While croissants don’t contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, it’s still not recommended for dogs to eat them. So, you don’t have to worry too much if your dog sneaks a bite of a croissant, but this pastry shouldn’t be fed consistently as a treat for your dog.
Croissants don’t add much nutritional value to a dog’s diet, and they also contain a lot of fat and carbohydrates, which can quickly lead to unnecessary weight gain. Fortunately, there are plenty of other baked treats that your dog can enjoy safely. So, it’s worth exploring your options and avoiding feeding your dog croissants.
Can Dogs Eat Croissants?
Dogs can technically eat a piece of a croissant without getting sick, but just because they don’t get sick doesn’t mean it’s a good snack for them. Croissants are high-calorie foods, and one croissant often exceeds 200 calories. So, a piece of a croissant can seem harmless, but consistently feeding your dog pieces of croissants can quickly exceed healthy caloric limits.
Croissants don’t really offer any nutritional benefits to dogs. They’re filler foods that contain a lot of carbohydrates and fat from butter. It’s also not safe for overweight and obese dogs, those prone to pancreatitis or diabetic dogs. White flour and sugar are heavily processed carbohydrates, and they’re some of the main ingredients in a plain croissant. Heavily processed carbohydrates have many vitamins and minerals stripped away and can also spike blood sugar and insulin levels. Overconsumption can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Croissants are also made with yeasted dough, which is toxic to dogs. Raw yeasted dough can continue to rise in a dog’s digestive system and diffuse ethanol into the bloodstream. Rising bread dough can act like bloat and put dogs in extreme danger. Dogs can also experience alcohol toxicosis if they eat large amounts of raw yeasted dough and have high levels of ethanol in their system. So, if your dog ever eats raw dough, it’s important to call your veterinarian and check for signs of an upset stomach, bloat, and alcohol toxicosis.
Croissants containing filling are especially unhealthy for dogs as they usually contain even more sugar and fat. Pain au chocolat and pain aux raisin are toxic to dogs because they contain chocolate or raisins, which are poisonous to dogs.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats a Croissant
If your dog happens to eat raw croissant dough or partially baked dough, contact your veterinarian right away.
- Weakness
- Drunken gait
- Stumbling or difficulty walking
- Seizures
- Coma
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Your dog may also exhibit bloat-like signs due to the dough expanding in its stomach:
- Distended or swollen abdomen
- Pain or tender abdomen
- Panting
- Rapid breathing
- Pacing and restlessness
- Attempts to vomit
- Inability to stand
If your dog eats a bite of a fully baked croissant, make sure to check for signs of an upset stomach. You can also play it safe and contact your veterinarian for further instructions.
Healthy Alternatives to Croissants
Dogs are omnivores, so as long as they don’t have a wheat allergy, they can enjoy many baked dog biscuits. You can also find several wheat-free options if your dog has trouble processing gluten.
There are many homemade dog recipes that you make for your dog. These recipes often omit dairy and substitute it with non-dairy milk, like almond milk and coconut. They also use whole wheat flour or oat flour, which is more nutritious than white flour. Many recipes incorporate fruit and vegetables in their wet base, like mashed bananas, pureed pumpkin, or grated carrots and zucchini.
Final Thoughts
Croissants are unhealthy for dogs, and raw croissant dough is dangerous for them to eat. So, it’s helpful to have baked dog biscuits in your home so that you can give your dog a safe treat while you eat a croissant.
Just because a dog shouldn’t eat a croissant, it doesn’t mean it can’t enjoy fresh baked goods. You can spend a weekend experimenting with different dog-friendly biscuit recipes to see which ones end up being your dog’s favorites. Your dog will definitely be on board with trying new snacks, and recipe testing might end up being a new hobby you can enjoy together.
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