Does your sneaky dog try to steal your pizza? Or is he always thinking of a plan to feast on your pizza?
You might be worried and thinking.
Can dogs eat pizza? Is pizza bad for dogs?
It is extremely difficult to resist the drooling tongue of our canine friend when you open the pizza box. These little pizza thieves are always looking for a way to attack your pizza or, the other way, dine on your leftovers when no one’s around.
If your dog ate pizza and you have any questions in your mind, you should read further and find out the answer to the question,
Can dogs eat pizza? Is it bad for their health?
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Topping?
Sharing a pizza with your dog can be harmful. It’s important to understand that while dogs love having pizza as much as we do, they also have very sensitive stomachs, which cannot handle many of the ingredients present in pizza. As you’ll discover below, different pizza toppings found can have unhealthy long-term effects on your pooch’s system!
Onions and Garlic
These are the most common pizza toppings. But are extremely unhealthy for your dog’s stomach and can even be toxic for them. Both the vegetables can cause anemia in dogs that affect the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.
The onions and garlic are poisonous, even in smaller amounts. If you notice the following symptoms after your dog ate pizza, consult your vet as soon as possible.
- Panting
- Laziness
- Concentrated urine
Cheese
Like humans, dogs love eating cheese, but the cheese betrays them.
The lactose in the cheese does not suit them as most of the dogs are lactose intolerant. In addition, the fat content is high in the cheese, especially the one used in pizza toppings. The fat contributes to high cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
If you are thinking of low-fat cheese like Mozzarella are also not suitable. So a pizza with cheese toppings is never a good treat for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Crust and Dough?
The pizza crust contains various ingredients. Let’s break them apart and find out if they are safe for dogs.
Pizza Sauce
You will be delighted to learn that the ripe tomatoes in the pizza sauce are not harmful to dogs. But the tomato stem and leaves can cause skin issues to your dogs like mild rashes and itchy skin.
However, the pizza sauce is not alone in the pizza. It always comes with harmful toppings like salt, oil, and vinegar. If there is a store-bought pizza sauce, it contains sugar, which increases diabetes risk and can lead to dental issues. And excessive consumption can lead to obesity, which itself is a group of diseases.
Processed Meat
You might be thinking that meat would be fine for your dog as they are carnivores, but no, it is not fine to share it with your pooch.
The meat on the pizza is mostly processed meat like salami, sausages with high salt content. This salted meat can cause high blood pressure and lead to heart diseases.
Pizza Dough
The pizza dough contains different ingredients that are altogether harmful to your dog.
If your dog ate raw pizza dough, then you should be concerned as the raw dough contains yeast which may cause severe poisoning and interrupt normal breathing. The raw yeast expands in the dog’s stomach and eventually leads to tissue tearing.
If your dog ate raw pizza dough, immediately, visit your vet to avoid any adverse reactions.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza? -The Final Thoughts
Dogs truly crave pizza. You can share a really small amount of pizza with them, but don’t make it a habit because it is loaded with lots of unhealthy ingredients for dogs and can be toxic in severe cases.
Lactose intolerant dogs may be in bigger trouble if they consume even a negligible amount. Always try not to share human foods with your dog as it comes with lots of extra calories that can result in obesity and various health issues.
FAQs
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Crust?
The pizza crust contains different ingredients that can be harmful to them. But you can share a bit of it if you cannot avoid it.
How Much Pizza Can A Dog Eat?
You can share a small amount of pizza, but don’t make it a habit, as too much of it is harmful to them.
What If My Dog Eats Whole Pizza?
If your dog ate a whole pizza, you should immediately call the vet. A large amount of pizza is toxic for dogs. It has many calories that can lead to obesity and other heart diseases.