Can dogs eat bread
Can Dogs Eat Bread? Vet-Reviewed Types & Risks
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreWe humans have been enjoying bread since ancient times. Bread is a staple in most households, and weve derived so much pleasure from eating it.But if youve been thinking about sharing some with your dog, you want to first ensure that its safe for them.
For the most part, certain kinds of bread are perfectly safe for dogs in moderation. But bread that contains ingredients like raisins and garlic is highly toxic and should never be given to a dog.
Lets go more in-depth into the best ways to give bread to your dog and list the kinds that you must avoid at all costs.
Why Cant Dogs Eat Bread?
It all depends on the kind of bread that you offer your dog and how much. Plain wheat and white bread are usually safe for dogs that dont havefood allergies, specifically to wheat.
But while its safe to offer bread to your dog, it isnt necessarily good for them, nor does it offer any real nutrition. Certain types contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs and must be avoided.
The 6 Dangerous Types of Bread
There are health problems that can occur if a dog is given bread to eat on a regular basis. Bread is quite high in carbohydrates, which can lead toobesityand increased risk for medical conditions like joint problems, pancreatitis, and even cancer. There are also specific types of bread that you should keep away from your dog at all costs.
1. Bread Dough
If you make your own bread regularly, you must ensure that your dog cant access any of your bread dough. The yeast in many bread doughs will continue to rise in a dogs warm and moist stomach, which can lead tobloat, which can then quickly lead to the life-threateninggastric dilatation-volvulus. In addition to this, when the dough rises, it goes through a fermentation stage, which can causealcohol poisoningin dogs.
If your dog eats dough, you must bring them to your veterinarian immediately or the closest emergency veterinary clinic.
Signs that your dog may have ingested bread dough can include:
- Distension of the stomach (bloat)
- Dry heaving
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Impaired walking and reflexes
- Disorientation
- Incoordination
- Weakness
- Hypothermia
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
2. Garlic Bread
Everything in thegarlicandonionfamily, including chives, leeks, and green onions, is highly toxic to dogs. This includes onion or garlic powder, which is actually worse than fresh forms because it is more potent. Theres also the excess butter found in garlic butter, which wont do your dog any favors.
The following signs can occur if a dog eats anything with garlic or onions:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Pale gums (anemia)
- Cyanosis (blue skin and gums)
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased heart rate
- Red or brown urine
- Excessive drooling
If not treated, even a small amount of garlic can be fatal. If your dog ate anything with onions or garlic, seek medical help immediately!
3. Raisin Bread
Raisins are also toxic to dogs. They are essentially concentrated grapes, which is what makes them so toxic. If a dog eats raisins, it can lead tokidney failure, but its variable how many raisins can lead to this. For this reason, its best not to give your dog even just one.
Signs of raisin toxicity can include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increase in water consumption
- Increased or decreased urination
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Bad breath (ammonia smell)
If your dog ate raisin bread or anything with raisins or grapes, let your vet know that youre on the way and get your dog immediate medical help.
4. Banana Bread
Bananas are perfectly healthy snacks for dogs, but the other ingredients that tend to appear in banana bread are less healthy. Banana bread usually has a large amount of sugar and butter, which isnt healthy for our pets. Certain varieties also have nuts, and any nut with mold is quite toxic. Furthermore, some nuts are safe for dogs, while others arent.
The nuts that you must avoid giving your dog are:
- Black walnuts: Highly toxic but not commonly used
- Macadamia nuts: Highly toxic to dogs
- Pistachios: Not toxic but a potential choking risk
- Almonds: Also safe but a choking hazard
Beyond this, nuts are high in fat and calories. If dogs eat nuts regularly, the risk is obesity andpancreatitis. Banana bread can also containchocolate, which is toxic, as is the natural sweetenerxylitol.
5. Pumpkin Bread
Like with banana bread, pumpkin is healthy for dogs, but pumpkin bread contains ingredients that are unhealthy. One ingredient commonly used in pumpkin bread isnutmeg, which is toxic. A slice of pumpkin bread likely doesnt have enough nutmeg to cause serious problems, but you should still know that as little as 1 teaspoon is toxic to dogs.
Signs of nutmeg poisoning might include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lack of appetite
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Seizures
If your dog ate something with nutmeg, contact your veterinarian for next steps.
6. Gingerbread
Gingerbread contains the usual suspects of sugar and butter and the toxic nutmeg.
Safe Bread for Dogs
Giving bread to your dog as a regular part of their diet is generally not recommended.
If you want to give your dog an occasional piece of bread, the following breads can be considered safe but only after youve double-checked the ingredients for anything toxic.
- White bread:This is safe for dogs but has no nutritional value whatsoever.
- Whole wheat bread: It has fewer calories and more nutritional value than white bread. It is also higher in fiber.
- Cornbread: Its not a yeast bread, which makes it safer, but its high in carbs, salt, and sugar.
- Rye bread: Whole grain rye bread is one of the healthier options because its high in fiber and has less gluten.
- Sourdough bread: It must be baked thoroughly; raw sourdough can cause serious health issues.
- Pita: Plain pita is quite safe for dogs in small amounts.
What Should You Do If Your Dog Eats Bread?
If your dog ate one of the safe breads without toxic ingredients, they will likely be fine. But if they eat a large amount of it, they might experience an upset stomachits a good idea to touch base with your vet, anyway. But if your dog eats bread with toxic ingredients, call your vet, and let them know that youre on the way. You should bring some of what your dog ate with you if you can. It will allow the vet to treat your dog appropriately.
You can also call thePet Poison Helplineat (855) 764-7661 or theASPCA Animal Poison Control Centerat (888) 426-4435. There is a fee, but they can help you with any necessary steps that you should take before going to your veterinarian.
Conclusion
Bread really isnt a food item meant for dogs to eat. It offers them little nutritional value, and many kinds of bread are toxic to canines.
When it comes to people food, the ingredients should always be checked carefully before giving anything to your dog. But if your dog has a wheat allergy, generally has a sensitive stomach, or has a health condition like obesity or diabetes, avoid giving your dog any type of bread.
If your dog snatches some of your bread on the safe list, they will likely be okay. But see your vet if youre worried about any of the ingredients.
Featured Image Credit: Jude Infantini, Unsplash
Can Dogs Eat Bread?
NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.
Have you ever wondered, Can dogs eat bread as a treat? Are some breads safe for dogs, while others arent? Maybe your counter-surfing dog swiped a package of buns when you werent lookingwill she be OK?
Although most breads arent toxic to dogs, some breads contain ingredients that are toxic and can cause dogs serious harm. And raw, yeast-based bread dough is actually very dangerous and should never be fed to a dog. Heres what to know before giving your pup any bread.
Is Bread Bad for Dogs?
Humans love bread. We use it for all sorts of meals at home, and sometimes our pups get a taste of it.A typical piece of white or wheat bread isnt toxic to dogs, and eating a little here and there wont hurt them.
But bread doesnt give our pups much nutrition, either. And because bread is filled with carbs, theres really no reason to feed your dog bread. In fact, eating bread regularly over time can cause obesity or even diabetes in your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Bread Dough?
While a slice of bread is fine, yeast-based bread dough is dangerous for dogs and can cause bread dough toxicosis.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the dogs stomach promotes expansion of the dough mass and production of ethanol by the yeast. In effect, the warm, moist environment of a dogs stomach causes the yeast to rise. This causes bloat, which can lead to gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition. Alcohol intoxication can also occur because of the doughs fermentation process.
If your dog eats any yeast-based bread dough, you should call your veterinarian and take your dog to an emergency vet immediately.
Symptoms of bread dough toxicosis include:
Dry heaving
Abdominal distention (bloat)
Decreased activity
Impaired gait and reflexes
Incoordination
Disorientation
Weakness
Leaning, resting, or reclining
Hypothermia
Seizures
Coma
Death
What Types of Bread Can Dogs Eat?
While some breads are completely fine and safe for dogs to eat in moderation, there are others that contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Keep your dog away from breads that contain any of the following:
There are also ingredients that, while not toxic, arent very good for our four-legged friends. Avoid feeding your dog anything that contains large amounts of:
Can Dogs Eat Wheat Bread?
Yes. Unless your dog has a wheat allergy, plain wheat bread is safe in small amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Sourdough Bread?
Yes. As long as the sourdough is completely cooked, a small piece should not harm your dog. But if the sourdough is raw, it can cause serious health problems.
Can Dogs Eat Garlic Bread?
No. Garlic is toxic to dogs, and many recipes contain onionanother toxic ingredient.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread?
No. While bananas are safe for dogs, many banana breads contain not-so-nice ingredients like sugar, raisins, macadamia nuts, or nutmeg. All of these can cause problems for your pup.
Can Dogs Eat White Bread?
Yes. Unless your dog has a wheat allergy, plain white bread is safe in small amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Rye Bread?
Yes. Unless your dog has a wheat or grain allergy, plain rye bread is safe in small amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Pumpkin Bread?
No. Pumpkin is a dog-safe snack but, just like banana bread, pumpkin bread commonly contains toxic ingredients such as nutmeg.
Can Dogs Eat Pita Bread?
Yes. As long as the pita bread is completely plain, does not contain any toxic ingredients, and your dog doesnt have a wheat or grain allergy, its safe in small amounts.
Can Dogs Eat Gingerbread?
No. Not only does gingerbread contain a large amount of sugar, but it also often contains nutmeg.
What To Do if Your Dog Ate Bread or Bread Dough
If your dog eats any amount of yeast-based dough, call your veterinarian right away. You should also contact your vet if your dog eats a piece of bread that contains any toxic ingredients.
But if your dog snatches up a slice of sandwich bread, a piece of pita, or any other bread thats fully cooked and free of toxic ingredients, she should be completely fine. That said, if she got into an entire package of hamburger buns, she might experience some mild stomach upset. Always call your vet if your dog gets into anything she shouldnt.
Featured Image: iStock/Aleksandr Zotov
