Can dogs eat pastry? As a dog owner you may be wondering whether it is advisable or even safe to feed your dog to eat pastry so we take a deep dive into the pros and cons of whether your dog should be eating pastry, pies and other flour based products. Read on to find out more.
Table Of Contents
Our guide to whether your dog should eat pastry
Pros
✅ Generally safe for dogs
✅ Should be ok every now and then
Cons
❌ Mince pies & pain au chocolat are a no go
❌ Pastry can be high in fat and salt
What’s in pastry
The main ingredients in standard pastry usually include flour, fat (i.e butter or shortening), salt, and water. The type of pastry being made and the individual recipe will determine the exact proportions and whether there are any other ingredients used. There are a number of different types of pastry and each has its own particular recipe and uses. Here are some of the common types of pastry found in the UK:
🥐 Shortcrust pastry is a type of pastry that is made using a high ratio of fat to flour which resulting in a crispy and crumbly texture and is commonly used for pie bases and crusts, tarts and quiches.
🥐 Puff pastry is traditionally made by layering soft butter with very thin sheets of rolled dough and then repeatedly folding and rolling the dough back in on itself creating a layered pastry. When it is cooked the layered butter creates steam, causing the pastry to puff up and form distinct layers whilst cooking.
🥐 Filo pastry Filo pastry is a very thin and unleavened pastry dough that is used in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine and is often used for making dishes like baklava.
🥐 Choux pastry Choux pastry is a very light and airy type of pastry made by boiling water, butter, flour, and eggs together. It's used to make cream puffs, éclairs, and profiteroles.
🥐 Sweet pastry is similar to shortcrust pastry but includes sugar in the dough, making it suitable for sweet dessert bases like fruit tarts and pies.
Can dogs eat pastry?
Feeding your dog small amounts of pastry every now and again shouldn't cause too many problems but feeding your dog pastry on a regular basis should be avoided.
As outlined above, pastry is generally not suitable for dogs due to the high fat, sugar, and salt content and some dogs might be allergic to the gluten in the flour..
Just as in humans, feeding your dog foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt can lead to not only weight gain but also a range of health issues including pancreatitis, gastrointestinal upset, and dental problems.
Can dogs be allergic to the gluten in pastry?
Just like humans, some dogs can be sensitive to the gluten in the flour used to make pastry and may be affected if they eat pastries. Gluten is primarily found in wheat, but it can also be found in other grains too like rye, barley, and oats. If a human or a dog has a gluten intolerance, the proteins found the in the gluten directly affect the lining of the stomach and intestines and can cause digestive problems such as inflammation and irritation.
Symptoms of a gluten intolerance in dogs can include upset stomach, weight loss, scratching and itching, unexplained skin conditions and loss of coat condition.
Can dogs eat sausage rolls
Sausage rolls are usually made of sausage meat and puff pastry. Although both ingredients can be eaten by your dog in small amounts every now and again, the high fat and salt content usually found in sausage rolls means that they are unsuitable for daily consumption. Can dogs eat sausage rolls? Yes, but in moderation.
Can dogs eat pork pies
Just as with sausage rolls, the meat and pastry found in pork pies should not cause major problems for most dog but again, due to the high fat and salt content, regular consumption should be avoided. Can dogs eat pork pies? Yes, but in moderation.
Can dogs eat mince pies
Mince pies are a definite no go when it comes to feeding them to your dog. Although the sweet shortcrust pastry case is ok, the raisins and candied peel contained in the mince filling can be poisonous for your dog so should be totally avoided. Can dogs eat mince pies? Definitely not. So, if you are looking to treat your dog this Christmas why not look at the range of dog advent calendars to get your pet into the festive spirit.
Can dogs eat pain au chocolat
Despite pain au chocolat being similar to croissants, the thing that makes them out of bounds for dogs is the fact that they contain chocolate which, because of the theobromine and caffeine is poisonous for dogs. Can dogs eat pain au chocolat? Definitely not.
What do I do if my dog has eaten too much pastry
As discussed earlier, although feeding your dog small amounts of pastry shouldn’t cause any major problems, what happens if your dog eats a whole pie or a whole pack of pastry?
Generally there should not be any long term consequences of your dog eating a large amount of pastry but the high fat content and the gluten in the flour could cause some short term stomach upsets.
The best thing to do is to provide plenty of fresh water for them to drink if required and monitor them for signs of abdominal distress.
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