Andy Montoya
Dogs can safely consume bread and cheese, but only in moderation and provided they don't have any allergies. Bread dough, on the other hand, is dangerous for dogs as it can cause alcohol toxicosis. Some types of bread, such as those containing raisins, garlic, or nuts, can be toxic to dogs and should be avoided. Cheese is high in fat, and while it can be a good training tool, feeding too much cheese to dogs can lead to weight gain and obesity. It is recommended to feed dogs low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese.
Is bread and cheese bad for dogs?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can dogs eat bread? | Yes, but only in moderation and as an occasional treat. |
| Types of bread that are safe for dogs | Plain white, wheat, rye, and brown bread. |
| Types of bread that are toxic to dogs | Bread dough, bread with raisins, chocolate, nuts, cinnamon, garlic, onions, seeds, and other baked goods. |
| Nutritional value of bread for dogs | Bread has no nutritional value for dogs and is high in carbohydrates. |
| Can dogs eat cheese? | Yes, but only in moderation. |
| Types of cheese that are safe for dogs | Low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, and soft goat cheese. |
| Types of cheese that are toxic to dogs | Cheese with herbs or other products toxic to dogs, such as garlic and onions. |
| Nutritional value of cheese for dogs | Cheese contains protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins. |
| Health risks of cheese for dogs | High-fat content can lead to weight gain, obesity, and pancreatitis. Some dogs may be lactose intolerant or have adverse reactions to cheese. |
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What You'll Learn
Bread dough is toxic to dogs
While bread is not toxic to dogs and can be fed to them in moderation, bread dough, on the other hand, is toxic to dogs. Bread baking has quickly become a popular hobby, but with the rise in homemade bread, there has also been an increase in bread-related pet consumption calls to the ASPCA Poison Control Center.
The process of bread-making involves giving the dough time to rise (proof). While proofing dough may not look appetizing to humans, pets like cats and dogs might find it appealing. It is important to keep the dough away from pets, even as it rises, as ingestion of raw dough can be fatal to pets.
When yeast ferments the sugars in unbaked dough, it produces carbon dioxide gas and alcohol. The carbon dioxide gas is what makes the bread rise. However, the alcohol produced is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in alcohol poisoning. This can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature. In severe cases, intoxicated animals may experience seizures and respiratory failure.
Dogs' stomachs provide the optimum conditions for dough to rise. The yeast in the dough continues to make it rise, even in the dog's stomach, distending the dog's stomach and releasing toxic levels of ethanol into the bloodstream. The pressure of the rising dough can mimic and cause bloat, but the real danger is from alcohol toxicosis, which can be fatal.
Therefore, it is important to keep pets away from bread dough and immediately call a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.
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Plain white or wheat bread is safe for dogs
Plain white or wheat bread is generally safe for dogs to eat, but only in small amounts as an occasional treat. Dogs can safely eat bread in much the same way as humans—in moderation. Bread is not toxic to dogs, but it is a filler food that contains no nutrients not already supplied by their dog food. It is high in calories and carbohydrates, so it can cause weight gain and obesity-related diseases like diabetes if given in large quantities.
Dogs with wheat or grain allergies should avoid bread, but most dogs tolerate it in small amounts. If your dog is allergic to wheat, they may experience stomach discomfort from eating bread. Bread dough is also unsafe for dogs to eat, as the warm, moist conditions of their stomach provide an ideal environment for the dough to rise, which can cause bloating and release toxic levels of ethanol into the bloodstream. Bread with additives such as raisins, garlic, seeds, chocolate, nuts, onions, cinnamon, and dried fruits can also be toxic to dogs and should be avoided.
If you want to feed your dog bread, plain white or wheat bread in small quantities is the safest option. However, it is important to remember that bread has no nutritional value for dogs, so it should not be a regular part of their diet. There are other foods, such as vegetables, lean meat, and fruits, that can provide your dog with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy.
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Cheese can be a good training tool for dogs
While bread is generally safe for dogs to consume, it is not very nutritious and can lead to weight gain. It is best to give dogs bread in moderation, as an occasional treat. Bread dough, however, is dangerous for dogs to consume as it can cause alcohol toxicosis.
Cheese, on the other hand, can be a great training tool for dogs, especially puppies. It is often used by trainers for dogs that are treat-motivated. Cheese contains protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins. It is also a good way to conceal pills for dogs that require medication. However, cheese should be fed to dogs in moderation as it is high in fat and can cause weight gain and, in extreme cases, pancreatitis. It is also important to note that some dogs can be intolerant of cheese and may have adverse reactions, especially if they are lactose intolerant.
Low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese are good options for dogs. Goat cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium, and it has a low lactose content, making it suitable for dogs with dairy sensitivities. Cottage cheese is also packed with vitamins and minerals and is lower in lactose, reducing the risk of intestinal upset.
Therefore, while bread may not be the best treat option for dogs due to its lack of nutritional value, cheese can be a good training tool when given in moderation, especially low-fat varieties that offer some nutritional benefits.
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Cheese should be fed to dogs in moderation
While cheese is a great source of protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins, it is probably best fed to dogs in moderation. Cheese is high in fat, and feeding too much to your dog regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Even more problematic, it could lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs.
Some dogs can also be intolerant of cheese, and while cheese contains little lactose when compared to whole milk, dogs with severe lactose intolerance may have adverse reactions to cheese, even in small quantities. Therefore, it is better to feed your dog low-fat cheeses, like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese. Goat cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium and has a low lactose content, making it great for those with dairy sensitivities. Cottage cheese is also lower in lactose, thus reducing the likelihood of intestinal upset.
In addition to the problems presented by the high-fat content, some cheeses contain herbs or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic and onions. Therefore, it is always good to double-check the ingredients first. If your dog is fed bread dough or you suspect they have stolen some, call your veterinarian immediately and look out for symptoms of alcohol toxicosis. Bread dough is listed as a food hazard for dogs by the Merck Veterinary Manual. When a dog eats bread dough, the yeast continues to make the dough rise, distending the dog's stomach and releasing toxic levels of ethanol into the bloodstream.
Therefore, while cheese and bread can be fed to dogs, it is best done in moderation and with caution.
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Some cheeses are toxic to dogs
While dogs can eat bread and cheese, this should be in moderation and plain, with no additives. Some cheeses are toxic to dogs, and some types of bread can also be harmful.
Cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and B-complex vitamins. It is also a great training tool, especially for puppies. However, cheese is high in fat, and some dogs can be intolerant. Even dogs that can tolerate cheese should only be fed this treat in moderation. Some cheeses contain herbs or other products that are toxic to dogs, such as garlic and onions. Therefore, it is better to feed your dog low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, cottage cheese, or soft goat cheese.
Goat cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium and has a low lactose content, making it a good option for dogs with dairy sensitivities. Cottage cheese is also lower in lactose, reducing the likelihood of intestinal upset. It also contains a range of vitamins and minerals.
Bread is devoid of nutritional value for dogs and is full of carbohydrates, so it can cause weight gain. Bread dough is particularly dangerous as the yeast continues to make the dough rise in a dog's stomach, releasing toxic levels of ethanol into the bloodstream. The pressure of the rising dough can cause bloat, but the real danger is from alcohol toxicosis. Bread containing raisins, chocolate chips, nuts, onions, cinnamon, seeds, or garlic should be avoided, as these can be toxic to dogs.
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