So, this is a true story. I am not making this up. My friends and I were having pizza at a friend’s place and some friends had to leave. As we left the house to send them off, my friend’s dog – Hiro, carried out a highly classified covert mission to steal the last remaining pizza slice on the table and quickly scarfed it down its throat while we were out of the house.
I remember seeing the pupper hide in the corner while she tried to rid the evidence by furiously licking the remnants off the floor. While we were surprised at this pupper’s greediness, we were also very concerned whether it was okay for her to have a whole slice of pizza. As a fur parent, I quickly went into research mode on google and here are some findings that I thought would be helpful and useful to a fellow pet parent.
TLDR: it is generally not advised to feed your dog pizza. It can be quite harmful for dogs to eat it as pizza contains many ingredients and spices that could be dangerous to your pooch.
Ingredients In Pizza That Are Potentially Harmful To Dogs
- Garlic and onion
- Crust
- Pepperoni
- Cheese
- Oil
- Marinade sauce
Can dogs eat cheese?
The answer is yes, however it should be eaten in moderation. Like with all diets, a balance must be struck. According to ASPCA, dogs do not produce lactase (an enzyme that breaks down lactose found in dairy products) which could cause a stomach upset or diarrhea especially in dogs that are lactose intolerant. So, it is generally better to keep cheese away from your doggo to play it safe.
Cheese has high fat content which makes it a fatty food that may accelerate your doggo’s weight gain or worse, lead to obesity. Unfortunately, a chonky boi is a cute boi but it aint a healthy one.
Due to its high fat content, eating cheese could potentially induce pancreatitis especially for breeds predisposed to pancreatitis such as miniature schnauzers, yorkshire terrier, poodles and cocker spaniels. Take it from me. As a schnauzer owner, pancreatitis is definitely one condition you want your pup to avoid for as long as possible.
Read more: Is Hemp Seed Oil Safe For Dogs?
Can dogs eat garlic and onion?
Absolutely not. Despite being great flavor enhancers for food, they are toxic to dogs. They carry a toxin known as N-propyl disulfide that causes anemia in dogs. This means that red blood cells in the body are damaged and do not carry enough oxygen to the important organs. So, the body starts to shut down and it results in kidney failure, blood in the urine, weakness and even death if left untreated. Apparently, certain breeds such as akita and shiba inus are more at risk of toxicity.
It is important to remember that all parts of the onion plant are poisonous to dogs whether it is raw, cooked, fried or powdered. Plants that belong to the allium family (garlic, shallots, leeks) are dangerous to dogs. According to the AKC, onion and garlic in powder form are even more harmful than raw onions so be sure to check the label of any food we feed our dogs to avoid feeding any processed form of garlic and onion to our precious doggos.
Unfortunately for dogs, garlic and onion powder are usually used in the pizza sauce so it is really not a good idea to feed your dog a slice of pizza. And what is worse is that the toxicity in garlic and onions are more concentrated than vegetables. Remember that everytime you feel tempted to treat your pooch whenever she begs for a slice for a pizza with her puppy eyes.
Can dogs eat pepperoni?
Is pepperoni bad for dogs?
Well, pepperoni is a processed meat and as you have heard from a doctor, processed foods are considered unhealthy foods. In short, yes pepperoni is harmful for dogs. Generally, cold cuts or processed meats should be avoided for dogs as they are high in salt and contain a wide array of potentially harmful additives that honestly should not be eaten by humans and dogs alike.
Also, processed meats are really high in fats! By eating large amounts, it is possible that your dog might get pancreatitis more so if his breed is more prone to this. And, just so you know– pancreatitis is really painful for dogs. I know, I have a schnauzer that is too greedy for his own good.
For some salami makers, onion and garlic powder are often mixed into the pizzas and pizza sauce. So combining that with processed meat’s high fat content, this might be a recipe for disaster.
However, if your pup accidentally ate a pizza slice containing some pepperonis, do not worry too much, a few pieces should be fine. But, if they are vomiting or showing lethargy, bring your pet to the vet. If you have fed your pup some pepperoni, fret not, simply reduce the amount you are feeding your pup. A piece of two may be fine for your pup but give them pepperoni in smaller amounts or once in a while to prevent any serious illness or potential weight gain.
Can dogs eat pizza crust?
Yes, but it should be eaten in moderation. The dough is made up of water, flour, oil, salt, yeast and eggs. As you can see, it is relatively “safer” to eat compared to the other ingredients on the pizza. However, the crust provides zero to little nutritional benefit to your pup and zero calories. If eaten excessively, it will lead to some weight gain and cause digestive issues.
So, the key here is moderation. It is okay to give your pup a small piece of the crust but don’t feed her more than one whole crust. Or, the best option is to not give your dog a piece at all. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure.
Raw dough
Eating raw dough calls for greater concern. Raw dough is generally unsafe for dogs as the yeast in the dough expands in the stomach causing stomach distention which could result in breathing difficulty and reduced blood circulation. As the yeast ferments in the stomach, it could potentially lead to intoxication or even severe cases, alcohol poisoning.
If your dog accidentally ingests unbaked dough, please send your dog to the vet even if no symptoms are showing for precaution sake.
Can dogs eat pizza sauce
While pizza sauces are typically made up of tomato sauce, salt, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. It is generally not good for dogs due to the high salt content. The oil in the sauce is difficult to digest. You should be on high alert if your dog eats pizza sauce containing garlic or onion powder as these ingredients are extremely harmful to dogs.
How about pizza rolls?
You should not give your pup pizza rolls. The plain reason is the ingredients used are quite harmful for dogs. Instead of feeding them pizza rolls, give them pizza flavored treats! That way it is safe for them and they can get a taste of glorious pizza.
What are dog-friendly ingredients found in pizza?
If you want to treat your fur kid with some pizza toppings, just be sure to feed them ones that are safe for them to eat!
Here is a short list of ingredients that is safe for dogs:
- Pineapple
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Plain chicken- unsalted and unseasoned
- Fresh Vegetables
TLDR; Is it safe for dogs to eat pizza? What happens if my dog eats pizza?
It is better for your fur kid to avoid eating pizza as some of the ingredients such as cheese, garlic and onion, marinade sauce, and crust are typically unhealthy and harmful to them.
There are potential negative side effects that your dog might have from eating pizza especially so if your dog is sensitive towards milk or fatty foods.
Some of the potential health issues from consuming pizza for dogs:
- Digestive issues due to lactose found in cheese (most dogs are generally lactose intolerant)
- Pancreatitis (high fat content in cheese and oils)
- Garlic and onion poisoning (garlic and onion used in marinade sauce)
- Anemia (severe garlic and onion poisoning)
All in all, try to refrain from feeding pizza to your dog. If you cave in to their puppy eyes, occasionally feed them a small bit of the pizza portion (without the sauce) or alternatively feed them ingredients (in moderation) that are safe for them to eat such as pineapple, plain unseasoned chicken, broccoli and mushrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pizza crust itself is not toxic to dogs and is generally considered safe for them to eat in moderation. However, pizza crust can pose a choking hazard to dogs, especially if they swallow large pieces or if the crust is particularly hard or dry. Raw pizza dough is potentially life-threatening if they ingest it. The reason being that raw dough has live yeast that can poison the bloodstream with ethanol and cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, lethargy, and even seizures.
Yes, mushrooms are safe for dogs however it also depends on the type of mushroom used. Fortunately, most mushrooms used as pizza toppings are safe for dogs to eat. But a caveat, it is very possible that the pizza may be seasoned with garlic, onions and herbs that are dangerous for dogs. Before feeding your dog a slice, check to ensure that it does not have these toxic ingredients in it.
Generally, it is not advisable to feed your dog pizza. If the pizza crust contains garlic, onions or herbs it is a cause of concern because these ingredients are toxic for consumption. However, assuming the crust is plain dough and if your pup steals a slice or you may have caved in and gave them a bite, it is relatively safe as long as it is in small amounts. Also remember, cheese may cause some problems for lactose intolerant dogs so a small amount of cheese may trigger a reaction in them. Monitor your dog for a couple hour to check for any reactions or abnormalities if all is well, then phew your dog is able to handle the slice.