Can Dogs Eat Croissants? Read This First!

Dogs always love it when we share our snacks and meals with them, and why not? Dogs have been a part of our lives for thousands of years, and chances are, we have shared our meals with them since the moment we met. It is important to know that dogs should not eat certain foods such as raisins, chocolate, or walnuts.

But can dogs eat croissants? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Croissants are a delightful, buttery, flaky, pastry first developed in Austria, and are known for their traditional crescent shape. And, the reason you shouldn’t share this tasty confection with your best friend is that some croissants may contain ingredients that are harmful to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Croissants?

The answer is no. For one thing, croissants contain a lot of butter and are approximately made up of 45-55% butter by weight if you buy your croissants from a traditional French bakery. Although butter is not harmful to your dog, it is high in fat, and if your dog gobbles half a dozen croissants, she may end up with a tummy ache or other symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Croissants also contain sugar, and possibly other ingredients such as jelly, cream fillings, marzipan, chocolate, and other goodies that are not good for your best friend.

What Ingredients are Bad in Croissants?

As mentioned above, traditional French croissants are loaded with butter, but they can contain other ingredients that are not good for your dog.

1. Butter

The amount of butter in the occasional bite of a croissant shouldn’t be an issue for your pet. However, croissants that are available at a supermarket bakery will be about 15-25% butter. A classic French croissant will have 45-55% butter by weight. Butter gives croissants their yummy taste, but since it’s high in fat, it can cause some GI upset in your dog if she overdoes it.

2. Sugar

As with humans, too much sugar can cause weight problems in dogs and also contribute to tooth decay. While sugar is not toxic to dogs, too many sugary treats can also shorten their lifespan and may even contribute to diabetes.

3. Yeast

Although in its baked form, yeast is not harmful to your dog, it is toxic if your dog eats raw dough with yeast. When a dog ingests yeast in raw dough, the gasses produced by the yeast can cause bloat, swelling of the stomach, which can cause something called gastrodilatation volvulus (GDV). GDV is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and can flip over on itself, cutting off blood flow to the GI tract and eventually death if not immediately treated. If fermenting yeast gets into the dog’s bloodstream, it can also cause ethanol poisoning.

4. Raisins

Raisins can be a popular ingredient in croissants, but unfortunately, these tasty morsels are toxic to dogs. Depending on the dog’s sensitivity to raisins, and how many are eaten, raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. It’s best to keep croissants with raisins out of reach of your pooch.

5. Chocolate

Some croissants may contain chocolate, but unfortunately, chocolate is toxic to dogs. The toxic elements of chocolate come from two chemicals called theobromine and methylxanthine. These substances are commonly found in coffee, tea, and chocolate, and both stimulate the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Dark chocolate is the most toxic to dogs because it has a higher concentration of these chemicals, and toxicity depends on the type of chocolate ingested, the amount ingested, and the size of the dog.

6. Marzipan

Marzipan is a tasty and sweet confection made mostly from sugar, honey, and almond meal or almond extract, and can be a popular filling for croissants. Although marzipan is not toxic to dogs, if eaten in excess, it can cause some GI upset and diarrhea.

7. Nutella

This tasty hazelnut spread does contain sugar and cocoa, but since the amount of cocoa in Nutella is much less than the sugar content, it is not particularly toxic to dogs. Cocoa also contains much less theobromine than chocolate, and your pooch should be fine unless she eats a lot of Nutella, in which case you will notice vomiting and diarrhea.

8. Almonds

Croissants can also contain almonds, and although they are not toxic to dogs, they are not easily digestible and can cause GI upset and even pancreatitis (a potentially fatal inflammatory reaction of the pancreas resulting in abdominal pain ). Also, almonds can be a potential choking hazard, especially if they are flaked.

9. Brie Cheese

Another croissant filling is Brie cheese, that delightful smooth cheese with a distinct taste. Although this and other cheeses are not particularly harmful to your dog, Brie is high in saturated fat, making it not the healthiest treat for your dog. If your pet eats a large amount of Brie, the high-fat content can cause pancreatitis, no appetite, and vomiting. Some cheeses also contain onions or garlic, which are toxic to dogs.

10. Onions

Some croissants may contain onions, which are harmful to dogs, especially in large amounts. Onions contain N-propyl disulfide, a toxin that is known to destroy red blood cells in dogs, causing anemia (a low red blood cell count) and lethargy. Onions also contain thiosulfate, an element that dogs cannot digest, and can lead to toxicosis. Signs of onion toxicity in dogs include lethargy, pale gums, blood in the urine, and decreased appetite.

11. Garlic

Like onions, garlic can also be an ingredient in croissants, is toxic to dogs. Garlic is part of the onion family, and the thiosulfate in garlic is much more potent than in onions. If your dog happens to catch a little nibble of a garlic-flavored croissant, chances are she’ll be fine, but if you have concerns you can always contact your veterinarian.

12. Bacon

Bacon is very high in fat and salt, and although humans and dogs may come to love cooked bacon and raw bacon, it can cause stomach upset in dogs. If your dog has gotten into several croissants loaded with bacon, she may experience GI distress such as vomiting and diarrhea and may be at risk of pancreatitis as well.

13. Xylitol

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener and is found in products such as peanut butter and other baked goods. Although this sweetener is rare in commercially available croissants, some homemade recipes do include it. Xylitol is extremely toxic for dogs, and even a tiny amount can cause a drastic drop in blood sugar, as well as seizures, collapse, and even death. If you suspect that your dog has ingested Xylitol, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How Do I Keep My Dog from Eating Croissants?

The easy answer to this is don’t give your dog croissants. But if you are like over 30% of pet owners, you probably share a table scrap or two with your pooch. Because of the high-fat content, and possibly other harmful ingredients, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and limit the table scraps and stick to proper dog treats.

What Do I Do If My Dog Has Eaten a Chocolate Croissant?

Depending on the size of your dog, and the amount of chocolate in the croissant, it’s always best to contact your veterinarian if you are concerned. As mentioned above, dark chocolate is especially toxic to dogs, and for a 10-pound dog, 1.5 ounces warrants a call to the veterinarian.

What Are The Pet Poison Hotline Numbers?

There are several numbers you can call if you are concerned if your dog has overdone it on croissants:

1. Pet Poison Helpline (800) 213-6680. This hotline is available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners and veterinary staff. Pet Poison Helpline often charges a consultation fee, and more information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

2. Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661.  They are available 24/7, and often charge a consultation fee of $65. You can visit their website at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

3. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA Poison Control Center is also available 24/7, and a consultation fee may apply. You can visit them online at www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

It is also recommended to call your veterinarian as well in case your pet needs immediate medical attention.

What Do I Do If My Dog Has Eaten Several Croissants?

Suppose you just got home from the bakery, and the phone rings. You leave that bag of half a dozen plain croissants on the counter, and you discover the bag is gone, and your pooch is finishing up the last croissants in the back yard. The good news is that you don’t need to panic. If the croissants have no chocolate or other harmful ingredients, your furry thief should be fine. But, be on the lookout for signs of GI distress, and contact your veterinarian if you have any questions. 

Final Thoughts

Croissants are a wonderful pastry enjoyed around the world, but when it comes to your best friend, it’s probably best to keep this delicious treat to yourself. Try offering your pup appropriate dog treats instead; this will limit any harmful effects of GI upset.

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