Can Dogs Eat Donuts?

You should never give your dog donuts. Donuts contain high amounts of sugar, which dogs should avoid. Dogs are much smaller than most people, so they are particularly sensitive to sugar. Dogs may consume far too many calories when eating donuts, leading to obesity and all the health problems that come with it.

Even consuming donuts one time can cause issues with blood sugar.

Donuts contain very few nutrients, so there is little benefit when giving them to your dog. Your dog is much better off eating something else as a snack.

Many donuts also contain toxic ingredients, like chocolate. Chocolate is significantly toxic to dogs, causing all sorts of problems. You should avoid all chocolate donuts when feeding your dog. However, other ingredients are also toxic, like nutmeg.

With that said, not all donuts are toxic. Therefore, you don’t necessarily have to rush to the vet if your dog consumes a donut. Most dogs that sneak a donut off the table will be OK, but we don’t recommend giving your dog donuts on purpose.

Reasons Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Donuts

There are many reasons your dog shouldn’t eat donuts, which we touched on above. However, let’s dive into these reasons a bit more.

1. Sugar

Donuts include a lot of sugar. Sugar is very unhealthy for dogs (and people). Dogs are much smaller, so they are more sensitive to added sugars. Too much sugar at once can cause blood sugar issues. Dogs with underlying illnesses affecting their ability to regulate blood sugar are particularly at-risk.

For instance, dogs with diabetes may go into a diabetic coma after eating donuts, depending on the seriousness of their illness.

Sugar is also very calorie-dense. When a dog eats too many calories over time, it can lead to obesity. Obesity is linked to a range of problems, including cardiac issues. It’s very similar to obesity in humans. Sadly, many dogs are obese or overweight in the developed world. About 30% of dogs are obese.

2. Toxic Ingredients

Some donuts include toxic ingredients. Chocolate is the most common toxic ingredient in donuts. Luckily, it’s the cocoa itself that dogs cannot have. Many kinds of chocolate are “watered down” by cream and sugar, making them less toxic. The chocolate on donuts isn’t going to be very toxic for this reason; it’s often very sugary and milky.

Still, it is better to be safe than sorry and avoid giving your dog chocolate donuts. Donuts that have chocolate on them are likely to be less toxic than donuts that are chocolate themselves.

Several other ingredients can be toxic to dogs, including nutmeg. It largely depends on the flavor of the donut. It isn’t the base ingredients that are toxic; it’s the added ingredients that are often included to change the donut’s flavor.

With that said, many artificial sweeteners are toxic to dogs. Xylitol is particularly toxic, with only a tiny amount potentially causing seizures, coma, and death.

3. Nutritional Deficiencies

Donuts can lead to nutritional problems if your canine consumes them over a long period. Donuts do not include many nutrients. Therefore, they’re empty calories. If your dog consumes too many, they may become full and not consume their typical food. Overtime, this can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients, leading to various health issues.

Luckily, this only occurs if your dog fills up on empty calories over a long period of time. Some deficiencies can appear in as little as a couple of weeks. Young, old, and sick dogs are most prone.

Dogs that eat lots of table scraps are the most prone to nutritional problems. These dogs likely don’t consume enough of their commercial dog food to get the necessary nutrients.

What Should I Do if My Dog Eats a Donut?

If your dog sneaks a donut off the table, they will likely be fine. Most donuts do not have toxic ingredients, and eating one donut isn’t going to cause nutritional issues or obesity. However, you should correct whatever situation led to your dog eating the donut. You don’t want them grabbing more dangerous food next time.

If you believe the donut may contain toxic ingredients, we recommend calling your vet. Many donuts will contain the ingredients on the box. You should have this information handy when you contact the vet. If the box doesn’t contain this information, it may be good to call the donut shop and get it.

As we said previously, most donuts do not contain enough toxic ingredients for them to matter. While many donuts may be covered in chocolate, this chocolate is often watered down by sugar and milk. Combined with the donut, there usually isn’t enough cocoa to cause a problem. Still, it is best to call your vet to determine if your dog has consumed a toxic amount of chocolate.

Smaller dogs are more prone to toxic ingredients than larger dogs, including puppies.

What Kind of Donuts Can Dogs Eat?

There are no donuts that are safe for dogs – besides donuts that are specifically made for dogs. Donuts contain too much sugar and not enough nutrients. They aren’t healthy for dogs and should be avoided.

Over a long time, donuts can also cause chronic health problems. For instance, too much sugar and fat may lead to diabetes and pancreatitis. Luckily, one donut isn’t going to cause problems in most cases.

Still, because they are generally not nutritious, we don’t recommend giving your dog any donuts.

Can Dogs Eat Krispy Kremes?

No, dogs cannot eat Krispy Kremes. These donuts contain high levels of sugar and added ingredients. Dogs are more sensitive to sugar than most people, so even a little bit can cause issues. Many dogs aren’t used to consuming donuts or the high amount of sugar in them, leading to stomach upset. Don’t be surprised if your dog develops intestinal discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating a donut.

Krispy Kreme donuts also contain many added ingredients. These are not often good for people or dogs. However, dogs weigh less and are particularly sensitive to these ingredients. Even a tiny amount can cause problems, while humans may be perfectly fine.

Different flavored donuts may contain toxic ingredients like chocolate and nutmeg. As you might imagine, these ingredients can cause all sorts of problems. Your dog should see a vet if you believe they’ve consumed a toxic donut. Smaller dogs are more prone to toxic ingredients than larger dogs.

Krispy Kreme donuts all include the ingredients on the box. Therefore, if your dog eats one, it is much easier to determine what they ate. If your dog snatches one of these donuts, you can check the ingredient list for toxic ingredients. If you are unsure or notice any toxic ingredients, call your vet or contact the pet poison control hotline.

Conclusion

Donuts are not typically toxic for dogs. However, they aren’t exactly healthy either. Therefore, if your dog grabs a donut off the counter, there is likely no reason to rush to the vet. But, we don’t recommend purposefully feeding your dog donuts, either.

There are several reasons donuts are considered unhealthy. Firstly, they contain a lot of sugar. This sugar isn’t suitable for dogs, as it contains mostly empty calories. Eating too much sugar can cause a range of health issues, including diabetes and obesity. Therefore, added sugar isn’t recommended for any dog.

Secondly, donuts can potentially contain toxins. Chocolate is one of the most common added ingredients that is toxic to dogs. Luckily, the chocolate commonly used in donuts is “watered down” with sugar and milk, making it less toxic than it could be. Still, it isn’t a good idea to give your dog chocolate.

Finally, donuts just aren’t very nutritious. They are mostly sugar and flour, which leaves them as pretty much only empty calories. Therefore, they can push out more nutritious foods that your dog would be eating otherwise. If this happens a lot, it can cause nutritional deficiencies.

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Ирина Мещерякова