Have you caught your dog staring at you intensely while you are eating your last pizza slice? Are you tempted to give it to them so they can stop begging you with those pleading eyes? First, you must stop yourself and ask, “but can dogs eat pizza?” Because the answer to that question is no.
Pizza is packed with a lot of ingredients that are unhealthy (or even toxic) to dogs. Read further below about dogs eating pizza by breaking down each of the main ingredients.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza?
Pizza is in no way a healthy treat for humans let alone dogs. It has a high concentration of fat and sodium. Moreover, its ingredients hardly provide any nutritional value to dogs, especially when they are combined together. Thus, pizza is not a healthy treat for dogs. But can dogs eat pizza? Is it safe to eat? This entirely depends on the ingredients. Thus, by taking a look at each of the main substances found in pizza, you can see for yourself how harmful of a meal it can be.
Main Pizza Ingredients
Cheese
Too much cheese, no matter whether it is low-fat or not, is never good for dogs. And pizza is coated in it. Cheese is rich in fat and calories. As a result, it makes it very easy to feed too many calories to your furry baby which can lead to severe health problems such as obesity.
Sauce
Pizza sauce is often made out of ripe tomatoes that are safe for dogs to eat. However, keep in mind that pizza sauce contains a lot more than simply tomatoes. It is also peppered in garlic, salt, herbs, even sugar, which are all toxic or unhealthy to dogs. Thus, the sauce becomes yet another risk factor that can lead to obesity and even diabetes.
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Crust
The crust is equally unhealthy for dogs. It is rarely ever made plain, as it contains toxic ingredients for dogs such as onions, garlic, and herbs. As aforementioned, these are dangerous for your canine pal.
Dough
If your dog steals a bite from homemade, uncooked pizza dough, you must call your vet immediately. According to ASPCA, raw, uncooked yeast produces ethanol and carbon dioxide. Raw dough can cause serious problems which include:
- stomach expansion
- tissue tearing
- breathing difficulties
- intoxication
Symptoms of Dogs Eating Pizza
If you suspect that your dog ate a pizza slice when you weren’t looking, watch out for the following symptoms:
Alternatively, if you accidentally gave them pizza without knowing about the risks, make sure you keep an eye on them. If you gave them small bites once, they should be fine. If you have fed them pizza more than once, be sure to call your vet right away. It is best to prevent any serious health problems from developing as soon as possible.
Final Words
Pizza is an unhealthy food for both you and your dog. Some of its main ingredients contain toxic (garlic, onion) ingredients which you should never risk feeding to your furry pal. If you want to look for better options, consider your options on the master list for healthy dog treats!
Wondering if cats experience the same effects? Find out by reading the corresponding article on cats eating pizza!
Do you still have any questions about your dog and treats? Then schedule a video consultation with one of our qualified vets!