People consume bread on a regular basis. We eat different kinds of bread at any time of the day to fill us up. Multigrain bread is one of them. It’s healthier and it can prevent stroke, heart disease, and diabetes. But have you ever asked yourself, can dogs eat multigrain bread?
Unfortunately, dogs should not eat multigrain bread. Even if it’s good for us, it’s not recommended to feed this to our canine buddies. They will not benefit from eating multigrain bread. Instead, it can cause them more harm than good. So before you give in to those puppy eyes, hold on and discuss this first.
What is Multigrain Bread and Why It’s Bad for Dogs
This type of dough is made of different grains, hence, its name. It can include whole wheat flour, wheat, flax, oats, millet, and barley. Eating multigrain bread is said to be better since it contains dietary fiber. It’s 4x higher than regular white bread. It also contains protein and vitamins.
There are different varieties of multigrain bread. One variety contains flaxseed, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. Other varieties are sourdough and rye bread. Multigrain is different from whole grain. If all parts of the grain kernel, endosperm, germ, and bran, that means it’s whole grain.
If your dog is allergic to wheat or grain, the multigrain bread is no longer considered safe. Although it’s not harmful if the canine doesn’t have any allergies. It’s still not safe to let your dog eat multigrain. Below are the reasons why you should not allow your dog to eat multigrain bread.
1. High-Calorie Content
Generally, bread has a small number of nutrients. It’s not significant enough to improve your dog’s health. It has high-calorie content and multigrain bread can affect the canine’s appetite. A single piece of bread will take up your dog’s entire calorie requirements.
2. Contains Allergens
Like humans, dogs can also have allergic reactions too. They might suddenly have itchy or excessive licking. That means that your dog is having an allergic reaction. That’s why it is not recommended to feed multigrain bread to dogs. They are prone to allergies and other diseases.
3. Harmful Ingredients
Some multigrain bread might have ingredients that can harm dogs. That may contain chocolates and raisins. Those are toxic for dogs but they are good for humans. It’s best to always check the labels to see if it’s gluten-free or not.
Why Dogs Should Not Eat Multigrain Bread
Multigrain bread is not exactly toxic for dogs. However, different varieties contain nuts and seeds. They can cause health problems for canines. For us, nuts and seeds add flavor and texture to the bread. For dogs, it’s not the same story since they have different needs.
Some nuts may be toxic for dogs but others nuts are fine. If they consume a lot, that will cause health issues. Another example is that we can eat salted nuts and also enjoy them. But for canines, it can cause water retention and more complications. Almonds also taste great for us but most nuts will be bad for dogs.
Keep in mind that dogs should follow their dietary requirements to stay healthy. Human foods are amazing for us but not for your furry friend. It should not replace your dog’s diet. Bread doesn’t have many nutrients but it still counts as calories. That can make your pup overweight.
Consult the vet if that’s the case. Being overweight can be a problem in the long run. There should be a diet plan for an overweight dog for his own sake. If multigrain bread is not necessary, don’t give it to your dog anymore. Just enjoy the bread for yourself to avoid having issues.
Toxic Foods for Dogs
The ingredients on the multigrain bread can be toxic for dogs. It’s not just the nut that will affect your pup. Some bread ingredients also contain what dogs shouldn’t be eating. Keep on reading to learn more about toxic foods for
- Raisins
It’s one of the common dried fruits that can be found in bread. Raisins are toxic for dogs. They may not get seriously sick right away. It’s better to hide a bit from them.
- Garlic
This will cause health problems for your pup. It will include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and even pain.
- Chocolate
It’s another toxic food for dogs that a lot of people like. Never give anything with chocolate to your dog. This will be bad for your canine if it accidentally eats some.
Can Dogs Eat Other Types of Bread?
Dogs can’t eat multigrain bread but other bread types are possible. As long as you keep an eye on your dog’s bread consumption. It should only be in small amounts and given as a treat. Stick to plain bread if you want to share it with your buddy. Other types of bread may contain toxic ingredients that can harm the pup.
The extra ingredients for bread are usually nuts. Any type of nuts that are high in fat should not be given to dogs. Raisins, chocolate chips, onion, and garlic are all bad for them. Xylitol from sweet bread should not be fed to your dog. If your dog has allergies, better stay away from bread. Go to the vet immediately in case your pup ate bread with toxic ingredients.
Not just because dogs can eat bread if they don’t have allergies, means that they should. Bread is not good for canines since it doesn’t nourish them anyway. If you must share bread with your buddy, go for the plain type. Make it an occasional treat in small amounts. It should always be given in moderation to avoid dog issues.
Bread doesn’t offer any nutritional value for your canine. It’s not a good food choice for dogs because of that reason. It has a lot of carbs that dogs don’t need. If you want your pup to stay alive longer, stick to a balanced diet. Give the best quality dog food that you will have.
Photo Credits:
Photo by Wesual Click on Unsplash
Photo by Mishaal Zahed on Unsplash
