Can Dogs Eat Pizza? 5 Dangerous Pizza Ingredients to Dogs

Can dogs eat pizza? No, pizza is the last thing you want to share with your dog. This human food is mainly made up of ingredients that have minimal nutritional value.

Some of them can even cause life-threatening conditions to develop in your canine friend.

5 Major Pizza Ingredients That Are Harmful to Dogs

Is pizza bad for dogs? Yes. Creating pizza calls for using ingredients that are unhealthy and harmful to dogs. Here are the most common pizza ingredients that can make your dog sick:

1. Onions and Garlic

Onions and garlic are both pizza staples. Although they add more taste and aroma to the food, their toxic compounds make them dangerous to dogs.

N-propyl disulfide and thiosulfate are naturally-occurring chemicals in onions and garlic. When consumed by dogs in large amounts, they cause the red blood cells to rupture. A swift decline of RBCs may lead to fatal hemolytic anemia in dogs.

2. Pizza Sauce

Can dogs eat pizza sauce? A small amount of pizza sauce will not cause adverse reactions in dogs. Regardless, we do not encourage feeding it to your dog. Pizza sauce is bad for your dog’s stomach and overall health.

The type of sauce that is traditionally slathered on top of pizza is tomato sauce. Its acidity can upset his digestive system and cause acid reflux.

Other ingredients that commonly make up the pizza sauce, such as balsamic vinegar and olive oil, may worsen tummy troubles too. Some pizza sauces are also mixed with onions and garlic, which can induce poisoning.

3. Processed Meats

A traditional pizza is not complete without slices of processed meat. Salami, bacon, pepperoni, sausage, and ham are all unhealthy for your dog.

These pizza toppings undergo a curing process that infuses the meat with large amounts of sodium. Allowing your pooch to gorge on them invites the risk of sodium poisoning.

If you ask, “Can dogs eat pizza if they have kidney problems?” the answer is no. Pizza is a high-sodium food because of its toppings, like processed meats. Sharing this food with a dog with kidney issues can exacerbate their illness.

Another health concern about processed meats is their high fat content. It prevents your dog’s digestive system from working properly.

Eating high-fat foods can induce gastric distress and cause vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term consumption makes him more prone to serious ailments such as obesity and pancreatitis.

4. Cheese

Cheese provides some nutrients to dogs, including proteins, B-complex vitamins, and essential fatty acids.

The variety of cheese commonly used in regular pizzas is mozzarella, which is low in fat, sodium, and calories. You would think that it will not harm your dog.

However, when combined with other toppings like processed meats, cheese increases the fat, salt, and calorie content of the pizza. This provides health issues like obesity, renal issues, and heart problems with more odds of developing.

You might be wondering: “Can dogs eat pizza if they are lactose intolerant?” As much as possible, avoid feeding pizza to dogs with lactose intolerance. This human food often contains cheese, possibly triggering adverse reactions like gastric distress.

5. Pizza Crust

Can dogs eat pizza crusts? The pizza crust is less innocuous compared to other ingredients. It will not harm dogs if consumed in small amounts.

However, pizza crust does not provide anything beneficial to your pooch. Eating it only gives him empty calories and carbohydrates, which can make him gain extra pounds.

The pizza crust is bad for dogs with wheat allergies or gluten sensitivities too. Making regular pizza commonly involves using all-purpose flour for the crust.

It can set off undesirable side effects like flatulence and itchiness in pooches experiencing such health conditions.

Are There Any Health Benefits with Feeding Pizza to Dogs

Pizza is not entirely devoid of health benefits for dogs. It has certain ingredients that offer some nutrients and health perks, such as:

• Black Olives: They are rich in essential fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and glossy fur.
• Mushrooms: Many types of dog-safe mushrooms contain loads of immune system-boosting antioxidants, which help fight off diseases.
• Pineapple: This fruit is high in fiber, which aids in maintaining good gut health and smooth metabolism.
• Anchovies: These are loaded with healthy omega-3 fats, which help improve cognitive functions and heart health.

Is pizza good for dogs because it contains nutritious ingredients? The answer is no. These nutritious foods’ health benefits become useless once they are combined with the harmful ingredients in pizza.

It would be better to add these healthy foods to your dog’s meals individually instead.

How Much Pizza Is Too Much for Dogs?

Actively feeding your dog pizza is discouraged because of its several unhealthy and dangerous ingredients. If you cannot help but share this human food with your pooch, only give him a small piece of plain pizza crust.

Many dog owners often ask: “Will a slice of pizza hurt my dog?” One slice of pizza is already too excessive, especially for small-breed dogs. They might end up experiencing tummy troubles after eating.

In the worst cases, sodium poisoning might arise. Be sure to monitor your pooch for 24 hours after ingesting pizza to see if symptoms of toxicity will manifest.

Another question we frequently encounter is: “Can pizza kill dogs?” No. Pizza will not kill dogs, but it can cause life-threatening health problems to appear such as cardiovascular diseases. It lowers their chances of living a long life.

What Types of Pizza Should Be Off-Limits to Dogs?

Can dogs eat pepperoni pizza?

A small piece of pepperoni pizza is safe for dogs so long as it does not contain toxic ingredients. However, we advise against feeding pepperoni to your pooch because it packs plenty of fats and sodium.

Can dogs eat cheese pizza?

Cheese pizza will not harm dogs if eaten in minimal portions and infrequently. It is a very unhealthy food option and may trigger lactose intolerance in some canines. Look for more nutritious alternatives that dogs can eat, like fresh fruits and veggies.

Can dogs eat pizza rolls?

Pizza rolls might be smaller than traditional pizza, but the risks they pose to canines are still the same. While they can be shared with your furry pal, avoid doing so since they can make him sick.

Can dogs eat pizza dough?

The answer is a hard no. Raw pizza dough is toxic to dogs. Its yeast causes fermentation in the stomach, which produces dangerous compounds like ethanol. It leads to the expansion of the stomach, resulting in multiple organ damage.

Homemade Pizza for Dogs Recipe

Let your furry pal enjoy snacking on some dog-safe and nutritious homemade pizza.

What you need:

• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 2 whole cauliflower
• 2 eggs
• 2 beets
• 8 ounces lean ground turkey

Procedure:

For the crust:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Use parchment paper to line the baking sheet.
3. Pulse the cauliflower in a food processor until it is finely ground.
4. Place 3 cups of cauliflower in a microwave-safe container.
5. Cover the container with plastic wrap. Punch some holes in the plastic so that hot air can flow.
6. Heat the cauliflower in the microwave for 5 minutes on a high setting.
7. Use a clean cloth to drain the cauliflower. Make sure to remove most of the liquid if possible.
8. Transfer the drained cauliflower to a large bowl and mix it thoroughly with the eggs.
9. Roll out the cauliflower dough to ¼-inch thick on the lined baking sheet.
10. Bake the pizza crust for about 10–13 minutes.
11. Cook the ground turkey on the stove for 15–20 minutes or until the meat is no longer pink.
12. Take the pizza crust out of the oven and allow it to cool down completely.
13. Spread the beet pizza sauce evenly on the crust.
14. Add the pizza toppings, including ground turkey, basil, parsley, and carrots.
15. Bake the pizza for dogs for 15–20 minutes.
16. Let the pizza cool before serving it to your pooch.

For the pizza sauce:

1. Run the beets under clean water. Wash them properly.
2. Boil them in water for about 45 minutes.
3. Slice off their tops and mash them using a potato masher.