Firstly, as a dog owner, you have to know that your dogs can’t eat everything you see, especially those that are high in fat and sugar. Before feeding your dogs anything, always read up on the content.

Talking about flan, it’s also known as crème, caramel is delicious, sweet, and creamy custard baked with caramel until soft. It is widely popular, and everybody loves it.

A dessert flan is made of eggs; sweetened condensed milk, cream or whole milk; and flavourings such as vanilla, orange, coconut, or coffee. The flan’s history is traced back to ancient Rome when egg surpluses were transformed into custards to produce both sweet and savoury tastes. 

The Spaniards took it to America, where it became a delicacy. However, one of the very first Roman versions of flan was more on the savoury side than on the sweet side, using eel sprinkled with pepper as its main ingredient. It didn’t take long for them to start using honey in their recipes as it was their only source of sweetener.

Now, can dogs have flan? Is flan safe for dogs? Obviously, the answer is no and The reason flan is not safe for your dog is because of its special combination of fatty and sweet ingredients combined with possible food intolerances.

Why Is Flan Not Safe For Dogs?

The reason flan is not safe for your dog is its specific combination of fatty and sugary ingredients, topped with the potential for food intolerances. If this sounds complicated, take a look at the different flan ingredients and what makes them potentially troublesome for dogs. 

1: Milk

There is a popular misconception that pets need milk but  When it comes to whether dogs can have milk, the quick answer is that it depends. Most of the time, a little bit of milk isn’t going to be harmful or toxic. But there are exceptions.

Many dogs are lactose intolerant to some degree, which means they have a difficult time digesting dairy products, and milk contains lactose which is the most important type of milk sugar. While milk can be a nice occasional treat for your dog, it’s not something you should add to his regular diet. Nutrients and vitamins that your dog gets from milk can be obtained from other sources.

Sadly, flan contains two types of milk – sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. In other words, it is a double risk when it comes to digestive upsets. 

2: Eggs

Eggs are a great source of nutrition for your canine companion. They are high in protein and provide an excellent source of fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and protein and they are the only dog-friendly ingredient in flan. Both egg parts – the white and the yolk are safe and beneficial for dogs. 

Egg white is one of the best sources of protein, the building material of every living cell. Egg yolks are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Eggs are only dangerous to dogs if eaten raw. However, this does not apply to flan. 

3: Sugar

Natural sugar from fruit is safe for your dog; however, granulated sugar is not healthy for your dog, Sugar is generally unhealthy for your dog, leading to obesity and other weight-related issues

Sugar and dogs are not a good combination. Just like people, most dogs love eating sugary foods. However, sugars are not part of the canine’s natural diet and, as such, can cause serious damage to the dogs’ overall health. 

4. Caramel

Although caramel is not considered toxic to dogs, it is pure sugar, which can have both short-term and long-term negative effects on your pup. In the short term, it can cause behavioral changes like hyperactivity while long-term effects include dental problems and obesity.

Caramel is made by mixing and melting together sugar and butter. We already covered the dangers of sugar, so let’s review butter. 

5. Vanilla 

Vanilla extract and imitation vanilla have a high alcohol content that is toxic to your dog. Dogs can’t break down alcohol in their system, and your dog is at risk for alcohol poisoning if he consumes too much.

If your dog ingests a significant amount of baked goods with vanilla extract or drinks it straight from the bottle, this can cause severe symptoms

What To Do If Your Dog Eats Flan

If your dog has managed to eat flan, here are some steps you can take to ensure their safety and well-being.

1. Assess the situation: the first thing to do is to know how much flan your dog has consumed and if there are any other concerning factors like ingesting wrappers or containers.
2. Watch for immediate symptoms: Keep an eye on your dog to always dictate when they are having abnormal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea and difficulty in breathing
3. Contact your veterinarian: If your dog has eaten a large amount of flan or showing any of the symptoms mentioned above, reach out to tour veterinarian as soon as possible. The earlier the better.
4. Monitor their behaviour and appetite: aside from looking out for unusual symptoms, monitor your dogs behaviour and appetite after flan consumption. Look out for any changes that may indicate a need for medical attention.
5. Prevent future access: Take steps to ensure that your dog cannot access flan or other potentially harmful foods in the future. Store food securely and be mindful of what is within their reach.

Remember, it’s always best to consult a veterinarian for personalized advice based on your dog’s specific situation. They can provide you with guidance tailored to your dog’s needs and help address any concerns you may have.

Can Dogs Eat Flan/ Alternatives To Flan For Dogs

Here are some options:

1. Fresh fruits and vegetables: Like us, dogs can benefit from eating fruits and vegetables as part of their regular diet. Plants, like fruits and vegetables, in small amounts, are a source of fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.  Some good options include blueberries, strawberries, bananas, apples, carrots, and green beans. Just make sure to cut them up into small pieces and remove any seeds or pits before giving them to your dog.

2. Peanut butter: Dogs love peanut butter, and it’s a great source of protein and healthy fats. Dogs can eat most peanut butter but never give them peanut butter that contains xylitol, as this is toxic to dogs. Generally speaking, any peanut butter that doesn’t contain xylitol (or chocolate) should be fine for a dog.

3. Yogurt: Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It also can act as a probiotic, which can be good for the digestive system. If you feed your dog yoghurt, it should be plain and free of any added sweeteners, both natural and artificial. Greek yoghurt is considered a good option because it features probiotics,

4. Homemade dog treats: If you enjoy baking, there are plenty of recipes for homemade dog treats that you can make at home. Just make sure to use dog-safe ingredients and avoid any foods that are toxic to dogs. Some good options include pumpkin, sweet potato, and oatmeal.

5. Applesauce: Applesauce is a safe and healthy occasional treat in a dog’s die, applesauce can be a flavorful alternative to flan. Just make sure it doesn’t contain any added sugars or artificial sweeteners.

6. Pumpkin Puree: Pumpkin puree is a nutritious option that dogs typically enjoy. It can be served as a treat or mixed with their regular food.

Read also: Can Dogs Eat Lamb Bones?

Other Healthy Treat Recipes For Your Dog

1. Vegetable Turmeric Dog Treats

Ingredients List

• 1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 1 cup fresh, baby spinach (finely chopped)
• 1 cup raw carrot (unpeeled and coarse-grated)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt (low-fat or fat-free)
• 1 tsp baking powder (gluten-free variety)
• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder

Optional Yogurt Glaze:

• 1/2 tsp plain yoghurt
• 2 tsp water

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325F
• Line the baking tray with parchment or silicone baking mat
• Put brown rice flour and oat flour (sieved) into a medium-sized bowl
• Add baking powder to flour and stir to combine
• Finely chop spinach and parsley
• Coarsely grate carrots (washed but unpeeled)
• Put spinach, parsley, carrots and applesauce into a large bowl
• Stir with a wooden spoon to mix well
• Add yoghurt and stir into the fruit/vegetable mixture
• Sprinkle turmeric over the mixture and stir in 
• Add flour mix to the vegetable mixture one cup at a time
• Stir well between each addition
• Once all flour is mixed in, use your hands to form a dough 
• Knead well, adding more flour if the dough is too sticky
• Turn dough out onto floured wax paper, top with the second sheet
• Roll dough out to 1/4″ thickness
• Use cookie cutters to cut treats into the desired shape
• Mix yoghurt and water to form a glaze, and brush over treats before baking (optional*)
• Bake at 325F for 35 minutes
• Remove treats from oven and allow to cool completely
• Store treats in refrigerator for 7 – 10 days

2. Pumpkin Parsley Dog Treats

Ingredients List

• 2 cups garbanzo bean flour
• 1 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 3 tbsp coconut milk
• 1 tbsp chia seeds

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325F
• Line baking tray with silicone baking mat
• Put flour and chia seeds into a large bowl and stir to blend
• In a smaller bowl mix together pumpkin puree, coconut oil and coconut milk
• Make well in the centre of the flour mixture and add wet ingredients
• Mix together with a wooden spoon
• Use your hands to form a dough
• Knead well for several minutes until the dough is workable
• Turn dough out onto floured wax paper
• Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the dough out to approx. 1/4″ thickness
• Cut treats to desired shape using cookie cutters or a sharp knife
• Bake at 325F for 25 minutes
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely 
• Store treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week

Nutrition Facts Per Treat:

Servings: 46 (one treat per serving)

Serving size: 14 g

Calories per serving: 23

Total Fat: 0.7 g
Saturated Fat 0.3 g

Total Carbohydrates: 3.7 g
Dietary Fiber 1.2 g

Total Sugars 0.7 g

Protein: 1.2 g

Vitamin A: 471 IU
Vitamin B3: 0.2 mg
Vitamin C: 1.1 mg
Vitamin K: 11.5 ug
Calcium:  mg
Folate: 19 ug
Iron: 0.5 mg
Magnesium: 10 mg
Phosphorous: 19 mg
Potassium: 15 mg
Zinc: 0.2 mg

3. Carrot Zucchini Pupcakes

Ingredients List

• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1/2 cup grated zucchini
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup virgin olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tsp wheat germ

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F
• Put silicone cupcake moulds onto a baking tray for stability
• Grate cheese, carrot and zucchini
• Put flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and wheat germ into a large bowl. Stir to mix.
• Put applesauce, olive oil, eggs and honey into a small bowl and mix together well
• Add wet ingredients to dry a little at a time, stirring well each time
• Add grated cheese, carrot and zucchini and mix in thoroughly but gently
• Lightly grease silicone moulds with olive oil spray (optional)
• Spoon batter into moulds until they’re 3/4 full
• Bake smaller cupcakes at 350F for 15 – 20 mins, and larger ones for 20 – 25 mins. 
• Test for ‘done-ness’ by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the centre of a cupcake. If it comes out clean, they’re ready!
• Cool cupcakes in moulds for 10 minutes
• Pop them out and place them on a baking rack to cool completely
• Store these carrot zucchini cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days

4. Multi-Grain Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Ingredients List

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/2 cup virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 2 tbsp sunflower seeds (unsalted)
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tbsp whole flax seeds
• 1 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses
• 1 tsp brewers yeast
• 1/4 tsp pink Himalayan salt
• 1 cup bone broth (I used chicken)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F
• Line the baking tray with parchment or silicone baking mat
• Combine all dry ingredients (except salt) in a large bowl
• Stir really well with a wooden spoon to combine 
• Sprinkle salt over dry ingredients and stir in
• Add peanut butter, molasses and olive oil and stir into dry ingredients
• Stir until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs
• Add bone broth a little at a time, stirring well to mix
• Use your hands to form a dough, it shouldn’t be too sticky or too dry
• Add extra flour or water if needed to get the right consistency
• Divide dough in half (dough is fairly heavy-duty and this makes it easier to roll out)
• Place the first piece on a lightly floured surface 
• Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the dough out to 1/4″ thickness
• Cut out desired treat shapes using a cookie cutter
• Repeat rolling and cut-out with the second half of the dough 
• Bake at 350F for 25 – 30 minutes
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely
• Treats can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the refrigerator

5. Peanut Butter, Applesauce & Oats Dog Treat Recipe

Ingredients List

• 3 cups oat flour
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 tsp baking powder (gluten-free)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375F
• Line the baking tray with parchment or a silicone baking mat
• Put oat flour, oat bran and baking powder into a large bowl
• Use a wooden spoon to stir together well
• Add applesauce, eggs and peanut butter to dry ingredients
• Use a wooden spoon to stir well until the ingredients are combined
• Use your hands to form and knead the dough
• Add extra flour if needed, the dough should be firm and not too sticky
• Turn dough out onto wax paper
• Top with a second sheet of wax paper and roll the dough out to 1/4″ thickness
• Use a cookie cutter of your choice or a sharp knife to cut out treats
• Bake at 375F for 15 minutes
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely 
• Store treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 – 10 days, or in the freezer for longer-term storage

6. Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats

Ingredients List

• 3 cups brown rice flour
• 1 1/4 cups oat flour
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy, your choice)
• 1/3 cup roughly chopped pumpkin seeds*
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F
• Line baking tray with silicone baking mat
• Chop pumpkin seeds using a sharp knife
• In a large bowl combine flour and cinnamon (sift oat flour into a bowl to get rid of any lumps), and stir to mix
• In a small bowl combine pumpkin puree, peanut butter and maple syrup
• Stir chopped pumpkin seeds into the flour mixture
• Slowly mix wet ingredients into dry, alternating between adding the pumpkin/peanut butter mixture and the water. Stir well each time
• Form dough with your hands and knead well
• Turn the dough out onto a sheet of liberally floured wax paper
• Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough out to approximately 1/4″ thickness
• Cut dough into desired treat shapes using a cookie cutter
• Gently but firmly press one pumpkin seed into the centre of each cookie before baking
• Bake treats at 350F for 30 minutes
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 to 10 days

7. Easy Peanut Butter & Eggnog Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 1 2/3 cups oat flour
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp Honest Kitchen Instant Goats Milk with Probiotics for Dogs*
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

This recipe is super easy to make. The dough tends to be soft and sometimes a little sticky, so add extra flour as needed.

You can chill dough in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before rolling out to make it a little easier to handle, but it’s not essential. I usually just take it from bowl to rolling pin!

• Preheat oven to 350F
• Line the baking tray with parchment or silicone baking mat
• Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl
• Stir well to mix
• Mash bananas in separate, smaller, bowl
• Add egg, honey and peanut butter to the mashed banana
• Stir well to mix
• Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients
• Use a wooden spoon to blend all ingredients
• Form mixture into dough, adding extra flour as needed
• Once the dough is manageable turn it out onto floured parchment or silicone mat
• Roll out to approx. 1/4″ thickness using floured rolling pin
• Cut out treats into desired shapes
• Place treats onto a lined baking tray 
• Bake for between 10 and 15 mins, depending on the size of the treats*
• Remove from oven and put on a cooling rack
• Cool completely
• Decorate if desired (I use Magifrost Dog Treat Icing which isn’t sugar based)

8. Peanut Butter, Applesauce & Oats Dog Treat Recipe

Ingredients List

• 3 cups oat flour
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 tsp baking powder (gluten-free)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375F
• Line the baking tray with parchment or a silicone baking mat
• Put oat flour, oat bran and baking powder into a large bowl
• Use a wooden spoon to stir together well
• Add applesauce, eggs and peanut butter to dry ingredients
• Use a wooden spoon to stir well until the ingredients are combined
• Use your hands to form and knead the dough
• Add extra flour if needed, the dough should be firm and not too sticky
• Turn dough out onto wax paper
• Top with a second sheet of wax paper and roll the dough out to 1/4″ thickness
• Use a cookie cutter of your choice or a sharp knife to cut out treats
• Bake at 375F for 15 minutes
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely 
• Store treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7 – 10 days, or in the freezer for longer-term storage

9. Tuna And Turmeric Dog Treat Recipe

Ingredients List

• 1 cup oat flour
• 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
• 1/2 cup of tuna (in oil or water)*
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp turmeric

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F
• Line baking tray with silicone baking mat
• Finely chop the parsley with a sharp knife
• Mash tuna in a small bowl
• Put the flour and nutritional yeast in a large bowl and stir together
• Mix olive oil into mashed tuna
• Add tuna mixture and chopped parsley to dry ingredients and mix well
• Add water and use your hands to form a dough
• Turn dough out onto lightly floured wax paper
• Use a lightly floured rolling pin to roll the dough out to approx. 1/4″ thickness
• Cut treats out using a cookie cutter or sharp knife
• Bake at 350F for approx. 15 minutes or until golden and firm to touch
• Remove from oven and allow to cool completely
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week

10. Carrot Zucchini Pupcakes

Ingredients List

• 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 cup rolled oats
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• 1/2 cup grated zucchini
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup virgin olive oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp raw honey
• 1 tsp wheat germ

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350F
• Put silicone cupcake moulds onto a baking tray for stability
• Grate cheese, carrot and zucchini
• Put flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and wheat germ into a large bowl. Stir to mix.
• Put applesauce, olive oil, eggs and honey into a small bowl and mix together well
• Add wet ingredients to dry a little at a time, stirring well each time
• Add grated cheese, carrot and zucchini and mix in thoroughly but gently
• Lightly grease silicone moulds with olive oil spray (optional)
• Spoon batter into moulds until they’re 3/4 full
• Bake smaller cupcakes at 350F for 15 – 20 mins, and larger ones for 20 – 25 mins. 
• Test for ‘done-ness’ by inserting a toothpick or skewer into the centre of a cupcake. If it comes out clean, they’re ready!
• Cool cupcakes in moulds for 10 minutes
• Pop them out and place them on a baking rack to cool completely
• Store these carrot zucchini cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion 

It’s important to prioritize your dog’s health and well-being when considering what foods to share with them. Stick to a nutritionally balanced diet for dogs and consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s diet or if they accidentally consume flan or other potentially harmful foods.