Growing up, one of the first things I learned how to make was polvoron. At the time, my parents relied pretty much on the papers, hoping to find out updates on the repressive rule of Ferdinand Marcos. Unfortunately, the government always censored everything, but there was still something to be happy about for me, which was the children’s cooking section on the papers.
That faithful day, Maur Lichauco shared her recipe for polvoron, which forever set me on a path of generational treats as my two kids have grown up loving the polvoron I have made for them, and they have equally learned how to make it and add their twists. While polvoron is a treat humans can safely enjoy, can dogs have polvoron? Here is everything you need to know about polvoron for dogs.
What is Polvoron?
Polvoron is more like a Filipino type of shortbread derived from powdered milk, toasted flour, butter, and sugar. It is believed to have originated with the Spaniards, with their version being made with flour, almonds, sugar, butter, salt, and vanilla extracts. “Polvo” is a Spanish word for the term dust or powder, and that is how the texture of polvorones can be described to be—crumbles in the mouth.
Unlike the polvoron you’ll find in Spain, the Philippine versions are not baked; rather, they toast the flour, add some sugar, powdered milk, and melted butter. All the ingredients are then thoroughly combined in a bowl and packed into a silicone or stainless steel mold until an oval or circular polvoron is made. Picture it as making a sandcastle.
Just like pancit, polvorons are commonly eaten in the Philippines. In a popular birthday and Christmas party parlor game, we play with polvoron, where participants pack lots of polvoron into their mouths and then make attempts to whistle. We always struggle for minutes before a winner is found.
Polvoron has numerous varieties where different ingredients, flavors, or nuts are added, like cashews, ube, Filipino crisp rice, peanuts, and crumbled Oreos, and in some cases, it is dipped in melted chocolate.
Can dogs eat Polvoron?
Dogs can safely have 1 polvoron, provided it is not coated in melted chocolate and your dog is not allergic to the versions made with nuts. However, it is a sweet treat that contains lots of sugar, which can be harmful to dogs in significant amounts over time. Also, it is made with milk, and giving it to dogs can lead to lactose intolerance symptoms.
The lactose content of a single polvoron is not capable of causing lactose-intolerant symptoms in dogs. If you’ve given your dog one polvorone, you’ll notice that nothing will happen, but we recommend you take caution because giving your dog lots of polvorone will trigger lactose intolerance symptoms.
Another thing to note is the nuts used in making polvoron. While most dogs don’t have nut allergies, a few others may be allergic to nuts, and such dogs should not have anything to do with polvoron made with nuts.
Flour of all kinds (including rice flour, all-purpose flour, semolina flour, etc.) is safe for dogs, provided it is not offered in dough form, which could cause bloating. The vanilla extracts contain alcohol, but only a few drops are used, and these drops are not sufficient to make a single polvoron toxic to dogs.
Is Polvoron Good for Dogs?
While polvoron is not toxic to dogs, and they can safely have some, it is not good for dogs as it doesn’t contain any useful health benefits. Rather, it is a source of empty calories, and it contains a lot of ingredients that can be harmful to dogs in significant amounts.
When I consider letting my dog share in some of the baked treats I make at home, I ensure to make a version that is safer for them and could offer some benefits by swapping out the sugar and milk for blended choy sum, avocado, and eggs, which even makes the polvoron hold its shape and easier for the dog to pick up and chew while providing benefits.
My Dog ate polvoron
If your dog ate a polvoron, there is nothing to worry about, as even three polvorons will not cause any harm to your pooch. However, erring on the side of caution is always the best option when offering non-dog-specific food or treats to your pooch.
In the case of dogs eating lots of polvoron, the most common thing to notice is signs of gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhea, which could be resolved with water fasting or by calling your vet for more tailored assistance.
Can puppies have Polvoron?
While puppies can safely have some polvoron, it is not recommended as the puppies still have delicate systems and will require a safer treat like their puppy-specific treats, which will effectively supplement their main foods and aid in the proper development of organs and body parts.
How to Feed Polvoron to Dogs
When it comes to feeding polvoron to dogs, the safe bracket is 1 to 3 at most. Ensure there is no chocolate topping to avoid theobromine poisoning, which could be fatal in some cases.
Or better still, you could make a dog-safe version where you can omit the possibly harmful ingredients and add some beneficial ingredients.
Dog Safe Treats You could use instead of Polvoron for dogs
While polvoron for dogs is not toxic, it is not the best option for treats for dogs.
Kong Easy Treats
This treat has a semi-soft texture and a peanut butter flavor that dogs find irresistible. It comes in a dispenser that has a similar operation to spray cheese, making it a great source of entertainment for your pooch. I usually place some of this treat on a lick mat and freeze it, making it last longer while also expelling boredom.
SmartBones SmartSticks Beef Chews Dog Treats
Tiya loves these SmartBones sticks, maybe for their chewy texture (which is also not too hard either), which keeps her feeling like she is doing a very important job for Munites. This is a more healthy alternative to rawhide treats (which do pose a choking hazard) and polvoron for dogs. These chews are low-fat and can work perfectly for dogs with pancreatitis while also helping to maintain the overall dental health of your pooch.
Can Dogs Have Polvoron? Final Thoughts
Dogs can safely have one Polvoron, provided it is not dipped in chocolate. However, polvoron is made with lots of sugar, which is not toxic to dogs but can cause diabetes and weight gain in the long run.
