Who doesn’t love a big, fluffy slice of warm bread? We certainly do - it’s one of our heavenly treats -, and so do our four-legged friends at home. Most dogs love bread, and many cats seem to like its taste, as well.
So you might wonder if you can throw a little piece of bread to your feline friend every time they meow for a bite. The answer may vary depending on the type and amount of bread and treat-giving frequency. But if you remember properly, cats are carnivores, so they don’t need bread in their diets. The best approach is always to stick to their cat food and treats and not giving them our delicious bread.
Is bread bad for cats?
Bread is one of the “terrifying” carbs in the human food pyramid. We hate to love it so much, and sometimes we may ingest a little bit more than we should. But when it comes to giving our fellow purry friends bread, that’s a different story, in which no exaggeration should take place.
Bread contains virtually no fat or protein, both essential in a cat’s diet - protein in a higher degree than fat -, and it’s an excellent source of carbohydrates that our felines don’t require in high quantities. Carbohydrates are macronutrients that the body breaks down into sugar and uses as energy.
As you can tell, bread is the opposite food of what a cat truly needs in their diet - it’s more of a source of empty calories and doesn’t have any nutritional value for them.
We cannot stress this enough: cats are carnivores, which means they get their nutrients from only animal sources. Bread is generally made of grains, water, salt, sugar, and yeast so it’s not particularly healthy for them. But some cats can be addicted to bread, and the taste of yeast is thought to be the main reason for that - although there is not much scientific evidence that corroborates that assumption.
Also, the presence of sugar doesn’t abide well for your cat’s oral health. Normally, sugar is the result of the body breaking down the carbohydrates in bread, as we mentioned before. Added sugar can be even worse because it will attract the not-so-friendly bacteria to your cat's mouth, causing plaque and tartar and leading to tooth decay and gum disease.
But is it harmful to cats? The short answer would be “no.” Bread is not technically toxic to our feline friends - at least if it’s plain -, but some types may cause more harm than others.
When can bread be unsafe for cats?
In (very) small quantities and once in a while, you can give a little cube of plain baked bread to your bread aficionado. Focus on baked and plain because the less cooked the bread is, and the more seasoning it has, the more harmful it is for your cat.
We don’t know a single person who doesn’t like garlic bread. And while it’s one of the most delicious treats we can have, never offer your cat garlic bread. Bread seasoned with garlic or onion is considered toxic to cats, resulting in clinical signs that include vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, discolored urine, weakness, liver damage, allergic reactions, asthmatic attacks, and contact dermatitis in case of skin exposure. Bread toppings like butter and peanut spread are not healthy for your cat, and chocolate can be extremely toxic to them, so keep your felines away from them.
Moreover, never offer bread dough to your feline friends, as it contains active yeast. Yeast produces alcohol (in the form of ethanol) and carbon dioxide that can cause serious health issues to your cat. The alcohol will be absorbed into the bloodstream and lead to alcohol toxicosis, causing seizures and respiratory failure. As it happens on our countertops, raw bread dough can expand inside your cat’s stomach, which will distend and cause dangerous digestive issues, like bloating, excessive gas, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is not only uncomfortable for your little feline, but it can also reveal itself as fatal. If you suspect that your cat might have eaten bread dough, talk immediately to your vet.
Additionally, overfeeding your cat with tasty loaves - or any other carbohydrate-rich food - may cause health problems like gastrointestinal issues and weight gain, resulting in diabetes and obesity. Bread can also be incredibly filling for cats - one slice making up one-fifth of a cat’s daily calorie intake. This will not only not provide them with the nutrients they need, but it will also keep them full and without any “space” in their (very tiny) stomachs for a proper nutritious meal.
When can I offer bread to my cat?
You can offer your cat tiny portions of white-baked bread once in a while - it won’t harm them, and it’s especially useful when you need to administer medication. But before using bread to disguise an unwanted pill, talk to your vet, and follow their recommendations.
But our advice is to always stick to regular cat treats! These products have been formulated especially for our feline friends for many years and by people who know what cats really want and what’s safe for them. And the best part is that these cat treats come in the most delicious flavors that are definitely more appealing to your cat than bread.
While bread is not toxic to cats - at least plain baked loaves -, it’s not technically healthy for your four-legged friends. Bread doesn’t contain sufficient nutrients, like protein and fat, to cover your cat’s daily dietary requirements. On the other hand, it contains increased levels of carbohydrates, which shouldn’t be a part of your cat’s diet.
But if your cat is as “breadaholic” as their humans - don’t lie to us -, indulge them with an occasional fresh-out-of-the-oven treat - just make sure it’s as occasional and plain as it can be.