Dogs can safely eat small amounts of cooked sourdough bread, but it should only be given as an occasional treat and not regularly. Raw or uncooked sourdough bread or dough is very dangerous for dogs because it can ferment in their stomach, producing alcohol and gas, which can lead to serious health issues such as alcohol poisoning and dangerous bloating. Additionally, sourdough bread is not nutritionally beneficial for dogs and can cause stomach upset or weight gain if fed too often. Dogs with wheat allergies should avoid sourdough altogether. It is also important to never let a dog consume raw sourdough starter or dough.
Key Safety Points:
- Cooked sourdough bread is safe in small quantities.
- Raw/unbaked sourdough dough is toxic and can cause alcohol poisoning and bloating.
- Bread is high in carbs and low in nutrients, so it’s not an ideal regular treat.
- Dogs with allergies to wheat or grains should avoid sourdough bread.
- Watch for symptoms of distress if a dog consumes sourdough, especially raw dough, and contact a vet if needed.
This makes sourdough bread acceptable as a rare treat but not a recommended regular part of a dog's diet.
