Can dogs eat moldy bread?
In this dog blog, we will answer the major question, “Can dogs eat moldy bread?” we will also discuss the major threats of consuming moldy bread for your dog, how your vet can diagnose mycotoxin poisoning in your dog, and how you can prevent this type of poisoning in your dog.
Can dogs eat moldy bread?
No, dogs cannot eat moldy bread. Moldy bread has fungus on it which can cause mycotoxins poisoning in your dog. Mycotoxins are the products of the fungus on the bread. It can affect the gastrointestinal tract and the brain of your dog and can prove fatal for your dog.
What are the threats of consuming moldy bread for your dog?
Following are the major threats of consuming moldy bread for your dog:
Compromised liver in your dog
The first thing is that mycotoxins attack the liver of the body. The liver is the principal organ of the body. It performs many functions such as the production of proteins and antibodies that will protect the body from harmful pathogens in the body.
When there is an entry of mycotoxins into the body, it attacks the liver of the body which can lead to jaundice. If you would check the mucous membrane of the eye, you would see a yellowish color of it. This means the liver is compromised.
Moreover, the immune system of the body is also affected due to the compromised liver in the body. This makes the body vulnerable to all other opportunistic pathogens in the body of your dog.
Following are the clinical signs of the compromised liver in the body:
- Decreased appetite
- Jaundice
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Swollen abdomen
- Weakness
- Edema of the body
Stomach upset in your dog
The next thing is the stomach upset in your dog. Stomach upset is a mild problem and is due to the indigestion of the mold bread in the stomach and the intestine of the body.
Following are the major clinical signs of stomach upset in your dog:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
Dehydration could be a problem for your dog and if it is not treated in time, it can lead to severe hypovolemic shock and death of your dog.
Nervous signs in your dog
The next organ that is affected by the mycotoxins in moldy bread is the brain. Molds pass the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain which can affect the normal functioning of the body.
Following are the major clinical signs of brain damage in your dog:
- Seizures
- Tremors
- Confusion
- Imbalance
- Convulsions
It will take time to develop nervous signs in your dog because the brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier and it is very difficult for a pathogen to pass it.
How can you prevent your dog from eating moldy bread?
You should dispose of the moldy bread and cover the garbage properly so that your dog doesn’t go there and eat it. Moreover, you can also give proper nutrition to your dog to overcome this.
Conclusion
In this dog blog, we entertained our important question, “Can dogs eat moldy bread?” we also covered the major threats of consuming moldy bread for your dog, how your vet can diagnose mycotoxin poisoning in your dog, and how you can prevent this type of poisoning in your dog.
References
https://wagwalking.com/condition/moldy-food-mycotoxins-poisoning
https://www.aspca.org/news/animal-poison-control-alert-dangers-moldy-food
