Can My Dog Die From Eating a Whole Loaf of Bread?
The unfortunate answer to this question is “yes.” It’s not what’s most likely to happen; as mentioned above, even if your dog does chow down on an entire loaf, they’re more likely to develop mild to moderate symptoms treated relatively easily with your vet’s consultation. However, as mentioned above, bloat can sometimes develop into GDV, and GDV can be deadly.
GDV occurs when the stomach fills with gas to such an extent that it twists in on itself, preventing blood flow to the heart and rest of the body, sending the dog into shock and resulting in heart stoppage. Within hours, a dog can die.
GDV is complex, and veterinarians aren’t quite sure exactly why the stomach twists. We do know that some factors increase a dog’s risk of GDV: deep-chested breeds tend to have a higher risk, for example, as do dogs who only eat one large meal a day and dogs who have a history of GDV in the family. But because gastric dilatation and volvulus can kill a dog so quickly, suspected cases of GDV require immediate intervention: according to Dr. Jeff Grognet, GDV causes death in 30% of cases, even if the dog is brought promptly to the vet.
Most dogs can eat a whole loaf of bread and recover within days. However, if your dog appears to be in distress or if they’re particularly at risk for developing GDV, take them to a veterinarian immediately; your quick action could save your dog’s life.
Should I Worry If My Dog Ate a Loaf of Bread?
If your dog ate an entire loaf of bread, it’s important to be vigilant, especially for the first 48-72 hours.
Some dogs, particularly larger dogs, can eat a whole loaf of bread without suffering any gastrointestinal issues. If your dog is eating, drinking, and behaving normally, they’re likely not in any danger. Keep a close eye on them for the next few days, but don’t worry too much.
Some dogs, however, can develop symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, dehydration, or vomiting. An entire loaf of bread would be difficult for many humans to eat; a smaller dog, with its smaller stomach, will have an even harder time. Additionally, because a dog’s digestive system keeps food in the stomach for longer than the human gut does, it takes longer for the dog to digest. Combine that with the high level of air and carbohydrates found in bread, and you have several complicating factors, each of which can lead to discomfort for your poor pup.
If your dog seems uncomfortable, or if they start exhibiting any unusual gastrointestinal symptoms, call your veterinarian. Your vet will ask you questions about your dog’s size, breed, weight, and current symptoms in order to offer a personalized treatment plan. Depending on your dog’s size or symptoms, they may recommend inducing vomiting, withholding food for 24 hours, or keeping them to a regular fluid intake schedule.
In many cases, your dog will be able to recover comfortably at home. However, bloat can lead to gastric dilatation and volvulus (also known as GDV or gastric torsion). GDV is life-threatening, and some dog breeds, such as deep-chested breeds like Great Danes and Irish Setters, are particularly susceptible. If your vet recommends bringing your dog in, do so immediately—and if your vet isn’t open, don’t wait until the next day. Take them to an emergency clinic stat.
Otherwise â if he just ate tons of bread, there is nothing you can do to aid his digestion. He may just need more time. Make sure that he eats, drinks and acts normally. If you have concerns, call your vet. Some dogs will vomit after over eating so he may solve the problem for you.
I’d recommend that you call your vet â tell them how much your dog weights, when he ate it, if he ate the wrapper and how much he ate. They can guide you on if you should worry. For example â if the ingestion was recent (within 2 hours) and he ate the wrapper â they may have you induce vomiting at home to get it out of his stomach.