Can Dogs Eat Sourdough Bread? 3 Dangerous Things
Here’s a shocking fact: dogs can eat sourdough bread. But before you start feeding your pet doughy treats, make sure he’s healthy first and that there are no health issues.
“Can Dogs Eat Sourdough Bread?” is a question we get all the time. The answers aren’t always as obvious as we might think they are, but it does seem that some dogs can eat sourdough bread. However, there are many other dangers out there that you might not have considered when baking up a batch of that delicious bread. Let’s take a look at three of them.
Here are 3 dangerous things about sourdough bread that you need to know about:
What is Sourdough Bread?
All you need to make a basic loaf of sourdough bread is a few common pantry items. Natural live yeast and flour are the only ingredients in this mixture. It all starts with a sourdough starter, which uses live yeast to give the bread its distinctive tang.
Flour and water are mixed and let to ferment for several days to produce the starter. The live yeast and lactic acid bacteria in the flour can now be added to the bread dough after roughly five days of leavening.
This is because sourdough bread has more protein, vitamins, and probiotics than regular bread, which is why it is better for you.
Red blood cell formation and metabolism are aided by the presence of elements such as iron in this supplement. Additionally, it contains selenium, which is beneficial to the immunological system.
B vitamins, which are abundant in sourdough and essential for healthy neurological system and metabolism, are also present in large amounts.
When it comes to increasing your protein consumption, sourdough bread is an excellent option because it contains more protein than an egg.
As an added bonus, it possesses prebiotic and probiotic-like properties that aid in the absorption of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
Antioxidant properties of sourdough’s lactic acid bacteria help keep the body healthy.
Can dogs eat sourdough bread?
There’s little doubt that dogs can devour just about everything they can get their teeth into. Is it a good idea?
No, because the yeast is a healthy microbe that aids in the rise of sourdough bread baking.
Dogs’ stomachs and digestive systems can get bloated as a result of yeast, according to a veterinarian in Oologah, Oklahoma.
Is Sourdough Bread Safe for Dogs?
Can dogs benefit from the higher nutritional value of sourdough compared to other types of bread?
sourdough bread, like other types of bread, is not toxic to dogs if they do not have an allergy to wheat and cornmeal.
Bread should also be taken in moderation since it provides calories but not much nutritional value. A dog’s unique diet should not be substituted with human food, such as sourdough bread.
In a nutshell, sourdough bread may be fed to your dog in tiny portions. Avoid making it a habit, though.
When it comes to food and treats, knowing what’s in the bread and your dog’s tolerances will be helpful.
Is Sourdough Bread Bad for Dogs?
Have you ever fed a hungry dog by hiding it under the table? Alternatively, have you allowed him to sample some of your food or maybe complete your entire meal?
It’s a kind gesture, but many items, including fruits, vegetables, and even bread, are harmful to dogs. Sourdough bread is terrible for dogs, but why? Find out here and get the answer and the reasons why.
Dogs and Bread: Is Sourdough Bread Bad for Dogs?
Sourdough bread, as it turns out, is hazardous for dogs. Furthermore, if the bread was uncooked—meaning that your dog ate raw dough—the situation might be considerably more dire.
According to Lou Anne Wolfe, DVM of Will Rogers Animal Hospital in Oklahoma, “It includes yeast and may bloat in their gastrointestinal tract.”
Don’t freak out if your dog eats a piece of freshly made bread. It’s not horrible, but it shouldn’t become a routine. When it comes to dog food and treats, it helps to know what’s in the bread and what your dog can tolerate.
Top Concerns of Sourdough Bread and Dogs
Bloat
If your dog eats sourdough bread, “like many human meals, one possible problem is that it might grow in your dog’s stomach and cause bloating, discomfort, and vomiting,” Banfield Pet Hospital’s senior manager of medical quality development, Dr. Jo Ann Morrison, explains.
Dogs can suffer from bloating, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). When the stomach is overflowing with gas, it twists violently, producing excruciating discomfort and even death in certain cases. Other problems that might arise include diaphragmatic stress, dead tissue, twisted spleen, and obstructed circulation to the heart.
Signs of Bloat in Dogs
The symptoms of bloat or gastroesophageal reflux are:
- There is a bulging belly.
- Drooling
- Pace or agitation
- I’m unable to throw up
- Slobbish spit.
- Breathing that is fast or shallow
- Additional focus on the intestines
Call your veterinarian right away if your dog exhibits any of these symptoms. If your vet needs more information about what your dog last ate, be prepared to provide it.
Alcohol Poisoning
It’s not only bloat that may be caused by the yeast in sourdough bread. In dogs, yeast fermentation can lead to alcohol production. Then, it enters the body’s circulatory system.
Dr. Morrison warns that sourdough digestion might result in the production of alcohol, which is harmful to dogs.
When it comes to a dog’s ability to be affected by alcohol, his size, health, weight, and the amount of food he eats all come into play. Blood sugar, body temperature, and blood pressure all decline as a result.
Signs and Symptoms of Canine Alcohol Poisoning
Dogs may show the following signs of alcohol poisoning:
- Disorientation
- Staggering
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tremors
- Ataxia or loss of bodily movements
- Difficulty breathing
Preventing Problems with Pups and Bread
Even if dogs don’t suffer from food allergies, they shouldn’t consume too much bread, just like humans. Bread allergies, such as a wheat allergy, can induce gastrointestinal distress even if the bread contains only one element, such as yeast.
There’s little nutritional benefit in bread, thus it’s not vital to include it in a healthy diet. Dogs can become obese if they consume too much bread of any sort.
In order to avoid bread-related issues, adhere to the following guidelines:
- Refrain from feeding your dog sourdough bread.
- Dogs should not be fed uncooked dough.
- Dogs should not be left alone around food.
- Ask your guests not to feed your dog human food while they are at your home.
- Always keep an eye on your dog during celebrations, since he may steal food from the table or accept it from well-meaning visitors.
- Keep an eye out for food allergies in your dog
Dogs are known for their voracious appetites, but they also like participating in their owners’ activities. If your dog is prone to begging, put him in a different room while you eat to keep him from pestering you.
Keep dog snacks or some of his kibble on available while you dine. To avoid a problem, give him these snacks instead of your own meals.
Generally speaking, dogs are better off if they eat less human food. Dogs’ diets and food are designed to provide them with the best possible nutrition and health.
Treatment for Sourdough Digestion
Any of the above-mentioned symptoms in your dog should prompt a trip to the nearest veterinarian facility to rule out any other possible causes.
Your dog’s weight, size, and how much they’ve eaten all play a role in how effective the treatment your physician recommends will be.
In any case, the following is a list of therapy possibilities:
Yeast fermentation can be slowed down by giving your dog lots of cool water to drink. To help your pet’s stomach, you can use this method.
If your vet decides to help your dog vomit the hazardous dough, they can either induce vomiting or let him or her do it on their own.
“Stomach pumping” or “gastric lavage” is the most used term for this procedure. Vets typically use this procedure to remove poisons from your pet’s stomach.
If your pet’s stomach is stuffed with dough, the vet will surgically remove it. Keep in mind that this is extremely unusual and occurs only under really dire circumstances.
As a last resort in cases of animal alcohol poisoning, a medication called yohimbine is used: These dogs are exceedingly unwell, either unconscious or suffering from severe respiratory depression, and the drug acts by boosting respiration and activating the central nervous system..
Prior to trying to extract the dough from your pet’s esophagus, it is advisable to treat your animal for alcohol poisoning first.
Prevention and Keeping Your Dog Safe
To this day, dogs remain a man’s best buddy. Ignore their countless attempts to go through your garbage, eat what you just cooked, or dig holes in your rapidly failing vegetable garden.
If you value your dog’s well-being, here are some suggestions for keeping him safe while you prepare your favorite bread.
1. Keep rising dough out of reach
Since rising the dough might take up to an hour, it’s not practical to keep an eye on your dog while he waits impatiently for the right moment to leap up and grab it.
Keep it up and out of the way. I recall my dog leaping onto our kitchen bench and landing on it with all four paws. Kitchen benches are not high enough. Window sills and cupboard tops are good places to start.
2. Be mindful of what your dog can and can’t eat
As I mentioned before, it’s a gradual process as you and your puppy grow up together.
I don’t intend to imply that you should study up on pet food safety every time you are unclear whether or not your pet can eat a particular kind of food.
3. Be extra careful around holiday seasons
I can sympathize with the stress of the holidays when your home is crammed with family members and children. By keeping an eye on your pet, you may alleviate some of the stress and save a trip to the clinic (and an expensive holiday-rate vet bill).
If your pet likes to sniff about the kitchen while you cook, it may be better to keep them outdoors in the backyard.
In the end, dogs may eat baked sourdough in moderation — it’s safe. However, white bread or wheat bread would be the greatest choice if you truly want to feed them bread.
The yeast in an undercooked bread dough can cause mild to severe illness.
It’s always best to call your local veterinarian if you find yourself in a scenario where your dog manages to get into the kitchen while you’re looking away for a split second.
Professional medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment are not meant to be substituted by this information. If you have any concerns or questions about your pet’s health, always see your veterinarian.
So, Should You Give Sourdough Bread to Your Dog?
Small amounts of sourdough bread can be fed to your dog if he or she is not sensitive to wheat, cornmeal, or other forms of grain.
Bread is not a substitute for a dog’s specific diet, because it just adds calories without providing adequate nutrition.
Don’t offer children these meals on a regular basis. Make sure you know what’s in the bread, as well as your dog’s food and treat tolerances.
Find out whether your dog can eat various varieties of bread, such as multigrain, rye, and pita bread. Moreover, should you give it bread crusts to feed to your dog?
What Types Of Bread Can Dogs Eat?
The following is a list of common breads and whether or not they are safe for dogs to consume.
Can Dogs Eat White Bread?
Yes, this is the safest kind to give your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Wheat Bread?
Wheat can cause allergic responses in certain dogs. Before giving your dog wheat bread, we recommend that you conduct an allergy test at home to ensure that your dog does not have any allergies. If not, then it’s fine to consume a modest amount.
Can Dogs Eat Rye Bread?
As well as rye and wheat bread, dogs with no wheat allergy can consume tiny amounts of this bread.
Can Dogs Eat Banana Bread?
What about banana bread for dogs? Xylitol, a sugar replacement present in some baked products, is a concern if you feed your dog banana bread as a treat. Toxic to dogs, xylitol is exceedingly dangerous. Small quantities can induce low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure and even death for your dog..
Corn syrup may be found in breads with additional sweeteners, and your dog’s dental health, weight, and risk of diabetes are all exacerbated when he consumes an excessive amount of the sweet substance.
Conclusion
Dogs can eat sourdough bread, and they love it. But, there are 3 dangerous things that could cause them to choke on a piece of sourdough.
These dangers include large pieces of bread, bread with bones, and bread that has not been baked long enough. Sourdough bread is a healthy alternative to store-bought bread, and it’s actually great for dogs because it contains a lot of good stuff like vitamin C and fiber.
However, even though they enjoy eating this bread, it’s not the most ideal food for them, so it should only be offered as an occasional treat.
FAQ
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