Can Cats Eat Croissants? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Croissants are delicious baked goods that we all can appreciate. But even though humans might enjoy them when we are channeling our inner Parisian at Sunday morning brunch, our cats are a different story. Although croissants are non-toxic to our feline companion, they are not nutritionally beneficial and should be avoided.

So, if your cat has eaten a random piece that has fallen on the floor or had a feast on your plate, you can rest easy knowing this food won’t hurt your pal, aside from a potential upset stomach. But let’s explain why this shouldn’t become a habit. Care to join us?

Croissant Nutrition Facts

Contents of Croissants

Croissants consist of flour, sugar, salt, butter, and yeast, making a fluffy, light roll. Whenever you hear these ingredients together, you probably would never consider that it’s something healthy. In this case, you would be right.

Croissants are full of carbohydrates, fat, and sodium, all of which are far too much for your cat. So, while they might make a fantastic addition to your family breakfast spread, they should stay out of your cat’s food bowl.

Cats Shouldn’t Eat Croissants

Because they only need nutrients from animal organs and flesh, a croissant wouldn’t match any value for cats whatsoever. Obviously, in nature, cats would never eat croissants. Even though it’s entirely non-toxic, they do not need this food substance.

Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they only eat meat sources. There are plenty of healthier alternatives for your cat to munch on than these baked delights. You can even make kitty-friendly croissants—just look around on Pinterest for inspiration.

Croissants contain a high amount of sodium also, which is added salt. Felines definitely don’t need any extra salt, as it can be dangerous for them to consume.

Empty calories

Croissants contain what we refer to as empty calories. Empty calories do not add any value to your daily diet. Even for humans, croissants are not nutrient-dense food. So, if your cat eats a croissant, they’re getting a squishy mouthful of fat, sodium, carbohydrates, and artificial flavors.

In summary, croissants just don’t contain anything that adds a real benefit to anyone’s diet—especially your cat. Sure, they are delicious, flaky, buttery rolls that we all love, but they aren’t the healthiest selection in a well-rounded diet—let’s be honest.

Do Cats Like Croissants?

Cats typically won’t show interest in a food item like croissants, as it has no smell or flavor that would entice a feline’s appetite. However, if it got into any side items, like gravy or meat marinade, they might want to chow down on these snacks—and the croissant is just there in the mix.

But, of course, there is always that strange little kitty who would like to try the odd non-cat-food selection. If that’s the case, a tiny bit won’t hurt every so often. But frequent eating can pose not so healthy outcomes for your cat’s body—as with many human foods.

Dangers of Raw Dough

Consuming raw dough poses a direct threat to your cats and can be quite a different story. The uncooked dough, when consumed, rises in the stomach creating dangerous gasses to expand the abdomen. If your cat eats enough dough, it can cause a rupture in its stomach, leading to death.

What happens is that the uncooked yeast ferments carbohydrates within that dough, which in turn produces ethanol and carbon dioxide. When this process occurs in the stomach, it will create gasses that distend the abdomen, causing bloating. When this takes effect, symptoms can develop rapidly, such as disorientation.

If you know your cat has consumed any amount of croissant dough, it is imperative that you rseek veterinary care immediately. This matter is very time-sensitive and can have huge repercussions if you wait.

Additional Food Items to Consider

If your cat is enjoying a leftover croissant, it is vital to know if anything else on the plate could be toxic. Croissants are often paired with some potentially damaging foods, like garlic, onion, chives, and other toxins. Plus, simple irritants like dairy.

It’s unlikely your cat will have enough of any type of food to have severe consequences,  but it’s still best to be proactive.

Croissant Alternatives for Cats

There are tons of baked alternatives you can give to your cats that you can make from the comfort of your own kitchen. Surely you have seen baked cat treats on the market, so you can always buy commercial products as well.

Species-specific treats are really important for a few reasons. First, your pet requires a unique set of ingredients to enhance their body’s performance and keep them as healthy as possible.

If they have a disproportionate amount of nutrients in their body, it can cause imbalances, leading to health issues down the line. So as tempting as it is to share meals with our feline friends, it’s really in their best interest long term if we don’t.

Try alternative snack items like baked yummy treats, dehydrated or boiled meats, and broths. You can find a wide variety of things to make at home, buy at the store, or order online to have on hand when your cat gets a hankering.

Cats + Croissants: Final Thoughts

So now you know that the final verdict is that your cat should stay away from croissants, even as an occasional snack. Also, pay close attention to any other potentially harmful food items your cat could have eaten alongside the croissant.

If you think that your kitty could have swallowed any type of harmful substance, don’t hesitate to get them to your veterinarian right away.

Featured Image Credit: Pexels, Pixabay