White bread

What to do

You do not need to do anything if your dog has eaten a small piece of plain white bread. Check the ingredients of what was eaten: if it contained raisins, sultanas, chocolate, macadamia nuts or xylitol, or if it was raw dough, contact your vet straight away.

When to contact a vet: Contact your vet urgently if the bread contained dried fruit, chocolate, macadamia nuts or xylitol, if your dog ate raw dough, or if your dog has a swollen or painful abdomen, is retching without producing anything, or seems drunk or unsteady.

Symptoms to look for

• Wind or bloating
• Loose stools
• Reduced appetite for balanced food
• Weight gain if given regularly

Why

Plain white bread made from flour, water, yeast, salt and a little sugar or oil contains no ingredient known to be toxic to dogs. Veterinary nutrition guidance is that treats and extras should make up only a small part of a dog's daily intake, and white bread is mostly refined starch with little protein, fibre or micronutrient value, so it displaces properly balanced food and adds calories. The real risk with bread is what else is in it. Raisin and sultana breads, chocolate breads, some nut breads and any "sugar-free" bakery product containing xylitol fall under separate dangerous classifications. Raw or rising dough is different again: the yeast ferments in the stomach, producing gas and alcohol, and needs urgent veterinary attention. Some dogs are also sensitive to wheat, and bread can cause wind or loose stools. Importantly, not all bread is the same. This record covers plain white bread only. Bread and baked goods containing raisins, sultanas, currants, grapes, garlic, onion, chocolate, macadamia nuts or the sweetener xylitol are a different and potentially serious risk, and so is raw bread dough, which keeps rising in the stomach. Always check what is actually in the loaf: teacakes, malt loaf, fruit loaf, garlic bread, banana bread and Christmas breads often contain ingredients that are dangerous to dogs.

Safer parts

A small piece of plain, fully baked white bread with no added fruit, nuts, chocolate or sweeteners.

Parts to avoid

Raisin, sultana or currant bread; chocolate bread; macadamia nut bread; any bread or bakery item containing xylitol; raw or rising bread dough.

Preparation

Fully baked and plain. Never give raw dough. Check the ingredient list of any bought loaf or bakery item before sharing it.

How much matters

An occasional small piece is unlikely to cause harm to a healthy adult dog. It should not be given daily, and treats and extras together should stay a small fraction of daily food.

Severity

Low for plain baked bread. High for raisin bread, xylitol-containing bread and raw dough.