Pizza is one of the most consumed dishes in the world! If you have a pet, you may have already been tempted to give your dog a piece of this Italian dish. But can dogs eat pizza without risk to their health? Here is the answer.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Safely?
It’s no secret that our four-legged friends love to eat! If we let them do that, they would easily eat a whole pizza, even though they have much lower energy requirements than we do.
When we wonder if dogs can eat pizza, it’s of course in the hope of being able to please your dog who is drooling with envy in front of so much melted cheese! So, can you give your dog pizza? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no.
The ingredients of the pizza are not only too rich, too fatty, too salty, but some of them are even harmful to the dog as such.
Here are the ingredients in a pizza that a dog should avoid eating :
- Tomato: acidity can damage the dog’s stomach
- Basil: it’s not indicated against itself, but dogs can develop an allergy and there should not eat often
- Garlic: can cause vomiting in dogs
- Salt: May cause increased water consumption, and cause gas in dogs, diarrhea or vomiting
- Oil: very fatty, it is not dangerous in very small quantities, but it’s too present in the pizza for the dog to eat without worry
- Cheese: this particularly fat dairy product contains a large amount of lactose. In very small doses, it’s a treat that dogs love! But on the pizzas, it’s a bit too much, and often several varieties at the same time. It is therefore to be avoided.
And if the pizza you want to feed your dog is topped with onions or mushrooms on top of it, this is again to be avoided for the well-being of your dog. It is not dangerous once and in very small quantities, but under no circumstances should the animal be fed regularly. Even a single slice of pizza represents a huge amount of calories for the dog’s actual needs.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Crust?
Also here the answer is no. The dough of the pizza contains wheat flour, yeast, and salt: all ingredients that are harmful to the dog. A meal especially rich in sugars including starch can cause dermatitis or a predisposition to allergic reactions in dogs.
What if my dog has eaten pizza?
Did your dog jump on leftover pizza with your back turned? Here’s what to do to make sure It stays in good shape.
Start by assessing how much pizza your dog has eaten. Of course, a crumb or a tiny bite or two is not going to have lasting consequences on your dog’s health. However, if your dog has eaten a slice of pizza, it is best to consult your vet. And if your dog has eaten several or even more pizza slices, this is even more urgent, especially if your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Depending on the amount of pizza your dog has eaten, your veterinarian can advise you on what to do next. They may recommend that you skip the dog’s next meal so that It can rest Its stomach and digestive system after this heavy snack. They can also recommend medication to help your dog digest if needed.
If your dog has eaten pizza with ingredients It’s particularly sensitive to, or even allergic or intolerant to; the vet may make your dog throw up. In any case, if in doubt, contact your healthcare professional to find out and be sure your dog is doing well!
You should therefore not give your dog pizza, even if it would make It very happy! Instead, prefer dog treats, which will be adapted to their tastes and nutritional needs!
