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Can Dogs Eat French Toast? 7 Alarming Dangers (2023)

Can Dogs Eat French Toast

You thought you could eat breakfast peacefully.

But just when you’re about to bite your French toast…

Your pooch comes rushing with their most pitiful look.

Begging a piece of that fluffy bread on your hands.

But before you cave in….

Is it safe to give French toast to your Fido?

Continue reading to find out:

  • If dogs can eat French toast.
  • How much of it is harmful to dogs.
  • 7 surprising dangers of French toast to dogs.
  • How to make a French toast safe for canines.
  • And many more…

Can dogs eat French toast?

Dogs can eat French toast in small pieces. But experts don’t recommend it to be part of their diet. It’s high in calories and has a few nutrients. So dogs should only eat it as an occasional treat, not as a meal. Also, it may contain unsafe ingredients for them like nutmeg, xylitol, and cinnamon.


What happens if my dog eats a French toast?


If your dog eats French toast, there would be no problems if it’s only in small amounts and in moderation.

Since it has butter and milk, too much of it can upset your Fido’s tummy. And they may also have itchy skin if they’re allergic to dairy or wheat.

How much is too much?

According to the USDA, a serving of French toast with 2 slices of bread has 300 calories. It’s almost the same as an order of McDonald’s cheeseburger.

So imagine how many carbs and fats there are in a bite of that buttery toast.

“How many calories do dogs need daily?”

It’ll depend on a dog’s ideal weight based on their:

  • Age.
  • Sex.
  • Breed.

For instance, you have a 50-lb (22.72 kg) Bulldog.

To get your Fido’s daily calorie requirements, do the following steps:

Step #1: Convert lb to kg

I already gave the example’s equivalent…

But if you take your Fido’s weight in pounds by default…

You’d have to convert it to kilograms after.

So, divide your dog’s weight in pounds by 2.2 to get their weight in kilograms.

Say 50 lb/2.2 = 22.72 kg

Step #2: Get the Resting Energy Requirement (RER)

Raise your dog’s weight in kilograms to 0.75. Then multiply what you got by 70.

It’ll look like this: 

70 x 22.72 kg^0.75 = 728 kcal/day

Step #3: Compute for the Maintenance Energy Requirement (MER)

Lastly, multiply what you got by one of the multipliers below:

  • Typical intact pet – 1.6
  • Typical neutered pet – 1.7

So if you have a neutered Fido, here’s what you’ll do:

1.6 x 728 = 1,165 kcal/day

Note: This is only an estimate. Your dog’s daily calorie needs might be slightly lower or higher than what you get. Say if you got 1,165 kcal/day, it could range from 900 to 1,300 kcal.

If that’s the case…

Eating more than 1 serving of French toast is too much for dogs

And based on the value we got earlier…

3 to 4 servings of French toast can meet or exceed a dog’s daily calorie needs.

Also, since it’s full of empty carbs, your Fido may eat less dog food after enjoying some toast.

Then what’ll happen?

Your pooch will miss out on essential nutrients.

And if they have allergies or consumed large amounts…

They might suffer from medical conditions.


French Toast for dogs – 7 dangers


#1: Upset stomach

French Toast For Dogs Can Cause An Upset Stomach

French toast will be incomplete without milk. But some dogs can be sensitive to it.

Why?

Milk contains a sugar called ‘lactose.’

And to digest it, dogs need the enzyme called ‘lactase.’

Now, vets say puppies have an ample supply of lactase. Especially since they mainly consume milk.

But as they grow up, dogs will produce less lactase.

As a result, lactose intolerant Fidos won’t digest milk well. And it may irritate their tummies.

Aside from milk…

Sugary toppings on a French toast can also upset a dog’s stomach

“How?”

Experts explained it like this.

Dogs have various bacteria in their guts that aid in digestion.

But if their body takes in more sugar than usual, it’ll cause an imbalance in those ‘good’ bacteria. 

And it can result in a stomachache.

Reading tip:  Alarming Reasons Why Dogs Can’t Eat Frosted Flakes

#2: Diarrhea

An upset stomach and diarrhea usually come hand in hand.

So if your dog’s lactose intolerant…

The undigested sugar in the milk will pass through their GI tract.

Then it’ll bring water into their colon. And this will result in loose, watery stools.

According to vets, the same thing will also happen if your Fido ate a French toast high in sugar. And also if there’s a vanilla extract on it.

The latter has high alcohol content. And like beer, it’ll also attract dogs.

But since Fidos can’t digest alcohol well, they’ll have diarrhea as a result.

#3: Dental issues

Did you know that dogs have a ‘sweet tooth’?

AKC says canines taste sour, salty, bitter, and sweet. But they’re most fond of the latter.

So your pooch will surely like a sugary French toast.

But apart from an irritated stomach…

Too many sweets may also damage your Fido’s teeth in the long run.

How?

When the bacteria inside a dog’s mouth consume sugar, they’ll produce acids. And these weaken the outer coating of the teeth.

#4: Weight gain

A bite of a French toast won’t harm your Fido right away.

But if you made it a daily treat, you may notice a significant weight gain in your dog over time.

Why?

As I said earlier, French toast is high in calories. These are extra fats and carbs that your Fido doesn’t need.

So, in the long run, it can pile up and add pounds to your dog. And this could lead to other health issues, like:

  • Heart disease.
  • Joint problems.
  • Difficulty breathing.

#5: Skin irritation

What makes French toast smell so good for Fidos and some of us?

Cinnamon.

And now, the question comes in:

“Is it safe for dogs?”

Cinnamon isn’t toxic to canines.

But there are reports of skin allergies in dogs after exposure to cinnamon and cinnamon oils.

And they observed redness and blisters inside the Fidos’ mouths.

“How much cinnamon is harmful to dogs?”

Based on the same report, more than 0.17 oz (1 tsp) of cinnamon powder is too much for Fidos.

Only a pinch of ground cinnamon is in a serving of French toast. So eating large amounts of it may affect a dog.

Besides cinnamon…

Wheat from bread can also irritate a dog’s skin if they’re allergic to it.

A study found that wheat allergy usually affects 1 in 10,000 dogs, so it’s uncommon.

But still, we can’t cross this possibility out.

So watch out for these signs if your pooch overate French toast:

  • Dry skin.
  • Hair loss.
  • Itchiness.
  • Weight loss.

Check out also: Can dogs eat Wheat Thins?

#6: Pancreatitis

We fry French toast in a pan of melted butter.

And that’s high in fats and calories. 

With that comes pancreatitis. Which is a medical condition usually caused by fatty human food.

Moreover, this illness can be fatal if left untreated. So it’s best to notice these signs asap:

  • Diarrhea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Weakness.
  • Dehydration.
  • Stomach pain.
  • Loss of appetite.

Also, VCA says that dogs assume the ‘praying position‘ when they’re in pain due to the condition.

Fido will raise their back end. And they’ll lower their head and front limbs on the floor.

You might also like: Can Dogs Eat Croissants? 15 Must-Read Dangers

#7: Toxicity

Lastly, French toast has 2 unsafe ingredients for dogs.

Nutmeg

According to vets, it has a compound called ‘Myristicin.’

And it’s toxic to our furry friends.

They also say that nutmeg’s effects on dogs depend on their size.

So a little pooch might show signs after eating a small amount.

In contrast, larger Fidos have to consume higher doses.

And symptoms usually last up to 48 hours. Those are:

  • Dry mouth.
  • Stomachache.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Disorientation.
  • Increased heart rate.
  • Increased blood pressure.

Now, the second harmful ingredient is…

Xylitol

It’s an alternative to sugar. And it’s used in many products, such as toothpaste and baked goods.

So, Xylitol is safe for us. But, it’s deadly for dogs.

Experts say that even a small amount of xylitol in Fidos can cause:

  • Seizures.
  • Liver failure.
  • ‘Hypoglycemia’ or low blood sugar.

Research shows that the first signs of xylitol toxicity in dogs are:

  • Vomiting.
  • Lethargy.

And these usually show within 93 minutes after ingestion.

Warning: If your dog displays some of the signs above, call Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435). Then bring your Fido to the vet asap.

How do you make a French toast for dogs?

You can make French toast for dogs at home, minus the unsafe ingredients. Say cinnamon, nutmeg, maple syrup, and powdered sugar.

Store-bought French toast may contain xylitol. And it’s toxic for dogs. So it’s safer to make one yourself, to be sure.

Also, instead of sugar, you can add fresh sliced fruits on top of it to make it sweeter but healthier.

And some dog-safe fruits are:

  • Apples.
  • Bananas.
  • Blueberries.
  • Strawberries.

Note: Give your Fido only a small serving occasionally. Although fruits are healthy, they can also upset a dog’s tummy if they eat too much.