more fragrant.
Step 4: Cook the Pancakes
- batter from Step 3
- additional oil for greasing the skillet (from the initial 2 tsp oil, as needed)
Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with a bit of oil.
Pour small amounts of the batter onto the skillet to form pancakes.
Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then carefully flip and continue cooking until golden brown on both sides.
Step 5: Cool Before Serving
Once the pancakes are cooked, allow them to cool completely before serving them to your dog.
You can optionally top the pancakes with chopped, cooked apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor—but make sure the toppings are cooled well, too.
I like to taste a little myself (without the dog topping) to make sure they’re not too hot before sharing!
Tasty Pumpkin Pancakes For Dogs
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 tsp oil
- 8 tbsp canned pumpkin
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, crack the eggs and add the water and oil. Whisk these together until the mixture is well combined and slightly frothy. This will help create a smooth base for your pancake batter.
- Add the canned pumpkin to the egg mixture and stir until the pumpkin is evenly distributed throughout the liquid base.
- Mix in the all-purpose flour, starting with 4 tablespoons, along with the ground cinnamon, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir until there are no streaks of flour remaining. If the batter appears too runny, gradually add more flour up to 1/3 cup until the batter becomes thick and suitable for pancakes. I like to add just a little extra cinnamon at this point to make them even more fragrant.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly grease it with a bit of oil. Pour small amounts of the batter onto the skillet to form pancakes. Cook until bubbles form on the surface, then carefully flip and continue cooking until golden brown on both sides.
- Once the pancakes are cooked, allow them to cool completely before serving them to your dog. You can optionally top the pancakes with chopped, cooked apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra flavor—but make sure the toppings are cooled well, too. I like to taste a little myself (without the dog topping) to make sure they’re not too hot before sharing!
