Why?
Once bread is baked, it stops fermenting because the heat kills the yeast. What's left is mostly starch, which a carnivore doesn't need, plus a fair amount of salt. The danger lies in add-ins like raisins, garlic, onion or chocolate, and above all in raw dough, which is an emergency.
How much?
A fingernail-sized bit of the soft inside, once in a while, with no butter, jam or spread. No raisin bread, nut bread, garlic bread or onion bagels.
The risks
- Raisin, garlic or onion bread is toxic
- Chocolate pastries are toxic
- Salt and empty calories
- Bloating or diarrhea if overdone
Your cat ate some: what now?
A piece of plain bread is no problem. If your cat ate bread with raisins, garlic, onion or chocolate, call your vet. And if it was raw dough, that's an emergency: call right away.
Better options
If your cat loves bread, offer a crunchy cat treat instead. A small piece of plain cooked chicken will please them even more.
Common questions
Why does my cat love bread?
No one knows for sure. Many cats are drawn to the smell of yeast (brewer's yeast is even used in some cat treats), or to the butter on it. Cats can't taste sweetness, so it isn't about sugar.
Can cats eat garlic bread?
No. Garlic is toxic to cats even when cooked, and garlic bread usually comes loaded with butter and salt too. If your cat ate some, call your vet, since signs of garlic poisoning can take a few days to show.
This information is general and does not replace advice from a veterinarian. If your cat has swallowed something toxic, call your vet or an animal poison control center right away, without waiting for symptoms.