Dog Birthday Cake: What, Where and How to Get the Perfect One

Your pup is a year older, and you’re planning a birthday party.

But that rich chocolate cake you’ve perfected for your kids’ birthday parties isn’t safe for your dog.

In fact, most human cakes are unfit for dogs.

delicious, pup-safe, dog-cake from The Dog Bakery

While some of the ingredients used to make cakes delicious are downright toxic for dogs, others are still unhealthy and should be substituted with dog-friendly alternatives.

Whether you’re planning to give Fido a homemade birthday cake or are looking to buy something special, we’ll tell you how to find a healthy and delicious puppy-approved treat.

 

What Makes a Dog Birthday Cake Perfect?

dog-cake from The Dog Bakery
Source: The Dog Bakery Instagram page

There are so many cake recipes available online and tens of dog bakeries—all of which promise to give you tasty and beautiful dog cakes. 

But if you want the birthday to be one that both you and doggo will remember, it has to be perfect in three ways.

  • The cake should be baked with safe and healthy ingredients for your dog.
  • Taste is important! Your dog will love a yummy cake for his birthday baked with ingredients they love. That could include pumpkin, meat, applesauce, or peanut butter.
  • The cake has to be picture-perfect. The best cakes are personalized with beautiful shapes, color, and Instagram-worthy text decorations.

The ingredients used to bake your dog’s birthday cake are a big deal. They affect how healthy and tasty it will be, so here’s some more information on what ingredients make a great dog birthday cake.

Healthy and Yummy Ingredients for Fido’s Cake

Ingredient 1. Flour is Good for Doggy

Unless your dog has a gluten or grain allergy, both whole-grain and all-purpose flour will be safe for them. Regular flour may not have significant nutritional value for dogs, but you gotta have flour to make a cake, right?

However, if your dog is allergic to gluten found in grains such as wheat, there are plenty of great alternatives from which to choose, including the following:

  • Oats
  • Rice
  • Barley
  • Sorghum
  • Buckwheat
  • Quinoa
  • Almonds
  • Chickpeas
  • Chia seeds
  • Coconut
  • Potatoes
  • Arrowroot

If you have concerns about using baking powder or baking soda in the cake, you can use any of the following alternatives: cream of tartar, sour milk, buttermilk, plain yogurt, lemon juice, club soda, or simply bake with self-raising flour.

Ingredient 2. Healthy Dog Cake Sweeteners

Lots of dogs have a sweet tooth. Unfortunately, sugar is as bad for canines as it is for us. It can cause dental problems while its high calorific value can increase your dog’s weight.

To be on the safe side, you can get the cake sweetened with the following alternatives:

  • Maple syrup
  • Barley malt syrup
  • Stevia sugar
  • Honey
  • Coconut sugar
  • Blackstrap molasses
  • Carob

Stay away from the sugar alternative xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs. If you are unsure of what you are using, stick to regular sugar. 

At the same time, make sure to have some dog-healthy frosting. Regular icing sugar is only good for dogs in small quantities, but alternatives such as whipped cream and puppy-friendly frosting is a great option.

Ingredient 3. More Yummy Ingredients for Dog Birthday Cakes

Most of the other ingredients used in dog birthday cakes are good enough for dogs. Milk, eggs, plain yogurt, and buttermilk are all great. Even a tiny amount of leavening agents wont hurt.

In addition to these, you can add some super-healthy and delicious dog favorites to the cake, including pumpkin, peanut butter, and applesauce.

Unhealthy Ingredients to Avoid

While you can incorporate most lean meats, vegetables, and fruits into your pup’s cake, you need to be aware of the big no-nos.

To start with, you should never use these toxic ingredients in a dog cake:

Toxic Ingredients Health Effects
Chocolate Contains two toxic compounds—theobromine and caffeine which may cause:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Restlessness
  • A high heart rate
Grapes and raisins Can cause acute kidney failure in dogs
Products that contain xylitol (an artificial sweetener commonly used in peanut butter and other baked goods) May cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in dogs
Avocado Contains persin, a chemical that may cause vomiting, diarrhea, or an upset stomach if eaten in large quantities
Cherries Cherry flesh is safe for your dog if given in small doses, but the seeds and stems contain cyanide—a lethal toxin
Nutmeg Contains myristicin, a toxin that may cause:

  • An upset stomach
  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Dehydration
  • Increased heart rate

Where to Get Dog-Friendly Dog Birthday Cakes

If you don’t have time to bake, or if you prefer buying ready-made dog cakes, you’ll need to choose a baker that prepares quality, wholesome, and flavorful pup cakes.

To find the best birthday cake for your pup, make sure that the bakery you choose fits all of the criteria below.

They Use Dog-Safe Ingredients Only

dog birthday cakes Made with healthy dog safe ingredients

The most important factor to consider is what goes into the cakes. 

Review the bakery’s website for the recipes that they use and their full ingredient lists. If this information isn’t available online, ask for it before placing your order.

At The Dog Bakery, all of our cakes are made from scratch with only safe and natural ingredients such as:

  • Rice flour
  • Buckwheat flour
  • Pumpkin purée
  • Peanut butter
  • Honey

custom baked dog cakes from The Dog Bakery

If you want to earn tail wags from the birthday pup, get him a paw-licking cake that includes his favorite flavors.

Before deciding on a bakery, check what flavors they offer and see if they can tweak the recipe to accommodate your dog’s favorites. 

In addition, you’ll want an Instagram-worthy cake with a cute design, smooth frosting, and tempting toppings that you can proudly show off.

Our dog cakes come in:

  • Three fun designs—circular, heart, and bone-shaped
  • Three sizes
  • a 5-inch round cake enough for 2–3 small dogs
  • a 6-inch heart cake for 6–9 dogs
  • a sizeable bone-shaped cake sufficient for 9–12 dogs
  • Appetizing colors
  • a rich dark brown made with carob
  • a deep pink colored with beet juice
  • coconut white
  • a golden tan made with peanuts

When placing your order, all you need to do is choose the recipe, color, shape, and message that you want. Then, leave the rest of the magic to us. 

Customizable, Allergy-Friendly Dog Cakes

Food allergies shouldn’t stop you from getting your dog a celebratory, tummy-friendly birthday cake.

Choose a dog bakery that can customize the cake recipe to exclude any ingredients that may trigger an allergic reaction in your pup.

Here are a few of our customized cakes for dogs with dietary restrictions:

  • Wheat-free dog cake made with rice flour, potato starch, baking powder, eggs, applesauce, honey, and oil
  • Grain-free dog cake made with buckwheat flour, pumpkin purée, honey, oil, baking soda, and eggs

Watch us make delectable dog cakes at our bakery, and meet our amazing chefs:

Reliable and Affordable Shipping

Do you need Fido’s cake to be delivered right to your doorstep before the party? Or would you like to pick it up from the bakery yourself to check that it was baked to perfection?

Before arranging for shipping, it’s a good idea to check customer reviews regarding packaging and delivery times to avoid unpleasant surprises.

The Dog Bakery offers shipping anywhere in the US with delivery guaranteed within five days of ordering. And if your order is over $49, we’ll deliver your cake for free.

You can also pick your cake up from one of our store locations two days after placing your order.

Testimonial from Brenda F.

How to Nail Your Dog’s Homemade Birthday Cake

If you’d love to go the extra mile and surprise your pup with a freshly baked birthday cake, we have tons of simple recipes to choose from.

Here are some tips to help you pick the best cake recipe for your canine:

Incorporate Fido’s Favorite Foods and Flavors

Is your canine a meat-lover, or would he rather lick loads of peanut butter on his birthday?

Check out these inspiring recipes tailored to your dog’s tastes and preferences:

Consider Your Dog’s Dietary Restrictions

Does your dog suffer from allergies caused by wheat, grains, or even peanut butter?

We have a myriad of gluten-free, grain-free, peanut-free, and vegan recipes you can choose from for your sensitive pup.

Choose an Appropriately Sized Cake

A detailed recipe should have exact measurements of the ingredients to be used, the equipment you need, and the number of servings the cake will yield.

This helps you determine whether to follow the recipe exactly or whether to adjust it to suit the cake size you need.

If you have a pint-sized pooch, pupcakes or smaller cakes will quickly satisfy them. Choose recipes that call for mini muffin pans or small 4–6-inch baking sheets.

If you have a large-breed dog or if your dog’s friends will be coming over, bake bigger cakes that will be enough for everyone at the party. Opt for recipes that require an 8-inch baking pan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much cake should I feed my dog?

You should never feed your dog an entire cake in one sitting. Instead, slice the cake and give it to them in small portions that suit their size and weight.

Even though our dog cakes are safe and healthy, they’re still treats that should only be eaten occasionally. Overindulgence might give your dog a bellyache and ruin the birthday celebration.

Refrigerate the leftover cake for dessert and prolong the festive goodness for Fido.

How much does a dog cake cost? 

The price of a dog cake depends on the ingredients used, the design, and the customization of the cake.

Our cakes start at $29.99 for a round 5-inch cake with a customized message.

You’ll also need to factor in shipping fees if you’re having the cake delivered.

Our standard shipping fee is $6.99, with free delivery on orders over $49.

Do you have other party accessories? 

Yes, we do. We carry party hats, birthday bandanas, party collars, banners, and birthday toys for your pup.

What’s more?

You’ll earn great discounts when you buy our party supplies together with your dog’s birthday cake.

How do I order from The Dog Bakery?

Ordering one of our cakes is easy.

Start here, and help us visualize the perfect cake you have in mind for your furry friend.

Your cake should arrive at your doorstep within five days of placing an order.

If you'd like to shop in advance, let us know the birthday party's exact date, and we'll make sure your pup's freshly baked cake arrives one day before the celebration.

Join our Birthday Club and enjoy great discounts and exciting freshly baked goodies for your pup.

Share on Facebook:

What where and how to get perfect one

Rocky Kanaka

Rocky Kanaka is an entrepreneur, pet rescue advocate and dog dad to a rescue boxer named Flip, a blind Cane Corso called Kobe, and a terrier mix named Zoey. He's also a pet chef and owner of The Dog Bakery, which specializes in dog birthday cakes and fresh baked dog treats. His three dogs can't get enough of the dog cakes and treats!

Lorna Ladd

Lorna Paxton Ladd is a passionate dog lover and enthusiast of The Dog Bakery. She loves spoiling her 3 rescue dogs with dog cakes and jerky. A 15 year veteran in the pet industry, her aim is to educate pet parents on the best recipes, products, tips and tricks to optimize the human/canine bond. Her favorite product at The Dog Bakery are the customizable dog birthday cakes.