Can Dogs Eat Croissants?

Bydanail

Dogs are part of our families, and we love to share our meals with them. In fact, we shared our meals and snacks with them from the first day we met. However, dog owners should be aware that certain foods, such as chocolate and raisins, are unsuitable for them.

An example of such unhealthy and unsuitable food is croissants. They are a delicious, buttery, flaky pastry first created in Austria and well-known for their classic crescent shape.

Anyway, it would be best if you didn’t share this delicious treat with your best friend because some croissants could contain ingredients that can be harmful to your dog.

So, Can Dogs Eat Croissants?

Dogs should never eat croissants. It is not surprising that croissants aren’t among the healthy foods you can give your dog.

The main ingredients in croissants are water, butter, flour, and yeast.

Although none of these ingredients is beneficial for your dog, giving it a bit is possible.

Butter and flour are the most common ingredients in croissants but not the only ones. Even though they are delicious, croissants can be dangerous for your dog’s health because they can contain other toxic ingredients for dogs.

Let’s start with these ingredients.

Which Ingredients in Croissants are Unhealthy for Dogs?

Traditional French croissants contain butter and many other ingredients, which are unhealthy for dogs.

Bread Dough

The yeast is a crucial ingredient in croissants.

Dogs can be fatally poisoned by uncooked croissant mix containing active yeast. Your dog’s stomach will expand as well.

Always ensure your dog cannot reach the yeast or croissant mix.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Bread? Is Bread Safe for Dogs?

Butter

The butter in a croissant should not be a big problem.

On the other hand, most commercial bakeries make croissants with 15-25% butter. Butter gives croissants their wonderful taste. The classic French croissant can reach up to 45-55% butter.

However, the high amounts of fat can cause GI upset in dogs.

Vegetable Oil

Even though your dog may be able to lick a little bit of vegetable oil, it is not something you want to give him a lot. Vegetable oil can be very fattening, so don’t give your dog too much. Vegetable oil can also contain soybean and corn, which can cause allergies in some dogs.

Sugar

Too much sugar can lead to weight problems in dogs as well as tooth decay.

Sugar isn’t toxic for dogs, but too many sweet treats can shorten their lives and even cause diabetes.

Yeast

While yeast in baked form is safe for your dog, it can be toxic if it consumes raw dough containing yeast. Dogs who eat yeast-based dough can experience bloat and swelling, known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), which can be life-threatening.

GDV is when the stomach becomes full of gas and flips over, cutting off the blood flow to the GI tract.

Ethanol poisoning can also occur because of the fermenting yeast.

Raisins

Raisins are a common ingredient in croissants. Unfortunately, these delicious morsels are highly toxic to dogs.

Raisins can cause kidney disease in dogs, depending on how many were eaten and their sensitivity.

It would be best to keep raisins and croissants out of reach for your dog.

Chocolate

Some croissants contain chocolate, which is another highly poisonous ingredient for dogs.

Two chemicals, theobromine, and methylxanthine are responsible for chocolate toxicity in dogs. These chemicals are found in chocolate, tea, and coffee and stimulate the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Because dark chocolate contains a higher level of these chemicals, it is even more toxic for dogs.

The dog’s size, how much chocolate they eat, and what type of chocolate they ingest will also affect their toxicity.

Marzipan

A sweet and delicious confection, marzipan is made mainly of sugar, honey, and almond meal and is often used as a filling in croissants.

Even though marzipan is safe for dogs, excessive consumption can cause GI upset or diarrhea.

Nutella

Although Nutella contains cocoa and sugar, it is safer than chocolate for dogs.

Cocoa contains less theobromine than chocolate, so your dog should be fine unless it eats a lot of Nutella.

In the case of Nutella overeating, you may notice vomiting and diarrhea.

Almonds

Almonds are also a common ingredient in croissants. Although they aren’t toxic to dogs, they are hard to digest and can cause GI upset or pancreatitis (a potentially fatal inflammatory reaction that causes abdominal pain and may lead to the death of the pancreas).

Flaked almonds pose a danger to dogs’ health and can cause choking.

Brie Cheese

Brie cheese is another croissant filling. This delicious, smooth cheese has a unique taste. While other cheeses can be safe for your dog, Brie has high levels of saturated fat, making it not the best treat for your dog.

Brie can cause vomiting, pancreatitis, and loss of appetite in pets who consume large amounts.

Some cheeses contain garlic and onions, which can be toxic for dogs.

Onions

Certain croissants may contain onions that can be harmful to dogs, especially in large quantities.

Onions are high in N-propyl disulfide, which is a toxin known to cause anemia and lethargy.

Additionally, onions contain thiosulfate, which is an element that dogs can’t digest and can cause severe reactions in dogs.

Lethargy, decreased appetite, blood in the urine, and pale gums are all signs of onion toxicosis in dogs.

Garlic

Garlic, which can be used in croissants like onions, is also toxic to dogs.

Garlic belongs to the onion family, but the thiosulfate found in garlic is even more potent than the one in onions.

Your dog may be able to eat a small amount of garlic-flavored croissants, but it is safer to avoid them.

Bacon

Bacon is high in salt and fat. Although dogs and humans may love bacon, stomach upset can occur in dogs.

Your dog may also be at risk for pancreatitis if she eats too many bacon-laden croissants.

Xylitol

Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, is used in peanut butter and other baked goods as a sugar substitute.

Although it is not commonly found in homemade recipes, commercially-available croissants often include this sweetener.

Xylitol can be highly toxic to dogs, and even a tiny amount can cause collapse, seizures, or death.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested Xylitol.

How Can I Keep My Dog from Eating Croissants?

Just don’t give your dog croissants. More than 30% of pet owners share their table scraps with their dogs.

Due to the high-fat and other dangerous ingredients, it is better to be safe than sorry and limit your table scraps to dog treats.

What Do I Do If My Dog Eats A Lot Of Croissants?

Your dog’s size and the number of croissants will determine the level of concern.

For example, since a dark chocolate croissant is particularly toxic for dogs, a 10-pound dog should not consume more than 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate.

Conclusion

Although plain croissants are not toxic to dogs, they may contain ingredients that can harm their health. The main ingredients in croissants are butter, flour, water, and yeast.

Butter is especially bad for dogs due to its high-fat content. A 100g croissant can contain as much as 12 grams of saturated fat, which is almost 60% of the daily recommended intake for humans. Imagine what this must be like for dogs!

Dogs that occasionally eat a tiny amount of croissants are unlikely to become sick. But, a larger amount could cause stomach upsets or diarrhea.

This only applies to plain croissants, and a trip to the emergency veterinarian might be necessary if your dog ate a flavored version, such as chocolate croissants.

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