Can Dogs Eat Pita Bread?

If you’ve ever eaten Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food, you’ve probably tried pita bread. This bread is a mainstay in these cuisines, and for good reason. It’s a versatile food that can be used in a multitude of ways. If your dog is like most, he wants whatever you’re having! And that includes your pita bread. But should you give them any? 

Can dogs eat pita bread? Is it safe?

Like other kinds of bread, you shouldn’t give your dog large quantities of pita bread. If you want to give him any as a treat, make it a tiny bit on an occasional basis. 

Let’s learn more about pita bread and why dogs shouldn’t eat much of it. And you’ve got to read the ingredient list to ensure your pita bread doesn’t include anything dangerous for your dog. 

Pita Bread Ingredients

Pita bread always contains yeast and flour. If you’re not eating homemade pita bread, it probably contains salt, too. Some pita bread varieties include garlic. Pita bread you find on grocery store shelves may contain artificial preservatives, too. 

Problematic Pita Bread Ingredients 

Dogs Shouldn’t Eat Salt

Eating a lot of salt is very bad for your canine companion. If you let a dog ingest too much food with salt, he could end up with serious health problems. For example, excessive salt consumption may lead to dehydration and even sodium ion poisoning. 

Garlic Is a No-No for Dogs

If pita bread has garlic in it, you shouldn’t give it to your dog. It’s the thiosulfate in garlic that makes it dangerous for your canine companion. If a dog ingests garlic, the thiosulfate may cause hemolytic anemia. 

Understanding Wheat Allergies

Wheat allergy is another reason giving pita bread to your dog may be a problem. As bread contains wheat, you cannot give it to a pooch that has a wheat allergy. If you’re not sure whether your dog has a wheat allergy, talk to your veterinarian before trying to give it any pita bread. 

Can Dogs Eat Hummus? 

As people often eat hummus with their pita bread, you may end up deciding whether your dog can have this tasty food. 

In many cases, you shouldn’t give your canine companion any hummus. That is because many hummus recipes include ingredients that aren’t good for dogs. The only way you should give your dog hummus is if you’ve made it at home and haven’t put anything extra in it. In other words, it should be plain mashed-up chickpeas. 

Beware of gas, though! I know from experience your dog may end up a bit stinky in short order. Keep hummus treats to a minimum. 

Can Dogs Eat Cheese 

Do you eat cheese with your pita bread? I enjoy that combination as a tasty treat, and my dog often begs for a share. Your pooch will be pleased to learn that most dogs can enjoy a little bit of cheese on an occasional basis. 

Start slow, though. If it turns out that your pet is lactose intolerant, it will end up with a lot of gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea and vomiting) if you go overboard with the dairy treats. Another reason for restraint is that too much cheese will make your dog prone to gaining too much weight. 

Can Dogs Eat Lettuce? 

Lettuce is yet another food that we often pair with pita bread. But can your dog eat it? Yes, most types of lettuce are safe for dogs. It’s best to stick with iceberg, arugula, or romaine lettuce. Luckily, these are the most common types.  

Should Dogs Eat Any Kind of Bread? 

It’s best not to give your canine companion any kind of bread. Even if your dog doesn’t have intolerances to the ingredients, bread doesn’t offer any real nutrition to canines. 

We’ve already talked about specific ingredients in pita bread that are bad for canine companions. Let’s talk about some other ingredients often found in bread that will be harmful to your pet. 

Other Ingredients to Avoid 

There are certain ingredients often found in bread that are hazardous to dogs. Carefully read ingredient lists to ensure none of these ingredients are in any bread you give your pet. These include: 

Xylitol

Never offer your pet any food containing xylitol, an artificial sweetener. This chemical is poisonous for canines. 

Chocolate Chips

If you’re like most dog owners, you already know your pet shouldn’t eat chocolate. This food may be a delicious treat for humans, but it’s toxic for canines. 

Nuts

While some kinds of nuts may not harm your dog, you shouldn’t give your pet this kind of food. Some nuts may be poisonous, and nuts are generally choking hazards. Also, nuts are high-calorie and high-fat, and obesity is notoriously unhealthy for dogs. 

Raisins

There is evidence that raisins (and grapes) may lead to kidney failure in dogs. 

Bread May Cause Obesity

It’s the abundance of carbs and calories in bread, including pita bread, that may lead to obesity in dogs. If you ever give your dog bread, make sure it’s a tiny amount. In any case, bread offers very little in the way of nutrition for dogs. 

Of course, bread is just one of the many human foods that can cause obesity in dogs. Avoid giving your pup human food. If you ever do, make it just the tiniest amounts and with caution. 

Why Is Obesity Bad for Dogs? 

Like any other species on the planet, dogs won’t enjoy optimal health if they are overweight or obese. There are several health problems that may come about if you let your pet gain too much weight. 

Inflammation

Having too much fat on the body leads to inflammation, and this inflammation can occur in many different organs and areas. Inflammation, in turn, can make your dog prone to a plethora of health problems. 

Joint Strain

An overweight or obese dog is more likely to develop osteoarthritis. This is probably because of the inflammation and joint strain that extra weight causes. 

Back Pain

If your pet is carrying too much weight, it is more likely to end up with intervertebral disc disease. This is otherwise known as a slipped disc. 

Heart Disease

Heart disease becomes a much greater risk when a dog is overweight and especially if they are obese. 

Lung Problems

Your canine companion is likely to end up with lower respiratory function if it’s overweight or obese. Tracheal collapse is even possible in extreme circumstances. 

Can Dogs Eat Multigrain Bread? 

Some people think that because multigrain bread is healthier for humans, it will be better for dogs too. But the opposite is true. 

Avoid giving your dogs multigrain bread. If your dog has any grain allergies or sensitivities, they are more likely to end up with a reaction if you provide them with this kind of bread. Talk to your veterinarian first if you want to give your dog small amounts of multigrain bread as an occasional treat. 

More Dog Eating Human Food Questions Answered

• Can Dogs Eat Potato Skins? [Potato Poisoning]
• Can Dogs Eat Watermelon? [Is it Safe?]
• Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni?
• Can Dogs Eat Tuna? [Ultimate Guide]
• Do Dogs Get Tired of Their Food?

Final Thoughts 

Dogs can eat tiny amounts of pita bread as long as you’ve checked the ingredients and ensured it doesn’t contain any of the harmful ingredients we talked about earlier. 

Like with any other human food, don’t go overboard with giving pita bread to your dog. It may lead to obesity and other problems.