Grains have been our staple food for thousands of years. A wide variety of breads can be baked from it.
Many dogs love bread and sit excitedly in front of their master or mistress hoping to get something. You’ve probably wondered if your dog can eat bread and if it’s okay if you give it something.
Short and sweet: Can my dog eat bread?
Yes, your dog may eat bread occasionally. However, you should not feed your dog bread in large quantities. Occasionally he is also allowed to eat a bite of wholemeal bread. However, it should never be your four-legged friend’s main meal.
Which bread your four-legged friend is allowed to eat occasionally
The Bible already says that dogs ate bread. Mixed with whey, it was one of the staple foods for dogs a few thousand years ago. Meat was mostly in the form of leftovers.
However, before you start feeding your dog random bread, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Incorrect feeding can cause immense health problems.
The bread should always be hard. Whole grain bread that is two to three days old is best. The reason for this is that the proofing process in stale bread is already complete. Eating this bread has no harmful effect on the stomach.
But make sure that it is free of yeast and sourdough and if so, only feed it whole grain bread.
In addition, you should only feed a small amount, because bread contains a lot of carbohydrates and accordingly makes you fat. Unlike in the past, today’s dogs are less active. As a result, they require significantly less carbohydrates.
As a small snack between meals, stale bread is a welcome change from bones and other chews.
However, only give him something if you know he can take it. Bread is made from a wide variety of flours. Some dogs have a problem with gluten. If this is the case, you should only feed your darling gluten-free bread.
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This bread is dangerous for dogs (Toxic)
Never feed your dog fresh bread. This is because the yeast and sourdough it contains will ferment in your dog’s stomach.
This causes the amount eaten to increase in the abdomen and gas to form. And that in turn can lead to significant digestive problems for your darling.
In the worst case, cracks form in the digestive system.
The same applies to rolls, toast, croissants and more.
Do not feed freshly baked goods to protect your dog from possible subsequent problems.
Danger!
If you feed your dog fresh bread, there is a risk of gastric torsion.
Reading tip: Be sure to check out our Can Dogs Eat Buns article to find out if this treat is right for our furry friends.
Therefore, you should never feed fresh yeast or sourdough
Never leave raw dough unattended. The danger is too great that your dog will be attracted by the intense smell and eat it.
Feeding raw bread dough can be life-threatening for your darling. It makes no difference whether it is yeast or sourdough.
At 37.5 – 39℃, your dog’s stomach is the ideal environment for further rising raw dough. The dough mass continues to expand in the warm belly and also inflates the intestines.
It can cause vomiting and make breathing difficult. The abdomen swells and thickens. At the same time, the ethanol naturally contained in yeast can cause your darling to get alcohol poisoning. Signs include lack of coordination, seizures, and weakness.
In the worst case, a dog will fall into a coma from the difficult breathing combined with alcohol poisoning, which can lead to death.
If you’ve noticed that your dough bowl is missing bread dough or caught your four-legged friend «stealing», you should call the vet immediately to avoid worse things.
Good to know:
Vets do not consider bread to be toxic to dogs. The problem is more with what ingredients it is made of and what toppings are on it.
In addition, raw bread dough should never be fed, because it ferments in the stomach and there is a risk of stomach pain and fatal consequences.
Likewise, you should not feed fresh bread, but if so, only a small piece of old bread.
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The disadvantages of bread
Dogs have been eating bread for thousands of years. Still, there are a few downsides.
gluten allergy
Some dogs cannot tolerate gluten and suffer from an allergy. In that case, you should not give your four-legged friend any bread that contains wheat or spelt.
Rye bread has a much lower percentage of gluten.
Gluten-free bread made from oat or buckwheat flour is an even better alternative. Equally good are breads made from amaranth, millet, rice flour or quinoa. They contain no gluten and your dog can eat them without hesitation.
Too much bread makes dogs fat
Although bread can bind foreign bodies and cure diarrhea, you should know that too much bread makes you fat. The high proportion of carbohydrates leads to weight gain, which can lead to secondary diseases.
However, if your dog gets a lot of exercise, there is nothing wrong with giving him bread on a regular basis.
bread and tooth decay
Bread contains a lot of carbohydrates, which turns into sugar in the body. Consequently, too much bread can damage your dog’s teeth. The reason is that fresh bread in particular tends to stick to teeth and gums. Plaque forms. In the worst case, caries and periodontitis occur.
To avoid this, you had better feed only dried bread. This sticks much less strongly to the teeth.
Tip:
When buying bread, pay attention to the ingredients listed. Raisins and some nuts, such as chestnuts or macadamia nuts, are toxic to dogs.
Conclusion: Can your dog eat bread?
Yes, your four-legged friend can eat bread. It won’t hurt him if you give away some of your disc. However, be aware in advance that it does not contain any harmful ingredients such as raisins.
Unlike other foods, bread does not cause stomach upset. Unless he suffers from a gluten or wheat allergy.
Don’t overdo it, though, because bread is high in carbohydrates, which can make you fat over time.
Do you have any questions? Then leave a comment now!