Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread?

Christmas is coming! All of us associate Christmas with coziness, warmth, and the aroma of ginger and cinnamon.

And because of that aroma of ginger, we start to think of making gingerbreads.

“Can dogs eat gingerbread?”, and “Is gingerbread safe for dogs?” – these are the first questions that are coming to the mind of every dog owner including me.

The simple answer is that dogs CAN’T eat gingerbread.

Why?

Keep reading and we will give you all the information you need.

Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread: Can Dogs Eat Ginger

Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet.

Ginger may have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. 

Yes, dogs can eat ginger!

Why?

Well, ginger in small amounts is healthy for dogs’ tummies.

Ginger can help with nausea, vomiting, cancer, and heartworm.

Research is showing that in some cases ginger is more useful than Dramamine.

If you notice some of these sick dog symptoms feel free to give a little bit of ginger to your dog:

• Odd facial expressions;
• Loss of appetite;
• Drinking less water;
• Abdominal pain;
• Bloating;
• Weakness;

Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread: Is Gingerbread Safe For Dogs?

Although ginger is safe for dogs in moderation, gingerbread isn’t.

Gingerbread refers to a broad category of baked goods, typically flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon and sweetened with honey, sugar, or molasses. Gingerbread foods vary, ranging from a soft, moist loaf cake to something close to a ginger snap.

Gingerbread contains nutmeg, which can upset the tummy of a dog.

That’s like that because nutmeg contains myristicin, which should stay away from your dog’s diet.

Then, we have large amounts of sugar and fat in gingerbread. High levels of sugar and fat can cause obesity and weight gain in dogs.

Gingerbread shouldn’t be part of the diet of any dog.

Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread: Symptoms To Watch For If Your Dog Ate Gingerbread

Here is a list of symptoms you have to watch for if your dog had eaten gingerbread:

• Disorientation;
• Abdominal pain;
• Bloating;
• Dry mouth;
• Increased heart rate.

If you notice any of these symptoms, call your vet as soon as possible.

Nutmeg in gingerbread may cause toxicity to dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread: Nutrition Facts

2000 calories a day are recommended for humans.

A dog that weighs like 15 kilograms needs only 640 to 800 calories a day.

The maximum amount of sodium that a dog (a 15kg one) can consume in a day is 200mg, here you can see for one portion it’s 215mg. And if you give gingerbread to your dog, then all his sodium intake is in just one piece. That is too much, right?

Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread: Conclusion

No, dogs can’t eat the human version of this sweet treat. If you make it dog-friendly, then it’s okay but rarely and in small amounts.

Gingerbread Recipes

1. Dog-Friendly Gingerbread Biscuits

Servings: 28 dog biscuits if you use a 2-inch cookie cutter.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups whole wheat flour (or wheat-free flour for dogs with wheat allergies);
• 2 tbsp ground ginger;
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (keep this to a minimum as too much can lead to mouth blisters!);
• 1/2 cup runny honey or molasses;
• 1/2 cup warm water;
• 1/4 cup light olive oil or flaxseed oil.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325° F/ 160°C degrees.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, ginger, and cinnamon until combined.
3. In a small bowl, using a sturdy spoon, stir together the honey, water, and oil.
4. Pour the mixture into the flour.
5. Using the same sturdy spoon, stir ingredients until thoroughly combined.
6. Roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness.
7. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes.
8. Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
9. Place your cutouts on the baking sheet.
10. Continue to roll and cut out shapes with the remaining dough.
11. Bake for 20 minutes.
12. Cool completely on a wire rack.

The gingerbread dough will keep fresh for several weeks in the refrigerator or you can keep it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

2. Gingerbread People Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cup oat flour;
• 1 packed tightly cup of rice flour;
• ½ packed tightly cup potato starch;
• 1 egg;
• 1/4 packed cup cinnamon;
• 4 tbsp ginger;
• 3 tbsp applesauce;
• ¾ cup water (room temp);
• ¼ cup honey;
• 2.5 tbsp molasses;
• ¼ cup canola oil.

Instructions:

1. Set your oven to 325°F/ 160°C degrees.
2. Combine all dry ingredients and set aside (oat flour, rice flour, potato starch, ginger, and cinnamon).
3. Whisk together the wet ingredients until well incorporated (applesauce, water, honey, egg, and oil).
4. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ones with a spatula until all of them are mixed together. Then we encourage you to finish folding with your hands until the desired consistency is achieved! It should be soft to the touch but not sticky or wet.

Assembly:

1. Using a rolling pin (or if you don’t have one, think of something similar in shape to a wine bottle), roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thick. If the dough is sticking to the rolling pin, placing a sheet of saran wrap over the dough to roll it out will help.
2. Cut using a cookie cutter shape. 
3. Using a bench scraper, lift the gingerbread off the table and place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet. No need to spray the sheet.
4. Bake at 325°F/ 160°C degrees for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to make sure they are baked evenly.
5. Let the gingerbread cookies cool.

Some options for decoration: peanut butter spread, carob icing, melted yogurt chips, or even just plain.

Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread: Interesting Facts

1. Ginger root was first cultivated in ancient China, where it was commonly used as a medical treatment.
2. The first known recipe for gingerbread came from Greece in 2400 BC. 
3. Gingerbread houses originated in Germany during the 16th century. 
4. The new record for the world’s largest gingerbread house, spanning nearly 40,000 cubic feet, was erected at Traditions Golf Club in Bryan, Texas. To put that in perspective, a recipe for a house this size would include 1,800 pounds of butter and 1,080 ounces of ground ginger.
5. June 5th and November 21st are National Gingerbread Day.
6. According to Swedish tradition, you can make a wish, using gingerbread. First, put the gingerbread in your palm and then make a wish. You then have to break the gingerbread with your other hand. If the gingerbread breaks into three, the wish will come true.
7. Unmarried women in England have been known to eat gingerbread “husbands” for luck in meeting the real thing.

FAQs

Can dogs eat gingerbread without nutmeg?

If there is less sugar and fat, yes. But if they are still at high levels it’s better for dogs’ health that gingerbread not be given.