Is raw bread dough poisonous to dogs?
Yes, raw bread dough is poisonous to dogs. Yeast-based bread rises or expands because of the reaction between yeast and flour, which causes the release of carbon dioxide. If a dog ingests unbaked bread dough, it will continue to rise in their stomach and can cause several problems:
- If the dog 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.
- A gas bloat can cause the stomach to twist, causing blood to stop flowing to the stomach (GDV: gastric dilation and volvulus).
- The yeast produces ethanol, which can cause alcohol poisoning.
What are the signs of bread dough poisoning in dogs?
Dogs 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 dog eats bread dough?
If you think your dog 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 dog has of fully recovering. Do not induce vomiting or give anything orally to your dog unless your veterinarian specifically directs you to do so.
What is the initial treatment for a dog 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 dog has no signs of poisoning, a veterinarian may give your dog medication to make them vomit the dough. Attempting to cause vomiting at home can be dangerous and should only be performed under the guidance of a veterinarian.
- Your veterinarian may recommend an abdominal X-ray and blood glucose testing before inducing vomiting.
If your dog 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 procedures to remove dough, including gastric lavage.
What ongoing treatment is needed for a dog with bread poisoning?
Many dogs 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 in certain circumstances:
- If the stomach bloats and twists (GDV; gastric dilation and volvulus)
- If the stomach or intestines are obstructed by the volume of expanded dough and it can’t be relieved through lavage
Dogs that are severely affected by ethanol released from the bread dough may need to be transferred to a specialty center for hemodialysis to help remove ethanol from the blood.
What is the prognosis?
If not treated, 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 dog 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.
