Can Dogs Eat Bread? Baked Versus Raw Dough

The ASPCA warns that raw yeast dough can rise in the stomach, causing painful bloating that can twist into a life-threatening emergency, and produce alcohol as it ferments. Baked bread does not do this. If your dog ate raw dough, call your vet or a poison helpline immediately.

Check what is in the loaf.

• Raisin and fruit breads, because grapes and raisins are dangerous for dogs.
• Garlic bread and breads with onion or herbs, which the ASPCA lists as harmful.
• Breads with nuts, such as macadamia nuts.
• Sugar-free breads and spreads that may contain xylitol.

Plain bread is mostly carbohydrates. It is not harmful in small pieces, but it is not a good use of treat calories. It may also be used to hide a pill, if your vet agrees.

Do not wait. If your dog may have eaten something harmful, call your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 straight away. A consultation fee may apply, and it is far cheaper than waiting. Extras like this should stay a small part of the day's food. A common vet guideline is that treats and extras make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories. This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Dogs differ by size, age and health, so ask your veterinarian if your dog has a medical condition, is a puppy, or is on a special diet.

Some owners hide pills in a piece of bread. Check with your vet that the medicine can be given with food. Make sure your dog actually swallows the pill, and keep to a small piece.

Bread dough rising on a counter is a classic accident. Keep dough in a closed space or on a high shelf, and do not leave baking unattended when your dog is around.

Signs include a swollen belly, retching without bringing anything up, restlessness, drooling, weakness and collapse. This is an emergency and needs immediate veterinary attention.

A small piece of plain bread, such as a few bites, is the most for a large dog, and less for a small one. Bread is filling and calorie-dense, and offers little nutrition.

Do not use bread as a replacement for meals.

Common mistakes include leaving raw dough on the counter, giving raisin bread, and using garlic bread as a treat. Another is feeding crusts with butter or spreads.

If your dog ate raw dough, do not wait. Call your vet or a poison helpline immediately.

Puppies should not have lots of bread. Seniors with weight or diabetes problems should avoid it. Dogs with wheat allergies should avoid it entirely.

If you are unsure, ask your vet.

Raw bread dough contains live yeast, which makes it rise. In a warm, moist stomach, the dough can expand and the yeast produces alcohol as it ferments. The ASPCA warns that this can cause painful bloating that may twist into a life-threatening emergency, as well as alcohol toxicity.

Baked bread no longer has live yeast, so the risk is much lower. The problem arises with raw dough, pizza dough, and dough for rolls and pretzels left to prove on a counter. Keep rising dough in the oven or a closed cupboard, and shut the kitchen door while baking. If your dog eats raw dough, do not wait for signs. Call your vet or a poison helpline immediately.