Birthday cake for dogs?! YES, of course it’s a thing! This grain-free cake recipe is perfect for dogs with a sensitive stomach. Plus, a bonus – it’s safe for humans to eat, and it’s delicious!
Happy 1st birthday, Oakley!
My baby (fur baby) turned 1! How did that happen? Oh my, I am that puppy parent. I made her a special diet dog bday cake. I dressed her up. We sang happy birthday. I spoiled her rotten. Guilty!
Yes, she is special, and so is this cake!
This cake recipe is made with love, for all the fur babies out there with a sensitive stomach, like my Vizsla. But wait a second… can a dog eat birthday cake? I mean, of course they CAN, but should they?
Are cakes bad for dogs?
Let me put it this way; it depends on what the cake is made with. Chocolate birthday cake for dogs is an absolute NO NO (bad human!). In case you don’t know, chocolate is very toxic to dogs, even in small amounts. Please don’t ever give your dog chocolate. Ever.
In addition to chocolate, too much sugar isn’t healthy for your fur baby either. Oh, and because of the alcohol, don’t use vanilla extract in anything you want your pet to eat, either. (source)
Birthday cake for dogs with a sensitive tummy
A grain free birthday cake for dogs is easy to make and healthier for dogs to enjoy! Plus it’s fun for owners to make and bake. This birthday cake is totally human friendly too; just not as sweet. 😉
Some benefits of a grain free diet for dogs:
- Helps keep dogs fuller longer, resulting in them eating less frequently. This is good news because grain-free/high-protein dog food can be more expensive.
- May help to reduce canine food allergies. By removing grains from your dog’s diet, you can narrow down what may be causing their tummy troubles.
- More energy. Well, depending on your dog, this can be a good thing or a bad thing. 😉
- Grain-free diets promote healthier skin.
- Shinier coat.
A happier tummy, shinier coat, healthier skin, and more energy? Maybe we should eat birthday cake for dogs EVERY day!
Recipe notes
- This cake recipe calls for chickpea or oat flour. If you don’t want to buy oat flour, you can make your own by grinding gluten free rolled oats in a food processor.
- Use coconut oil or olive oil. Do NOT use avocado oil! Avocados contain persin, a toxin that can cause serious health problems, and even death, in many animals.
- Our Vizla loves strawberries, but if you want to use another fruit, first make sure that’s it’s safe for your fur baby. Bananas, blueberries and raspberries would be good substitutes for strawberries.
Grain Free Birthday Cake for Dogs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 slices or 1 small cake 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Grain Free Birthday Cake for Dogs (egg free)
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cup (250 grams) chickpea flour (*see notes for substitutes)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup naturally refined coconut oil, liquid (or olive oil)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 2/3 cup mashed strawberries, divided (1/3 cup to be used to garnish or mixed with frosting)
- 1 Tablespoon honey, optional
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or organic 2% milk
Toppings
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or chilled coconut cream with 1 Tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350F. Line a small round cake tin (7 inches) with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, sift the chickpea flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda together. In another bowl, whisk the milk, oil and lemon juice.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold in 1/3 cup mashed strawberries and honey, if using. Pour into cake tin. Bake for 30 minutes or until center comes out clean with toothpick.
- Let the cake cool then place in fridge to set for 30 minutes. While cake is chilling, make the frosting.
- Whisk together plain Greek yogurt and honey, if using.
- Slice cake in half to create two tiers (optional). Spread about 1/2 cup or less whipped Greek yogurt between each cake and stack the cakes gently on top of each other. Spread the rest of the yogurt frosting on top and garnish with leftover mashed strawberries.
Notes
- Substitute Tips – 250 grams oat flour may be substituted if your pup can handle grain
- Assembling Tips – This may be made into a sheet pan cake or one tier cake. Adjust baking times if needed. Check status of cake at 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: pet food, cake, grain free, dogs, birthday cake for dogs, healthy
Alright, you fur baby parents, tell me this…..
Have you ever made a birthday cake or special diet treats for your pet? I think I need more recipes! I love it! Next up, snack cakes for dogs. Haha.
Cheers,
LC
Although we don’t have kids, I consider Oakley our child. I don’t really know how to get into that talk about having kids/not having kids. It’s really not in our cards at the moment. Health wise and all. Maybe that’s something to share… another day.
Thank you all for reading and supporting.
This recipe is amazing! I recently found out one of my dogs (out of 3) is allergic to all sorts of things such as beef, any type or rice, and DAIRY!! This cake is able to accommodate to my dogs needs and still tastes great, of course I had to give it a test try 😊 Thank you for sharing this recipe!
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So glad! And happy Bday to your pup!!
what is chickpea flour exactly ? I have regular oats , I can grind it to flour . will that work ? I intend to buy GF oats once this lot is over , but I want to make this cake for me Roxy tomorrow 😀
Chickpea flour is garbanzo bean flour. You can definitely make this with oat flour just make sure it’s similar weight/grams. And very fine. So around 250 grams
Can almond flour be substituted in making this recipe?
You mean for the chickpea flour ? Not sure it would work. But I do have another almond flour cake recipe you could try. It does have eggs though.
Forgot to mention, your puppy is adorable 😀 I cannot wait to bake this cake! It is for my 1-year-old puppy!
Could I use Tapioca flour and some carrots?
Do you mean in place or chickpea flour?
Yea, in place of chic pea flour?
Not sure that would work because you’d need eggs and another flour to create a fluffy texture. Do you have oat flour or GF all purpose flour?
Unfortunately not. I was not aware of grain-free all-purpose flour. I guess I will buy some chickpea or grain-free all-purpose flour. Thanks so much, Lindsay.
Good day. Thank you for your doggie treat birthday cake. My bj, his b>today is coming up in December so, I thought just now make a cake.so thank you. Have a wonderful day.
Norvina.
So glad! Keep me posted on the outcome!! Hope your doggie likes it. 🙂
Can you use almond flour instead?
Vs chickpea flour? I don’t think that would work unless you added eggs. You could try my sour cream almond flour cake and take out the sugar!
Any changes if I want to make cupcakes? How many would it make? Is the lemon juice optional?
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I think Cupcakes would work! Just check baking times, they might bake faster. The lemon juice helps give it rise with the leavening agent.
Thank you for posting it! My baby’s first birthday is coming up and I want to make him his cake! I had a question though, would I be able to use coconut flour instead? Or do you think chickpea flour is best? Thanks!
Hi Victoria! don’t think all coconut flour would work, it will probably be too dry. Do you have another other flours?
Hey guys! I just wanted to give you the heads up that Susan is away on holiday until the 25th, but she´ll surely be stopping by to answer your questions then.
How much coconut flour would you recommend? I read a comment where someone had tried coconut flour and it was too dry. My puppers birthday is tomorrow and I’ve waited until the last minute 😩savannah cat for sale
Are you wanting to use all coconut flour? I don’t think that would work. I recommend oat flour or chickpea flour or even All purpose GF flour. Do you have that?
How much milk would I need if I’m using coconut flour ?
I don’t think just coconut flour would work. Do you have oat flour or GF All purpose flour?
Maybe a strange question but would this be safe to give to a cat too if they celebrating with my dog
I think so! unless they are allergic to chickpea flour
Omg it’s beautiful!
Can I use Almond flour instead?
I didn’t find chickpeas flour and need to make the grain free version.
I don’t think the almond flour would work. What else do you have on hand?
Hi we are attempting to make this and the batter is very dry, is there any suggestions on how to fix that?
Oh no! Are you using chickpea flour? YOu can add in more almond milk if needed.
We used coconut flour, and Then I saw the comment about it drying it out so we have one in the oven and may go back for almond flour since I saw in the comments that that worked for someone. Hopefully one of the two works out!
Hi, I am making this tonight for my frenchie to take into daycare for her friends. just wondered if I could use this recipe to make cupcakes rather than a cake? I have a very dodgy oven and cakes do not normally come out well :). Could you put the fruit in the frosting or put extra fruit in the frosting to flavour that too?
Oh fun! I think the muffins would work. I haven’t tried it but I don’t see why not!
Would you recommend this cake to a diabetic dog? Because I’d love to make this for my pup, but she is diabetic and some things such as the fruit have some extra sugar in it.
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I would take out the honey and maybe try using blueberries versus strawberries. Hope that helps!
My pups loved this recipe and it was easy to make. Thank you!
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Yaayy! So glad to hear that! You’re welcome!
oh yay! I”m so glad! Happy bday to your pup
I have three Vizslas and I have made the cake before and they absolutely loved it! My dog Dakota’s birthday is today and I am making it for him. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
I was thinking of using coconut flour. I can’t find chickpea flour and everything I’ve read said that oat flour may not hold the ingredients together. How much coconut flour would you recommend? I read a comment where someone had tried coconut flour and it was too dry. My puppers birthday is tomorrow and I’ve waited until the last minute 😩
I would try out flour or do you have any other all purpose flour?
I have used almond flour to make the cake, and it holds up really well.
This is the cutest thing it’s my baby’s birthday tomorrow he’s turing 10 so made him it tonight so happy how it turned out thank you 🐶🎂
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Yaayyy! Happy Birthday to him!! You’re welcome!
It’s my baby’s first birthday on the 15th and I’m so excited to make this! Just wondering, can I substitute the almond milk with 100% cow’s milk? If not, can I use water instead? Thanks for sharing!
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Just messaged you on IG! 🙂
Hi! Is it possible to use a diff berry than strawberries such as raspberries?
Sure! That’s shouldn’t be a problem. Has your dog eaten raspberries before?
It’s nice cake for dogs in the birthday. I will make one for my dog. Great share Lindsay. Thanks
You’re welcome! And thank you, John! Hope your dog enjoys his cake!
So I actually substituted for coconut flour…. Must’ve really affected the recipe because it came out too dry to form anything… Just crumbled into bits. HOWEVER; I kind of force molded it into a shape with some saranwrap and frosted it anyway.. garnished with berries, and my vizsla Louie loved it anyway!!
Any thoughts on the coconut flour??
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Awwww happy bday Louie! Yes coconut flour really dries out the cake. How much did you use? A little goes a long way With coconut flour. If can be tricky!
This was the best recipe I’ve ever made for my pups?? I made it into pupcakes & it worked perfectly, they’re so soft & fluffy which isn’t easy with grain free. My 3 couldn’t wait for them to cool so they could gobble them up!! Thank you so much for sharing??
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I actually made this with some modifications of adding unsweetened shredded coconut, blueberries half mashed and mixed with unsweeted apple sauce, and PB/greek yogurt (with a touch of honey) frosting. I was boarding a puppy for the week when I found out his first birthday was in a couple days. Us humans thought it tasted pretty good too!
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I’m so glad! Thanks for sharing. haha yes human approved!
OMG…. PLEASE DO NOT USE THE SUGGESTED SUBSTITUTE OF GRAPE SEED OIL. “1/4 c naturally refined coconut oil -liquid (or grape seed oil)”
GRAPES ARE POISON TO DOGS.
I am so afraid of the amount of people reading this recipe trying to make a cake for their dog and using grape seed oil and them poisoning their poor pups on their birthday. No clue if the author if this recipe is dense, or just hates dogs. but whatever you do, please do not use the suggested substitute.
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That’s so strange. My vet said it was fine to use grapeseed oil. Happy to update that recipe now with other oil. I would never intentionally hurt dogs. I love my dog!
Sorry, I tried to go back and edit it. I realized how rude and harsh it sounded.
However, grapes are poison to dogs, even just two grapes can kill a pup. Raisins, grape seed oil.
grapeseed actually lacks the toxins that are poisonous to dogs, It is totally safe!
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Actually, the Jury is still out on that. Ultimately the choice is yours, but for myself and many others who work in the pet care and pet supplement industry, it is not worth the risk. The process of making/distributing grape seed oil is not regulated to the degree of what percentage of other parts of the grape can be in the oil to consider it grape seed oil. This is actually a common problem, and unless it is specifically marketed towards pets from a reputable company within the united states, there is no way to tell how pure it is. Therefor, its really not worth the risk to me personally, and many many others. To each is their own, but I would suggest avoiding a random brand off the shelf. (much like any pet food and treats that come from china, or have part of the ingredients sourced from china. not worth the risk)
Good to know! thanks amanda!
I made this for my two pups for their first birthday this week. They loved it! I used smooth peanut butter for the icing. Thank you for the recipe 🙂
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Oh I am so glad! yay! Thanks Fiona.
Perfect cake recipe, I’m so happy to have found this! Thank you for your creativity Lindsey ? My dog Zero’s birthday is today and I will be making this so I’ll be sure to tag pics of the final product on Instagram.
Let me know how your pup likes it morgan! and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions while making it. <3
So fun! I think my dogs need one of these!
I agree! and then take photos and let me know how they like it! 😉
Ah, I love this cake recipe! I don’t know if my dog could finish this whole cake herself, and I am pretty darn sure that my parents wouldn’t let her finish it even on her birthday, LOL! But I wouldn’t mind helping her out 😉 Happy Birthday to the gorgeous little Oakley!
I’m so glad! Oh I know, it’s quite the cake? lol. She says thanks ?
This cake looks delicious! Just one question, though. Step three in the directions says to add mashed strawberries and honey to the cake, but the list of cake ingredients doesn’t include any sweetener. Did you use any honey in the cake batter? And if so, how much?
Oh yes, sorry about that. I added a touch of honey to the strawberries but that’s it. Dogs can’t have much sugar so I didn’t add anymore sugar. Does that make sense? I’ll update now.
Love everything about this post! Can’t wait to make this for my pup!
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yay! Keep me posted Sommer!
What a cutie pie! And a lucky dog. This cake looks amazing.
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She’s spoiled rotten for sure. Haha!
How fun! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Julie! 🙂
I’m so excited to have found this!! I cannot wait to make it for my puupty!
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Yay! Keep me posted on how it goes (I’d love to see pics?)
This is so cute!! A perfect treat for my dog’s special day!
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Thanks Toni! Such a fun way to celebrate your pupper’s day?
OMG this is SO CUTE Lindsay!
Thank you friend. Ps how are you? What’s new?
Perfect for Izzy! No more buying birthday cakes at the pet store!
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Yes! I think Izzy and Oakley need mutual bday parties. haha
This is the cutest thing!! My dog’s birthday is coming up soon, and this cake would be perfect for her!! 🙂
oh you must! and then show me how pretty is it. I bet your cake will be STUNNING. Happy bday to your pup!
SO SWEET! Wishing Oakley many more happy birthdays (and more wholesome, cute cakes).
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Thank you Liz!❤️
is this cake good for morkies with allergies or sensitive stomach?