So your favorite furry friend is another year older and it’s time to start thinking about a celebration complete with birthday cake. Yes that’s right, birthday cake! Although the exact number is unknown, some data suggests that as many as 65% of dog owners celebrate their pets special day. So when it comes to cake for your dogs birthday – do you make one from scratch, buy a box mix or opt for a store bought puppy cake? If you still can’t decide well – Let’s Talk Cake!!

For those talented individuals anxious to bake one from scratch here is a recipe my niece used for her dog ,Trigger’s birthday.  Made with just a few ingredients found in most pantries, this made-from-scratch cake is sure to be a hit with your four-legged friend.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white or whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 egg

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C)
• Mix together flour and baking soda.
• Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
• Pour into a round pan sprayed with a nonstick spray
• Bake for 40 minutes.

Frosting:

• Frost your cake with low fat cottage cheese.
• Decorate with carrot pieces.
• Store in refrigerator.

Happy 4th Birthday Trigger.  Looks like he can’t wait to enjoy a piece of his birthday cake!!

If the thought of baking a cake from scratch is a bit overwhelming, a box cake mix from When Pooch Comes to Shove may be just what you need. Offered in banana, carob, peanut butter and red velvet, these flavorful cakes will be a favorite at your pooch pawty especially when baked in a bone shaped cake pan. A co-worker recently celebrated the arrival of her new puppy, Thor.  As you can see Thor loved his bone-shaped peanut butter flavored cake complete with unflavored yogurt frosting.  He even decided to share a piece with one of his four-legged furry friends.

Even though baking your own cake can be economical and add an extra personal touch to your doggy’s pawty, not everyone is blessed with the extra time needed to make their own.  Many of you may decide to leave the baking to a professional and order your cake from a bakery specializing in canine treats.  Here are a few bakeries I found while surfing the web that specialize in treats and cakes for dogs.  Pampered Paw Gifts, Dog Pastry Bakery and My Best Friend Pet Treats. 

So regardless if you make one from scratch, buy a box mix or opt for a store bought creation in the end it really is A PIECE OF CAKE!!!