Overview
No, Zalabia is not suitable for dogs. This deep-fried Middle Eastern fritter is very high in oil and sugar, neither of which is well tolerated by dogs and might cause stomach ache or, in severe cases, pancreatitis.
Can dogs eat Zalabia?
Risks
- Zalabia is a Middle Eastern deep-fried dough dipped in sugar syrup or honey. The dough is made from a fermented batter of flour, yeast, and optionally with ingredients such as yogurt or baking powder. Zalabia can be prepared in a funnel cake style or as doughnut-hole-sized balls.
- Zalabia is usually deep-fried in oil and is high in fat. Ingesting too much of it often can result in gastrointestinal issues or pancreatitis in dogs.
- The sweet syrup and the fermented dough make Zalabia a high-carb food. This contributes to the risk of diabetes and obesity in dogs.
- The lactose in yogurt or milk (if added in the batter) makes it difficult for lactose-intolerant dogs to digest, resulting in stomach upset, diarrhea, or flatulence.
