We all love bread. We eat it at different times of the day, and in different ways. But can we share it with our dogs? Is bread good or bad for them? And what kind of bread should we give them?
In this blog post, we will tell you everything you need to know about bread and dogs. We will talk about the good and bad things about bread for dogs, the breads that are not good for them and why, and how to know if your dog ate too much bread. We will also tell you how to give bread to your dog in a safe and healthy way.
By the time you finish reading this post, you will know if dogs can eat bread and how to make the right choices for your dog. So, let’s begin! 🍞
Is bread safe for dogs?
Bread is not harmful for dogs, as long as they eat it in small amounts and do not have any allergies to it. Humans and dogs can both enjoy plain white and wheat bread without any stomach problems.
However, bread is not a good treat for your dog either. It does not offer any nutritional benefits that your dog’s food does not already provide. Bread has a lot of carbs, which can make your dog gain weight if you feed them too much. If you want to keep your dog healthy, you should give them a balanced diet and enough exercise.
Risks of Feeding Bread to Dogs
Uncooked bread dough is not safe for dogs to eat
Uncooked bread dough is dangerous for dogs, as The American Kennel Club warns. The dough can rise in their stomachs, which are warm and moist, and cause stomach bloating and ethanol poisoning.
Never give your dog uncooked bread dough, and if you see any of these signs after your dog has eaten bread dough, call your vet right away:
Fast heartbeat. Lack of energy. Trouble walking – may look like they are drunk. Swollen belly. Sadness. Convulsions. Breathing problems. Low blood pressure. Trying to throw up or throwing up. Your dog may go into a coma in extreme cases.
Toxic Bread Ingredients
Plain white or wheat bread is usually safe for dogs, unless they have a wheat allergy. However, some other types of bread can be harmful to them. Some breads have toxic ingredients that dogs should never eat.
One of the most dangerous ingredients is raisins. Raisins (and grapes) can poison dogs and are often used in breads and baked goods. No one knows why some dogs are more affected by raisins than others, but even a small amount can cause trouble. Dogs should never have access to raisin breads or be given any as a snack, even if there are no raisins in the piece you are offering.
Another harmful ingredient in bread is garlic. Garlic bread may smell good to your dog, but it can have serious consequences, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and collapse.
Some breads have nuts and seeds, which humans like for their taste and health benefits, but dogs may not. The worst nut for dogs is macadamia nuts, but even other nuts and seeds can cause stomach problems and pancreatitis, because they are high in fat.
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is becoming more popular. It is often found in sugar-free gum and, lately, some peanut butter and baked goods. Humans can eat xylitol without any issues, but dogs can’t. If you give your dog bread or baked goods often, make sure to check the ingredients, and also check your peanut butter ingredients before you make a peanut butter and (grape-free) jelly sandwich for your dog.
How Much Bread Can Dogs Safely Eat?
The Dangers of Feeding Bread to Dogs Bread may be a tasty treat for us, but it’s not so good for our furry friends. You may be shocked to learn how much (or how little) bread they should eat!
“Only a few nibbles now and then (i.e. a couple times a month) are okay,” Robinson says. “Too much bread can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or even a blockage, as the bread can swell up because of the yeast.”
Bread can also make your dog gain weight if you give it to them too often. A slice of bread, depending on the type, is usually 100 calories. It’s important to consider your dog’s size, and adjust the amount accordingly.
Types of bread to avoid feeding dogs
Some types of bread are not safe for dogs to eat, even occasionally. As we discussed before, you should avoid giving your dog bread that has ingredients that are poisonous for them, such as chocolate, raisins, garlic, onion or artificial sweeteners, among others. This means that garlic bread and seeded bread are off-limits for your dog, unfortunately. Garlic can harm your dog’s health, and garlic bread also has too much fat from butter and oil. Seeded bread is hard for your dog to digest, and it may also have nuts that are dangerous for them, such as cashews, pistachios or macadamia nuts. Sourdough bread is also a no-no for your dog. It is made from fermented dough that can create alcohol in your dog’s body when they eat it. This can be very risky, so you should never let your dog have sourdough bread. Types of bread dogs can not eat:
- Garlic bread
- Seeded bread
- Sourdough bread
- Bread with toxic ingredients, e.g. chocolate, raisins, garlic, onion and artificial sweeteners
Why does my dog like bread so much?
These are some of the factors that make dogs like bread:
Flavor and Consistency: Bread has a gentle, satisfying flavor and a soft consistency that many dogs enjoy. It is similar to other usual dog snacks.
Recognition: Dogs tend to like what they know. If your dog has tasted bread before and liked it, they may want to eat it again.
Smell: The smell of fresh or toasted bread can be very tempting, and your dog may be attracted to it by smell alone.
Socialization: Dogs are very social, and they often follow the eating habits of their human companions. If they see you eating bread and having fun, they might be more interested in trying it themselves.
Rewards: Some dogs get small pieces of bread as treats or incentives from their owners, which strengthens their liking for bread.
How to Bake Healthy and Tasty Bread for Your Dog (with 3 Easy Recipes)
Bake your own bread for your dog using ingredients that are safe and beneficial for dogs. You can also customize the bread with some wholesome toppings or extras to make it even more delicious and nutritious for your pooch. Here are some examples of yummy and healthy bread recipes that you can easily make at home:
Peanut Butter Pup Bites: These adorable treats are made with whole wheat flour, natural peanut butter, water, and UltraK9 Pro, a supplement that boosts your dog’s immune system, digestion, and skin health.
Sweet Potato Bread Bites: These soft and moist treats are made with cooked and mashed sweet potato, whole wheat flour, egg, and UltraK9 Pro.
Carrot and Oat Bread Biscuits: These crunchy biscuits are made with oat flour, shredded carrot, egg, and UltraK9 Pro.
What To Do if Your Dog Ate too much Bread
You can do these things at home to help your dog:
No food for a while: If your dog ate a lot of bread, do not give them more food for some time. This will help their tummy digest the bread. Look for bad things in the bread: Check if the bread has anything that can hurt your dog like raisins, nuts, garlic, or onions. These can make your dog very sick or even die.
Give water: Bread can soak up water and make your dog’s belly bigger, which can make them thirsty or have a belly ache. Give your dog water to drink whenever they want.
Call the vet: If your dog has pain in their belly, a big belly, trouble breathing, throwing up, loose or hard poop, or is very tired, call your vet right away. These can be signs of a big problem like GDV, which needs a surgery.
