Pita bread is a staple in many of the world’s cuisines, such as the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It’s a round pocket bread found throughout North Africa and Arabian Peninsulas.
If you enjoy eating pita bread, you probably catch your dog begging for a bite sometimes.
Can dogs eat pita bread? Are there any health risks or benefits to your dog eating pita bread?
Find out now whether pita bread is safe for dogs and what toxic bread ingredients to avoid. We also share the danger of giving raw bread dough to your dog.
What is Pita Bread?
Pita bread is a type of flatbread that is made with wheat. It’s a kitchen staple in most cultures and has become more common over the years in the United States.
It is used in many cultures around the world as a way to eat stews, as it is ideal to scoop up meat or beans. It also makes a great sandwich as you can stuff it with fillings.
Pita bread can hold almost any sandwich filling and can be served hot or cold. You can also top it with stuff and place it under a broiler until the cheese melts to create a pizza.
If you use pita bread to make a sandwich, you’ll save more calories since a 6-⅙-inch piece of white pita bread has fewer calories than ordinary bread.
Pita bread also has a significant amount of protein and carbs, but not enough fiber. Refined carbohydrates can contribute to obesity, abnormal cholesterol counts, and Type 2 diabetes.
This is not only applicable to humans but also to our furry friends.
Pita also contains more than 10% of our recommended intake of B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate. White pita is also high in selenium and other minerals.
Can Dogs Eat Bread?
Bread is high in carbs, so only a small amount is okay if your dog does not have a wheat allergy. Remember, human foods should not replace your dog’s diet.
Overindulging on this snack may result in obesity, which is associated with various diseases. Don’t rely on bread as a full meal for your dog since it is high in calories and low on nutrients.
Avoid Toxic Ingredients
Dogs can also eat bread as long as it doesn’t have the following ingredients:
- Raisins. Raisins are toxic to dogs. Even if the severity varies among individual dogs, it’s best to keep them out of reach of your canine friend.
- Garlic. Garlic can result in abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness to them, so make sure not to give them a bite of your garlic bread.
- Xylitol. This artificial sweetener is poisonous because it may not be completely digested in your dog’s intestines.
- Nuts. Avoid all kinds, especially macadamia, since they may lead to stomach irritation and even pancreatitis.
- Chocolate chips. Chocolate has caffeine and theobromine that dogs cannot metabolize well.
Keep it Well-Baked
Many problems can occur if your dog consumes bread that is not baked yet. Consuming bread dough can result in your dog bloating and experiencing alcohol poisoning.
Bread dough can cause bloating, pain, and vomiting. Gastric dilatation-volvulus, more commonly known as bloating, can be a serious threat to your dog. Since bread dough rises in warm and moist conditions, it can surely increase its size in your dog’s stomach.
As the dough rises in their stomach, ethanol is being produced, causing alcohol poisoning. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and may cause a drop in their blood sugar, body temperature, and blood pressure.
Is Pita Bread Safe for Dogs?
Pita bread is not considered toxic to dogs as long as it does not have the aforementioned toxic ingredients. It is also safe if your dog does not have wheat or gluten allergy.
You can give your dog a small nibble of pita, but don’t do it regularly.
However, if your dog has wheat or gluten allergy, there are better gluten-free options that your dog can enjoy.
You can also switch to a completely gluten-free diet! These Power Bites Soft Chewy Treats from Merrick are available in seven yummy flavors that are great for your dog’s health.
For dog food, try Purina Pro Plan’s dog food that is specialized for canines with sensitive skin and stomach. It contains prebiotic fiber that will support your dog’s gut health and overall well-being.
Gluten is the general name for proteins that are found in wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. It’s what helps your bread maintain its shape.
When giving pita bread to your dog, make sure it is properly baked at high temperatures, about 350 to 475F. The water in the dough turns into steam, causing the pita to puff up and form a pocket.
But despite having fewer calories than other types of bread, don’t overindulge your dog. Eating a large quantity of bread can cause bloating.
If your dog has eaten a huge amount of pita bread, it may be best to induce vomiting by giving them a small amount of hydrogen peroxide that is no more than 15 ml.
Give Them Pita Bread in Small Quantities!
You are allowed to give your dog a small bite of your pita bread unless they are allergic to wheat or gluten.
Make sure to limit their intake and not to do it regularly since human foods should never replace a varied and balanced diet for dogs.
If you notice any sign of allergic reactions, alcohol poisoning, or bloating, speak to your vet immediately.
Most dogs can digest bread but keep an eye on your dog when you give it to them just to be safe.
