Sourdough bread is a nutritious alternative to regular white bread, featuring less sugar and fewer calories than other bread. It is considered to be one of the healthiest forms of bread due to its extensive fermentation process that adds fiber and prebiotics.
Sourdough is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts. Unfortunately, sourdough also contains high amounts of carbohydrates which may lead to weight gain in pets as well as other health issues. So, even though sourdough is considered healthier than white bread, excessive consumption could present risks to dogs. Also, uncooked sourdough can be potentially hazardous if your pup has allergies to wheat or other grains.
If you want to know more about feeding sourdough bread to your dog, continue reading.
What Is Sourdough Bread?
Sourdough is a type of leavened bread made with wild yeast in its starter. This natural leavening process gives it its signature crusty, chewy, slightly tart flavor that sets it apart from other varieties of bread.
It is healthier than white bread as it is made via extensive fermentation. Studies have also demonstrated that sourdough is easier on the stomach than traditional white bread, according to some research.
Sourdough can easily be made at home using only three ingredients: flour, water, and salt. While creating the starter requires several days, even novice bakers can try their hand at this ancient baking method.
This bread is also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals such as folic acid, iron, zinc, and copper that may aid in digestion, reduce chronic disease risk and promote healthy aging.
Is Sourdough Bread Safe For Dogs?
Yes, sourdough bread is safe for dogs when given occasionally in small quantities. It is a nutritious alternative to white bread that provides your pup with protein and antioxidants to support its immune system. Plus, it helps boost their energy levels too.
While sourdough bread can be a tasty snack, it should only be given in moderation due to its high carb content. Eating too much bread may lead to weight gain in your pup.
Sourdough bread contains yeast which can be harmful to your pup. As the dough ferments and produces gasses like ethanol and carbon dioxide, they can lead to bloating or alcohol poisoning.
While most dogs enjoy sourdough, they still have a sensitive stomach and should only be given this treat in moderation. Cooked sourdough should always be given, as uncooked can cause issues with digestion and microflora.
If your pup has a wheat allergy, they should not be given sourdough. This is because wheat contains gluten which some dogs cannot break down.
Why Is Uncooked Sourdough Bread Dangerous For Dogs?
Uncooked sourdough can contain yeast residues which may cause stomach distress and bloating. In some cases, this discomfort is compounded by the ethanol produced during fermentation.
Alcohol Toxosis is another potential adverse effect of uncooked sourdough consumption. This occurs when the starter ferments in your dog’s gut and produces ethanol, which then enters its bloodstream.
The symptoms of alcohol toxicosis in dogs vary based on their size, health, and weight. Common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, lethargy, incoordination, disorientation, dehydration, and low blood pressure.
Most dogs who eat uncooked sourdough quickly recover without long-term issues, but any delay in treatment could lead to more serious consequences. If your pup consumes raw sourdough, be sure to contact either your veterinarian or a 24-hour pet poison hotline right away for assistance.
Top Concerns of Sourdough Bread and Dogs
Sourdough bread can be a welcome treat for your pup, but it should be given with caution due to potential dangers such as bloat, alcohol poisoning, and other digestive issues.
- Bloat
Bloat is a common symptom that may follow eating bread, though this isn’t always due to gluten consumption. Bloating can occur due to phytic acid found in commercial bread, which binds minerals such as iron and calcium, so they’re unavailable for absorption.
Sourdough bread, however, undergoes a long fermentation process that neutralizes this phytic acid, making it easier to digest. However, when your dog consumes sourdough bread in large amounts, it can still suffer from bloat.
- Alcohol Poisoning
Another potential risk of sourdough is that it can lead to alcohol poisoning in your dog due to the ethanol produced during fermentation. When this alcohol enters their bloodstream, they experience a drop in their temperature and blood pressure.
Alcohol poisoning can occur if your dog consumes uncooked sourdough bread. There may be a trace amount of residual alcohol left in the bread after baking, and ingesting large amounts or at frequent intervals could have serious adverse effects on your pup.
- Other Digestive Problems
Sourdough bread is a beloved snack in many households. Unfortunately, sourdough bread can also cause digestive issues for dogs. Bloating and diarrhea are two common side effects that may arise after your pup consumes some.
Your dog may experience symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting after eating sourdough. This is because sourdough contains naturally occurring wild yeasts, which may be difficult for your pup to digest.
- Gluten Intolerance or Wheat Allergy
If your dog has gluten intolerance or wheat allergy, it could experience serious health issues after consuming sourdough bread. This is because fermenting the bread in their stomach may lead to bloating.
When this occurs, your pet can suffer intense pain and discomfort and become violently ill. This is especially dangerous for young puppies as they are still sensitive to foods and may have allergies you are unaware of.
- Yeast Allergy
If your dog has a yeast allergy, it may experience an adverse reaction to sourdough bread. Yeast in the dough is released during fermentation to create bread that has a unique taste. After baking, less than 2% of it remains as alcohol. Signs include rashes, hair loss, dry skin, and stomach upset.
Puppies are particularly susceptible to yeast allergy due to their sensitive stomachs. Therefore, only give your pup small amounts of sourdough bread in small doses.
- Obesity or Weight Gain
Sourdough bread is an excellent source of fiber and lactic acid bacteria for easy digestion. Additionally, it contains iron and selenium, which aid in metabolism enhancement as well as strengthening the immune system.
However, this food may not be ideal for dogs as it contains too many carbohydrates, which could lead to obesity or weight gain in some pets. Furthermore, its sodium and fat content could lead to stomach upset or other gastrointestinal problems in certain pets.
- Allergic Reactions
When your dog consumes sourdough bread, it may develop an allergy to the yeast it contains. At 1400F, most of this yeast will die off; however, a small amount may remain and cause your pup an allergic reaction.
As with all food, your dog should only consume a small amount of sourdough in moderation.
Harmful Ingredients in Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is a beloved type of bread and can be enjoyed in various ways. Unfortunately, certain ingredients in sourdough can be toxic to dogs.
- Raisins
- Nuts and Seeds
- Garlic and Onion
- Spice
- Artificial Sweeteners
How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is bad for dogs because it contains yeasts which may lead to stomach bloat in your pup. Also, the raw dough can be toxic to them.
If your dog loves to munch on sourdough bread, here are some steps you can take to stop them.
- Keep It Out of Reach
To prevent your dog from eating sourdough bread, the best way to keep it away from them is by keeping it out of reach. You can do this by placing the dough on a high shelf or keeping it out of their reach completely.
While this can be challenging for larger breeds, it’s essential if you want to prevent accidental ingestion.
- Store It In The Fridge
Sourdough bread is a staple in many households, but it can be harmful to dogs if consumed too frequently. If your dog is prone to bloating, eating sourdough bread may cause stomach distress due to its tart flavor and fermentation process.
To stop your dog from eating sourdough bread, you must store it in the fridge.
- Keep It Away From Kids
When baking sourdough bread, be sure to keep it away from your kids. They might try to grab a piece of the dough as you work and try to feed it to your dog.
Sourdough bread should not be given to dogs as it can lead to serious health issues. You can also teach your kids to avoid feeding sourdough bread to your dog.
- Never Give Dogs Raw Dough
Though dogs may enjoy getting their paws on some homemade sourdough bread, it is best to keep them away from raw dough.
The yeast that rises in the sourdough dough can cause serious stomach distress and bloat for your pup. If your dog consumes raw dough, it can become intoxicated quickly.
Conclusion on Can Dogs Eat Sourdough Bread
As much as we may want to feed our pup some of our favorite foods, it is important to remember that not all foods are beneficial for them.
Sourdough is one such item you should keep out of their reach. It can cause digestive upset in certain dogs, especially those who already have digestive issues or weak immune systems.
If your pup consumes too much sourdough, it may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting.
If you want to feed sourdough bread to your dog, make sure it is cooked and in moderation.
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