Bread is one of the oldest prepared foods in the world. It is liked and consumed by people all around the world and is a basic and important food for a large proportion of the global population.
With bread being such a common food there are many dog owners who wonder if it is safe to give bread to their dogs.
Feeding white bread to a dog is perfectly safe as long as it is not fed too often and only in reasonable amounts. Plain white bread is the best form of bread and it can be fed dry or broken into pieces and added to your dog’s food. Try to choose organic bread with no additives and avoid feeding bread that contains any extras such as raisins, fruit, seeds or nuts.
How much white bread can you give to a dog?
You should remember that bread contains high levels of carbohydrate which can cause your dog to put on weight if he is fed too much.
Your dog should only receive small amounts of bread and this should never be more than about 5% of his daily food intake – so a large breed or more active breed can enjoy more bread than a smaller, docile dog.
The type of white bread that you feed is also important, make sure that it is fresh and has no mould or other growths on it.
Always make sure that the bread is ready for consumption and is cooked properly – bread dough can present health risks to dogs and should never be fed to them.
White bread can settle a dog’s stomach if he is unwell but only ever give small amounts of organic bread and make sure that it doesn’t contain raisins, nuts or seeds.
Are there any benefits of feeding white bread to dogs?
If white bread is given in small amounts, it is beneficial for dogs.
Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of white bread for dogs:
White bread can reduce your dog’s mild abdominal pain. Offer your dog a small amount of white bread, a quarter of a piece of bread usually.
White bread can calm a dog’s upset stomach. The nutrients present in white bread can help to settle a stomach.
Bread is a good source of fibre. This makes it good for dogs with bowel irregularity issues.
Some bread contains a high content of magnesium, omega-3 fatty acid, protein, and iron. These are good for your dog.
What to think about when feeding white bread to dogs
Dogs are like children and they depend on us for everything. It is important to understand that as a dog owner, you are responsible for the health and wellbeing of your dog.
Here are a few things that you must look at before giving white bread to your pooch:
Before feeding your dog with white bread, you need to make sure that he is not allergic to any of the ingredients in white bread.
Remember to control the amount of white bread in your dog’s diet.
You can consult your vet for a better idea of the amount of white bread that you add to your dog’s diet.
Check out the ingredients carefully. The biggest danger comes from added raisins.
Some white breads contain raisins that are highly toxic for dogs.
Some white breads contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener.
It is toxic to dogs and can cause life-threatening issues such as low blood sugar and liver injury in dogs.
Some breads contain nuts and seeds. They are pleasant for humans due to their good taste and health benefits but they can cause problems for dogs.
Excessive intake of nuts and seeds can cause stomach irritation and pancreatitis.
Which is the safest white bread to feed to dogs?
Organic white bread with no added preservatives, sweeteners or other artificial ingredients is the best and safest for of white bread and you should aim to use this is you intend to feed white bread to your dog.
Is white bread good for dogs to eat?
There are better things for your dog to eat than white bread and it probably should not be a regular choice of food or treat,
White bread has no nutritional value to a dog and your dog is much better off having a good quality dog food instead.
Some dogs can have intolerances to wheat or other ingredients in bread and, for these animals, white bread should be avoided.
Final Words
Dogs enjoy the taste of white bread and if the correct type of bread is used then it is safe for dogs to eat.
The key is to offer white bread to your dog in a moderation and to avoid bread that has gone off or is not fully cooked.
Find organic white bread with no additives to avoid any problems.