Celebrate your furry friend’s birthday in style with this from-scratch dog birthday cake. Made with 7-ingredients, this straightforward peanut butter and carrot cake is the reliable treat for your pup’s special day!

Bone shaped dog cake with number 8 candle in it and dog in background.

Last week was Duke’s 8th birthday! We couldn’t let the occasion pass without giving him a proper cake and celebration.

We used some of the same ingredients that went into the from-scratch dog treats We made previously, then throw in some shredded carrots and a few other things, and the cake was ready to go! It can be baked in a round pan or a loaf pan; we did it in a loaf pan and then carved it into a bone and used peanut butter for a little “icing”.

What is a Dog Birthday Cake?

Exactly what it sounds like, a dog birthday cake is a cake you make for your dog. You can make this treat for their birthday, to celebrate the day you adopted them, for their half-birthday day, or just because you feel like spoiling your furry friend.

Now, you might be wondering why you would want to make your own dog birthday cake instead of picking up a cake or cupcake for your dog from the store? Store-bought cakes (unless you go to a pet store that specializes in dog cakes) are typically made for humans and don’t take into consideration the many different foods that are harmful to dogs.

Safety First

Some ingredients to avoid when making a dog birthday cake include but are not limited to:

Chocolate
Raisins
Nutmeg
Macadamia nuts
Avocado

For a more extensive list, check out the ASPCA’s recommendations here. If you are concerned about an ingredient you should always check with a vet before giving it to your dog.

Storing Suggestions

Want to make this cake in advance? Absolutely! Here is how to make and store this birthday cake for the freshest possible flavor.

Unfrosted: Store the unfrosted cake wrapped in plastic wrap on the counter at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Peanut butter frosting: Cakes frosted with peanut butter frosting can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
Cream cheese or yogurt frosting: If you used the cream cheese or yogurt frosting, pop the cake into the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an air-tight container.

Common questions

Dog Birthday Cake

Yield: 1 cake
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup ( 120 g ) whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup ( 64.5 g ) natural peanut butter
¼ cup ( 54.5 ml ) vegetable oil
⅓ cup ( 113 ml ) honey
1 cup ( 128 g ) shredded carrots
1 egg
Extra peanut butter, for frosting

Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8" round cake pan or an 8×4-inch loaf pan.
Whisk together the flour and baking soda. Add the rest of the ingredients and, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix until thoroughly combined. Pour batter into pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool, then spread additional peanut butter on top for "frosting", if desired.