Can dog's eat... Bread?

Plain, fully baked bread is generally safe for most dogs in small amounts. It’s not particularly nutritious, but it isn’t harmful either. Bread is mostly carbohydrates, and while dogs can digest it, it doesn’t offer the protein, vitamins or minerals they actually need.

That said, if your pup enjoys a small piece of bread now and then, it’s usually fine as long as it’s plain and free from risky additions.

#Can dogs eat white bread?

Yes, plain white bread is safe for most dogs in small amounts. It’s bland, easy to digest, and unlikely to cause problems unless your dog has a wheat allergy. Just remember, it’s all calories and no nutrition.

##Can dogs eat brown bread?

Brown bread is often a mix of white and wholemeal flour. It contains slightly more fibre than white bread, but not enough to make it a healthy choice for your dog.

##Can dogs eat wholemeal bread?

Wholemeal bread uses the entire grain, meaning it contains more fibre, protein, and minerals. While fibre is usually beneficial, for some dogs it can trigger bloating or soft poops. Offer a small amount first to check your dog’s reaction.

##Can dogs eat seeded bread?

This one’s tricky. While some seeds, like pumpkin seeds, are safe in small amounts and contain healthy oils, too many can trigger upset tummies and pancreatitis. Others, like poppy seeds, are toxic to dogs. If you’re paying for heavily seeded artisan loaves, save your pocket and your dog’s digestive tract, and keep them to yourself. They may be healthy for you, but not for your dog.

##Can dogs eat rye bread?

Plain rye bread is also safe for dogs in small amounts. It’s related to wheat but higher in fibre and minerals and lower in gluten. Many rye loaves do, however, contain extras that are harmful to your pup, so always check the label before sharing.

##Can dogs eat sourdough bread?

Sourdough bread is made with natural yeasts captured from the environment. Its longer fermentation makes it more acidic, giving it its tangy taste, while also releasing more minerals and reducing sugars and gluten. A small piece of plain white sourdough is just as safe as regular bread. But be careful, “sourdough” describes how this bread is made, not what’s in it, so the ingredients can vary widely. Always check the label before sharing any with your pup.

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#When is bread dangerous for dogs?

While plain cooked bread is safe in moderation, there are times when bread can cause serious problems.

##Raw bread dough

Raw dough contains active yeast, which turns the sugars and starches in the dough into carbon dioxide (to make it rise) and alcohol (which evaporates during baking). You don’t want either building up in your dog’s stomach. Gas can cause painful bloat, which, especially in deep-chested dogs, could develop into the life-threatening condition gastric dilation volvulus. Alcohol is also toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, wobbliness and difficulty breathing. If your pup eats raw bread dough, contact your vet.   

##Mouldy bread

Bread that’s gone mouldy can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, toxins produced by moulds that cause tremors, seizures, vomiting and a dangerously high body temperature. Never feed bread that’s past its best, even if you think you can cut away the mould.

##Risky additions

There can be a lot of things hiding in a store-bought loaf that can cause problems for your pup. Some ingredients can trigger vomiting or diarrhoea, while others, like the following, are toxic:

• Chocolate
• Xylitol
• Raisins
• Onion
• Garlic
• Nutmeg (often found in banana
  or pumpkin bread)
• Macadamia nuts

Even “healthy” additions like nuts and seeds are high in fat and can trigger tummy upsets or pancreatitis in sensitive dogs.

#Health benefits of bread for dogs

While bread can contain small amounts of fibre, minerals and B vitamins for dogs, your dog’s regular food already provides all of these in balanced amounts. Really, there is no health benefit to giving bread, and if you want to supplement your dog’s nutrition, there are far healthier options out there.

#How much bread can a dog eat?

Though there’s no reason to feed bread on a regular basis if you want to offer a once-a-week treat, it’s best to make sure it doesn’t provide more than 10% of your pup’s daily calorie needs:

• Small dogs: 1–2 thumbnail-sized pieces
• Medium dogs: up to half a slice
• Large dogs: up to one slice

Just remember, dogs can have wheat allergies, so even though bread is technically safe, it may not be the best choice for your pup.

#So, can dogs eat bread?

Yes, a little plain, baked bread is okay, but there can be a lot lurking in the ingredient list of that loaf. Don’t assume all bread is safe. Avoid raw dough, mouldy bread or loaves with added extras.

• There are plenty of healthy human foods that offer genuine nutritional benefits to your pup, but if you find the occasional crust has mysteriously vanished, it’s probably nothing to worry about.