Can Dogs Eat Pizza

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If you have a dog that loves eating anything you eat, chances are you noticed the looks your dog gives you while you eat pizza. Many dog owners wondered, “Can dogs eat pizza?” The honest truth is - probably not. There are a lot of human foods dogs can safely consume, but pizza is not one of them. If you ever wanted to share some of your pizza with your dog, here is what you should know about it.

Is pizza safe for dogs?

Pizza has many ingredients, and some of them individually are not dangerous to dogs. However, some ingredients can cause all sorts of problems for your dog. For example, some dogs handle dairy with ease, but others are lactose intolerant, and the smallest amount of cheese will cause gastrointestinal distress and issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive flatulence.

Generally speaking, pizza contains a lot of oil and spices that can be very unhealthy, even toxic, to dogs. Things like onions or garlic can cause severe medical issues, and worst cases can lead to hemolytic anemia. Another possible problem of constantly giving pizza to your dog is that it will cause your dog to gain weight. Canine obesity is a growing problem in the US. It is estimated that more than 60% of all family dogs are overweight.

Are pizza toppings safe for dogs?

The thing that makes pizza so delicious is the toppings. You can order all sorts of toppings that will make your pizza a bit sweeter or spicy. Generally speaking, not all pizza toppings are not safe for your dog to eat. Here are some ingredients and toppings you might get on a pizza and if they are safe for your dog;

• Sauce - Pizza sauce is made of ripe tomatoes, so it should be fairly safe for your dog to eat. However, some sauces contain spices that might not be safe.
• Cheese - If your dog is not lactose intolerant, cheese should be relatively safe for them to eat. However, if your dog cannot handle dairy, you should avoid giving them any kind of cheese. Want to know more about cheese and dogs? Check out this article - Is cheese safe for dogs?
• Pepperoni and processed meats - Pepperoni is probably one of the most popular pizza toppings. However, it is usually packed with salt, which is not safe for dogs to eat. Other processed meat like ham is also high in salt, and due to the dog’s delicate sodium levels, it is best to avoid giving any to them. The only meat safe for your dog that might come on pizza is chicken. Even that has to be unseasoned.
• Onion and garlic - As we already mentioned, onions and garlic are not safe for dogs. It can lead to toxicity and severe medical issues. You should avoid giving them to your dog at all costs.
• Pineapple - Pineapple is a pizza topping that became very popular in recent years. If you get raw pineapple on your pizza, that might be safe to share with your dog. However, most pineapple included on a pizza is canned. That means it is packed with sugar, and that is not healthy for your dog.
• Olives - Generally, dogs can have olives in moderation. However, since you don’t know where the olive on your pizza comes from, it would be best to avoid giving it to your dog.

Should you give pizza to your dog?

If you are looking for definitive advice on whether to share a slice of pizza with your dog, you should know that we would not recommend it. Pizza will not add any significant nutritional value to your dog’s diet, nor will your dog benefit from it in any way. We are against giving our dogs table scraps, which is generally a healthy practice most responsible dog owners practice. Your dog will not benefit from it.

Instead of pizza, you can share healthy fruits safe for dogs to eat. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and your dog will directly benefit from them. Plus, dogs usually love the taste of things like apples, bananas, or blueberries. It is a far safer and healthier alternative.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you want to introduce something new to your dog’s diet, you should talk to your vet. Your vet knows your dog and can give you great advice about your dog’s diet.

World Dog Finder team