Can dogs eat bread?

Updated 19/04/2024

With bread at the heart of so many diets around the world and sitting as the staple of our breakfasts, lunches, and sometimes dinners, too, you might have wondered - can dogs eat bread? Well luckily for your own furry loaf of bread, it's safe for dogs to try a small morsel of bread, as long as it doesn't contain any ingredients toxic to dogs or that your pup is allergic to. But (and this is a big caveat), bread offers no nutritional value to dogs, and could be bad for their health if fed frequently or in large amounts. For more on bread and dogs, below find answers to some of the most popular questions pet parents have on the topic.   

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Is bread poisonous to dogs?

So can dogs eat bread and experience symptoms of toxicity, or is bread just an unhealthy choice for our canine companions? Well luckily for your pup if they've just nabbed a morsel of bread from the table, it shouldn't cause too many issues unless it is topped with a toxic ingredient.  

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Is bread good for dogs?

So can dogs eat bread and get any nutritional benefits from it? Sadly no. Bread is safe for dogs to try (so long as they don't have a wheat allergy and it's served completely plain), but it doesn't add any sort of nutritional value to their diet. In fact, your furry friend will be getting all of the nutritional value they need from the dog food you're feeding them. Doggy dinners made specifically for your canine companion will be formulated for their age, size, and sometimes even their breed. So what does this mean for your dog's bread intake? Well like with any food fit for us humans, it means it's simply not necessary for your furry pal.

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Is bread bad for dogs?

If you're thinking - my dog ate a large amount of bread: what do I do - you should get in touch with your vet as soon as possible. While a small bite of plain bread won't do your pup any harm (that's if they don't have a wheat allergy, of course), more than two slices of bread in any one meal is a cause for concern. The bread swells in the stomach and causes bloating and severe pain in the belly.

When it comes to eating a healthy amount (i.e. a small morsel for curious pups to try), bread isn't going to do any harm. Just be sure to stick to very small amounts such as a quarter of a standard-sized slice of bread Bread is high in carbohydrates leading to unnecessary extra weight gain in your doggo. If your pooch has a medical condition such as diabetes or is on a prescription diet for weight loss, steer clear of sharing bread with them, no matter how persuasive those puppy dog eyes might be.

And if your pooch is in tip-top health and you're curious to find out if they enjoy the taste of bread, be cautious about the flavored kinds - these often contain ingredients toxic to dogs like garlic, chocolate chips and xylitol (a sweetener that's highly poisonous to dogs). 

So, if you're wondering - can dogs have bread or is it simply too bad for them, consider your pup's health and any allergies first and foremost, and only share the odd plain morsel very infrequently.

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Feeding your dog bread

So, now we’ve tackled the question - can dogs eat bread - let's explore some of the most commonly asked questions by pet parents like you on safely feeding dogs bread below. 

Can dogs eat sourdough bread?

Unless your pooch has a wheat allergy, sourdough bread is a good, plain choice for dogs - just never feed raw sourdough to dogs as this can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and bloating.   

Can dogs eat rye bread?

Rye bread is perfectly safe for your pup to try, so long as they don't have a wheat allergy and it is fed in small amounts.

Can dogs eat wheat bread?

For dogs with wheat allergies, obesity or any other health problems, avoid feeding them 'people food', and instead stick to the diet suggested by your vet.

Can dogs eat white bread?

Plain white bread is unlikely to cause any harm to your pup but remember that bread of any kind doesn't add any nutritional value to their diet.

Can dogs eat toast?

So long as it's plain, a small bite of toast shouldn't do your pup any harm.

Can dogs eat multigrain bread?

We advise you to avoid sharing multigrain bread with dogs - it can often contain seeds and even nuts that can be calorific and sometimes toxic to dogs.

Can dogs eat bread and butter?

Butter is of course very high in fat which means it can cause tummy upsets. Only feed in small amounts such as a leftover crust, and if your dog has pancreatitis, say clear of butter altogether.

Can puppies eat bread?

Whilst a small amount of bread fed to a puppy won't cause a great deal of harm, it's important to remember that puppies are growing rapidly and need the very best nutrition to fuel their body and growth. Therefore try and stick to their puppy food as much as possible. 

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Other bread products

So can dogs eat bread in other forms? What about the British classic - bread and butter pudding? And can dogs eat croissants? The rule of thumb when sharing 'human foods' with dogs is to take them on a case-by-case basis, checking for any ingredients that are either toxic to dogs such as raisins, or simply unhealthy. That's why we'd avoid treats like croissants and bread-based desserts - they're seriously high in fat which, while delicious for us humans, is bad news for dogs.

If you are ever unsure about whether a bread-based item is safe for dogs, call your dog's vet for a quick chat and some friendly advice, they will be only too happy to advise on safe feeding options for your dog. 

Other foods that are safe for dogs

All of this talk about dogs and bread might have you curious about the other foods safe for dogs to try - so what 'human' foods can dogs eat? Take a look below to get started.

• Blueberries
• Tomatoes
• Sweet potato

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.