Can My Dog Eat Bread?

We eat 53 pounds of bread per person on average here in the US! Obviously, we love our bread. Needless to say, most of us pet owners have also had the question can my dog eat bread pop up in our minds.

Let’s find out.

Is It Safe For Dogs to Eat Bread?

Can dogs eat bread?

Yes. Your dog can easily eat bread in small quantities. However, be mindful of the kind of bread you feed your dog.

Bread can supplement the fiber needs of your dog. You can feed it bread provided that it follows a balanced diet and has a proper exercise routine.

This begs for the query, is bread good for dogs? Well, only when served as an extra dish. Bread is rich in carbohydrates and may increase your dog’s energy levels. This highly processed food by itself has barely any nutritional value to improve your dog’s health.

The thumb rule is that bread can be 5-10% of your pet’s daily intake.

What Kind of Bread Can A Dog Eat?

Let’s dwell on the kind of bread that is safe for a dog to eat. The best option is to feed your dog plain bread. It suits all breeds unless your pet suffers from wheat or gluten allergies.

White Bread vs Brown Bread

Although your dog can have both white and brown bread, brown bread is a better option. It provides a higher quantity of fiber and lesser carbs. However, avoid brown bread with seeds.

Toasted Bread

You can also feed your dog some toasted bread. Avoid butter though. Butter is often made up of salts and oils, which are harmful to a dog’s digestive system.

How Much Bread Can My Dog Eat?

The quantity of bread you feed your dog is also determined by its weight and health. Bread is a filling food but is not very high in nutrition value. It can lead to unnecessary weight gain in dogs.

Ideally, you should feed dogs a crust, or two. One whole slice isn’t recommended. If your dog eats up an entire loaf, contact your vet.

Risks of Feeding Bread to Dogs

Can bread make a dog sick? Bread is safe for your dog’s health only when you feed it in the right amounts. The following should be avoided for dogs.

Bread Dough

While standard plain bread is okay for dogs, its dough is considered dangerous.

A dog’s stomach provides a warm moist-free environment for the dough to rise and ferment. The yeast influences the dough to release ethanol. While rising dough may only cause bloating, ethanol causes an increase in blood alcohol. This leads to alcohol toxicosis.

If your dog has eaten bread dough, rush to the vet without delay. Here are some common symptoms of alcohol toxicosis:

• Increased heart rate
• Fatigue
• Intestine and abdomen issues
• Difficulty in breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Depression
• Seizure
• Puking
• Diarrhea

In some cases, alcohol toxicosis results in dogs going into a coma.

Other Bread Ingredients That Are Toxic For Your Dog

Be mindful when buying bread for your dog. Avoid bread with the following ingredients:

• Macadamia nuts are a high source of fat and can result in pancreatitis and obesity.
• Chocolate is poisonous for dogs. Any bread containing chocolate can prove to be fatal.
• Raisins can lead to kidney failure.
• Onions cause stinky breath, anemia and disrupt their red blood cells.
• Artificial sweeteners like Xylitol significantly lower glucose levels and cause organ failure.

Does Bread Help in Treating a Dog’s Upset Stomach?

Many people recommend that you give dog bread for an upset stomach. It is often used as a way to treat stomach issues in humans. Hence, some pet owners resort to the same for their dogs.

It acts like a sponge and traps irritating substances in the stomach. When should you do so? If your dog has ingested the following: sharp objects, yarn, or any ingredient that causes acidity.

Another alternative is to opt for a bland diet to ease the digestion process. It is said that you can feed your dog some cooked white rice and boiled boneless, skinless chicken.

If you still sense that none of these remedies are working for your dog, consult your vet.

Your dog’s health and well-being are in your hands. While feeding your dog bread isn’t a bad idea, do not go beyond the recommended limit.

So, if you’ve been wondering, can my dog eat bread, yes it can. But make sure you limit the quantities.