It’s no secret that pizza is one of the world’s most popular foods. In fact, it’s so popular that there’s even a National Pizza Day! While we all love indulging in a slice (or two) of pizza, you may be wondering if our furry friends can enjoy this treat as well.
So, can dogs have pizza?
As it turns out, the answer is both yes and no. While a few bites of pizza here and there likely won’t hurt your pup, there are some health risks associated with feeding them this food regularly.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the health dangers of letting your dog eat pizza and discuss which ingredients are particularly harmful to them.
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
- Can Dogs Have Pizza – Here’s What You Should Know
- Which Pizza Ingredients Can Be Bad For Your Dog
- 5 Health Risks of Pizza for Dogs
- Our Reader’s Popular Questions
- Will Pizza Hurt My Dog?
- Is It Safe for Dogs To Eat Pizza Crust?
- How Much Pizza Can a Dog Eat?
- Can Dogs Eat Pizza Cheese?
- Can Dogs Eat Raw Pizza Dough?
- Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni From Pizza?
- Conclusion
Can Dogs Have Pizza – Here’s What You Should Know
As we mentioned above, there are some health risks associated with feeding your dog pizza. This is because pizza is typically high in fat and salt, both of which can be harmful to dogs if consumed in large quantities.
Additionally, many types of pizza contain garlic and onions, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and potentially lead to anemia. These types of ingredients can also cause stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs.
So, while a few bites of pizza here and there probably won’t hurt your pup, it’s best to avoid feeding them this food regularly. If you do decide to give them a slice of pizza, be sure to remove all the toppings first.
The dough and cheese are the only safe parts of the pizza for dogs to eat.
Which Pizza Ingredients Can Be Bad For Your Dog
Now that you know a little bit more about the risks of feeding your dog pizza, let’s take a closer look at some of the ingredients that can be particularly harmful to them.
Pizza Crust and Dough Containing Onions, Garlic, or Herbs
Onions, garlic, and certain herbs can ALL be toxic to dogs if consumed in large enough quantities. While the harmful compounds in these ingredients are not present in every pizza crust or dough recipe, it’s something to be aware of.
In addition, pizza dough and crusts often contain raw yeast. While a small amount of raw yeast is not harmful to dogs, too much can cause gas and bloating.
If you’re ever unsure about whether or not a particular ingredient is safe for your dog, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.
Cheese Which Can Be High in Fat & Calories
While cheese is not necessarily harmful to dogs in small quantities, it can be very high in fat and calories. This is especially true for cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid giving your dog any food that is high in fat or calories. This includes human foods like pizza as well as dog treats and snacks.
In addition, some dogs are lactose intolerant and cannot digest cheese properly. If your dog is lactose intolerant, feeding them cheese can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Pizza Sauce
As we mentioned before, onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs in large quantities. While the amount of onion or garlic in pizza sauce is usually not enough to cause harm, it’s something to be aware of.
In addition, some pizza sauces contain sugar or other sweeteners. These ingredients can also be harmful to dogs in large quantities.
Some pizza sauce can also contain crushed red pepper flakes, which can cause stomach upset and irritation in dogs. If your dog ingests a large amount of crushed red pepper flakes, it could even lead to an ulcer.
Processed Meat
Processed meats like pepperoni, sausage, and ham are not only high in fat and calories, but they can also be very salty. This is especially true for cured meats like pepperoni and ham.
Feeding your dog too much salt can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures. In addition, processed meats often contain nitrates, which can be toxic to dogs.
In addition, some pizza toppings like anchovies can be very high in mercury. This is something to keep in mind if you’re feeding your dog fish as well.
5 Health Risks of Pizza for Dogs
Now that we’ve taken a closer look at some of the ingredients in pizza that can be harmful to dogs, let’s take a look at the health risks associated with feeding your dog pizza.
#1 – Obesity (When Eating Too Much Pizza Crust)
As we mentioned before, pizza is high in fat and calories. This is especially true for pizzas with lots of cheese and processed meats. If you feed your dog too much pizza, they could easily become obese.
Obesity can lead to a number of health problems in dogs, including joint pain, respiratory problems, and diabetes.
#2 – Gastrointestinal Issues Caused by the High Sodium Content in Tomato Sauce
Some pizza sauces can be very high in sodium. This is especially true for sauces that contain a lot of salt, sugar, or other sweeteners.
If your dog ingests too much sodium, it could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures. In addition, a high sodium diet can lead to long-term health problems like high blood pressure and kidney disease.
#3 – Digestive Issues Caused by the Heavy Oils in Pizza
As we mentioned before, pizza dough and crusts can be very high in fat. This is especially true for recipes that use a lot of butter or oil.
This can cause digestive problems like diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. In addition, a high-fat diet can lead to obesity and other health problems.
#4 – Lactose Intolerance Because of the Pizza Cheese
Like humans, some dogs are lactose intolerant and cannot properly digest cheese. If your dog ingests cheese that they’re intolerant to, it could cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and vomiting.
#5 – Symptoms of Anemia Caused by Onion or Garlic Poisoning
As you know by now, onions and garlic can be toxic to dogs in large quantities. If your dog ingests a toxic amount of onion or garlic, it could cause anemia.
Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, lethargy, pale gums, diarrhea, and even depression. Anemia occurs when there is a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells.
If you think your dog may have ingested a toxic amount of onion or garlic, it’s important to seek vet care immediately.
Our Reader’s Popular Questions
Will Pizza Hurt My Dog?
Pizza can be harmful to dogs if they eat too much of it. The high fat and calorie content can lead to obesity, while the high sodium content can cause gastrointestinal issues. In addition, some pizza toppings can be toxic to dogs in large quantities.
Is It Safe for Dogs To Eat Pizza Crust?
Pizza crust can be safe for dogs to eat in moderation. However, it is high in fat and calories, so it’s important not to overfeed your dog. In addition, some pizza crusts may contain garlic or onion, which can be toxic to dogs in large quantities.
How Much Pizza Can a Dog Eat?
It’s best to avoid feeding your dog pizza altogether. However, if you do choose to feed them a slice or two, it’s important to remove all the toppings first. In addition, you should only give them a small amount of crust and make sure they don’t eat too much cheese.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Cheese?
Pizza cheese can be harmful to dogs if they’re lactose intolerant. In addition, pizza cheese is high in fat and calories, so it’s important not to overfeed your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Pizza Dough?
No, raw pizza dough is harmful to dogs because it can contain yeast. When ingested, the yeast will continue to grow in your dog’s stomach and cause gas and bloating. In addition, pizza dough is high in fat and calories.
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni From Pizza?
Yes, dogs can eat pepperoni from pizza in moderation. However, pepperoni is high in fat and sodium, so it’s important not to overfeed your dog. In addition, some types of pepperoni may contain garlic or onion, which can be toxic to dogs in large quantities.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few risks associated with feeding your dog pizza. While a small slice or two probably won’t hurt them, it’s best to avoid feeding them this food altogether.
If you do choose to feed them pizza, make sure to remove all the toppings and give them a small amount of crust. In addition, don’t give them any cheese if they’re lactose intolerant.
And as always, if you think your dog has ingested something toxic, it’s important to seek vet care immediately.
Have you ever fed your dog pizza?