Bread is a staple food in the human diet and has many nutritional benefits. It is primarily made up of flour, water, salt, and yeast or baking powder. Some types of bread have added ingredients such as vegetable oil, honey, raisins, cinnamon, nuts, seeds, or fruits that make it sweeter and more flavorful.
There are many different types of bread available on the market today. However; not all breads are safe for your dog to eat. Some types contain certain additives that can cause health problems if ingested by your pet along with other foods. These additives are known as ‘red flags’ when it comes to feeding them to your pets who may not be able to tolerate their effects. This article outlines some red flag additives that you should look out for when purchasing any type of bread for your dog
What is Whole Grain Bread?
Whole-grain bread contains a large percentage of whole grains. Whole grains are healthier because they have a variety of important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, protein, and dietary fiber. These nutrients provide the body with essential elements to help maintain health. Some people choose to buy whole-grain bread for their pet because it is higher in nutritional value than other types of breads. However; you should make sure that you’re getting a type of bread that your dog can tolerate before giving it to them. If not, there is a chance your dog will be left feeling unwell or worse after ingesting the food.
White Bread
Some types of bread contain artificial preservatives and food colorings. These additives may cause allergic reactions in your dog that could lead to a range of health problems. The most common additives to avoid with white bread are aspartame and sorbitol which are both sugar substitutes. Artificial colors like red dye number 2, yellow dye number 5, and blue dye number 1 can also cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal issues in dogs.
Yeast Breads
These types of breads can have additives like sugar and butter. Sometimes breads have added ingredients such as nuts, vegetables, or fruits that will cause your pet to experience stomach distress.
Can Dogs Eat Other Bread?
The red flags to be aware of are ingredients such as yeast, milk, egg, and other dairy products. These breads can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea and upset stomachs in dogs who eat them. Other red flags include spices that your dog may not be able to tolerate such as ginger or garlic. To avoid any potential problems with your pet’s health, always make sure you purchase breads that do not contain these ingredients.
Pumpkin Spice Bread:
It is important to avoid these types of bread such as pumpkin spice bread. This type of bread is made with pumpkin puree which has a much milder flavor than the spices but still can upset your dogs stomach.
Apple Cinnamon Bread:
Another type of bread to avoid is apple cinnamon bread. This type of bread has applesauce which is fine for your dog but does contain cinnamon which could cause problems for your dog’s digestion system.
Can Dogs Eat Multigrain Bread?
A red flag ingredient is a component of bread that can cause adverse reactions in dogs. Some breads, such as breakfast cereals, contain red flag ingredients such as wheat, soy, corn and milk. It is crucial to read the list of ingredients on any loaf of bread you are considering purchasing. The most common red flag additives include soy protein, barley flour, molasses, corn meal and others.
If your dog has an allergy to these ingredients or is experiencing side effects such as itching and diarrhea then it’s best to avoid them. Some breads that contain red flags for your pet include raisin bread, doughnuts, and zwieback.
Some other red flag breads to avoid are: raisin bread, doughnuts, zwieback, and any that are high in sugar or fat. If you have a dog with a sensitive stomach or have concerns about an additive in the bread you want to feed them, you should always choose safe options such as low-fat and low-sugar bread. In general, choosing a different type of bread can help your dog’s digestive system stay healthy. Some types do not have additives that may be harmful to dogs. For example: Low-fat and low-sugar bread is the best option for dogs with sensitive digestive systems because it does not contain additives such as yeast or baking powder which can cause bloating and gas problems in dogs.
Other common additives found in bread are: high-fructose corn syrup, arrowroot powder, xanthan gum and malt flour. While these may not sound harmful on their own, if your dog ingests too much of these items over a period of time then it can contribute to clinical signs of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), intestinal distress and pancreatitis. Xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent and is also used to stabilize emulsions in medications such as cough syrups. It can cause gastrointestinal ( GI ) irritation when ingested in large amounts. High-fructose corn syrup is a cheap sweetener that has been linked to an increased risk of obesity and liver disease in dogs. Raisins are high in sugar and are commonly fed to dogs as a treat or toy item due to the flavor being appealing to pet animals. However; raisins can also contribute to the formation or development of kidney disease when fed over long periods of time.
Baking Powder Breads
Baking powder breads can be a big problem for your dog. This bread is made up of a combination of baking powder and fermenting agents that cause diarrhea. The bread usually has a sweet taste to it, which makes it irresistible to many dogs. If you are considering buying this type of bread, make sure you read the ingredients carefully because bakers often leave out the ‘no-no’ ingredients.
FAQ’s
What are the different types of bread?
There are many different types of bread available on the market today. However; not all breads are safe for your dog to eat.
Some types contain certain additives that can cause health problems if ingested by your pet along with other foods. These additives are known as ‘red flags’ when it comes to pet food. Here is a list of red flags that may be present in some types of bread:
1. Alum – this is a common additive used in breads to improve its colour and add an appealing smell. Unfortunately; it may cause gastrointestinal problems if ingested by dogs such as anorexia, nausea, or vomiting.
2. Baking soda – this is also used in breads to improve its flavour and colour. It is also added to breads to allow them to rise faster during the baking process due to its leavening properties. However; it can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting.
3. Boric acid – this is added to breads for its tart flavour and anti-clumping properties. It can be toxic if ingested by your dog in large quantities leading to vomiting, diarrhoea, or heart problems.
4. Calcium propionate – this is used in breads as a preservative as well as a dough conditioner and anti-caking agent. It can be toxic if ingested by your dog leading to vomiting or stomach irritation.
5. Calcium sulphate – this is an ingredient added to some breads as a boneset tenderizer and calcium supplement for pets that are deficient in the mineral (from animal products). It can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs such as diarrhoea or constipation if ingested in large quantities by crating or kenneling them while they are fed their food!
What are the benefits of bread for humans?
There are many nutritional benefits of bread for humans and dogs. Bread is primarily made up of flour, water, salt, and yeast or baking powder. Some types of bread have added ingredients such as vegetable oil, honey, raisins, cinnamon, nuts, seeds, or fruits that make it sweeter and more flavorful.
There are many different types of bread available on the market today. However; not all breads are safe for your dog to eat. Some types contain certain additives that can cause health problems if ingested by your pet along with other foods. These additives are known as ‘red flags’ when it comes to dog food (1). When a red flag ingredient is present, it means that the product may pose a health risk to your pet (2).
Red Flagged Ingredient List:
Red flagged ingredients to avoid in dog food include but are not limited to: brewer’s yeast (which can cause auto-immune disease), artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners (no humans should be consuming lots of these), xanthum gum (may cause intestinal ulcers in dogs), lecithin (may be a carcinogen), tapioca starch (contains antifreeze chemicals) (3).
Conclusion
Different types of breads contain different ingredients that may not be safe for your pets to eat. Some additives are known as “red flags” because they have the potential to cause health problems if ingested by your dog.
