Does feeding your dog with pizza makes you think is it safe to do so? Well, the answer is not that straightforward. We have so much in this article to help you make the right decision for your furry friend.
You are going to decide whether humans and dogs can share a slice of Pizza, or if this tempting treat is best kept away from your dogs.
We humans express our love towards animals by giving them edible treats. That is okay as long as the treatment is safe for our dogs. Pizza is considered one of the comfort foods for humans but what about dogs? Is it safe? Is it bad for our dog’s health?
The answer is that it is not considered good practice to feed your dog Pizza on regular basis because of the ingredients that are considered unhealthy for dogs like carbohydrates, salt, sugar, and various toppings.
It’s junk food for humans after all that can be bad when consumed in excess, so we can assume how worse it can be for our dogs whose bodies are meant to feed on meat.
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Why is Pizza Unhealthy for Dogs?
Dogs are carnivorous that feed on meat. Their fat and calorie needs are different from humans. Pizza is junk food that contains an excess amount of unhealthy ingredients that are considered bad for dogs’ health. Hight content of fats, carbohydrates, salt, sugar, pizza sauce, and toppings can cause serious illness to our dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Pizza Crust?
Most of us leave behind Pizza crust and that usually gets to waste. But having a dog around you means that those left pieces of Pizza crust become their treat. This small treat on an occasional basis would not harm your dog, however, it should not be part of the diet.
Pizza crust with no topping is less in nutritional value and is unlikely to cause any severe illness to dogs than a whole slice of pizza but keeping in mind that moderation is key!
Pizza crust itself has no nutritional value except high salt and carbohydrates content which will cause no good for your dog’s health. Thinking of making pizza crust part of your dog’s diet is far from good for your dog.
Keep in mind, too, that dogs are not good to control their impulse! If you feed your dog your food, they’ll not miss out on it and expect it every time. Staring with a small slice of pizza crust can lead to great problems.
Is Pizza Crust Bad for Dogs?
The pizza crust is merely just a loaf of bread which is unlikely to cause any harm to our dogs if given in moderation. But why in this world I would feed my dog something that causes no good for his health?
The pizza crust is made from refined wheat flour and like humans, some dogs are more sensitive to consuming wheat which may cause digestive issues.
In addition to wheat, Pizza crust is loaded with sugar, salt, and empty calories which can contribute to detrimental dogs’ health. Your dog is more likely to gain weight if they snaffle too much on merely a whole pile of empty calories.
Also, some pizza crusts are made with additional seasoning and herbs which are not considered good for dogs’ health and are even poisonous. The leftover traces of sauce and cheese add up to more damage and aggregate other diseases.
Raw Pizza Dough for Dogs
Raw pizza dough is extremely unhealthy if consumed by dogs in excess amounts. If your dog is a counter surfer and you are working on pizza dough, just keep an eye on your pet! Raw pizza dough contains high content of yeast for fermentation.
This yeast produces alcohol during the fermentation process. This fermented dough can cause serious health issues for your dog and can be fatal. The dough gets absorbed into the body which can cause an increase in blood sugar level, swollen stomach, and bloating.
These conditions are life-threatening and difficult to tackle at home, so it is essential to seek veterinary attention as soon as you suspect your dog has eaten the raw pizza dough.
What’s in the Pizza that makes it Unhealthy for Your Dog?
Dogs can munch on a small slice of pizza crust occasionally but other ingredients in pizza, including toppings, seasoning, and pizza sauce can potentially be more harmful to their bodies; with that, it is highly recommended that you must be aware of each one of the ingredients to avoid negligent feeding your precious furry friends.
Let’s have a look at a few ingredients that may prove harmful to the dog’s health if they snack too much on pizza.
Pizza Sauce
Most pizza sauces are made up of tomatoes as a base which can be tempting to some dogs. Pizza sauce also contains spices and herbs to enhance the flavor. The key ingredients of sauce; garlic and onion powder make it more hazardous to the digestive system of dogs.
Also, the sugar and carbohydrates content in pizza sauce is high, which is roughly 10 grams of sugar and 15 grams of carbohydrates per cup
Onion and Garlic
Onions and garlic are the worst to add to any dog’s diet. These two are highly toxic to dogs’ health. Dogs become anemic with these ingredients which damage their red blood cells causing a low supply of oxygen to their bodies.
Pizza sauce contains these duo ingredients as staples to enhance flavor and aroma. It should only be limited to comfort the taste buds of humans to add an extra boost of flavor, but for dogs, it is better to keep these ingredients away altogether.
Cheese
Cheese is something that nobody can resist. We all are drooling over the melted oozing cheese topped on the pizza straight out of the oven. Our dogs also love them as we do! But do the cheese love them back? To clear that out; cheese is not proven to be as harmful as other ingredients in the pizza are.
Exceptions come in cases where dogs are lactose intolerant or have a sensitive digestive system. Other than that, it is safe to treat your dogs occasionally with some mozzarella or cheddar cheese toppings.
You can add the Stewart Freeze Dried Cheddar Cheese to your dog’s pizza crust treat. It’s all-natural 100% reduced-fat cheddar cheese with high calcium and is idle for your dog’s health. It has an incredibly palatable aroma and comes in different mouthwatering flavor that your dog love to eat. The product has got 4.8 stars with 21,891 ratings from the Amazon website.
Processed Meat
As we all are familiar that dogs are carnivores and their bodies are meant to feed on flesh and meat. One would think that it would surely be a safe option to treat your dog with processed meat on the pizza.
Well, here again, the answer is not what you think. Processed meat in pizza toppings like bacon and pepperoni is not good for your dog’s health as they contain high fat and sodium content which tend to disturb the digestive system of dogs. Highly processed meat can cause weight gain leading to other potential health issues in dogs.
It is recommended to add unprocessed, lean, and cooked meat to your dog’s diet. Here is a top pick that you can corporate into your pup’s diet to provide better nutrition value.
The product is made with real chicken or beef in gravy for a tempting taste dogs will love. Pedigree choice cuts adult wet dog food is 100% complete and balanced juicy, meaty bites with a soft texture and mouthwatering flavor. The product has got very handsome rating on the Amazon’s website.
Do All Dogs Have the Same Eating Nature?
The eating behavior of dogs may vary depending upon the breed of your dog. Some dogs show far good tolerance to human food, but some just can’t have a bite. It depends on the breed, age, and size of the dog.
Big breed dogs have usually less appetite and remain full without munching on snacks. On contrary, small pups are more likely to have small meals throughout the day. So, you have to consider the eating habits of your dog while planning their food intake.
What Happens When Dogs Eat Excessive Pizza Crust?
Excess of anything is considered bad. The same is the case with dogs. If your dog has eaten an excessive amount of pizza crust or you have been treating your dog with pizza a little more than usual; your dog may show these reactions that you should be bothered about:
Digestion Issues
The pizza crust contains seasoning, salt, sugar, garlic, and onion powder. These ingredients are toxic to dogs’ health and cause an immediate reaction when consumed in excess.
This can hurt the stomach and you may observe symptoms of stomach irritation. Your dog is likely to suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, bloating, constipation, and low activity level. This is an alarming situation and calls for veteran assistance as soon as possible.
Allergic Reactions
Feeding your dog on pizza crust can trigger some allergic reactions. Some dogs are gluten intolerant and are sensitive to wheat, cheese, and dairy products. The pizza crust is based on wheat flour which may cause severe allergic reactions in their bodies in form of skin rash, itchy skin, breathing difficulty, dermatitis, and skin redness.
The same is the case with lactose intolerant dogs who may show the same symptoms after munching on pizza crust. Consult a veteran as soon as possible to calm down any allergic reaction.
If your dog is gluten-intolerant, you can try this vegan and gluten-free flour to make pizza dough that won’t hurt your pet’s stomach. It is made with simple ingredients, certified gluten-free, non-GMO, grain-free, corn-free, paleo-friendly, and plant-based products.
What To Do Next If Dogs Eat Excessive Pizza Crust?
As soon as you suspect some abnormal behavior of your dog after consuming pizza crust, your first and immediate step should be to call a veteran and book a consultation. He will give the best possible treatment to your dog according to the severity of the symptoms. Meanwhile this is what you can do to help your dog stay comfortable and ease their suffering a little.
Observe Signs and Symptoms
Watch out for your dogs for signs and symptoms that trigger a particular disease or health condition. Observe their stomach activities, signs of bloating, etc. as they are caused by excessive gluten intake or if your dog is gluten-intolerant.
Any skin redness, itching, heavy breath, and discomfort are signs of some allergic reaction. You should observe these symptoms so that you could brief the condition of your dog better during veteran consultation.
Feed the Dog Light Meals
Once your dog gets recovered, do not feed them a heavy diet. Start slowly with light, unseasoned, boiled, and bone broth, and then gradually increase the nutrition value of their diets.
You can try this light meal if your dog is recovering from illness. It is a 100 percent complete and balanced small breed adult dog food that includes 23 essential vitamins and minerals optimal for your dog’s health. The product has a very good rating on the Amazon’s website.
Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Your dog will tend to lose a lot of fluids through diarrhea and vomiting. You must keep them hydrated to prevent progression into a serious health condition. Keep a bowl of fresh, cool water easily accessible to them so they can drink it when they need it.
You can get your hands on this water bowl which is a 1 Gallon dog water bowl dispenser that slowly dispenses water to save time between refills. The product ensures pets have easy access to a lasting supply of cool water to keep their pets hydrated.
Healthy Pizza Crust for Dogs
We are sure of the fact that every time someone brings a pizza at home, your furry friends keep an eye to have a bite of that tempting delicacy. But feeding your dog with this delicacy raises potential health issues for the pup.
To avoid these risks, it is best to stick to a healthier option and switch towards a homemade dog-friendly pizza instead. While making pizza for your dog you should be concerned about the ingredients that you will be using.
This recipe is completely dog-friendly pizza made with cauliflower pizza crust! Super delicious, high in nutrition, and light on your pup’s little stomach.
Cauliflower Pizza Crust
- 1whole cauliflower
- ½cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2large eggs
Pizza Toppings
- Soft wet meaty dog fooddesired amount
- 2tablespoons tomato paste
- 2tablespoons of water
- mozzarella cheesefor topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
- Put the cauliflower into a food processor and grind it until it comes into powder form. It yields about 3 cups.
- Transfer the powder into a bowl. Cover the bowl with a wet paper towel to keep it moist.
- Microwave for 5 minutes or until cauliflower becomes soft.
- Let the cauliflower cool for 5 more minutes. Drain the cauliflower using a cloth or a strainer and remove the excess water.
- Transfer the drained cauliflower into a mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and 2 large eggs. Mix all the ingredients till well combined.
- Knead the dough and spread it onto the baking tray or pizza stone. Bake for 10 mins or until golden.
- In another bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of tomato paste with 2 tablespoons of water. The sauce will be light and safe for your dog.
- Once the cauliflower pizza dough is completely baked, add pizza sauce, cheese, and soft wet meaty dog food. Put the pizza into the oven and bake again for 3-5 mins to allow the cheese to melt. Top the cooked pizza with dog-friendly seasoning if desired.
Ways to Safely Feed Pizza to Your Dog?
Now that you have freshly baked dog-friendly pizza, a thought might appear in your mind How much is safe to feed at once? How much will my dog needs? How much will become too much on your dogs?
Let’s just say a small crumb of Pizza won’t hurt anybody! But if you make it a habit to share small pieces of leftovers pizza with your pup or include pizza in their daily food intake, your pup will start demanding the same food every time.
Training your dog to munch on dog food instead of yours will give them the best possible balanced diet. It will improve their health for good, giving you and your pup happier years together.
To make things easy for you, we come up with different ways to safely treat your dog with a pizza without disturbing their eating habits.
Give Them a Small Piece
Giving them whole pizza at once is not a smart move. It will make it hard for your dog to chew and digest the food properly. Cut the pizza into small slices so that your dog can easily eat them.
Small Meal Portion
Do not feed your dog large meals. It may cause weight gain, and low appetite and aggravates other health issues. Make the meal size small so that your dog will get the dense nutrition value throughout the day.
Make it a Fun Experience
Do not just give them food and walk away. Spend mealtime with them and make your dog’s eating process more interesting by cheering them up with praises and words of affection.
Use Slow-Feeder Bowl
Do not just throw a slice of pizza on the floor to eat. Use a slow- to slow down your dog’s eating speed. Eating in a bowl will make your dog enjoy their meal longer and feel full by consuming less food at a time.
You can buy this slow feeder bowl for your dog to keep them busy for long and enjoy their mealtime. It is a uniquely designed fun feeder dog bowl that features feeder bowl meal-lengthening ridges to help slow down your dog’s eating time by ten times! Its weight is 0.54 pounds, easy to clean and carry. The product has amazing rating on the Amazon’s website.
Healthy Food Options for Your Dog
The love for pizza is surely not as much as we love our furry friends. Human food should not be made part of the animal diet in any case. Once your dog becomes used to munching on pizza crust or any sort of human food, they will ask for it every time.
For their good health and wellbeing, it is best to stick to healthier options when it comes to feeding your pup a treat. Here are some of the top picks that you can add to your dog’s meal for a healthy, balanced, and nutrient-dense diet.
These dog treats are soft, chewable bacon strips. Beggin’ Fun Size strips provide the ultimate treat experience for your dog. The product has no artificial flavor and a rich smell that makes your dog eat them anytime. The product has a tremendous rating on Amazon’s website.
We hope that you liked the article. Did you ever feed your dog with a pizza? if so, then how often? And what were your observations? Kindly tell us in the comments below.