Can dogs be given bread and what is the best way to feed them?

Every dog ​​breeder is familiar with this situation. A kitchen, a mistress, a dog with pitiful eyes, begging for some delicacy from the table, and, of course, many feel sorry for the pet, it seems that he is not eating up, and a piece of bread or a sandwich with butter flies in his direction from the table. But rarely does anyone think about whether it is possible to give dogs bread, and what effect it can have on the health of the pet.

And now let’s take a closer look at the dog’s digestive system and its difference from the human gastrointestinal tract.

The dog is a predator, and unlike humans, amylolytic enzymes that can break down carbohydrates are not secreted in its saliva. Their development begins only at the moment of the first collision with carbohydrate food, so the animal’s body adjusts itself to cohabitation with a person. The length of the intestine also differs, in predators it is shorter. As a result, they need more easily digestible foods that do not cause undue stress on the digestive tract.

The dog got the stomach from the wolf, has elastic walls and is able to stretch, acquiring a volume of up to 2.5 liters. Gastric juice consists of pepsin, enzymes, water and a small percentage of salts. Under the influence of pepsin, which works more efficiently in an acidic environment, meat and even bones swell into the stomach, and food is prepared for assimilation. And in the intestine, which is 1/3 in relation to the body, there is a further assimilation of food, which lasts about 15 hours.In humans, the intestines are 1/8 longer in relation to the body, so in humans the complete process can take twice as much time.

And still there are times when the dog gets a slice of fragrant bread or a delicious cracker. This is valid at certain points.

1. As a reward for the work done, which was spent energy. It is better to give in the form of crackers, only this way it will not harm the health of the pet.
2. Also, the use of bread is justified in the winter for street (aviary dogs) and stray animals. For the latter, perhaps bread will be a salvation.
3. Rusks will be useful for teeth, due to its porous structure, stale bread will help remove plaque.
4. And rye crackers contain lysine, which positively affects the immunity of the animal.

That's all the good things that bread carries. But there are negative ones that you need to know about. When this product is abused, the dog can earn certain diseases.

1. Obesity. Bread is a high-energy product, if it is given, it is necessary in small quantities. The most important thing is to always control the amount of carbohydrates in the diet, especially in sedentary pets, as this is fraught with obesity and related diseases of the joints and heart. Here it is necessary to take into account pedigree features, for example, Labrador, Pug, Chinese Crested, French Bulldog are predisposed to weight gain, bread is contraindicated for these breeds.
2. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Digestion of bread is accompanied by additional energy costs of the body and an increased burden on digestion and other organs. Bakery products, especially if in excess, can cause disorders or constipation.
3. Allergic reactions. They are accompanied by swelling of the paws, redness of the auricles, combs on the skin. Allergies are most often caused by bakery products with raisins, sesame seeds and other additives. Here at risk are the following breeds: Cocker Spaniel, Bulldog, Mittelschnauzer, Dalmatian, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter.
4. Sweet pastry can provoke caries and diabetes.

Puppies can be given rye crackers and bran bread from 3-4 months as an encouragement. During maturity, puppies are usually highly active and require additional energy sources, especially during training. Bread for puppies does not carry other additional functions, therefore, if necessary, you can replace it with cereals, which will be a source of carbohydrates. For pregnant dogs, the use of bread is acceptable, but when choosing, be sure to carefully study the composition. Suitable black rye bread and no additives.

Based on all these features, we can conclude that the dog can give bread, but there are certain rules that must be followed:

• do not give bread every day;
• if the pet has a weakness for bakery products, use them only as an encouragement;
• breeds and sedentary pets that have a predisposition to obesity, it is better to exclude flour products from the diet;
• to eliminate bread from the diet is necessary and aging animals;
• In no case should you give moldy bread, even if you peel it;
• sandwiches with butter and various sauces can cause diarrhea;
• bread made from yeast dough is hard to digest in the pet’s stomach;
• fresh bread is also not suitable for nutrition and can cause fermentation processes in the gastrointestinal tract, which can provoke colic;
• Do not give the dough to the pet, this can lead to serious consequences, even death.

At the moment, there are a large number of recipes for making bread with various components. On the shelves in stores there are a wide variety of baking options. Some of them are suitable for dogs.

• In the diet, you can use crackers made from rye or grain bread. Stale bread is easier to digest from a pet.
• In food, biscuit cookies are also suitable. True, in small quantities.
• You can use toasts, only not very fried and without using all kinds of pastes and sauces.
• You can please your beloved pet with a homemade cake made from rice or oatmeal using vegetables. The dough should be kneaded in water.

There are pastries that are not recommended for the animal. This list includes certain products.

• Products from yeast dough. They can cause stomach fermentation, bloating and gas production.
• Bread with additives - onions, garlic. It can cause irritation of the gastric mucosa. In addition, onions and garlic contain a substance that damages hemoglobin, which carries out oxygen transfer in the body. This can lead to anemia and poisoning.
• Corn and Soy Bread hard to digest and can cause vomiting and upset bowel
• Muffin with chocolate, raisins, jam, nuts, jams and other sweets at first the pet will like it, but in the process of digestion it will cause heaviness in the stomach and pain. And chocolate is poison for the dog.
• Fried flour products home cooking is also unacceptable to use.

It may also happen that the pet stole the bread or someone unknowingly treated it with an undesirable treat. In this case, do not panic. Provide the animal with sufficient water and observe the pet for several hours. At the slightest sign of poisoning, vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea, use zoonorm or enterosgel. With diarrhea, a hungry diet is indicated for 12 to 24 hours. With constipation, an enema will help.

After weighing the pros and cons, you can decide for yourself whether to give your dog bread or not. But keep in mind that visiting a nearby pet store, you can find goodies that will be much more useful and safer for your pet and will easily replace bread. And remember, no matter what delicacy you choose, it should not exceed 10 percent of the daily diet.

About what you can’t feed the dog, see the video below.