This dog birthday cake recipe is Ethan’s favorite party moment — peanut butter, pumpkin, and pantry basics baked into a dog-safe, vet-approved treat. If you need more party snacks, our Homemade Dog Treats Hub rounds up quick bakes that pair perfectly with cake.
Why I Love Making This Cake
Homemade means you control ingredients: no sugar, no chocolate, and a short list of dog-friendly staples. It’s a healthy, dog-safe cake that’s easy to customize for sensitive tummies. For bite-size options, see our fan-favorite Peanut Butter & Oat Treats.
What You’ll Need (Ingredients)
| Ingredient | Amount | Why it’s dog-friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Oat flour (or whole wheat flour) | 1 cup (120 g) | Gentle fiber; easy to digest; oat works for a gluten-free style |
| Pumpkin purée (plain) | 1/2 cup (120 g) | Fiber supports stool quality; mild natural sweetness |
| Peanut butter (xylitol-free) | 1/3 cup (80 g) | Flavor, protein, and healthy fats — must be xylitol-free |
| Eggs | 2 large | Structure + complete amino acids |
| Plain yogurt (frosting) | 1/2–3/4 cup | Thick, tangy frosting without sugar; Greek yogurt holds shape |
Peanut butter + pumpkin = classic, dog-safe combo. Keep add-ins minimal for sensitive tummies.
How I Baked It (Step by Step)
- Prepare the pan & oven. Heat the oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line the bottom of a 6–7″ round pan with parchment and light-grease the sides. Center rack works best for even heat.
- Mix the wet. Whisk 2 eggs until lightly frothy, then whisk in pumpkin and xylitol-free peanut butter until smooth and glossy — no lumps.
- Add the flour. Fold in oat (or whole-wheat) flour just until no dry spots remain. Batter should be thick and scoopable, not runny. If stiff, fold in 1–2 tbsp yogurt; if loose, sprinkle 1–2 tbsp flour.
- Bake to doneness. Spread into the pan, level, and bake 22–28 minutes. A toothpick should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs; the center springs back when gently pressed.
- Cool & frost. Cool 10 minutes in the pan, then fully on a rack before frosting with plain (Greek) yogurt. Serve at room temperature for a soft, pup-friendly texture.
Tip: For “pupcakes”, bake in a muffin tin 12–15 minutes. They’re perfect single servings for party guests.
Dog Birthday Cake Recipe (Peanut Butter & Pumpkin, Vet Approved)
- 6–7” cake pan
- Mixing bowl & whisk
- Spatula
- Wire cooling rack
- 1 cup oat flour or whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée plain
- 1/3 cup xylitol-free peanut butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 –3/4 cup plain yogurt for frosting
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line and grease a 6–7” cake pan.
- Whisk eggs, peanut butter, and pumpkin until smooth.
- Fold in flour gently; batter should be thick but scoopable.
- Spread into pan and bake 22–28 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely, then frost with yogurt.
• For small dogs, bake in a muffin tin and reduce baking time to 12–15 minutes.
• This cake is meant as a special treat, not a daily meal. Slice into small portions and refrigerate leftovers.
• Yogurt frosting works best if it’s Greek yogurt; it spreads thicker and holds shape better.
• For a no-bake version, mix peanut butter, pumpkin, and oat flour, press into a mold, and chill.
Why These Ingredients Work
Pumpkin helps stool quality; peanut butter adds aroma and protein (ensure it’s xylitol-free); oat/whole-wheat flour gives gentle fiber; and plain yogurt makes an easy, low-sugar frosting. For gluten-free style, stick to oat flour. If your dog is dairy-sensitive, use lactose-free or a thin layer of mashed sweet potato as “frosting.”
Nutritional Breakdown (Approximate)
| Per slice (1/8 cake) | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated | ~6–7 g | ~6–8 g | ~16–18 g | ~160–190 kcal |
Serving & Storage
- Serving: Under 20 lb: 1 small slice; 20–50 lb: 1 medium slice; 50+ lb: 1–2 medium slices.
- Fridge: 3 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze: Up to 2 weeks; frost after thawing.
Vet tip: Cakes are occasional treats. For weight loss or pancreatitis history, serve very small portions and consult your vet.
Easy Variations (Long-Tail Friendly)
- No-bake version: Press peanut butter–pumpkin–oat mixture into a mold; chill to set; top with yogurt.
- Gluten-free style: Use oat flour only; check labels for cross-contamination.
- 3–4 ingredients: Oat flour + pumpkin + peanut butter (+ egg) → mini “pupcakes”.
- Swap-ins: Sweet potato purée or carrot purée for part/all pumpkin.
FAQ (Dog-Safe Baking)
What kind of cake is safe for dogs?
Short answer: A dog-safe cake uses simple whole-foods: oat or whole-wheat flour, pumpkin or sweet potato, xylitol-free peanut butter, and eggs. Details: Avoid human cake pitfalls — added sugar, chocolate, raisins, macadamia nuts, and artificial sweeteners. Keep frosting light with plain yogurt or a yogurt–pumpkin mix. Think of cake as a special-occasion treat; portion control matters, especially for small or weight-prone dogs. If your pup has known sensitivities, adapt the flour (oat is gentlest) and introduce new ingredients gradually while monitoring stool quality.
Is vanilla extract safe for dogs?
Short answer: Best to skip it. Details: Many vanilla extracts contain alcohol; even small amounts can irritate a dog’s stomach and offer no real benefit when peanut butter and pumpkin already provide aroma and flavor. If you want a little complexity, add a pinch of cinnamon (sparingly) or swirl in banana purée for natural sweetness. Always add new flavors in tiny amounts the first time, and avoid any sweetener blends that may hide xylitol or artificial additives that upset sensitive tummies.
What frosting can I use?
Short answer: Plain yogurt or a yogurt–pumpkin blend works best. Details: Human buttercreams are too sugary and fatty, and some store frostings may contain unsafe sweeteners. Choose Greek yogurt for thickness; for lactose-sensitive pups, try lactose-free or unsweetened coconut yogurt. You can also spread a thin layer of mashed sweet potato or banana. Keep frosting minimal to avoid excess calories and chill the cake briefly after frosting for a cleaner slice and better texture at serving.
Can I make a no-bake version?
Short answer: Yes — perfect for hot days or no-oven kitchens. Details: Mix xylitol-free peanut butter, pumpkin, and oat flour to a moldable dough, press into a silicone mold, and refrigerate several hours until set. Unmold and add a thin yogurt layer. No-bake cakes tend to be denser and higher in fat, so serve smaller portions and refrigerate leftovers promptly. As with any treat, treat it as an occasional indulgence and watch your pup for any signs of digestive upset.
Is flour OK for dogs?
Short answer: Yes, in the right form. Details: Oat flour is the gentlest option and a good pick for sensitive stomachs; whole-wheat flour is also fine for many dogs. Avoid white flour (low nutrition). If gluten is a concern, stick to certified gluten-free oat flour and introduce gradually. Flour is mainly a binder — nutrition comes from pumpkin, peanut butter, and eggs. Monitor stool quality when you switch flours and adjust portions to your dog’s size and activity level.
Related Treats & Party Ideas
If you don’t want to bake often, peek at our gentle dry food picks in the Sensitive Stomach series — Ethan’s reliable backup on busy weeks.
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