Can Dogs Eat Yorkshire Puddings? Risks & Safe Serving Tips
Those fluffy puds aren’t as harmless as they look
In this article:
Is Yorkshire pudding safe for dogs? Ingredients in Yorkshire pudding that are bad for dogs Health risks of feeding Yorkshire pudding to dogs When is it OK for dogs to eat Yorkshire pudding What to do if your dog eats Yorkshire pudding Dog-friendly Yorkshire pudding recipes Healthy alternatives to Yorkshire pudding for dogs FAQs
There’s nothing better than having a fluffed-up Yorkshire pudding with your Sunday roast or on your Christmas dinner plate. But are Yorkshire puddings safe and beneficial for your dog (who is giving you their very best but I’m ever so hungry eyes across the table).
It’s very tempting to share food with our beloved pets, but before you hand that Yorkie over, let’s look into which ingredients can cause problems, which dogs are more at risk than others, what to do if your dog has eaten a Yorkshire pudding and safer alternatives.
Is Yorkshire pudding safe for dogs?
There are no ingredients in Yorkshire puddings that are toxic to dogs – however, that doesn’t mean that they’re recommended for dogs.
How much do you spend on your pet per year?
Yorkshire puddings are made to be suitable for us humans, and they offer very little nutritional value to dogs. How a dog reacts to eating a Yorkshire pudding depends on a number of factors – for example, a dog getting a small accidental bite will react differently to one that has eaten an entire pudding. Due to the high fat content and refined carbs in a Yorkshire pudding, dogs can have gastrointestinal issues after ingestion as cooked batter foods are harder for dogs to digest.
Every dog is an individual, and so tolerance varies. Some dogs will show symptoms even after only consuming small amounts.
Ingredients in Yorkshire pudding that are bad for dogs
Even though Yorkshire puddings have relatively few ingredients each one can affect dogs in different ways.
Flour (wheat)
As dogs have evolved alongside humans, they’ve moved away from being obligate carnivores, and they can, as omnivores, derive nutrition from plant and starch sources. This includes cereals such as wheat. However, too much wheat can cause gas, bloating and loose stools – so everything in moderation. Some dogs have sensitivities to cereals, and in rare cases, dogs can have gluten sensitivity.
Eggs
Cooked eggs are generally safe for dogs and are a good source of protein. How they’re cooked can be an issue as when they’re cooked in oil or fat this can cause upset stomachs.
Milk
Lactose intolerance is common in dogs – consuming dairy when it’s novel can cause diarrhoea and gas in dogs.
Fat / Oil / Beef drippings
This is the main ingredient that causes issues for dogs when eating Yorkshire puddings. High fat content is linked to pancreatitis risk along with gastrointestinal reactions. Dog food allergies are typically protein-based, and beef sensitivity is common.
Salt
There is excess sodium in roast cooking, which can cause electrolyte imbalance, thirst and dehydration.
Additional ingredients
Any additions to the basic ingredients should also be taken into account. Onion and garlic are normal ingredients for roast dinners, but these are toxic to dogs.
Health risks of feeding Yorkshire pudding to dogs
The short-term health risks of eating Yorkshire pudding include gastrointestinal issues such as:
vomiting
diarrhoea
abdominal discomfort
For medium-term issues, repeated feeding of Yorkshire puddings can lead to weight gain and the reinforcement of begging behaviours if fed from the table.
There are some serious, but less common, risks of dogs eating Yorkshire puddings, which include pancreatitis from ingestion of high-fat foods, salt toxicity or electrolyte imbalance.
Risk of issues increases during holiday seasons when dogs consume multiple rich foods from different family and household members. Make sure to have a plan as a household on if and what treats are going to be offered to your pup at these occasions.
Risks for dogs with pre-existing conditions
Dogs at higher risk of negative effects are those who have had issues in the past and are known to have sensitive stomachs. Those who’ve had a history of pancreatitis are more at risk of it reoccurring, and should have a diet that is low in fat and easily digestible to help reduce this risk.
It’s common for dogs to have food intolerances or allergies – these are typically protein-based triggers, and so if using beef drippings to cook the Yorkshire puddings, care should be taken.
Obesity is another common condition in dogs, and those with a higher Body Condition Score should have an appropriate diet to try to reduce this. Obesity is linked to multiple health risks and limiting treats is a useful way to lower calorie intake.
Dogs can have effects even from eating a very small amount. As a vet, it’s common for us to see pups come in during holiday seasons for an emergency vet visit after eating something inappropriate.
When is it OK for dogs to eat Yorkshire pudding?
Generally, feeding your pup a Yorkshire pudding is not recommended. If you’re determined, make sure it is a plain tiny piece, with no drippings, seasoning, onion or gravy. If not homemade make sure to check the ingredient list on the packaging to ensure there are no hidden nasties or toxic ingredients.
Try to have safer alternative treats available for these moments, so healthy decisions can be made.
How much Yorkshire pudding is too much for dogs
There’s no completely safe portion size of Yorkshire pudding for any dog. Risk depends on your dog’s size, fat content of the pudding and other foods eaten that day.
Anything more than a taste – approximately a thumbnail-sized bite – is an unnecessary risk for your dog. One whole Yorkshire pudding is far too much for any dog size.
What to do if your dog eats Yorkshire pudding
If your dog has stolen a Yorkshire pudding or given some accidentally, don’t panic. Try to assess how much has been consumed, what the ingredients were and if anything toxic was included (for example, garlic or onions).
Monitor your pup for 24–48 hours to check they have no negative effects, and withhold any further rich foods. Stick to a bland diet and ensure access to fresh water as they may be thirstier from the salt content. If your pup has any gastrointestinal upsets, or if you’re concerned about potential toxin exposure, make sure to speak to your vet.
Signs your dog is having a bad reaction to Yorkshire pudding
Signs your dog may be having a bad reaction to ingesting a Yorkshire pudding are commonly mild signs such as:
soft stools
flatulence
lip licking or vomiting
Concerning signs are when there is ongoing repeated vomiting, severe diarrhoea, abdominal pain and refusal to eat. They may show abdominal pain by stretching themselves out to try to relieve the pressure, or holding the prayer/downward dog pose.
Red flags that your dog needs urgent veterinary care include:
collapse
severe lethargy
bloated tummy
signs of pancreatitis – repeated vomiting or abdominal pain, diarrhoea and lethargy
If you spot any of these symptoms, make sure to contact your vets as soon as possible.
Dog-friendly Yorkshire pudding recipes
Yorkshire puddings that are more dog-friendly are ones containing no salt, low fat and no onion or garlic. Still only give very small quantities, as they’re still not nutritionally necessary for dogs and so should be limited.
Healthy alternatives to Yorkshire pudding for dogs
Instead of reaching for the Yorkshire pudding as a treat, why not pick one of the other healthier options on your plate? Safer roast dinner-style treats include plain cooked chicken or turkey, plain carrots or parsnips, green beans or a small taste of plain boiled potato.
Try to limit feeding from the table as this can reinforce ‘begging’ behaviour. Instead, on special occasions, add their treat into their normal dinner as a topping.
Bottom line: can dogs eat Yorkshire pudding?
Yorkshire puddings, while not toxic to dogs, are not appropriate as food or as a treat. An accidental bite of one is unlikely to harm most dogs but gastrointestinal issues can occur and for some it may increase risk of pancreatitis.
If your dog ingests some Yorkshire pudding stick to a plain diet for 24 hours and monitor for any issues. If any negative effects are seen, or if you see them showing signs of abdominal pain, speak to your vet to make sure all is well.
Frequently asked questions: can dogs eat Yorkshire pudding?
Can puppies eat Yorkshire pudding
No, it is not advisable to give puppies Yorkshire puddings. Young pups are more at risk of having gastrointestinal issues due to the novel ingredients and immature digestive systems. Negative effects can be worse in puppies, and they have a higher risk of diarrhoea and dehydration from it.
What can dogs eat for Christmas dinner?
Choose dog-safe festive foods such as cooked chicken or turkey, vegetables or a very small amount of potato. All of these should be small in amount, plainly cooked with no seasoning or added fat or butter. Avoid other rich foods such as pigs in blankets, or potentially toxic foods such as stuffing containing onion or garlic.
Is gluten-free Yorkshire pudding safer for dogs?
Gluten intolerance is rare in dogs but it can occur, so for these individuals gluten-free options are the safer choice. However, gluten is not the main concern with Yorkshire puddings, and so they’re still not recommended for dogs.
