When it comes to baking, many people think chocolate, raisins or macadamia nuts are the only dangers to our furry friends. What you may not realize, is that raw bread dough also presents a great risk if our pets ingest it.
If you too were picking up new hobbies during the pandemic, you may have some sourdough starter and rising dough on your counter. We all know the joy of making fresh baked bread, bagels, cinnamon rolls, or pizza crust for ourselves and our friends and family to enjoy. Although these yummy creations are tempting to leave out on your countertops while they rise, this poses a great threat if you have any furry friends at home. Raw dough contains yeast, which is a little microorganism that helps the dough rise. Unfortunately, this yeast thrives in a warm, moist environment like the stomach. If the raw dough is ingested by your pet, it will continue to rise in their stomach creating a veterinary emergency.
Raw bread dough is a two factor poisoning risk. The rising dough can cause the stomach to become overly full, or dilated, and even twist. You may know this emergent condition as bloat, or commonly in veterinary medicine referred to as a gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV). GDV compromises the blood supply to the stomach and can cause your pet to go into shock. Secondarily, while the dough is rising, yeast ferments producing ethanol (alcohol) as a byproduct. Similar to humans, alcohol can cause a slew of clinical signs such as drowsiness, unconsciousness, and incoordination. Our pets are much more susceptible to the effects and can also experience blood sugar crashes, seizures, lung and heart compromise, coma, and death from ethanol poisoning.
It is pertinent that if your pet ingested any amount of raw bread dough containing yeast that you seek veterinary attention immediately. Even if they begin vomiting at home, the secondary effects from the alcohol production are a huge risk to your pet. Round-the-clock monitoring, ECG, and intravenous fluids are vital to your pet’s recovery, and often the prognosis without treatment is grave.
Eliminating the risk of raw dough ingestion by your pet will ensure your baking endeavors remain enjoyable without a trip to the emergency room. Keep your rising dough products out of range of your pets, such as in a closed microwave or oven. Keeping the dough on elevated surfaces may not be enough, as often cats and dogs can make their way onto countertops for what they think will be a tasty treat.
If your pet ingests any amount of raw, yeast-containing dough, contact Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661 and seek veterinary care immediately.
Written by Arieanna Murley, Pet Poison Helpline DVM Student Extern, Iowa State University Class of 2025 and Samantha Koch, CVT, Pet Poison Helpline Representative II
