Can Dogs Eat Bread Safely? | What Pet Owners Need to Know

Bread is one of the most common household foods. After all, it can be used to make many different things, from French toast to sandwiches. You’ve probably wondered what would happen if your dog managed to get their paws on some bread.

To be a great pet parent, you need to be prepared for almost anything, especially food-related concerns. Our pups have a habit of trying to eat things that they’re not supposed to, so we have to know when to worry and take them to the vet and when your dog will be fine.

That means there are a lot of things to keep track of. Being a pet parent can be overwhelming at times, but we’re here to help. As pet parents ourselves, we’ve been there, and we’re hoping that we can help you with some of the stress.

At Spot Pet Insurance, we understand what it means to be a pet parent. We want you to be ready so that you and your pet can live a long and happy life together.

So, what happens if your dog does get a hold of some bread? Should you be worried, or is it safe for dogs to eat? Let’s find out.

Is bread safe for dogs to eat?

Yes, bread is a safe food for dogs to eat, but you need to be careful about what kind of bread you give your dog since some have harmful ingredients.

Some dogs, like us humans, can have gluten or wheat allergies or sensitivities. Most dog foods will have wheat in them, so if your dog is allergic, you probably already know to avoid giving your dog foods with wheat.

Bread should be given to dogs in moderation. It has a lot of carbs and may contain a lot of sugar, which can be difficult for dogs to digest. Even though we might not think of it as such, bread should be a treat for dogs, not part of their regular diet.

Treats like bread should only take up about 10% of your dog’s calorie intake. This along with a healthy, well-balanced diet can help your dog live a long and happy life.

When adding something to your dog’s diet, it’s always a good idea. A licensed vet can help you determine if something is good for your dog based on their weight and current diet.

Are there any health benefits for dogs?

Before feeding your dog bread, consider whether or not it has any health benefits for your pup. Bread does have some benefits, especially wheat bread. White bread is less healthy for your dog (and for you).

Wheat bread contains nutrients like:

These minerals, vitamins, fibers, and acids can help support your dog’s digestion, heart health, and brain health. Fiber can help reduce inflammation, and folic acid is good for protecting your dog’s brain against Alzheimer’s.

Many of these benefits are already in your dog’s food, so bread isn’t really a necessary part of your dog’s diet. It mostly acts as a filler food, taking up space in your dog’s stomach.

Can bread help my dog when they have an upset stomach?

Sometimes, bread can help people when they have an upset stomach. Can it do the same thing for our pups?

Although bread might help, most veterinarians would recommend a diet of plain boiled chicken and rice. It’s best to discuss any dietary needs with your dog’s vet before making any changes. They may have a suggestion that could help more based on the cause of the upset.

Is it okay if my dog eats bread dough?

Homemade bread is delicious, and if you make your own bread, you might be concerned that your dog will get into the dough. Is bread dough okay for them to eat?

Unfortunately, bread dough is more dangerous than bread itself. This is mainly due to the chemical reactions that cause the dough to rise. One of the byproducts of the yeast that causes the dough to rise is ethanol, a form of alcohol.

Alcohol, in any form, is toxic to dogs in high enough doses. Alcohol toxicosis is very dangerous, so if you think your dog managed to eat some dough, you’ll want to look out for symptoms such as:

Whether you notice any of these symptoms or not, you should call a vet and discuss the best course of action. Since your dog’s stomach is warm and moist, the dough will continue rising, which will cause symptoms that mimic bloat, like an enlarged stomach.

Are there any kinds of bread that my dog shouldn’t eat?

There are many different kinds of bread. Some breads are sweet, some are savory, and some are plain. So, which types of bread can you give your dog?

It depends on the ingredients. Wheat bread is usually the best option since they are usually healthier and don’t have as many additives. Other breads can have ingredients that are toxic for dogs, so it’s best to look at the ingredient list first.

Two popular kinds of bread for people are banana bread and garlic bread. Can you share these with your dog?

Banana bread

Dogs can eat banana bread, but it shouldn’t be too often since it usually has more sugar than regular bread. Since it is usually made with wheat and bananas, it can have more health benefits than regular bread.

The difficulty with banana bread is that sometimes, it can have ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Some versions of banana bread have chocolate, raisins, or nuts. Store-made banana bread can also contain artificial sweeteners.

Chocolate, artificial sweeteners, and raisins are toxic for dogs. Raisins cause kidney problems, and chocolate can make your dog very sick. Artificial sweeteners, specifically xylitol, can cause hypoglycemia (too little blood sugar) and liver failure.

Nuts usually have a lot of fat, so they aren’t the best for dogs to eat. Some kinds of nuts, like macadamia nuts, are also toxic.

Homemade banana bread is the best option since you can control what goes in it.

Garlic bread

Garlic bread is more straightforward. Dogs should never have garlic bread because it contains garlic. Garlic has a toxin that causes the red blood cells in your dog’s bloodstream to attack themselves.

If your dog gets into other kinds of bread, you should check the ingredients to make sure they aren’t harmful to dogs.

Should I give my dog bread?

Bread is safe for your dog to eat, and it can even be used as a treat if your dog’s vet gives the okay. Although most of the nutritional value in bread is already in dog food, if your dog accidentally gets ahold of a loaf, they should be fine.

Of course, this only applies if your dog eats normal bread. Some kinds of bread have extra ingredients that can be toxic to dogs, like garlic bread. It’s always a good idea to check the ingredients in store-bought bread to ensure that there isn’t anything harmful to your pup.

If you like making homemade bread, make sure that your dog doesn’t get into the dough. It will continue to expand in their stomach, and it can cause alcohol toxicosis.

Even though bread has a lot of nutritional value, it also has a lot of carbs and sugars, so it’s important to limit your dog’s intake. Most experts will recommend that treats, like bread or fruit, should only make up about 10% of your dog’s calorie intake.

Whether you are just making sure that your dog is okay after accidentally eating bread, or you’re thinking about adding new foods to your list of treats, you now know when to be concerned about your dog’s bread intake and when it’s okay.

It may not be the best food out there, but bread can have some value for dogs, and it can be a good way to motivate your dog during training.

What Your Dog Can Eat As Well

There’s no shame in wanting to give our dogs whatever food will make them happy. There just happens to be many other choices out there that are much healthier and more nutritious than pretzels. Here is a list of all the junk foods that your dog can eat.

Fruits

There are many fruits that dogs can eat which are packed with vitamins, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. The best are berries like strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries. Dogs can eat bananas, oranges, apples, melons, mangos, and pineapples. Make sure fruits with pits, stems, cores and seeds have been ridden from these items. Several of them are choking hazards and peach pits can be toxic. Grapes of any kind are poisonous to dogs, and even raisins shouldn’t be given to them.

Seafood

When seafood is free from shells, tails, bones, and legs, they are safe for a dog to eat. Dogs can have lobster, shrimp, salmon, crab, tuna, flounder, and a variety of other fish that is lower in mercury. Fish with too much mercury fed too often to our dogs can cause mercury poisoning. Uncooked or undercooked seafood can contain harmful pathogens and bacterium like salmonella which can make a dog extremely ill. Always ensure that seafood is thoroughly cooked before feeding it to your dog.

Beans

Beans can be great sources of dietary fiber and proteins which are necessary for a dog’s health. Dogs can have a wide variety of beans, including lima beans, pinto beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, soybeans, butter beans, kidney beans, navy beans, and even green beans. Beans should always be cooked thoroughly and fed to dogs in moderation to avoid tummy aches. Beans shouldn’t replace meat in a dog’s diet, since the meat they eat is a richer source of proteins.

Vegetables

As stated earlier, garlic and onions contain toxins that are bad for dogs, and even seasonings containing traces of these vegetables could cause problems. Avocado is another poisonous food because it contains a toxic chemical called persin. Other veggies are considered great sources of fiber and vitamins for dogs. Dogs can eat carrots, pumpkins, spinach, celery, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, and many other vegetables instead.

Nuts

Most nuts aren’t toxic to dogs, save for walnuts and macadamia nuts. Other nuts aren’t necessarily poisonous, but they can contain lots of salts, fats, and proteins that are difficult to digest. They also aren’t very practical because they can be choking hazards due to their shapes, sizes, and shells. Cashews, almonds, and pistachios are fine for dogs to eat moderately, especially when they are made into butter which is safer to eat in terms of obstruction.