Carbohydrates can be an energy source but are not a large part of a dog’s diet. Vegetable, fruit, or cereal carbohydrates may benefit a dog if they are served in the appropriate proportions. When utilizing carbs, it is best to settle on healthy sources that are unencumbered with synthetic additives or additional sugars. So, what about bread? Breads primarily consist of carbohydrates. Flour, which is a starch, is the predominant ingredient in bread. Then, is it safe for dogs to eat bread and baked goods?
Is Bread Safe For Dogs?
Dogs are not very choosy and may eat anything they see. That means there is a chance your pooch bangs down some bread. Should you be worried? Can dogs eat bread? The real answer to this question is more complicated. It depends on the type of bread, and dogs may react differently to each type.
However, baked wheat bread shouldn’t harm your dog. There’s nothing poisonous in a slice of plain bread. So dogs can eat bread. But remember that bread should not be a part of a dog’s diet because it contains nothing valuable for your dog. An excessive quantity of carbs can increase the chances of obesity and diabetes for dogs. Therefore, be moderate and cautious. So what are some of the bread dogs should not be consuming? Let’s find out.
What Kinds of Bread Are Not Good for Dogs?
Dogs can eat bread, but some kinds of bread carry a level of risk. So always check the bread first for a toxic ingredient. What are the ingredients you need to be careful? You have to avoid sweet breads; they carry sugar, which is unhealthy for dogs. These sweet loaves typically also include other harmful additives like chocolate, raisins, or xylitol. These bread ingredients can cause serious damage to your pet’s health.
Certain breads might include onion or garlic, which are toxic as well. And dog owners must be cautious not to feed their pooches large amounts of seeded or grain bread – these are also high in fiber. An excess amount of this element can lead to diarrhea and other conditions in dogs.
And there is one more thing that dog owners need to keep in mind. Dogs can eat bread, but raw dough should never, under any circumstances, be given to dogs! Why? Raw bread dough contains yeast, and raw yeast produces ethanol gas when consumed. Ethanol is actually alcohol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. This can lead to bloated stomachs, unproductive vomiting, stomach pain, and other symptoms for dogs affected by bread dough poisoning. The animal can then end up dying from shock or embark on a collapse.
Dogs with poison need quick treatment, and gastric lavage is often given. So, similarly, when making bread, cake, or pizza at home, we should heed the warnings and keep watch over our dogs. Also, please pay attention to the fact that dogs do not eat moldy bread, as mold is also highly toxic to dogs.
Summary
It is true that dogs can eat bread, but caution should be exercised. Some baked goods have ingredients that pose a risk to dogs. Bread made without these poisonous ingredients is harmless but absolutely not needed in a pet’s diet plan. If you have any doubts, we suggest you ask your vet.
Source
- Kim Gugler, Christopher Piscitelli, Jeffrey Dennis (2013). Hidden dangers in the kitchen: common foods toxic to dogs and cats.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23677840/
