Can Dogs Eat Bagels?
Do you want to show your love for your furbaby by treating it to some of your favorite bagels?
While a little piece of plain bagel is not likely to harm your pup, feeding it with baked goods on a regular basis can lead to serious health issues. Plus, some bagels contain ingredients such as raisins which are downright toxic for canines and can actually kill them.
Bagels may be a popular food for humans, but they have very little nutritional value for dogs. They are high in carbs, gluten, and calories and can contain harmful ingredients.
So, if you are wondering, can dogs eat bagels – the answer is no.
Read on to learn more about the dangers of feeding your pup with bagels. Also included are the most common ingredients which can be toxic to dogs, as well as our suggestions for much healthier and better non-human foods you can give to your four-legged companion.
Can Canines Eat Bagels?
If your pup has a small piece of your plain bagel, you shouldn’t worry too much about potential harmful effects.
A few bites of it will not kill the dog. But bagels, like all other bread and baked goods made of white flour, are not recommended for pups and are definitely not healthy treats for them.
Plus, some popular types of bagels, like the cinnamon raisin bagels, contain ingredients that can cause mild to severe poisoning in canines.
Is White Flour Good For Dogs?
No. White flour used for making bagels, bread, and many other baked goods and foods is not a healthy choice for canines. Not only do some pups have allergies and sensitivities to flour and gluten, but flour contains no essential and valuable nutrients for your four-legged companion.
In addition, bagels and other similar products made with white flour have high carbohydrate content. Once digested by the pup, the carbohydrates are broken down to glucose, which can cause sudden blood sugar peaks and even diabetes.
The high gluten content in the white flour causes the flour to turn into a paste once it is ingested. This paste can get stuck to the colon and intestine walls of the dog and thus hinder the gastrointestinal tract from digesting and absorbing the essential nutrients from the other ingredients your pet needs to stay healthy, fit, and well.
Foods made of white flour can also lead to weight gain and obesity in dogs. This has been scientifically proven to shorten their life spans by over two years on average.
Treating your furbaby with too many bagels and other white flour-based treats can make it obese, sluggish, and ill.
How Can White Flour Harm My Dog?
Giving your furry companion a bite or two of plain bagel or bread from time to time will hardly cause any serious harm. But it would be best if you refrained from regularly feeding your pet with bread and other white flour-based products or as part of its main diet.
The reason is that canines do not thrive well on high-carb diets. Too much white flour can cause digestive upsets and bloat in pups. It can also cause swelling of the large intestine and colon and inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Another main reason to keep bagels and other products made of white flour from your dog is that it can be allergic or sensitive to it. Wheat, soy, and corn are some of the most common allergens for canines.
Your pup may have mild to severe reactions to bagels if it is allergic or sensitive to the white flour. Some symptoms include itchiness, hair loss, ear infections, and in severe cases, even an anaphylactic shock and death.
If you notice any signs that your pet has an allergic reaction, you should call your veterinarian immediately.
Overall, it is best to keep bagels, baked goods, and products containing white flour out of reach from your furry companion.
If you have received approval from your vet to introduce some white flour to your pet’s diet, make sure to start with tiny pieces and watch for any negative reactions.
Are There White Flour Alternatives Which Are More Suitable For Canines?
You may have noticed that some dog treats contain flour. But these dog biscuits are usually made of other types of flour rather than white flour.
Some homemade or store-bought dog biscuits may contain tiny amounts of white flour, so if your pup is allergic to it, read the ingredient list before buying.
The alternatives to white flour, which are less harmful and can provide your furry friend with more nutrients, include buckwheat, whole-wheat, and nut flour.
There are many high-quality dog treats as well as recipes for homemade ones, which include some of these dog-friendly types of flour.
Are Cinnamon Raisin Bagels Bad For Dogs?
The dense and chewy cinnamon bagels are among the top-favorite types of bagels in the USA. But they are a no-no for dogs for several good reasons.
We already elaborated on the effect of too much white flour on dogs and the possibilities of wheat allergies. But the juicy raisins used for making these comfort baked goods can be dangerous for your pet.
Cinnamon itself is not toxic for pups and even has some health benefits when given in small quantities.
Here are the health benefits and the potential hazards of cinnamon and raisins for canines.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can actually benefit dogs suffering from joint inflammations and pain. Plus, it can help regulate blood sugar levels and boost cognitive function in pups.
This is why you can find cinnamon as an ingredient in some dog treats and supplements.
But remember that it should be given in limited quantities and as your veterinarian recommends. And giving it to your furry companion in the form of baked goods is not the best way to go.
Raisins
Raisins are made of grapes, which are toxic to canines. In some cases, especially with smaller pups and those with health issues, even a few raisins can cause vomiting and sickness.
In more severe cases, raisins can cause serious side effects and even kidney damage.
If your pup has ingested raisins, you should call your vet or a pet poisoning hotline for advice.
The first symptoms of raisin or grape toxicity can appear almost immediately after they have been eaten or may appear within 24 to 48 hours after the incident.
Some common symptoms of raisin poisoning in canines include increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.
If left untreated, the toxin can affect the dog’s kidneys and cause kidney failure. The signs that the poisoning with raisins is more serious include persistent abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and vomiting, increased urination, and eventually a failure to produce urine.
To limit the risk of kidney failure and death, take your pet to the vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment if it has consumed grapes or raisins.
Can Bagels Cause Flatulence in Pups?
While passing gas is normal for dogs, excessive flatulence may indicate that it is eating a poor or inappropriate diet or has particular food intolerances.
Some foods and ingredients such as bread, bagels, beans, animal crackers, spicy or high-fat foods, and dairy products can make your pup pass more gas than usual. This is due to the excessive gas formation in the colon due to the fermentation of these ingredients.
If your furbaby is fed a premium and balanced diet but still passes a lot of gas, you should speak to your vet to get it tested for health issues such as maldigestion. This is a relatively common condition in dogs that occurs when the body cannot break down the ingredients and foods due to a lack of enzymes.
Should I Feed My Dog Any Human Foods At All?
Many manufacturers of dog foods claim that they provide the most suitable and healthy products for canines. But according to some veterinarians, nutritionists, and many dog parents, certain human foods and ingredients are appropriate and safe and can also be beneficial for their pets.
While bagels may not be the top choice to add to your pup’s diet, other healthier human foods can be excellent additions to your pup’s main dog food diet.
Some of the foods which you can give to your dog as occasional treats, training snacks, or additions and toppings to its regular primary dog food include carrots, plain yogurt, low-fat cheese (cottage cheese, mozzarella, etc.), blueberries, pumpkin, apple slices (seeds and core removed), eggs, bananas and more.
Always consult with your veterinarian if you plan to add new human food to your dog’s dietary regimen.
Also, introduce new foods slowly and gradually. Start with minimal quantities, and monitor your pet for any adverse effects. All canines are different and can handle various types of foods differently.
Be careful with the quantities of these foods. A rule of thumb is that added treats should provide no more than 10% of the calories for the dog, and the remaining 90% should come from its regular dog food.
Final Verdict
A small piece of plain bagel will not hurt your dog, but bagels or other baked goods and foods containing white flour are not recommended for canines. They do not provide enough essential nutrients and will only give your pet empty calories, leading to obesity and other health problems.
Besides, some bagels, including the popular cinnamon and raisin ones, can be poisonous for pups. This is because of the raisins, which are toxic for dogs.
So, if you want to provide your furry companion with the healthiest, happiest, and longest life, we recommend choosing some more nutritious treats instead of bagels. Give them occasionally in addition to your pet’s primary complete and balanced dog food.