 The Short Answer is:
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It is not recommended that dogs eat pizza at any time. Pizza should never be fed to your dog other than to satisfy those begging eyes which would only exacerbate the problem. |
In this research you will know the answer to the query “Can Dogs Eat Pizza?“.
Pizza is a well-established popular food enjoyed by many people throughout the world. Originally brought to America by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s pizza is now considered a traditional American meal often served to dinner guests and frequently the food of choice for parties. Do dogs need to avoid pizza or can they eat it?
If you have ever wondered “Can I feed my dog pizza?” the answer is NO – you should not feed your dog pizza. Most dogs would enjoy a slice of pizza but this is not a good food choice because of the poor nutritional value and side effects.
Here we’ll discuss what pizza is made of if dogs can eat pizza what the benefits (if any) would be and if pizza is bad for dogs and why.
What is pizza?
Cheese and tomato sauce are topped on a cooked flatbread called pizza. A variety of toppings can be added to it including meats vegetables spices and condiments. Pies can be made fresh frozen or sold by the slice or as a whole pie. It is one of the most popular fast food options in America.
Powell et al. (2015) report that pizza is the number one junk food in the United States today. Pizza originated in the 10th century and today there are many different types of pizza. Deep-dish Chicago Greek and New York-style pizzas are some of the most popular kinds in the United States.
This is what pizza looks like:
The most common components of pizza are cooked bread dough sauce and cheese. Pizza is delicious but not very nutritious food. You can make it even less healthy by adding a variety of toppings. But what about dog pizza? What is the best way to prepare and serve pizza for dogs? Is pizza bad for dogs at all times and in any form?
Can Dogs Eat Pizza?
When is the best time for dogs to eat pizza and is there any good reason to give pizza to dogs? It is not recommended that dogs eat pizza at any time. Pizza should never be fed to your dog other than to satisfy those begging eyes which would only exacerbate the problem.
Pizza is certainly a favorite food of many dogs but that does not mean they should eat it. Pizza ingredients can be good for the dog when given separately in a fresh form; however most toppings are not beneficial to your dogs health and may even be harmful. Even potentially good ingredients are not appropriate because they are likely to be salted or covered in sauce.
The majority of pizzas will also contain processed meat. In our bologna meat research we examined how harmful processed meats are to dogs. Generally studies have shown that processed meats cause cancer obesity and heart disease in both humans and animals.
If you give your dog a small bite of pizza it may not cause severe damage to your dogs health but it may at least upset your dogs stomach. In the long run however feeding your dog pizza on a regular basis can result in more serious health complications.
There are no benefits of pizza for dogs
Is it possible for dogs to eat pizza and benefit from at least some of the toppings on it? It is unlikely that any of the foods on a pizza will be suitable for a dog.
The ingredients in pizza or the garnishes that are used on pizza can be deadly for some dogs as pizza contains little to no nutritional value.
If you are looking for a tasty treat for your dog it is better to stay clear of pizza and instead choose from a variety of other treats that are not harmful to their health and may even provide health benefits. You can give your dog a homemade peanut butter treat or a can of pumpkin instead of pizza.
5 Potential Side Effects of Pizza for Dogs
1. Cheese does not mix well with dogs’ natural lactose intolerance
Pizza with cheese topping will make canine digestion difficult as cheese is a dairy product and most dogs are lactose intolerant and not designed to digest milk products.
Furthermore the cheese varieties used in pizza have a high-fat content which is not healthy for dogs as well as difficult to digest.
2. The onions and garlic often used in pizza are dangerous to a dog’s health
Garlic and onions are two ingredients often found in or on pizza that dogs are known to be toxic to. This pair of foods is part of the allium family contains thiosulfate and causes irreparable oxidative damage to red blood cells. According to studies a small amount of garlic or onion is not enough to cause harm to a dogs blood.
Symptoms of onion or garlic poisoning do not appear until a few days after consumption when the damage has already been done. Hemolytic anemia a potentially life-threatening condition can affect dogs. There are other symptoms of anemia as well:
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Abnormal or red-colored urine
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Abdominal pain
- Jaundice
- Rapid breathing
3. Tomato sauce is not healthy because of its high sodium content
Although tomatoes in and of themselves are not harmful to dogs when tomatoes are used as the sauce for pizza significant amounts of salt are added along with sugar and spices to make the pizza sauce.
Dogs should not consume products with high sodium content. You may experience immediate digestive problems as well as other health concerns such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Dogs may even die from exposure to large amounts of sodium.
4. Heavy oils in pizza have adverse impacts on a dog’s body
Is there any pizza that isnot oily and greasy to some extent? Though people might like the taste of that it can upset their digestive systems. A dogs stomach is the same way. Dogs have a difficult time digesting excess fat and oils contain excess fats.
Dogs that regularly consume pizza are likely to gain weight and become obese setting off a chain reaction of dangerous illnesses such as pancreatitis.
5. Pizza crust can lead to obesity over time
Pizza crusts which are not directly harmful to dogs might be especially enjoyable to them. In contrast the crust is mostly sodium and carbohydrates and does not provide any nutritional value for a dog.
If left unchecked those crusts will accumulate and may lead to obesity in your dog. A dog that is already obese or has a tendency to overeat may face serious health problems in the future.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza?
Is pizza good for dogs or is it bad for them? The answer to this question is a resounding no – dogs should not eat pizza ever especially as a regular part of their diet.
Pizza has too many potential hazards in both the ingredients and the toppings to justify giving it to your dog and putting his health at risk.
Keep your dog away from fast food and junk food. Consider healthier and safer options for treating your pet such as blueberries or bananas.
If you want to read more about dog food tips read here: Dog Food Tips and Tricks.
