Panna cotta is an art to me. From the ambiance it creates on the table to the way it melts in the mouth, it’s all beauty. Panna cotta is one of my all-time favorite desserts; I could barely go a week without having some.
Most times, when I make some panna cotta for my family, I also make a version that our dog enjoys without problems. This article will explore everything you need to know about dogs and panna cotta, including whether they could eat a little, if it is safe for them, and more.
What is Panna Cotta?
Panna cotta is an Italian eggless custard dessert. It is made from a combination of a few ingredients, such as vanilla, sweetened cream, fruits, and sugar. For a custard-like, creamy consistency, gelatin is usually used. The resulting product is a silky, rich, smooth dessert.
The panna cotta dessert can be made into numerous flavors, but the base is always the same.
Can Dogs Eat Panna Cotta?
Yes, dogs can eat panna cotta in very small amounts without vanilla or fruits like grapes. While panna cotta may not be toxic to your dog, it contains some ingredients that pose some risks to your pooch’s health. If your dog consumes too much panna cotta, they will have an upset stomach, gain weight, and may suffer from dental diseases.
Panna cotta is not recommended as a regular treat for dogs since its dairy content can make it a bit difficult to digest, leading to GI issues.
Ingredients in Panna Cotta
Below are the ingredients in panna cotta and how they could possibly affect your dog:
Sugar
Dogs can safely consume sugar from natural sources such as fruits, but processed sugar isn’t good for your dog. Dogs who consume lots of sugar are at high risk of developing diabetes, obesity, and dental problems.
Cream
Some dogs can safely consume little cream and other dairy content without experiencing lactose intolerance symptoms. However, most other dogs may experience bloating, an upset stomach, and diarrhea as a result of the dairy content.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract contains a significant amount of alcohol, which is difficult for a dog’s digestive system to break down. However, we only use a few drops, which are insufficient to cause alcohol poisoning in dogs.
Gelatin
Gelatin is great for your dog, as it has about 9% pure protein. However, it should be given in moderation, as it lacks some other essential amino acids.
Can puppies eat panna cotta?
Healthy puppy infants can have some panna cotta safely. In fact, they can handle dairy treats like panna cotta better than adult dogs will. As pups, they have sufficient lactase enzymes in their guts, which help break down the lactose present in their mother’s milk. However, it is best to give them a little traditional panna cotta or a dog-friendly version that substitutes cream with coconut milk.
My dog ate Panna cotta: What will happen if my dog consumes panna cotta?
Most times, nothing will happen if your dog consumes small amounts of panna cotta dessert. However, you should monitor your dog for signs of discomfort if they consume large amounts.
In some cases, some dogs may react negatively, displaying signs such as lethargy, excessive thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, increased urination, and loss of appetite (these symptoms occur if your dog is lactose intolerant and consumes lots of panna cotta).
What desserts are safe for dogs?
Fruit popsicles
My dog loves fruit popsicles so much. You will always see that tail wag of joy each time I make some for him. Fruit popsicles are refreshing, and just like coconut water and horchata, they could hydrate your dog.
Avoid sweetened popsicles, as they usually contain sweeteners like xylitol, which can be disastrous for dogs. They are usually labeled as “sugar-free.”
Pumpkin Dog Cake
This dessert is made with applesauce, pumpkin puree, and Greek yogurt. and peanut butter. This recipe doesn’t require added sugar, making it great for dogs with sensitive stomachs. And guess what? They love it!
Apple Bacon Oatmeal cookies
Dogs find apple, bacon, and oatmeal cookies irresistible. This treat tastes great, and yet it is quite healthy compared to a lot of other treats out there. I have used this treat a lot of times while teaching my dog some new tricks, and I discovered he enjoys it a lot.
Homemade panna cotta for dogs
Having two kids and a dog at home means I always have to make less sugary but healthier treats at home, along with the more sugary I enjoy with my spouse winks.
Dogs can and love to eat homemade panna cotta treats, and here is my twist on it with dog-safe ingredients, such as alternating the cream with coconut milk.
Ingredients
1 cup of coconut milk
1/4 cup peanut butter (no added sugar or salt)
1 teaspoon of honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon bone broth powder
1 packet of unflavored gelatin
How to make
- Whisk together the coconut milk, peanut butter, bone broth, honey, and vanilla extract in a saucepan until it is properly combined.
- Sprinkle the gelatin on the mixture and let it sit for a minute or two.
- Over low heat, stir the mixture constantly until the gelatin dissolves completely.
- Transfer the content into silicone molds.
- Refrigerate for three hours to set.
- Once it is ready, it could be cut into little pieces that your pooch could easily gobble.
Is Panna Cotta Good For Dogs? Final Thoughts
Panna cotta is not bad for dogs, even in small quantities as an occasional treat. Making panna cotta a regular treat can expose your dog to dental health problems as there is a lot of sugar in panna cotta. Also, your dog may not be lactose tolerant, which means it could suffer from bloating, an upset stomach, and other symptoms of lactose intolerance.
It is best to give dogs desserts or treats with friendly and healthy ingredients like the recipe above, or you could try other desserts listed above, and I can assure you that your dog will love them just as mine does.
