Have you ever tried feeding your dog bread? Perhaps you’ve watched them polish some leftover scraps of ordinary bread, and while that might’ve been harmless, you’re probably considering a healthier snack, like sourdough bread. If you’re wondering whether your dog can have sourdough bread, then stick around, because the answer might surprise you.
Table of Contents
- What Is Sourdough Bread?
- Is Sourdough Starter Bad For Dogs?
- Is Sourdough Bread Safe For Dogs?
- What Happens When Dogs Eat Sourdough Bread?
- What Type of Sourdough Bread Is Safe For Dogs To Eat?
- Oat/Pumpkin Sourdough Dog Biscuits
- So, Can Dogs Have Sourdough Bread?
- Can Dogs Have Sourdough Bread – FAQs
What Is Sourdough Bread?
Sourdough bread is a type of naturally leavened bread that requires natural yeasts to rise. It is made with the simplest ingredients including flour, water, and a sourdough starter. It is leavened with a culture of wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria.
The sourdough bread dough has a long fermentation process which inevitably enhances its unique flavors, making it tastier and more digestible.
Is Sourdough Starter Bad For Dogs?
Yes. Raw sourdough starter is extremely dangerous for dogs, which is why you must not allow your dog to eat any uncooked sourdough starter.
The sourdough starter is a lot like raw dough, which is also extremely harmful to dogs. Since the starter is fermented it will continue to ferment once ingested, therefore producing alcohol, and causing increased harm to your dog.
That being said, a sourdough starter is perfectly safe when added to dog treats, as they will be cooked thoroughly before being consumed by your dog.
Is Sourdough Bread Safe For Dogs?
Similar to regular bread, sourdough bread isn’t toxic to dogs, as long as they’re not intolerant to wheat and cornmeal.
While sourdough bread contributes to the nutrients in a human diet, this isn’t the same for dogs. Which is why you can feed your dog a small amount of sourdough bread, without making it a huge part of their diet.
What Happens When Dogs Eat Sourdough Bread?
Dogs are very different from humans, so despite sourdough bread having an incredible nutritional profile, it doesn’t always benefit our small furry friends.
Here are some of the potential dangers to dogs eating sourdough bread:
Bloating
Unbaked sourdough bread dough can increase in size in your dog’s stomach, and cause immense bloating and pain.
The dough rises in your dog’s body, filling its stomach with gas, causing unbearable pain, and leading to deadly conditions as it progressively worsens.
Some of the signs of bloating in dogs can include:
- Drooling
- Distended belly
- Foamy saliva
- Rapid or shallow breathing
- Agitation or vomiting
- Extra attention to the stomach
- Unable to vomit
If your dog has any of these symptoms, then consult your vet immediately.
Alcohol Poisoning
During the fermentation process, ethanol is produced, with less than 2% remaining after baking.
However, if the bread isn’t baked properly, consuming sourdough bread can cause alcohol poisoning in dogs.
The alcohol is absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream, causing a drop in its blood sugar, body temperature, and blood pressure. This will depend on the dog’s size, health, and weight.
Here are some signs of alcohol poisoning:
- Tremors
- Ataxia or loss of body movements
- Disorientation
- Staggering
- Difficulty breathing
- vomiting
- Diarrhea
Wheat Allergy
Both grains and wheat are essential to your dog’s diet, however, if your dog has been diagnosed with a wheat allergy, then you shouldn’t be feeding sourdough bread to them.
Nevertheless, wheat allergy in dogs is pretty rare, so don’t abandon the grains altogether because of a simple assumption. Instead, talk to your vet about your fears, and let them advise you on whether your it is safe for your dog to eat meat, dairy, or wheat.
Some dogs are allergic to wheat as gluten is hard to digest, and even 30% of humans can’t seem to digest it properly.
Cornmeal Allergy
Sourdough bread is often dusted with cornmeal. Corn isn’t part of the dog diet, and many dogs find it hard to digest.
Many dogs can potentially develop an allergy after repeated consumption of cornmeal.
Here are some of the symptoms to look out for:
- Coarse coat
- Ear infections
- Flaky or itchy skin
- Weight problems
If your dog has experienced any of these after eating sourdough bread, then consult your vet immediately.
You can always switch out your grains for a grain-free or gluten-free alternative.
Symptoms of Wheat Allergy or Celiac Disease In Dogs
Gluten, wheat allergy, and celiac disease are pretty much the same things. If your dog has a wheat allergy and happens to eat sourdough bread, it could develop some serious symptoms.
The most common symptoms of wheat allergy in dogs are skin problems such as:
- Hives with itching
- Scratching and biting
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing
- Foot chewing
- Ear infections
What Type of Sourdough Bread Is Safe For Dogs To Eat?
Classic sourdough bread made with whole wheat flour or any other type of flour can be fed to a non-allergic dog in moderation. Your dog can safely consume homemade sourdough bread, with the addition of nutritious ingredients, such as bananas.
What Type of Sourdough Bread Should Dogs Not Eat?
Sourdough bread is generally safe for your dog to consume, apart from those with these ingredients:
- Raisins
- Nuts and seeds
- Garlic and onion
- Spices
- Artificial sweeteners
So if you want to make my sourdough recipes such as wild garlic sourdough or cheesy sourdough, do NOT give it to your pup!
Oat/Pumpkin Sourdough Dog Biscuits
Since it’s relatively safe for dogs to consume sourdough bread in moderation, why not take this opportunity to whip up some delicious sourdough discard dog treats? You can use up some of that extra sourdough discard, and customize these treats with anything you fancy!
Ingredients
- 113g oat flour
- 113g whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 3 tbsp. pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp. each pumpkin or sunflower seeds, flax seeds, ground chia seeds
- 1 cup of low-fat milk, or any plant-based milk
- 1 egg
- 113g sourdough starter
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl
- Mix the milk and egg in a medium-sized bowl, and stir in the pumpkin puree, and the starter.
- Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the liquid and mix. The dough should be dense but fairly sticky, so add more flour or liquid wherever necessary.
- Drop a tablespoon of dough onto the baking sheet, leaving a small gap between each biscuit.
- Wet a fork and lightly press down each biscuit.
- Bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
So, Can Dogs Have Sourdough Bread?
Providing your dog doesn’t have any type of wheat allergy, then they can consume sourdough bread in moderation. Ensure the bread is cooked well, so that your dog doesn’t end up extremely poorly.
Can Dogs Have Sourdough Bread – FAQs
What Happens If My Dog Eats Sourdough Bread?
While sourdough bread isn’t necessarily harmful to dogs to consume, you should make sure that the bread isn’t uncooked, otherwise, your dog could end up with a distended stomach.
How Much Sourdough Bread Can A Dog Eat?
When consumed in moderation, sourdough bread won’t harm your dogs. Though some dogs have wheat allergies and are sensitive to grains.
What Kind Of Bread Can Dogs Eat?
Dogs can safely eat bread the same way as humans can – in moderation. Plain white and wheat bread are generally safe for dogs to consume, as long as they don’t have any wheat allergies.
Is Sourdough Bread Good For Dogs With Diarrhea?
Not entirely. While sourdough bread might be good for humans, it isn’t the same for dogs. You see the fermentation process is what gives sourdough its unique properties. This can also be toxic to dogs and could lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing.
Oat/Pumpkin Sourdough Dog Biscuits
Why not take this opportunity to whip up some delicious sourdough discard dog treats? You can use up some of that extra sourdough discard, and customize these treats with
- Total Time: 0 hours
Ingredients
- 113g oat flour
- 113g whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 3 tbsp. pumpkin puree
- 1 tbsp. each pumpkin or sunflower seeds, flax seeds, ground chia seeds
- 1 cup of low-fat milk, or any plant-based milk
- 1 egg
- 113g sourdough starter
Instructions
- Mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl
- Mix the milk and egg in a medium-sized bowl, and stir in the pumpkin puree, and the starter.
- Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the liquid and mix. The dough should be dense but fairly sticky, so add more flour or liquid wherever necessary.
- Drop a tablespoon of dough onto the baking sheet, leaving a small gap between each biscuit.
- Wet a fork and lightly press down each biscuit.
- Bake for 45 minutes to an hour.
Notes
Never feed your dog raw sourdough starter. Remember to only give these treats in moderation!
- Cook Time: 45 mins – 1 hr
