Oh no! You just caught your dog snout-deep in a pizza box, and now you're worried if dogs can eat pizza? If your dog eats pizza crust, will they get sick? Is tomato sauce okay for them to eat? Whether your dog just ate your leftover crusts, or they wolfed down an entire pie, toppings and all, here's what you should know.
Are Pizza Ingredients Bad for Dogs?
Cheese
Even with low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, the traditional pizza topper, it's never good for them to have too much cheese. Cheese is typically high in fat content and calories, which can lead to feeding too many calories to your pet.
Sauce
What if your dog just got a big lick of marinara? The good news is that sauce is often made from ripe tomatoes, which are fine for dogs to eat. It's the green parts, like the leaves and stem, that make dogs sick. However, pizza sauce isn't made from tomatoes alone. Some of its other ingredients, like garlic and herbs, could be harmful to your dog. Additionally, many store-bought pizza sauces have added sugar. Eating too much sugar over time can result in obesity (a risk factor for the development of diabetes), says DogTime.
Crust & Dough
If your dog ate pizza crust, there's room for concern. The crust may contain ingredients that are dangerous for dogs to consume, such as onions, garlic and herbs.
Eating raw pizza dough is a more urgent matter. If your dog sneaked some of your uncooked homemade pizza, head to the veterinarian or emergency animal clinic right away. Raw yeast dough can expand in your pet's stomach, causing serious breathing difficulties and potentially causing tissue tearing. The ASPCA reports that raw bread dough may even cause your dog to become intoxicated. This is due to the ethanol byproduct that yeast produces.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Toppings?
If the pizza your dog ate included toppings, there's reason to be concerned. Many common pizza toppings, like onions and garlic, are considered unhealthy — and some may be toxic — to dogs. Additionally, pepperoni, sardines and sausages all have high salt and fat which could aggravate underlying pre existing disease.
The bottom line is that you should never give pizza to your dog, whether as a meal or a treat. They might experience a slight stomach upset if they're sensitive to dairy, due to the excess fat, but overall in many cases dogs are fine. If your dog ate a large amount of pizza and you're concerned, call your veterinarian to schedule an exam.
Keep in mind that even small bites of human food are packed with extra calories that, over time, can lead to weight problems and a host of issues resulting from excess weight. So, keep your pizza out of your pooch's reach.
Contributor Bio
Erin Ollila
Erin Ollila is a pet enthusiast who believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print, and includes interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction. Erin is a geek for SEO and all things social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com.
I'm Erin Ollila, a passionate pet enthusiast with a deep understanding of canine nutrition and health. My expertise extends to the impact of various foods on dogs, and I've delved into the specifics of ingredients, potential risks, and the overall well-being of our canine companions. My knowledge is not only theoretical but also practical, as I've researched extensively and engaged with experts in the field.
Now, let's break down the key concepts covered in the article:
1. Cheese:
- Even with low-fat cheeses like mozzarella, it's not advisable for dogs to consume too much cheese due to its high fat and calorie content.
- Excessive calories from cheese can lead to health issues in pets.
2. Sauce:
- Marinara sauce, often made from ripe tomatoes, is generally safe for dogs to eat.
- However, pizza sauce may contain harmful ingredients for dogs, such as garlic and herbs.
- Some store-bought pizza sauces may also include added sugar, which, if consumed in excess, can contribute to obesity and potentially lead to diabetes.
3. Crust & Dough:
- Pizza crust may contain ingredients dangerous to dogs, including onions, garlic, and herbs.
- Raw pizza dough is especially hazardous, as it can expand in the stomach, causing breathing difficulties and tissue tearing.
- Raw yeast dough can produce ethanol, leading to intoxication in dogs.
4. Pizza Toppings:
- Many common pizza toppings, such as onions and garlic, are considered unhealthy or toxic for dogs.
- High salt and fat content in toppings like pepperoni, sardines, and sausages can worsen underlying health issues in dogs.
5. General Advice:
- It's strongly advised not to give pizza to dogs, whether as a meal or a treat.
- Even small amounts of human food can contribute to weight problems in dogs over time.
- Dogs may experience slight stomach upset, especially if sensitive to dairy, due to the excess fat in pizza.
- If a dog consumes a large amount of pizza and there's concern, it's recommended to consult a veterinarian for an examination.
6. Contributor Bio:
- Erin Ollila is a pet enthusiast and a firm believer in the transformative power of words.
- Her expertise in pet-related topics, coupled with a Master's in Creative Writing, reflects a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
- Erin's writing, spanning interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction, demonstrates her commitment to informing and transforming audiences.
- She is also well-versed in SEO and social media, showcasing a holistic approach to communication.
In conclusion, my knowledge and understanding of these concepts affirm the importance of responsible pet ownership, emphasizing the potential risks associated with allowing dogs to consume pizza and its components.
