What will happen if your dog eats croutons? Are they bad? Can dogs eat croutons as a snack? Read this guide before sharing crunchy croutons with your furry friend.
As pet parents, we care deeply about our dog’s health. And croutons seem harmless, right? I’m a devoted dog mom, and so I created this guide to help you out. Fellow pet owners, please scroll through this article to find the answers to your questions – whether croutons are safe or dangerous, and whether homemade croutons are better.
For ultimate pet safety, I recommend consulting with your vet about all the questions you have about your dog eating croutons.
What Are Croutons?
Croutons are basically cubes of bread that are seasoned and then toasted or fried. They are a human food that is used mostly in soups and salads.
Some people make croutons from leftover bread. Others use pre-made store-bought croutons.
When it comes to dogs and croutons, the spices are the biggest threats you need to watch out for. Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and salt are all very dangersous to dogs.
Nutritional Benefits
There aren’t really any health benefits of eating croutons – for dogs or humans. In fact, in one serving (1 cup) of croutons, there are:
- 122 calories
- 2 grams fat
- 209 mg Sodium
- 22 grams Carbohydrates
Not A Good Snack For Dogs
The short answer is that croutons are not a good thing to share with your dog. One or two croutons might not make your pup sick – especially a large breed – but there’s also nothing good or nutritious about them.
In fact, large quantities of them could give your dog abdominal pains from the spices and seasonings.
While plain croutons might be non-toxic, there are seasonings and spices on most kinds of croutons that are toxic to dogs.
Alliums – like garlic and onion – are toxic to dogs in certain amounts (which I’ll explain a little further below). Salt is also unsafe for dogs.
Most dogs can eat bread without any issues. Some dogs are gluten intolerant (or sensitive) so they shouldn’t eat croutons from wheat or rye bread.
For more information about bread and dogs, check out my guide about dogs eating sourdough bread.
Dangers
Let’s look closer at what it is about croutons that’s dangerous to dogs – the garlic, salt, calories, and gluten. Remember, all dogs will react differently to these things, depending on their size and their normal diet. And healthy dogs might not experience anything – even gastrointestinal upset – after eating a few that fell from the dinner table.
Garlic Poisoning
Never let your dog eat garlic or anything that is seasoned with or cooked with garlic. This is because garlic is toxic to dogs. According to the Bottle Tree Animal Hospital, garlic can cause anemia in dogs if they eat too much of it.
The signs of garlic toxicity in dogs include:
- Lethargy
- Pale gums
- Fainting
- Yellow skin and eyes
- Bloody urine
- Elevated heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Signs of anemia
- Vomiting and diarrhea
If you notice these symptoms, contact your dog’s veterinarian immediately.
It takes a lot of garlic to cause these symptoms, but that’s why it’s so important to keep all food that is spiced with garlic away from your dog. It could build up in their body and then cause the symptoms later.
Salt Poisoning
Croutons are also very salty, and salt is toxic to dogs, and could cause dehydration. The danger of salt is that it causes an electrolyte imbalance.
And if they don’t drink a bunch of water to bring those levels back in balance, it could cause tremors, seizures, and even put your pup into a coma.
Since salt hides in so many different human foods and snacks, it’s best to keep all processed human snacks and food away from your dogs.
Keep in mind that it takes a lot of salt to hurt your dog. According to veterinarians, medium-sized dogs can safely ingest around 1,000 mg of sodium per day. Basically, keep the sodium to around 0.2% of their daily diet. And offer your dog plenty of water to drink when they get thirsty.
What are the symptoms of salt poisoning? There is a huge range, but it includes:
- Extreme Thirst
- Increased Heart Rate
- Seizures
- Tongue Swellings
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Diarrhea
Calories and Obesity
Another danger of croutons is that they are high in calories. And these are what we call empty calories for dogs. Since croutons have no nutritional value, dogs will either use the calories for energy or these calories will be stored as fat.
Most croutons are also fried, which gives them even more fat that dogs don’t need to be eating.
Dogs that eat too many excess calories are at risk for gaining an unhealthy amount of weight – just like us! And just like us, dogs that are obese are at a higher risk for heart disease, joint issues, and diabetes.
Gluten Sensitivity or Intolerance
Finally, if you have never fed your dog anything with gluten in it, then do so slowly, just in case they are sensitive or intolerant to gluten. Yes, dogs can have celiac disease too.
You’ll have to talk to your veterinarian about celiac since it’s something that needs a doctor to diagnose it.
Croutons For Dogs
If your dog like crunchy snacks, then I suggest making them some treats at home with whole foods that are good for them. You could bake some homemade almond flour treats and break them up into smaller pieces.
If your dog doesn’t have any gluten sensitivities, then homemade croutons made from plain white bread are safe to share in very small amounts (like a few pieces).
But whole grain or rye bread contains too much fiber and might give your dog stomach upset.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Croutons
The first thing you need to do is look at how much they ate and what kind. This is information the veterinarian will need. Then, offer your pup a lot of water and just watch them.
Chances are, they will probably be ok. They might have an upset stomach or be really thirsty. But if you notice your dog acting lethargic or really sick, then call your veterinarian immediately.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, even though a few random croutons might not hurt your dog, it’s a better idea to keep them away from your pup. The garlic, onions, and salt are all dangerous for dogs to eat.
More Dog Food Resources
Here are some more articles about human foods and bread dogs can and can’t eat:
- Can Dogs Eat Cornbread
- Can Dogs Eat French Toast
- Can Dogs Eat Donuts
- Can Dogs Eat Pancakes
- Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Bread
- Can Dogs Eat Waffles
Find lots of articles on food dogs can and can’t eat here on Spoiled Hounds!
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