 The Short Answer is: |
Bagels are not suitable for dogs. Although your dog can consume plain bagels in limited quantities, it's not recommended to feed them. In addition, many of the ingredients in bagels are toxic to dogs, so they offer little nutritional value. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Bagels?“.
Originally popular among the Jewish communities of Poland the humble bagel has spread all over the world where a variety of varieties are available.
Bagel eaters are especially popular in the Western world with Americans (and New Yorkers in particular) leading the way.
Whenever you prepare a snack or sit down to eat it your dog watches you in anticipation. There is a strong temptation to tear off a chunk and toss it towards those eager drooling jaws. Do you think this is a wise decision?
‘Can my dog eat bagels?’ You might ask. In the case of all ‘human food’ there may be dangers lurking that you’re not aware of.
What Are Bagels?
Almost everyone knows this but just to be clear: a bagel is a round holey bread roll.
They usually have a brown color and a glazed sheen regardless of their appearance. The bread has a satisfying firm chewiness when you bite into it.
During baking the dough is boiled for 60-90 seconds to achieve a glazed appearance.
Among the ingredients in the water are lye (also known as caustic soda or sodium hydroxide) barley malt syrup honey or baking soda.
It is this process that gives the bread its distinctive look flavor and chewiness.
In spite of the fact that spellings vary by country (beigel/baygal etc. ) the root word originates from the German beugel meaning bracelet.
So Are They Bad For Dogs?
In order to answer this question we must first acknowledge that they are not exactly healthy for humans. Thats the truth lets face it. Snacking is one of our favorite things.
Its hard to beat a good bagel for breakfast or brunch especially when its packed with our favorite filler.
We can indulge once in a while as part of a (mostly) healthy diet. The health benefits and nutritional value of this delicious bread are not renowned.
It depends a lot on the bagels themselves to be fair. Its maker or more precisely who made it.
As there are so many brands each with its own processes and ingredients it is impossible to say for sure without checking them all out.
The size is another consideration. Bagels have become super-sized’ with some being twice the size they used to be two decades ago.
A bagel might contain around 600 calories or more depending on what you top it with!
In addition to refined carbohydrates refined carbs contribute to diabetes and other chronic diseases.
This is fine if eaten in moderation. Its okay to have an occasional bagel every now and then. We need to exercise a little more caution when it comes to our furry friends however.
Hidden Dangers Of Human Food
The health effects of these chemicals on humans are well known and they are even more harmful to dogs.
In spite of the fact that a plain bagel consists of trace minerals (iron zinc copper manganese etc.) and that some of them may even contain vitamins they are not suitable for dogs due to their high carbohydrate and gluten content.
As a result of gluten and carbs you will feel sluggish gain weight and become obese which will then lead to other health issues including heart problems.
Bloating gastrointestinal issues itchy skin and even ear infections are all symptoms of gluten intolerance.
Before we get into the added ingredients toppings and fillers all of this is just the beginning!
Different ingredients are used to sweeten some varieties. Here are some of the things you might find inside the average bagel:
- Salt
- Sugar
- High fructose corn syrup
- Molasses
- Cinnamon
- Sucralose
- Canola oil
- Mustard
- Mustard seeds
- Lemon juice
- Poppy seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Garlic/onion powder
- Dried minced garlic
- Tomato paste
There is no end to the list! There is no reason for a dogs diet to include any of these ingredients on a regular basis. Moderation is recommended for some and complete avoidance is recommended for others.
It is possible to become poisoned by sodium ions if you consume too much salt for instance. A safe amount of poppy seeds is not recommended for dogs because they are toxic.
Similarly garlic and onion powder are toxic despite claims to the contrary (very small amounts of fresh garlic may be beneficial to health). A dogs stomach is irritated by citrus juice because citric acid is present in it.
There is a possibility that mustard and mustard seeds can cause gastroenteritis. In addition to being highly processed tomato paste is usually laced with additives including salt.
The consumption of canola oil (and other types of processed oil) is not recommended for dogs.
The consumption of sugar high fructose corn syrup and molasses is never considered healthy regardless of what advice you have been given or what you have seen on the internet. As a result they greatly increase the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Cinnamon is the only ingredient from the above list that we have not examined (though there are countless others).
Unless its in powder form sprinkled on top your poor pooch may get a noseful that will irritate his nasal lining if its in powder form.
What About Toppings And Fillers?
Now that we have seen what dangers lurk within the ingredients we will take a closer look at the ingredients you use to enhance your snack.
Peanut butter is a favorite so it must be safe right? The answer depends on the situation. Its okay to give your dog too much as long as you do not overdo it and check the ingredients first.
You should never feed your dog anything containing the sweetener xylitol. Canines are highly toxic to xylitol and it may even be fatal to them.
How about cream cheese another popular filler? As long as you give your dog very small quantities of this it is okay. It is impossible for dogs to digest dairy foods properly because they lack the enzyme lactase. It is possible to experience diarrhea and vomiting if you consume too much. Sour cream is also subject to the same warning.
There are also a lot of cheeses that are high in fat which can contribute to obesity.
There are very few delicious things that dogs can eat that we stuff our bagels with.
These are a few examples of foods that may make your mouth water but may harm your dog:
- Blueberries — It wasnot enough for me to make the cut for this one. Although they are packed with goodness their high sugar content may lead to long-term health problems. As long as they are used sparingly they should be fine.
- Bacon — A fried and salty treat! I strongly oppose this filler for dogs.
- Salt beef — Salt is more important. The sodium levels of your furry friend should be kept as normal as possible.
- Mustard — There is a possibility of gastroenteritis caused by mustard as mentioned above.
- Grapes (and raisins or prunes) — Its important to know that grapes are dangerous for your dogs health. Anything grape-related should be avoided!
- Pickles — The pickles are not so much the problem as the brine is since many dogs would not eat them anyway because of their sourness.
- Onion — There is no good news for dogs when it comes to members of the allium family. It does not matter whether they’re sliced and raw or fried and crispy across the top of a snack onions will wreak havoc on your dogs digestion. Moreover it destroys red blood cells leaving them susceptible to anemia liver damage and dermatitis.
- Smoked salmon — Contains a lot of salt and may not kill bacteria and parasites through the smoking process. Regardless of whether its smoked or properly cooked if its packed in oil or brine its no good. Choking hazards may also be associated with small bones.
- Mushrooms — We cook mushrooms differently than we do the mushrooms themselves. Though you might see dire warnings about mushrooms being toxic to dogs elsewhere store-bought mushrooms are generally safe. Its the salt garlic powder and sauces we cook them in that can cause gastric problems in our pets.
- Jam/jelly/marmalade — Its common to see sites that claim these foods are okay for dogs because fruit is good for them right? No not when sugar is the main ingredient!
- Chocolate spread — In addition to the obvious reasons these sweets are high in sugar or artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol).
- Marmite/Bovril — Although this is safe’ in tiny amounts the high salt content prevents them from being considered a regular addition to a dogs diet.
The above list is by no means comprehensive but it illustrates well the hidden dangers of sharing our food with our dogs.
Which Human Foods Are Safe For My Dog Then?
There are very few ‘people foods that are both safe and healthy for dogs to eat. At least they should not be a regular part of their diet. Alternatives to unhealthy treats exist and these would be the best.
Theres nothing easier than watching your beloved fur baby as you tuck into your delicious meal. Just watching their joy as they devour makes you want to break off a piece or fill their bowl with it.
You are showered with affection as their tails wag frantically in appreciation.
In any case we have to consider whether its worth risking their health.
There has been a focus on an everything bagel including the toppings and fillers we know and love. However even the plain bread roll itself isnot good for your dog. There are few health benefits associated with bread in general.
However they should not be harmed by the occasional nibble. Its just a matter of not becoming accustomed to it!
If your furry friend eats an entire bag of poppy seed bagels however you can expect some unpleasant side effects.
Just in case you might also consider contacting your veterinarian.
There is no substitute for regular dog food when it comes to human foods that are safe for dogs. In spite of the fact that it may seem boring to us it provides them with all the nutrition they require to stay healthy.
However there are certain foods that you can safely add to their diet that will be beneficial to them. Due to the fact that online advice can be contradictory it can be confusing!
Based on your research and your knowledge of your own pet make a balanced judgment.
Carrots (raw or cooked) apples (minus the seeds! ) green beans asparagus (cooked not raw) and spinach are some suggestions for your dogs.
What Have We Learned From All This?
As you have reached this point you may become alarmed by the list of foods that can harm your beloved pet! You should not worry too much as most of these are unlikely to cause real harm.
The only exceptions are grapes chocolate and xylitol which should be avoided at all costs.
If you have found the answer to the question of whether your dog can eat bagels then you are in the right place.
In order to reinforce this point we will repeat it: bagels are low in nutrition are high in gluten and contain carbs that can cause your dog to bloat.
In addition to salt sugar sweeteners and other undesirable additives some brands sprinkle poppy seeds onion or other harmful ingredients on their products.
In addition they are stuffed with all sorts of delicious things. There are very few of these that are safe for our dogs to eat and the most likely outcome would be an upset stomach.
Several are potentially fatal to our pets as some carry the risk of making them very ill.
To be safe we should avoid sharing these snacks with our dogs. In spite of the fact that they may not show any immediate effects the damage could build over time.
Older dogs are prone to obesity so why not limit their chances by following a healthy diet?
There are many ways in which we show our love for our furry friends. It is important to not give in to their begging and not throw scraps of our food at them as hard as it can sometimes be.
It boosts their chances of living a long life if they eat a healthy diet.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
