Bread feeding to dogs is risky.
Generally speaking, bread is not poisonous, but there are certain exceptions. What you need know about the dangers of feeding bread to dogs is provided here to ensure your dog's happiness and health.
Risky Bread Dough
If you've ever prepared homemade bread, you are aware that the dough has to rise, ideally in a warm, moist, draft-free atmosphere. Sadly, the stomachs of dogs that eat bread dough provide ideal circumstances for dough to rise.
The bread dough is listed as a dietary danger for dogs in the Merck Veterinary Manual. When a dog consumes bread dough, the yeast causes the dough to expand more, stretching the stomach and causing deadly amounts of ethanol to enter the bloodstream. While the pressure of rising dough might simulate and create bloat, alcohol toxicosis poses the true threat. Call your vet right away and keep an eye out for signs of alcohol toxicosis if your dog eats bread dough or you fear they have stolen it:
central nerve system depression
Weakness
Depression
intoxicated, unsteady gait
Hypothermia
Seizures
Coma-Inducing Ingredients in Bread
It's unlikely that plain white or wheat bread will harm your dog unless they have a wheat allergy. Yet, not all breads are as benign. Dogs should never be fed some hazardous chemicals found in bread.
Can Dogs Eat Bread?
The biggest threat is posed by raisins. While highly hazardous, raisins (and grapes) are frequently used in breads and other baked foods. Even a small amount of raisins can result in issues, however veterinarians are unsure of why some dogs are more sensitive to them than others. Even if the portion you are feeding doesn't contain raisins, raisins breads should never be given to dogs as treats and should never be stored within reach of them.
Another element in bread that might be hazardous to dogs is garlic. Although garlic bread could lure your dog's nose, it has dangerous side effects that include collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal pain.
Certain breads contain nuts and seeds, which are delicious and healthy for people but can be harmful to dogs. Macadamia nuts pose the greatest risk, although even "safe" nuts and seeds can cause pancreatitis and gastrointestinal discomfort due to their high fat content.
An artificial sweetener gaining popularity is xylitol. The most popular places to get it are in sugar-free chewing gum and, more recently, in several varieties of nut butter and baked goods. Xylitol is poisonous to dogs but not to humans. If you often give your dog bread or baked products, be sure to verify the contents. You should also double-check the ingredients in your peanut butter before giving your dog a peanut butter and (grape-free) jelly sandwich.
Is Bread Healthy for Dogs with Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
You may have heard that dogs with unsettled tummies respond well to bread. While this might occasionally be the case, the Merck Veterinary Manual suggests calling your veterinarian for guidance if your dog has a stomach ache and eating a bland diet of rice and boiled chicken.
Bread adds calories to your dog's diet, just like any table waste. If your dog is overweight, consult your vet about modifying their food and coming up with a strategy to keep them active, healthy, and happy. Feed your dog only very small pieces of bread at a time to prevent obesity-related illnesses like diabetes because bread has a high glycemic index and is heavy in calories.