Can dogs and cats eat bread?

Most of the advice we have explored for dogs is also true for cats!

Small amounts of plain fresh bread are unlikely to cause your cat an issue. Too much bread could lead to weight gain and an unbalanced diet, plus it contains little nutritional benefits for cats. Keep bread as an occasional treat rather than an everyday snack.

Let's recap some of those bread specifics again, but with cats in mind:

Can cats eat garlic bread?

No, cats shouldn't eat garlic bread. Members of the allium family, including garlic, onions and chives, are toxic to cats.

Can cats eat sourdough bread?

Sourdough is similar to white bread, so it is ok for cats in small amounts.

Can cats eat seeded bread?

Seeded bread is fine for cats to eat every now and then. The seeds contain extra nutrients, but they are unlikely to be of much significance.

Can cats eat brown bread?

While brown bread is seen as a healthier option than white, you should still only offer it very occasionally.

Can cats eat bread and butter?

It's not recommended to give your cat bread and butter. While they may prefer the taste, butter is calorific and high in fat, which could lead to stomach upsets.

Can cats eat sugar-free bread?

While the artificial sweetener xylitol can be dangerous for dogs, it is less likely to cause issues in cats, with no evidence that it causes toxic effects.

Can cats eat bread containing other ingredients, like raisins?

The toxic effects of raisins are less clear in cats, but don't take the risk. There is some anecdotal evidence that raisin toxicity could still be an issue. You should also avoid breads and pastries containing chocolate or macadamia nuts.

Is bread good for cats and dogs?

Bread isn't considered a healthy dietary choice for cats or dogs. Any potential nutritional benefits are more than outweighed by the excess amount of starchy carbohydrates and calories the bread provides. Some processed breads are fortified with vitamins such as folic acid, which can help stop certain nutritional deficiencies in people, but this isn't a reason to offer it to your pet regularly.

Remember that feeding too much bread will just cause them to gain weight. This shouldn't be an everyday snack.

A note on mouldy bread and raw bread dough

We couldn't miss this opportunity to discuss mouldy bread. This is something you must never feed to your dog or cat. Mouldy bread, nuts, or dairy products could contain harmful mycotoxins, which are poisonous. There are several different types of mycotoxins, but the most common are known as tremorgenic mycotoxins because they cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, tremoring and seizures in affected animals.

Raw bread dough can also cause serious problems. Raw dough can expand in your cat or dog’s warm stomach, leading to signs of bloating and abdominal discomfort. The dough can also start to ferment. This will release harmful ethanol, which will be absorbed into your pet’s bloodstream, leading to symptoms of ethanol poisoning like weakness, lethargy, and collapse.

If your cat or dog eats either raw bread dough or mouldy bread, then contact your vet for urgent advice.

Most vets would recommend sticking to your pet’s normal good-quality pet food, rather than giving any extras. However, if you still choose to offer your pet some bread, only ever give small amounts as an occasional treat, to reduce the risk of weight gain. You must also avoid items with toxic ingredients, so no fancy onion flatbreads, chocolate brioche or fruit loaves!

If your pet accidentally ingests anything that could be harmful, you must contact your vet for immediate advice; don't wait to see if symptoms develop, as this may make the problem less treatable.