So, Can dogs eat pizza? You found your dog with his nose buried in a pizza box; now you’re wondering if pizza is safe for dogs to eat. Is it harmful to a dog to eat pizza crust? What about tomato sauce? Is it safe for children to consume? Here’s what you need to know, whether your dog ate just the crusts or the whole pie with all the fixings.
Can Dogs Have Pizza?
So, can a dog eat pizza? Your dog shouldn’t really eat pizza, no matter how tasty it is. Even though it’s considered junk food for humans, it’s even worse for our furry friends, who need much less fat and calories than humans do. Your dog shouldn’t eat pizza, if possible. But a tiny piece once in a while shouldn’t hurt them too much, as long as they aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients, like wheat or cheese.
Pizza is a treat, and many of the main ingredients, like fat, salt, and sugar, in large amounts are “bad” for dogs. All of these things can make your pet sick if it eats too much of them. Just like with people, you’ll need to limit how much fat, carbs, and sugar your dog eats to keep him or her from getting fat and developing long-term diseases like diabetes.
On the other hand, too much salt is dangerous. If your dog already has a hard time staying at a healthy weight, it should not eat a fatty snack like a slice of pizza. But salt isn’t the only strange thing in these tasty doughy meals. Onion and garlic are poisonous to dogs and are often found in the sauce or as toppings on a pizza.
Can Dogs Eat Pepperoni Pizza?
Pepperoni might seem like a tasty meaty treat. But it’s not good for dogs, especially when it’s on a cheesy, greasy pizza. You already know that dogs shouldn’t eat pizza. But even if you take the pepperoni off and give your dog just the piece of meat, it’s still not a good idea. This is because pepperoni is heavily processed, fatty, and salty.
Even though your dog might be fine with one or two pieces. Thus, you should only give them pepperoni in small amounts and rarely to keep them from getting sick or gaining weight. After all, just six pieces of pepperoni have almost as much fat as a whole slice of pizza.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Crust?
So, now you know, can dog eat pizza? People often throw away pizza crust, which can seem like a waste. Even when a hungry dog looks at you with puppy eyes, try to convince you to give it a bite. Your dog should be able to eat a small piece of plain pizza crust. But don’t let them eat too much; never give them more than one piece.
Pizza crust can still have some of the “bad” parts of pizza, like fatty cheese and small amounts of onion or garlic. But not as much as a full slice of pizza. Because it doesn’t have as much cheese or salt as a whole slice of pizza, it’s not quite as bad for you.
It’s still not good for your dog, though. A crust doesn’t have much nutrition, and it’s mostly just empty carbohydrates that your dog doesn’t need.
The Other Side Of Pizza
A small piece of pizza should be safe for your dog to eat as a one-time treat. But you shouldn’t let your dog eat an entire slice or even a whole pizza.
If they do manage to sneak a piece or two, they will probably get a stomachache and have to throw up and go to the bathroom a lot. In very bad situations, they could get acute pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening and must be treated immediately by your vet.
So, if your dog has eaten a lot of pizza, it’s best to call your vet for advice. Fido should be fine if he eats a very small piece of pizza. But they shouldn’t get this treatment every day and should never eat it instead of dog food. But your dog shouldn’t eat pizza all the time, and certainly not by the slice.
Related: CAN DOGS EAT HOT DOGS?
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Sauce?
Your dog shouldn’t be licking pizza sauce out of the pot, and giving them too much of this rich spread can make them sick. Pizza sauce is thick and usually has a lot of sugar, salt, and harmful onion and garlic in it.
Even so, licking a drop of marinara off the floor shouldn’t hurt your dog, and if they only eat a little bit of sauce, they should be fine. But they shouldn’t eat a lot of pizza sauce, and it’s not a healthy treat for your furry friend.
Is Pizza Bad For Dogs?
Pizza is definitely junk food, and it’s considered “bad” for dogs because it can have toxic ingredients that can hurt your beloved pet and can make them sick or fat if they eat too much of it.
First, most pizzas have garlic or onion on them, either in powder, puree, or fresh ingredients. These sour ingredients might help make a rich sauce, but dogs shouldn’t eat them because they are poisonous. And if your dog eats too much rich pizza sauce, it can make them sick to their stomach and make them throw up or have diarrhea.
Pizza’s biggest problem is that it’s full of fat because of all the delicious, oozy cheese. If your dog regularly eats too much fat, it will gain weight, which can make them more likely to get cancer and diabetes.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Toppings?
If there were toppings on the pizza your dog ate, you should worry. Many common pizza toppings, like garlic and onions, are bad for dogs’ health, and some of them may even be toxic. Pepperoni, sardines, and sausages also have a lot of salt and fat. If your dog eats too much salt, it could raise his blood pressure or make his heart disease worse.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Dough?
Do many people also ask if can dogs eat pizza rolls? Dogs can’t eat pizza dough, and if your dog has eaten some, you need to get them to the vet as soon as possible. Pizza and bread dough are full of yeast, which causes the dough to rise and expand when it gets into your dog’s stomach.
This causes their stomach to get bigger, can be painful, and even kill them. When yeast grows, it releases alcohol into your dog’s blood, making them drunk and killing them.
If your dog eats pizza or bread dough, you should call your vet immediately because he or she could get sick and die.
FAQs: Can Dogs Eat Pizza?
Can I Feed My Dog Pizza?
Pizza has mostly empty calories and a lot of sodium because even the meats on it are processed. Avoid feeding your dog pizza even if he or she can eat a little of it. There are safer and more satisfying alternatives for treats, yet you may not always be able to trust the label.
Will A Slice Of Pizza Hurt My Dog?
While it’s true that your dog won’t die if they eat pizza, a full pie could make them quite sick. Providing your dog with excessive amounts of salt or sodium could cause sodium poisoning. Allium family members, such as garlic and onions, are also toxic to canines. Consuming salt, garlic, and onions may have adverse health effects.
Can Dogs Eat The Crust Of A Pizza?
The good news is that you can eat a bit of pizza crust without worrying about it doing any lasting damage. Providing your dog with the flavor, there is no harm in feeding it to them. However, as with human diets, moderation is the key. The crusts of pizzas are loaded with unnecessary fat and calories.
Parvaiz Yousuf is a senior SEO writer and editor with an experience of over 6 years, who also doubles up as a researcher. With an MSc zoology degree under his belt and possessing complete Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge, he works as a science journalist for a US-based website and Asian Scientist (A Singapore-based magazine). He also works as Director of Wetland Research Centre, Wildlife Conservation Fund YPJK since 2018. Besides, he has several publications to his name on cancer biology and biochemistry in some reputed journals such as Nature & International Journal of Molecular Sciences, & magazines such as Science Reporter, BUCEROS BNHS, and has an abiding interest in ornithology. He also worked as a Research Associate for JK Policy Institute.