White bread is made using wheat flour. The germ layers and bran are removed from the whole wheat during the flour grinding/milling process. This is what gives it a light color.
For humans, consuming too much white flour bread and other products can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
Can dogs eat white bread?
Wheat and plain white bread are safe for dogs to consume if they do not have any allergies. Consuming plain white or wheat bread does not cause an upset stomach. You can feed your dog bread but ensure to give them as treats occasionally. Bread will not affect your dog if you feed him/her a complete, nutritious, and balanced diet with ample exercise.
Most breads are harmless when eaten in moderation. You need to understand the amount of moderation for you dog. For example, if Fido ate an entire loaf of bread, it can cause constipation.
As you know there are many types of breads available, thus make sure that it does not contain any ingredients that could be toxic for your dog.
Bread having raisins is potentially toxic for your pet, so ensure you do not feed him/her bread having ingredients that are harmful. Understand the ingredients first and make an informed decision.
Quantity matters a lot. Make sure to feed bread to your dog in moderation otherwise overfeeding can cause constipation, bloating and abdominal pain.
Nutritional value of White Bread
When eaten in moderation, white bread is a great combination of nutrition, taste, and texture. Plan classic white bread is a good source of Vitamin A, D, E, and calcium. Not just this, it has 0G trans fats (make sure you buy bread that does not have any transfats).
Plain white bread is also a good source of iron. Ensure to choose a bread that does not include any artificial colors and flavors.
What to do if a dog eats a full loaf of white bread?
If your dog has eaten an entire loaf of bread, do not panic and follow the below-mentioned steps.
Check for life-threatening symptoms
Check if they are okay or show any symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating. Check if they are lethargic or pacing in the house restlessly. These are a cause of concern and make sure to note down the symptoms you see in your pet before calling the vet.
Make notes
Know what type of bread was eaten by your dog. Note down the ingredients used in making the bread. In case there is anything harmful or toxic in the list, you need to ensure to note it down and mention it to the vet.
Call the vet
If you think that your pet has eaten the bread having potential toxins like onions, raisins, xylitol, then call your vet immediately.
Even if the bread that your dog has eaten does not contain any potential toxins but has been consumed in large quantities, make sure to contact the vet immediately.
Follow the vet’s advice
Your vet will advise you to see the pet in their office. Ensure to visit your vet at the earliest and follow his/her advice from that point on. Your vet is the right person to guide you.
Risks of Feeding Bread to Dogs
Wheat and plain white bread are safe for your dog to consume unless he/she has an allergy to wheat. Remember that not all bread is safe. Some bread includes toxic ingredients that should not be given to your pet.
The most harmful ingredient is raisins. Raisins are toxic and usually found in bread as well as other baked products.
Some dogs are more vulnerable to raisins while some are less. But the fact remains they even a few raisins can cause issues. Make sure to keep raisin bread out of their reach.
Another toxic ingredient that needs to be kept away from them is garlic. Your pet may be tempted to eat the garlic bread, but it can create a lot of health issues like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weakness.
A few breads that are healthy for humans like bread with nuts and seeds are harmful to your pet. Nuts cause stomach irritation and pancreatitis.
Xylitol is another toxic ingredient for pets. This ingredient is not great for humans too. It is commonly found in sugar-free chewing gum and some brands even use it in baked goods as well as peanut butter.
If you feed your pet any food item which has xylitol, it can be toxic and you will have to see the vet immediately.
Can dogs drink milk with eating white bread?
Yes, dogs can drink little milk with a small bite of white bread. Make sure you do not overdo this or your pet may end up with diarrhea.
Can nursing dogs eat white bread?
Yes, but in moderation. When not consumed in moderation, white breads may lead to an upset stomach, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration.
Dehydration is very dangerous in nursing dogs, as the puppies may not survive without their mother’s milk. So make sure you are not over-feeding your pet white bread.
Can puppies eat white bread?
Yes, healthy puppies can eat white bread in small quantities. Ensure that they are not allergic to wheat or any other ingredient in the bread.
Can old dogs eat white bread?
Yes, old dogs can eat white bread in small quantities. If your pet is allergic to wheat or any other ingredient in the white bread, then the dog may have stomach problems which could be worse because of his/her age.
Conclusion
We hope to have helped you understand if you should feed plain or white bread to your dog. Ensure to consider various health conditions before feeding them bread. Also, understand the ingredients used to make the bread and if they suit your dog or not.
Know the list of ingredients that are toxic for your dog and ensure to read the ingredient list before feeding him/her bread. If your dog accidentally eats toxic ingredients, note down the symptoms and take him/her to the vet immediately.
