Can Dogs Eat Bread? Is Bread Safe for Dogs?
Bread is a staple in our diet, and most households have a loaf of bread sitting in the pantry, kitchen counter, or fridge. The good thing with bread is its versatility since you can use it in different recipes.
It is one of those foods dogs find fascinating, and its sweet taste and fluffy texture will have them drooling in seconds. Whenever you’re having toast or a sandwich, Fido will stare at you with begging puppy eyes, and you’ll willingly toss him a slice.
Most dog owners are guilty of unwittingly feeding their dogs bread. But should dogs eat bread? And when should you worry? How much bread is okay for your dog?
You’ll want to read this article before sharing a slice with your canine companion!
Can Dogs Eat Bread?
Yes, bread is safe for dogs, but like all human treats, in moderation. If your pup has no wheat allergies and the bread is plain white or brown, feeding them a slice of bread once in a while is safe.
Also, if you’re feeding your furry friend bread with jam or peanut butter, this can harm your dog. It’s worth noting that bread is a filler food and doesn’t provide any nutrients that are not already provided by your dog’s kibble. Bread is loaded with carbs which can put your dog at risk of becoming obese if you’re not careful. So, keep the slices for occasional treats.
Can Dogs Eat White Bread?
White bread is safe as long as it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients for your pup. Although brown bread is touted as the “healthier” bread, your dog won’t notice the difference. What’s important is that you feed your dog bread with no harmful ingredients rather than debating between white or brown bread.
Can Dogs Eat Brown Bread?
Yes, brown bread is safe for dogs. You only need to ensure it does not contain toxic ingredients before feeding your canine.
Brown bread is considered a healthier choice than white bread for people, which is also true for dogs. It is made from whole wheat ( the bran and germ of wheat), and so it’s richer in fiber, folic acid, copper, vitamin B6 and E, zinc, and manganese. Fiber helps slow down digestion and keep your pup satisfied until his next mealtime.
Can Dogs Eat Toast?
Well, toast is simply bread that has been re-cooked. It is, therefore, safe for dogs as long as your Fido isn’t allergic to the type of bread or the ingredients used. Many dogs like toast bread, so tossing them a piece now and then won’t make them sick. Instead, you’ll get your poodle’s tail wagging and lips smacking!
Like bread, toast is also safe as an occasional dog treat and should be fed in moderation alongside your pup’s regular food.
Is Bread Bad for Dogs?
No, bread is safe for pups, but it won’t provide any essential nutrients. So, you shouldn’t feed your dog bread regularly or in high quantities. Bread is a filler food and is high in carbohydrates. It can make your dog feel full and skip eating their meal.
Your pup needs a balanced diet to stay healthy. But, they won’t be getting any protein, vitamins, and essential minerals from bread. Since bread is loaded with carbs and sugar, it can lead to obesity if overfed. Store-bought bread is also loaded with extra sodium, sugar, flavors, preservatives, and additives, unnecessary ingredients for Chewy.
Furthermore, bread can cause bloating and tummy upset in dogs with wheat or grain allergies like Setters. A carrot or cucumber is a healthier treat than a slice of bread for Fido.
Are all Breads Safe for Dogs?
When shopping for bread to share with your furry friend, look beyond claims like “white,” “brown,” or “multigrain.” Many loaves seem healthy but, in real sense, are toxic to dogs. If the bread contains toxic fillers or ingredients, your dog might show signs of distress.
Here are the commonly used ingredients in bread that are toxic to pups.
Chocolate
Some sweet breads like brioche, banana bread, and pastries often contain chocolate. Canines cannot metabolize theobromine, a toxic component in chocolates.
When dogs overeat chocolate, they risk liver and heart failure. Puppies and certain breeds are more susceptible to the negative effects of chocolate.
Garlic
Garlic might be a powerful food for our nutrition and health, but this isn’t the case with dogs. Garlic contains thiosulfate, which is toxic to pups and damages the red blood cells causing hemolytic anemia. The anemia causes weakness, lethargy, jaundice, and dehydration.
Onions
Some breads contain onions to boost their flavor. Onions like garlic can cause toxicity in your furry friend and lead to oxidative damage of the red blood cells, resulting in a fatal condition- hemolytic anemia.
Raisins
They are made from grapes, which are considered toxic to pups. Raisins are a common ingredient in most fruit loaves and pastries. The mechanism of toxicity is still a mystery, but studies point to the high levels of tartaric acid. Grape toxicity causes vomiting, lethargy, and acute kidney damage in dogs.
Nuts
Peanuts, roasted cashews, hazelnuts, and pine nuts are among the “safe” foods you can feed your dog. Moderation is vital when feeding nuts to dogs, including the “safe” ones. Your pup is at risk of choking and having a tummy upset.
Note: Macadamia nuts, raw cashews, walnuts, and pistachios are toxic to dogs. They can cause tremors, hyperthermia, and neurological problems. So you should entirely avoid bread with these nuts.
Xylitol
“Diet” bread often contains an artificial sweetener known as xylitol to replace sugar. Xylitol can be lean on our waistlines but not Chewy. The sweetener causes your pup to release excess insulin, leading to a sharp drop in blood sugar, resulting in hypoglycemia if left untreated. Hypoglycemia can cause seizures, ataxia, impaired vision, and even death in dogs.
My Dog Ate Bread Dough. Should I be Concerned?
Bread dough is very dangerous for dogs. If your dog swipes on rising bread dough, it’s time to rush to the vet clinic. The activated yeast produces carbon dioxide that causes extreme bloating, a condition known as Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV).
The gas expands and puts pressure on the stomach lining, causing it to rupture and damage the diaphragm and cardiovascular system. Symptoms include bloating, anxiety, restlessness, pacing, heavy panting, and drooling.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Croutons?
How Much Bread Can Dogs Eat?
Although you might prefer snacking on a loaf of bread in one sitting, you can’t share your pastime hobby with Chewy. You’ll be surprised how little bread your dog should eat. Stick to a couple of bites a few times in a month. You don’t want to exceed the 10% limit for snacks and treats. If you give too much bread, your dog can experience stomach upset and weight gain.
Will Bread Calm My Dog’s Stomach?
Toast bread comes in handy when you have a tummy upset and you want to call it. Most dog parents assume this old wives tale can work for dogs with gastrointestinal distress. But, instead of feeding your furry friend bread to soothe its tummy, consider offering a bland diet.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, a healthy meal such as a bowl of cooked white rice and boiled skinless, boneless chicken is good for gastrointestinal issues. Sugar-loaded, carb-filled white bread will only worsen your dog’s condition as it causes bloating.
Alternatively, if your pup swallowed a sharp object like a bone shard, bread may help to “pad” the tiny fragments to prevent them from perforating the stomach lining.
However, you should consult your vet on the best remedy for your dog’s tummy upset. Also, speak to your vet about feeding your dog fiber-rich bread such as grain-based or whole-wheat options, especially if they suffer from bowel problems.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Rye Bread?
My Dog Ate a Loaf of Bread. Should I Be Worried?
So Chewy decided to wolf down an entire loaf of bread? Stay calm. Here are the actions to take depending on the type of bread and quantity consumed.
1. Prevent any further eating
Get Fido out of the area to prevent them from eating more bread or swallowing the packaging further. You can lock Chewy in a separate room and place him in a crate or kennel where they can’t access any more bread.
2. Check for symptoms of distress
Is your dog showing any signs of sickness? Is there vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating? Are they pacing around, weak or heavily panting? These are all causes of alarm. Jot down all the symptoms, including the bread ingredients and any missing wrapper, then call your vet.
3. Phone your vet
If your canine friend has eaten bread containing toxic ingredients such as raisins or chocolate, inform your vet immediately. You’ll also need to act promptly if they’ve overeaten bread, packaging, or moldy bread.
4. Follow your vet’s advice
At this point, your vet will decide if your dog needs to be rushed to the clinic for a physical examination or if you should monitor their symptoms first for a couple of hours for signs of improvement.
Will my dog be okay?
Prompt action when your dog overeats bread, especially with toxic ingredients, can preserve his life and prevent life-threatening conditions. Your vet can suggest medication to induce vomiting to prevent further digestion of the bread.
In some cases, the vet may run additional diagnostics, more so blood tests, if your pup has eaten bread with toxic ingredients.
If you suspect your pup has swallowed the packaging, your vet will check for physical obstruction and run x-ray and ultrasound tests. Your dog may have to stay at the clinic for a few days before you can bring him home.
Wrap up: Can Dogs Eat Bread?
There’s no reason to banish bread from your pup’s diet entirely. Whether white or brown, plain bread is unlikely to cause a severe concern unless your dog is gluten intolerant. However, bread isn’t the healthiest food to share with your pup. Its sugar, carbs, and calories contribute more to weight gain and obesity than nutritious eating.
Feeding your four-legged friend a slice once in a while is fine as long as they eat regular, healthy, nutritious meals and get plenty of exercises.
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