Most people eat bread every day in one form or another because it is an essential part of the human diet. We consume a lot of bread as a species, whether it’s in the form of toast in the morning, sandwiches at lunch, or a thick slice with a hearty dinner of stew or soup.
We’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to answer your every question, from whether or not bread is safe for canines to specific brands to avoid.
Can Dogs Eat Bread?
Both yes and no can be correct. It’s okay to give your dog a small amount of bread once in a while. Dogs eager to try this staple human food can have a very small amount of plain white or brown bread as a treat once in a while. Some varieties of bread may be harmful to your dog due to the ingredients they contain.
Breads with chocolate chips, raisins, onions, garlic, and possibly xylitol in the dessert variety should be avoided, as should nuts (macadamia nuts are toxic and all nuts are high in fat, which isn’t good for dogs).
Bread may also be best avoided if your dog has a sensitivity to it. If you have any doubts, consult your veterinarian.
Bread isn’t particularly healthy for dogs, but we recognize that some dog owners insist on feeding it to their pets anyway. If you insist on giving your dog some bread, make it plain, limit the amount, and treat it like a luxury.
Never give your dog more than 10% of his or her daily calories from treats, and remember to treat your dog sparingly.
Is Bread Good For Dogs?
Sadly, canines shouldn’t eat bread. Bread has no nutritional value for dogs and is also high in carbohydrates, so feeding your dog too much of it can lead to obesity.
A well-balanced diet and premium dog food should supply all the nutrients your dog needs.
Again, some dogs also have wheat allergies, so if yours does, you should keep the bread away from him.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Bread?
Can dogs eat bread? In a nutshell: yes. Like humans, dogs can safely eat bread in moderation.
If your dog doesn’t have any sort of wheat or white bread allergy, you can feel comfortable feeding them either type of bread.
Bread as a treat is fine as long as your dog is getting a well-rounded diet and plenty of exercise on a regular basis.
Your dog will not benefit from it either. Bread is a useless filler food because it lacks any essential nutrients that aren’t already present in your dog’s regular food.
Bread, as any dieter knows, is loaded with carbohydrates, which can lead to obesity in your dog if you’re not careful.
Risks of Feeding Bread to Dogs
Certain types of bread may contain toxic ingredients, but this is rare. To make sure your dog stays happy and healthy, here are the facts you need to know about the dangers of feeding bread to dogs.
Dangerous Bread Dough
Making bread from scratch requires a draft-free, warm, and moist environment for the dough to rise. Unfortunately for canines, the conditions inside a dog’s stomach are perfect for rising bread dough.
Bread dough is a potentially dangerous food for dogs, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. After ingesting bread dough, your dog’s stomach will continue to expand and toxic levels of ethanol will be released.
The alcohol toxicosis poses a greater threat than the bloat that can be caused by the rising dough’s pressure.
Warning signs of alcohol toxicosis include the following if your dog has been fed bread dough or if you suspect it has stolen bread dough from your home.
- Central nervous system depression
- Weakness
- Depression
- Stumbling, inebriated stride
- Hypothermia
- Seizures
- Coma
Toxic Bread Ingredients
White or wheat bread shouldn’t harm your dog unless he has a wheat allergy. On the other hand, not all breads are equally benign. Some types of bread contain ingredients that are harmful to dogs and should never be given to them.
Raisins pose the greatest threat. Highly poisonous raisins (and grapes) are frequently used in baking.
Even a small amount of raisins can be toxic to some dogs and fatal to others, and veterinarians don’t know why.
It is not safe to give your dog any part of a bread that contains raisins as a treat, so it is best to keep the whole loaf out of their reach.
Bread also contains garlic, which is toxic to dogs. Your dog’s nose may be tempted by the aroma of garlic bread, but beware! It can cause severe side effects such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and collapse.
Nuts and seeds add flavor and nutrition to bread for humans, but they can be toxic to dogs.
Macadamia nuts pose the greatest risk, but even “safe” nuts and seeds can cause stomach irritation and pancreatitis because of their high fat content.
The use of xylitol, an artificial sweetener, has been on the rise recently. Until recently, it was only available in sugar-free gum, but now it can be found in nut butters and baked goods as well. Xylitol is safe for humans to consume, but it can be fatal for dogs.
If you feed your dog bread or baked goods on a regular basis, check the ingredients. If you feed your dog peanut butter and jelly, make sure the jelly doesn’t contain grapes.
Is Bread Good for Dogs With Upset Stomachs?
It’s common knowledge that dogs with stomach aches can benefit from eating bread. While this is true on occasion, the Merck Veterinary Manual suggests a bland diet of rice and boiled chicken for dogs with upset stomachs, or better yet, a phone call to your vet for professional advice.
Bread, like other table scraps, can be a good source of extra calories for your dog.
Your veterinarian can help you come up with a plan to keep your overweight dog healthy, happy, and active by recommending a specific diet and exercise regimen.
If you want to keep your dog free of obesity-related diseases like diabetes, you should limit the amount of bread it eats.
Can Dogs Have Uncooked Bread Dough
Raw bread dough is dangerous for dogs. The American Kennel Club warns that this is potentially dangerous. It’s interesting to note that dough rises perfectly in their stomachs.
By distending and expanding the stomach, it releases large quantities of ethanol into the bloodstream, which could cause alcohol poisoning.
If your dog has eaten uncooked bread dough and you notice any of the following symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately:
- Having a rapid heartbeat.
- Weakness.
- Unsteady walking; gives off an impression of intoxication.
- the abdomen has bloated.
- Depression.
- Seizures.
- Weakness or inability to breathe.
- The blood pressure is low.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Your dog may go into a coma if the situation becomes critical.
How Can I Feed My dog Bread?
Avoid giving your dog bread as a treat, per our recommendation. Bread is fine as a snack for you, but it has no nutritional value and may even be harmful for your dog.
Instead, choose to treat your dog with nutritious foods like raw vegetables and lean meat that has been cooked.
We must also keep in mind that our canine companions are not human.
A piece of dry toast may help humans calm their stomachs when they’re feeling queasy, but canines won’t benefit from this practice.
Dogs with stomach problems do better on a bland diet of boiled chicken breast and rice, but before making any changes to your dog’s diet, you should consult your vet.
The question of whether or not canines can consume sliced loaves of bread has been answered. Read our piece on whether or not dogs can eat strawberries to learn more about dog nutrition and how to improve your pet’s diet.
Can Puppies Eat Bread?
Puppies, like adult dogs, can eat a little bit of bread now and then, but it provides them with zero nutrients.
Avoid giving your dog bread if you don’t know if it has any allergies. Make sure there aren’t any poisonous ingredients in the bread that could harm your dog.
Can Dogs Eat White Bread?
Normal white bread shouldn’t bother a dog’s stomach. This is the case unless they have a serious allergy.
Can Dogs Eat Bread Crust?
Bread crusts are safe for your dog to eat. However, it won’t be necessary to include in their diet because it offers no nutritional value. Do not put butter on the toasted bread crusts.
Can Dogs Eat Wholemeal Bread?
Wholemeal bread (or brown bread) is safe for dogs, but only if it is completely devoid of any kind of nut, seed, or fruit. Incorporating wholemeal bread into your dog’s diet will not improve its health in any way.
Can Dogs Eat Seeded Bread?
Including seeds, dogs should not eat bread that has been tampered with in any way. Dogs shouldn’t be given bread that contains potentially poisonous ingredients like seeds, chocolate, nuts, cinnamon, or dried fruits (like raisins).
Can Dogs Eat Toast?
Dogs without bread allergies can safely consume small amounts of both untoasted and toasted bread. There’s no need to put butter on your toast, as it doesn’t improve the food’s nutritional value.
Can Dogs Eat Toast With Butter?
Canine consumption of buttered toast is not encouraged. As a high-fat food, butter is unhealthy for your dog if given to it frequently.
Accidental ingestion of a small amount of buttered toast probably won’t be fatal for your dog. If you have any doubts, you should consult your veterinarian.