Can Dogs Eat Bread? Toxic & Safe List (Vet-Approved)

This content was reviewed and fact-checked by veterinarian Dr. Aukse Caraite, DVM.

Yes, dogs can eat bread in moderation, and this common food can be safe for most pups when given occasionally. However, before sharing a slice with your dog, there are a few important considerations. While plain white or whole wheat bread is generally harmless for healthy dogs, certain types—like bread with raisins, garlic, or xylitol—can be toxic. What about toasted bread, crusts, or gluten-free options? Can too much bread contribute to weight gain or digestive issues? This guide will explore the benefits, potential risks, and list the safe and toxic bread types that dogs can and can’t eat.

Is Bread Good For Dogs?

Bread isn’t inherently harmful to dogs, but it’s not particularly beneficial either. Plain white or wheat bread can be safe for dogs to consume in small amounts, provided they don’t have any allergies to the ingredients. However, bread offers little nutritional value and is high in carbohydrates, which can contribute to weight gain if fed in excess.

Types of Bread That Dogs Can & Can’t Eat

Safe Bread Options for Dogs

If you choose to share bread with your dog, ensure it’s:

1. Given in moderation: Treat bread as an occasional snack, not a regular part of your dog’s diet. Overfeeding can lead to obesity.
2. Plain: Free from additives like raisins, garlic, onions, nuts, seeds, chocolate, or artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, all of which are toxic to dogs.
3. Fully baked: Uncooked yeast dough can expand in a dog’s stomach, leading to serious health issues like bloating and ethanol poisoning.

Benefits

100 grams (3.5-ounce oz) of white bread contains the following nutrients:

White Bread Nutrition Chart (100g)

Nutrient Analysis

Risks & Considerations Before Feeding Bread to Dogs

While some types of bread can be a safe and nutritious treat for dogs when given in moderation, there are several risks and considerations to keep in mind before feeding it to your canine companion:

Can Dogs Eat Raw Bread Dough?

Dogs should never eat raw bread dough. Ingesting raw, yeast-based bread dough is extremely dangerous and can be life-threatening for dogs due to two primary reasons:

• Gastric distention (Bloat): The warm, moist environment of a dog’s stomach causes the yeast in the dough to ferment and the dough to expand rapidly. This can lead to severe bloating, known as gastric distention, which can compromise blood flow to the stomach wall and other organs, and may progress to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening emergency.
• Alcohol poisoning: As the yeast ferments the sugars in the dough, it produces ethanol (alcohol), which is absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream. This can cause alcohol poisoning, leading to symptoms such as staggering, weakness, hypothermia, seizures, respiratory depression, and even death.

Symptoms of dough ingestion: Signs include vomiting, bloating, disorientation, weakness, hypothermia, seizures, coma, and even death. Immediate veterinary attention is required if raw dough is ingested.

Are Dogs Allergic to Bread?

Risks

The following symptoms may indicate a bad reaction to bread.

What to Do If A Dog Reacts Badly to Bread

Dogs showing worsening symptoms, such as blood in their vomit or stool, difficulty breathing, weakness, or collapse, should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

1. Contact a veterinarian immediately: Even if your dog seems fine, contact your veterinarian or an emergency pet poison hotline right away. This includes services such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661. If you can’t reach your vet, you can chat live with a registered online veterinary professional via our online vet chat or video chat support (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). You can also schedule an at-home veterinary appointment with The Vets, a mobile veterinary service that provides at-home vet care nationwide for just about everything.

2. Gather important information: When speaking to a vet, provide: Quantity consumed (estimate if unsure), time of ingestion, and dog’s weight and breed (to assess potential risk).

3. Follow veterinary instructions: The vet may suggest monitoring at home or emergency treatment at the clinic.

• Keep your dog calm and prevent them from eating anything else.
• Be prepared to transport your dog to the vet quickly if advised.
• Bring any remaining bread or packaging to help the vet assess the situation.

How to Safely Feed Bread to Dogs

When feeding bread to your dog, it’s important to follow a few simple guidelines to keep them safe:

Ways to Feed Bread to Dogs

As with any new food, starting slowly and feeding gradually is recommended to give the digestive system time to adjust. 

How Much Bread Can Dogs Eat?

Treats should only constitute 10% of your dog’s diet, with the remaining 90% coming from well-balanced dog food. This guideline also applies to healthy treats like bread. Below, you’ll find general guidelines for safely portioning bread based on your dog’s weight.

Dog Size	Serving Size	Breed Examples
Extra-small (2-15 lbs.)	¼–½ slice plain bread (torn into small pieces)	Shih Tzu, Yorkies, Chihuahuas, Maltese
Small (16-25 lbs.)	½ slice plain bread	Boston Terriers, Beagles, Dachshunds
Medium (26-60 lbs.)	½–1 slice plain bread	Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Border Collies
Large (61-90 lbs.)	1 slice plain bread	Golden Retrievers, Pit Bulls, Boxers, Labrador Retrievers
Extra-large (91+ lbs.)	Up to 1½ slices plain bread (split across meals)	Bullmastiffs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees

Can Puppies Eat Bread?

Yes, puppies can eat bread, but only in moderation and very small amounts. Since puppies have more sensitive digestive systems, it’s best to start with just a tiny portion—such as a teaspoon of plain, soft bread—to see how they react. Feeding too much bread at once can lead to digestive upset, as puppies’ stomachs are still developing and may struggle to process the carbohydrates and additives in some breads. Additionally, plain bread without any added sugars, salt, seeds, raisins, or preservatives is the best option—avoid flavored bread, raisin bread, or anything with added sweeteners, as these can harm puppies. When introducing bread or any new food, avoid giving multiple new items on the same day so you can monitor for any food sensitivities or allergies. If your puppy experiences digestive issues, introducing only one new food at a time makes it easier to identify the cause. Try offering a teaspoon of soft, unseasoned, plain bread, then wait a few days to observe how your puppy’s digestive system reacts before offering more. Always avoid raw dough and ensure the bread is cut into small, manageable pieces to reduce choking risk.

Alternatives

Here’s a list of alternatives to bread that are just as safe and nutritious.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Bread can be a safe occasional treat for dogs when served plain, fully baked, and in moderation. It’s important to avoid varieties with harmful ingredients like raisins, garlic, onions, or artificial sweeteners. Since bread offers minimal nutritional value, it should never replace a well-balanced diet. Monitor your dog for any signs of allergies or digestive upset, and always introduce new foods slowly—especially with puppies or sensitive dogs. When fed responsibly, bread can be a harmless addition to your dog’s treat rotation.

Whether you’re introducing bread or any new treat, unexpected reactions can happen. Having the right pet insurance ensures you can handle any vet visits with peace of mind. Check out our guide to the best pet insurance plans to keep your furry friend covered in every situation. If you’re looking for other healthy snack options, check out the best dog treats to find safe and nutritious alternatives. And if you’re seeking something more therapeutic to support anxiety, pain, inflammation, or other health concerns, explore the benefits of CBD oil for dogs and CBD dog treats for a natural way to help your pup feel their best.

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