As humans, we eat a lot of bread on a daily basis, but can our dogs eat bread too? Find out all you need to know on whether bread is good for dogs and the types to avoid with our guide.
Bread is a staple to the human diet, with most of us consuming it in some regard on a daily basis. Whether it’s toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch or a big slice of crusty bread to go alongside a stew or soup for dinner, it’s safe to say as a species we eat a lot of bread!
As a nation of dog lovers, we love to share everything with our dogs and when they’re giving us their best puppy dog eyes as we tuck into our food, it begs the question: can dogs eat bread? We’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know from is bread good for dogs to the types to avoid.
Can dogs eat bread?
Yes and no. Dogs can eat small amounts of plain white or brown bread, but it should be only given as the very occasional treat. There are some types which may be toxic to your pup and will contain added extras such as nuts – macadamia nuts are toxic and all nuts are high in fat, which isn’t good for dogs. Plus, breads with chocolate chips, raisins, onions, garlic and some dessert bread may also contain xylitol, so always be sure to double-check the ingredients first.
While dogs can have bread, we don’t advise it because it’s not good for them. If you do want to feed your dog a little bit of bread, it must be plain, in a small quantity and it should be a special treat. It’s important to remember that treats should only make up 10% or less of your dog’s diet and always give treats in moderation.
Is bread good for dogs?
No, bread isn’t good for dogs. It contains no nutritional value for them and it’s full of carbohydrates too, so if you give too much bread to dogs it can cause them to gain weight. Additionally, your dog should get all the nutrition they need if they’re fed a complete and balanced diet of high-quality dog food. Some dogs also suffer from wheat allergies, so if this is the case with your dog, be sure to avoid bread entirely.
Dogs can’t have uncooked bread dough
According to The American Kennel Club, uncooked bread dough can be hazardous for dogs. Interestingly, their stomachs offer the ideal conditions for dough to rise and when they eat it, it expands and distends their stomach, as well as releasing toxic levels of ethanol into their bloodstream – which can lead to alcohol toxicosis.
Do not feed your dog uncooked bread dough, and if your dog has ingested any and you notice any of the following symptoms after your dog has eaten bread dough, contact your vet immediately:
- Elevated heart rate.
- Weakness.
- Unsteady gait – may appear almost ‘drunken’.
- Distended abdomen.
- Depression.
- Seizures.
- Respiratory failure.
- Low blood pressure.
- Retching or vomiting.
- In severe cases, you dog may fall into a coma.
How can I feed my dog bread?
Our advice would be to avoid feeding your dog bread. While it’s fine in small doses as a snack, it offers no benefit to your dog and in some cases, bread contains ingredients which can be hazardous. Instead, opt to feed healthy dog treats such as fresh vegetables and cooked lean meat instead.
It’s also important to remember that our dogs are not like us.
It’s common for us to have a dry piece of toast to settle an upset stomach, but it doesn’t offer the same advantage for dogs. If your dog has stomach upset, a bland diet of boiled chicken breast and rice is best, but always contact your vet for advice before trying home remedies.
Now you know the answer to the question can dogs eat bread. Find out more about feeding your dog, and what you can add to their diet with our article on can dogs eat strawberries.
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