πŸ₯ Can Dogs Eat Croissants? - Check This

πŸ‘‹ We answer the questions, are croissants good for your dog, what to watch out for and more.

Dog at breakfast time

Overview

Yes, dogs can eat croissants and this shouldn't have an impact on their health, however, there's many variations of the tasty treat that include a lot of fat due to added butter which bumps up the calories. This can have a negative impact on your dogs weight, especially smaller dogs that don't require many calories.

What are croissants made of?

Croissants are usually filled with cream and sugar. They also have an outer layer that contains yeast dough. The ingredients include flour, water, salt, eggs, milk powder, oil or shortening, vanilla extract, baking soda, and other flavorings like chocolate chips, nuts, raisins, etc.

Cinnamon - Cinnamon is generally safe for dogs, but excessive consumption can result in liver damage.

Eggs - Eggs are okay for dogs, but eating too many eggs can make them sick.

Gingerbread - Gingerbread contains ginger which isn’t good for puppies who have sensitive tummies.

Honey - Honey is very sweet and could lead to obesity.

Lemon - Lemon juice can upset your puppy’s digestive system.

Malt extract - Malt extract is made up of malt sugar and yeast. Yeast is known to cause gastrointestinal upsets in dogs.

Milk powder - Milk powder is full of calcium and vitamin D.

Because of this variety, the pastry can vary massively in terms of calories from 200kcals to over 400kcals depending on the size and ingredients used, here’s a breakdown of a 100g croissant. Ingredients:Β 

  • ⏲Kcals: 404
  • 🧈Fat: 20.5g
  • 🍞Carbs: 45g
  • πŸ₯©Protein: 7.6g

Given that dogs under 10 lbs require less than 300 calories, you can see how this snack might not be a great fit for your pooch. In order to look into how foods may effect, we need to break down the ingredients and talk about their impact on how dogs process them.

❌ Flour

May cause problems if your dog has issues with processing gluten. Can trigger allergies due to gluten content, flour dusting, and inhalation.

❌ White Sugar

There’s a high level of sugar found in croissants, especially those with syrup toppings. A substitute is xylitol which is poisonous to dogs because it causes hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels drop too low causing symptoms including seizures, coma, and death. If your dog eats any type of food containing large amounts of xylitol, you should contact your veterinarian right away so that they can help.

❌ Chocolate

These are usually coated in dark chocolate which is worse for dogs since it contains more theobromine than regular milk chocolate. Theobromine is toxic to dogs at higher doses. It affects heart rate, breathing, muscle contractions, and nervous system function. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, cardiac arrest, and even death.

❌ Vanilla Extract

This ingredient is often added as flavouring, however, some brands use artificial flavors instead. Artificial flavors contain chemicals such as diacetyl and acetoin.

βœ… Eggs

Eggs are another common ingredient found in many baked goods including croissants. Egg yolks have been shown to improve cognitive function in older pups. The whites are rich in choline, vitamin D, zinc, selenium, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine, and biotin.

Interesting note, some breeds such as Poodles and Bulldogs tend to react badly to egg protein πŸ€·β€β™€οΈ.

croissants being made from scratch

Safe for dogs?

Despite their high calories, yes they are, It depends on how often your pet eats them. Plain ones are fine for him or her. However, there are certain types of croissants that shouldn’t be given to pets. They include:

  • Cream cheese filled ones
  • Filled with chocolate chips
  • Stuffed with ham or bacon bits

Can dogs eat butter croissants?

Yes! Butter croissants are okay for dogs. They don’t pose any risks at all. However, keep an eye on their intake. It should be limited to a quarter per day due to its fat content. Which makes it harder for dogs to digest

It’s worth pointing out butter croissants also tend to be higher in calories compared to regular ones. That means they’ll give your pet extra energy so moderate their food accordingly.

Will almonds hurt my dog?

Almonds aren’t poisonous to dogs,Β  They contain some protein and fibre but no other nutrients that are dangerous to your pet. However, if your dog does get hold of an almond, depending on its size there’s a possibility of choking. Almonds when used with croissants are flakey and therefore can get stuck in your pup’s throat.

A bigger concern would be the pastry containing raisins which are toxic to dogs! So make sure to check before giving your furry friend these treats.

Snack alternatives

Alternatives to croissants for dogs The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives available for dogs who love eating pastries. Here are just a few ideas:

Baked potato skins

These are perfect for small dogs since they’re smaller than most croissants. Just cut off the top half of the skin and bake until crispy. Then fill it up with kibble or dry food. Potatoes contain lots of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber which help keep your dog feeling full for longer. So they’re great for both weight loss and digestion.

Chicken & Rice Sticks

These chicken rice sticks are perfect for pups who love meat. The stick shape helps prevent choking hazards and the added vitamins and minerals provide essential nutrients.

Salmon Nuggets

Salmon nuggets are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and B12 Vitamin. Both of which are important for growth and development.

Apple Chips

Apple chips are crunchy and sweet. With just 30 calories each, they won’t add much weight to your pup’s diet. But what else could he ask for?!

Recommendations

If you really want to give your pet pooch a croissant, you need to make your own that are free from preservatives, chemicals, and other nasty things, then your dog will love you and your croissants! Don’t use white flour, instead use something more dog friendly such as almond and only make them small to reduce the calories, this should help prevent a stomach upset.

Amanda Brennan
Amanda Brennan

Animal enthusiasts, she works closely with animals that require rehabilitation across the US and writes for several pet websites. Her other interests are photography πŸ“Έ and training to run a marathon πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ.

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