Is raw bread dough poisonous to cats?
Yes, raw bread dough is poisonous to cats. Yeast-based bread rises or expands because of the reaction between yeast and flour, which causes the release of carbon dioxide. If a cat ingests unbaked bread dough, it continues to rise in their stomach and can cause several problems:
- If the cat has eaten a large amount of dough, it can expand so much it can block the gastrointestinal tract (food bloat).
- The dough produces carbon dioxide gas, which can cause a gas bloat, painfully expanding the stomach.
- The yeast produces ethanol, which can cause alcohol poisoning.
What are the signs of bread dough poisoning in cats?
Cats that have eaten bread dough may show several signs, including:
- A bloated or tense belly
- Vomiting or retching
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
- Trouble walking, including stumbling or acting drunk
- Abnormal crying or whining
- Blindness
- Low heart rate
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Coma
What should I do if my cat eats bread dough?
If you think your cat has eaten bread dough, immediately contact your veterinarian, their recommended emergency clinic, or Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison center, at 1-800-213-6680. The sooner you seek treatment, the better chance your cat has of fully recovering. Do not attempt to induce vomiting at home, as it can be fatal to cats.
What is the initial treatment for a cat that has eaten raw bread dough?
The best treatment is to remove the bread dough from the stomach, preventing the onset of poisoning.
- If raw dough was recently ingested and your cat has no signs of poisoning, a veterinarian may give your cat medication to make them vomit the dough. Attempting to cause vomiting at home is not recommended as it may cause severe and potentially life-threatening damage to the stomach.
- Your veterinarian may recommend an abdominal X-ray and blood glucose testing before inducing vomiting.
If your cat is showing signs of poisoning, your veterinarian may recommend testing, including:
- Blood tests
- Abdominal X-rays
- Blood ethanol levels (available at more specialized laboratories)
If bread dough poisoning is confirmed and there is still dough in the stomach, your veterinarian may recommend additional treatments.
What ongoing treatment is needed for a cat with bread dough poisoning?
Many cats with signs of bread dough poisoning will need to be hospitalized so the effects can be managed. Treatment includes intravenous fluids, supportive medications, ongoing professional monitoring, follow-up bloodwork, and X-rays. Surgery is needed if the stomach or intestines are obstructed by the volume of expanded dough.
What is the prognosis?
If not treated, raw bread dough ingestion can be fatal. If the ingestion is caught quickly and treated, the chance of recovery is excellent.
How can bread dough poisoning be prevented?
If you’re a bread baker, keep your raw dough is kept somewhere your cat cannot access it, like a proofing drawer or oven.
Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center based out of Minneapolis, MN, is available 24/7 for pet owners and veterinary professionals that require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The staff provides treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals, and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s per-incident fee includes follow-up consultations for the duration of the poison case. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680. Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com
