Have you ever noticed how intently your dog looks at you as you finish the final piece of pizza? Are you inclined to hand it up to them so they won’t keep looking at you imploringly? But can dogs eat pizza? you must first ask yourself. Because “no” is the answer to that question. A lot of the components in pizza are bad for dogs or even harmful to them. Keep reading to know more about the ingredients of pizza that are bad for dogs.
Why is Pizza Bad for Dogs?
Pizza is definitely not a healthy treat, especially for dogs. There is a lot of salt and fat in it. Additionally, the ingredients scarcely offer any nutritional benefit to dogs, especially when combined. Pizza is not a healthy treat for dogs as a result. Do dogs, however, eat pizza? Can I eat this? The components will determine everything. You may determine for yourself how unhealthy a meal pizza might be by looking at each of the primary ingredients.
Need a pizza recipe for your dog? Try one of these 5 Delectable Dog Safe Pizza Recipes!
Cheese
Whether it is low-fat or not, too much cheese is never good for dogs. Pizza is covered with it as well. Cheese contains a lot of calories and fat. As a consequence, it’s incredibly simple to give your furry child too many calories, which can cause serious health issues like obesity.
Sauce
Ripe tomatoes that are safe for dogs to eat are used to make pizza sauce. But remember that pizza sauce is made up of much more than just tomatoes. Garlic, salt, spices, and even sugar are sprinkled throughout, and they are poisonous to dogs. As a result, the sauce is now another risk factor for diabetes and obesity.
Want to know how to make pizza for dogs? Click here to find out.
Crust
For dogs, the crust is also harmful. Since it contains elements that are harmful to dogs, such as onions, garlic, and herbs. These are risky for your canine friend, as was already discussed.
Garlic and Onions
Pizza gains flavor with the use of onions and garlic, two essential ingredients in Italian cooking. But what humans find delicious may be quite poisonous to our canine buddies. Both vegetables can cause anemia in dogs. As a result, their red blood cells are unable to transport as much oxygen throughout their bodies. Lethargy, panting, black urine, weakness, and jaundice are among the symptoms.
The poisons N-propyl disulfide and thiosulfate are to blame. Additionally, they can lead to digestive issues. That can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and pain in the abdomen in canines. Pizzas and pizza sauce frequently contain garlic and onion powder. The bad news is that because the poisons are more concentrated, they are even worse than the veggies. It’s better to keep your furry friend away from that.
Processed Meat
Dogs are carnivores, as we all know it, it is alright for them to eat the meat on your pizza? Unfortunately, “no” is frequently the response in this situation. Picking a piece for your dog from a pizza with roast chicken as a topping won’t be an issue. However, the majority of pizzas contain highly processed beef. And it is a whole other matter.
Salami, pepperoni, and bacon are examples of salt-cured meats that are often rich in fat as well. Salt and fat both affect how well your pet’s digestive tract works. Your dog may become ill if you give him too much at once. Additionally, consuming too much over time may result in weight growth and all the related health issues.
Dough
Call your vet right away if your dog grabs a taste of handmade, raw pizza dough. Because uncooked, uncooked yeast generates ethanol and carbon dioxide. Ingestion of raw dough can result in stomach enlargement, tissue tearing, respiratory issues, and intoxication.
How to Make a Dog-Friendly Pizza?
You may make sure your dog is eating a nutritious meal by making a customized pizza for him or her. A pup-friendly pizza looks like any other pizza, but there are a few things to keep in mind and things you can do to make the pizza tasty, secure, and nutritious for the canine members of your family. The following instructions should be kept in mind while making pizza for your dog.
Safe Pizza Toppings
When preparing food from scratch for your dog, it’s always crucial to take each item into account. Some experts feel that common pizza toppings like garlic and onion may be hazardous to pets. Why take the chance, we ask, despite the conflicting evidence? Without the garlic and onions, your dog can still enjoy his pizza, and you avoid a possible issue. Some specialists also believe that tomatoes should be avoided. By using cooked, mashed vegetables as the sauce, tomatoes can be avoided on pizza.
Size of the Pizza
If you have a young puppy or a tiny breed dog, you should offer small portions to eat. To make pizza easier to consume, prepare little individual pizzas or divide a big pizza into strips.
Dog-Friendly Meat
Dogs are known to enjoy meat. It also provides them with the necessary protein. On the pizza, meats like chicken, bacon, ground beef, turkey, and others work nicely. Use prepared fresh meat or cooked leftovers according to your dog’s preferences. To keep the fat level minimal, select the leanest cuts feasibly.
Less Cheese
While we like our pizzas with lots of cheese, too much cheese might upset your dog’s stomach. Cheese may be problematic for dogs since they frequently have lactose intolerance. Even if your dog doesn’t appear to be lactose intolerant, eating too much cheese might be problematic for their digestive system. To make the pup pizza mild on your dog’s stomach, use a little cheese or omit the typical pizza topping altogether.
Low Sodium Content
The sodium in traditional pizza can be fairly high, and your dog doesn’t need it. When feasible, use unsalted or low-salt ingredients to make the pizza healthier for your dog.
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Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives.