Can Dog Eat Bread? 11 Reasons Why You Should Be Careful
A Candid Look at Feeding Bread to Our Furry Friends
Hiya folks! ?? As a self-professed “dog dad,” I’ve definitely wondered more than once – can dogs eat bread? Sure, we’ve all been there. Your pup is begging with those irresistible puppy dog eyes as you’re munching on a sandwich or piece of toast. It seems harmless enough to toss them a little piece, right?
Well, not so fast my friends! ?? While the occasional bread snack probably won’t hurt, there are actually several really good reasons why you should think twice before making bread a regular part of your doggo’s diet. Bare with me as I dig into the nitty gritty details on whether dogs can eat bread safely.
The Burning Question: Is Bread Safe for Dogs?
Let’s get right to the point – yes, dogs can eat bread in small quantities without it being directly toxic or poisonous. The main ingredients in bread (flour, yeast, water, salt) are not inherently dangerous for dogs.
However, that doesn’t mean bread is actually good for dogs or that you should be freely feeding it to them. In fact, there are a number of potential risks and downsides to making bread a staple part of your furry friend’s diet that every responsible dog owner needs to be aware of.
Reason #1: Bread is Dense with Little Nutritional Value
When you really break it down, bread is essentially just empty calories and carbohydrates with very little nutritional value for dogs. Our pups need a balanced, protein-rich diet to stay healthy and energetic. Bread doesn’t contribute much in the way of vitamins, minerals, or nutrients that dogs require.
Reason #2: High Calories Can Lead to Weight Gain
Speaking of empty calories, all those carbs in bread can go straight to your dog’s waistline if you’re not careful! Canine obesity is no joke and can contribute to all sorts of other health issues down the road like joint problems, diabetes, and a shortened lifespan. Avoiding unnecessary calories from foods like bread is important for keeping pur pups at a lean, healthy weight.
Reason #3: Many Brands Contain Unhealthy Added Ingredients
While the basic bread ingredients are safe for dogs, many store-bought loaves these days are packed with all sorts of additives and preservatives that could potentially be harmful. Things like high fructose corn syrup, unfamiliar oils, dough conditioners, and other hard to pronounce ingredients probably aren’t doing your dog any favors.
Reason #4: Could Trigger Allergies or Sensitivities
Unfortunately, wheat allergies are actually pretty common for our canine pals. Feeding bread on the regular could cause allergic reactions and digestive issues like vomitting, diarrhea, itchy skin, and more for dogs with wheat or gluten intolerances.
Reason #5: Bread Can Get Moldy Quickly
I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely forgotten about the occasional loaf of bread left sitting on the counter only to find it’s grown a lovely crust of mold a few days later. Moldy bread is a definite no-no that could make your dog very sick if ingested.
Reason #6: Yeast is a Concern (Especially for Unbaked Dough)
Bread dough that’s unbaked and still rising is particularly risky because of the active yeast. When a dog ingests rising bread dough, the warm environment of their stomach causes that yeast to keep producing carbon dioxide. This can lead to a bloated, dangerous build up of gas in their digestive system.
H3: Reason #7: Sodium and Other Preservatives
Plain whole wheat or multigrain bread isn’t too bad when it comes to sodium. But lots of fancier bread varieties intended for human consumption are packed with sodium as a preservative which is definitely not good for dogs. Too much salt can cause excessive thirst and even sodium ion poisoning over time.
Reason #8: Onions and Other Dog-Toxic Ingredients
Crazy but true – some bread products can even contain ingredients that are outright toxic to dogs! Onions are a good example. They’re sometimes added to things like baguettes for flavor but can severely damage a dog’s red blood cells leading to anemia.
Reason #9: A Choking Hazard, Especially for Smaller Dogs
For tiny dogs or puppies, bread can pose a serious choking hazard if not torn into small enough pieces before feeding. Those smaller mouths and throats can easily get obstructed by chunks of bread which could lead to a life-threatening situation pretty quickly if you’re not careful.
Reason #10: Could Cause Gastrointestinal Upset
Even if your dog isn’t allergic to wheat and the bread doesn’t contain anything outright toxic, it still may not agree with their digestive system. The sheer volume of carbs and calories, mixed with preservatives and other unfamiliar ingredients could easily give some pups diarrhea, vomiting, and an upset stomach.
Reason #11: Potential for Bloat in Large Deep-Chested Breeds
For bigger dogs with deep chest cavities like Great Danes, Dobermans, or St. Bernards, eating too much bread (or any large amount of food at once) could potentially trigger a life-threatening condition known as bloat or gastric torsion. This is wherestwisting of the stomach cuts off blood supply and needs to be treated surgically ASAP.
The Verdict? Bread is Best Avoided For Fido
There you have it folks! As you can see, there are plenty of valid reasons to wave the yellow flag of caution when it comes to feeding our four-legged friends bread on a regular basis. While the occasional plain bread snack likely won’t do much harm, don’t make a habit of slipping Fido too many breadcrumbs from the kitchen table.
Your pup is better off getting the nutrients they need from a balanced, veterinarian-approved dog food made specifically to meet their dietary needs. Too much bread could potentially lead to weight gain, allergic reactions, digestive issues, and other unpleasant side effects that I’m sure we’d all like to avoid for the sake of our beloved fur babies!
So next time your dog gives you those pleading eyes at the sight of your sandwich, feel free to offer them a healthy dog treat instead. Your dog (and your vet) will thank you for making the smarter choice!