Can Dogs Eat Bread? Raw Dough Dangers and Holiday Bread Safety

Bread is on the table at almost every holiday meal: dinner rolls, cornbread, stuffing, garlic knots, and loaves of pumpkin and banana bread. It is also one of the easiest foods for a dog to steal from a plate or the counter. So if your dog just swiped a roll, or is staring at your sandwich, you are probably wondering whether bread is safe.

The short answer: yes, most dogs can eat a small piece of plain, fully baked white or wheat bread. But bread offers your dog very little nutrition, some breads contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, and raw yeast bread dough is a true emergency. Here is what veterinary and pet health sources say, plus which holiday breads to keep out of reach.

Can Dogs Eat Bread?

Yes, in moderation. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says plain white and wheat bread are generally safe for dogs to eat, as long as they do not have allergies, and that bread usually does not cause stomach upset. Feeding a little bread now and then will not hurt a dog who eats a complete and balanced diet and gets plenty of exercise.

PetMD, in an article reviewed by a veterinarian, agrees that a typical piece of white or wheat bread is not toxic to dogs and that eating a little here and there will not hurt them. PetMD also reminds owners to check with a veterinarian before giving any new people food, since what is fine for one dog may not suit another, and dogs on prescription diets should not get food or treats outside that diet.

Is Bread Good for Dogs?

Not really. Bread is not dangerous in small amounts, but it is not a health food for dogs either. The AKC describes bread as essentially a filler food that does not contain any nutrients your dog is not already getting from their dog food. PetMD says bread does not give dogs much nutrition and, because it is full of carbs, there is really no reason to feed it.

Calories are the bigger concern. PetMD warns that eating bread regularly over time can contribute to obesity or even diabetes in dogs. The AKC adds that bread is high in calories and has a high glycemic punch, so if you share, keep the pieces very small. If your dog is already carrying extra weight, our tips to help your dog lose weight are a better place to start than the bread basket.

The Biggest Danger: Raw Bread Dough

Holiday baking season is when this risk matters most. A baked slice of bread is fine, but raw dough made with yeast is dangerous for dogs.

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center explains that yeast dough can rise and cause gas to build up in a pet’s digestive system. That can be painful and can make the stomach bloat and potentially twist, which is a life-threatening emergency. The yeast also produces alcohol in the stomach, so raw dough can lead to alcohol toxicity as well.

PetMD, citing the Merck Veterinary Manual, describes the same problem: the warm, moist environment of a dog’s stomach makes the dough keep rising. That can cause bloat, which can lead to gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), and the fermenting dough can cause alcohol intoxication.

Signs of bread dough toxicosis listed by PetMD and the AKC include:

• Dry heaving and a swollen, bloated belly
• Weakness and decreased activity
• An unsteady, drunken walk or poor coordination
• Disorientation
• Low body temperature
• Seizures or coma in severe cases

PetMD says that if your dog eats any yeast-based bread dough, you should call your veterinarian and get to an emergency vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms. While rolls are rising on the counter this season, keep them well out of reach.

Breads and Ingredients to Avoid

Plain bread is rarely the problem. What is mixed into it often is. PetMD says to keep your dog away from breads that contain any of the following:

• Raisins. The AKC calls raisins (and grapes) highly toxic and notes that even a few can cause problems. The ASPCA says grape and raisin exposure can lead to kidney damage. Read more in our guide on whether dogs can eat grapes.
• Garlic and onion. The ASPCA warns that onion, garlic, and chives can cause gastrointestinal irritation and red blood cell damage that can lead to anemia.
• Xylitol. This sweetener shows up in some baked goods. The ASPCA says xylitol can cause low blood sugar and potentially liver damage.
• Chocolate. Chocolate chip breads and muffins are off the table. See our article on dogs and chocolate for why.
• Nuts. The AKC says macadamia nuts are the biggest nut danger, and even other nuts and seeds can cause stomach irritation and pancreatitis because of their fat content.
• Nutmeg. PetMD lists nutmeg as a toxic ingredient that commonly shows up in spiced holiday breads.

PetMD also suggests avoiding breads with large amounts of butter, salt, or sugar, even though those ingredients are not toxic.

Holiday Breads: Which Are Safe?

Here is how common seasonal breads stack up, based on PetMD’s guidance and the ingredient warnings above:

• Plain dinner rolls. A small bite of a plain, fully baked roll is generally fine. Skip rolls brushed with garlic butter.
• Stuffing. Most stuffing recipes are built on onion, garlic, herbs, butter, and broth, and some add raisins or nuts. Given the ASPCA’s warnings about onion, garlic, and raisins, stuffing is one holiday side to keep away from your dog.
• Garlic bread. No. PetMD says garlic is toxic to dogs, and many recipes also contain onion.
• Pumpkin bread. No. PetMD notes that while pumpkin itself is dog-safe, pumpkin bread commonly contains nutmeg. If you want to share pumpkin, our guide to pumpkin for dogs covers the plain, safe way to do it.
• Banana bread. No. PetMD says banana bread often contains sugar, raisins, macadamia nuts, or nutmeg.
• Gingerbread. No. PetMD says gingerbread has a lot of sugar and often contains nutmeg.
• Sourdough. PetMD says a small piece of completely baked sourdough should not harm your dog, but raw sourdough can cause serious health problems.

Bread is rarely the only temptation at a holiday meal. Before you share anything from the table, check our guide on whether dogs can eat turkey.

What to Do If Your Dog Ate Bread

PetMD says a dog who snatches a slice of sandwich bread, a piece of pita, or another fully baked bread with no toxic ingredients should be fine. A dog who eats a whole package of buns might have some mild stomach upset.

Call your veterinarian right away if your dog ate:

• Any amount of raw yeast dough
• Bread containing raisins, garlic, onion, xylitol, chocolate, macadamia nuts, or nutmeg
• Stuffing or another dish with toxic ingredients

You can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. The ASPCA suggests noting how much your pet ate before you call.

Is Bread Good for a Dog With an Upset Stomach?

You may have heard that bread can settle a dog’s stomach. The AKC says this may sometimes be the case, but a better option is a bland diet of rice and boiled chicken, or better yet, calling your veterinarian for advice.

How Much Bread Can a Dog Have?

Keep it small and occasional. Because bread adds calories without much nutrition, the AKC recommends feeding only very small pieces at a time. Plain, fully baked white or wheat bread with no toppings is the only kind to share, and dogs with a wheat or grain allergy should skip it entirely. If you are not sure whether bread fits your dog’s diet, ask your veterinarian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat white bread?

Yes. PetMD says plain white bread is safe in small amounts unless your dog has a wheat allergy.

Can dogs eat wheat bread?

Yes. PetMD says plain wheat bread is safe in small amounts for dogs without a wheat allergy.

Can dogs eat stuffing?

It is best to avoid it. Stuffing usually contains onion and garlic, which the ASPCA says can damage red blood cells, and it may also include raisins, nuts, butter, and salt.

Can dogs eat bread dough?

No. The ASPCA and PetMD both warn that raw yeast dough can cause dangerous bloating and alcohol toxicity. Call your vet immediately if your dog eats any.

Can puppies eat bread?

Bread offers little nutrition for growing puppies, who need a complete and balanced puppy diet. Ask your veterinarian before sharing any people food with a puppy.

The Bottom Line

Dogs can eat bread, but they do not need it. A small bite of plain, fully baked white or wheat bread is generally safe for dogs without a wheat allergy, while raw yeast dough and breads made with raisins, garlic, onion, xylitol, chocolate, nuts, or nutmeg can be dangerous. This holiday season, keep rising dough, stuffing, and spiced breads out of reach, and if your dog gets into something risky, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center right away.

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