On the list of some of the most challenging things to do in the world, somewhere right on top is ignoring your dog’s puppy dog eyes. That look can make you cave into all their demands because it seems you need to be made of stone to deny them when they look at you like that.
And it seems our dogs are well aware of this fact and will use it to their advantage, especially during dinner time. Especially when you sit down with a piping hot slice of pizza, especially when you’re about to take your first bite, so you wonder: is it okay if I offer my dog a slice so that I can eat the rest of my pizza in peace?
The answer requires you to know two essential things. Number one is what is present on my pizza, and number two is any of those ingredients unsafe for my dog?
Lucky for you, we’re here to break down just how safe a slice of pizza can be for your canine.
Ingredients used to make pizza:
Pizza is made up of a wide variety of toppings. Here is a run-through of what exactly is used to make pizza.
If you’re thinking of playing it safe and not offering your canine the whole slice and just the crust, you aren’t playing it safe. You’ll find that compared to the rest of the pizza, the crust is the least harmful to your dog’s health but is still harmful nonetheless. The crust is a lot of carbs and sodium and is just a whole lot of empty calories for your dog. The crust will make your dog feel full but will offer no nutritional value. What the crust will do is play a role in a possible blood pressure spike in your dog and will also start gaining weight over time and lead your dog down a possible path of obesity.
The bread which is baked may also be difficult for your dog to digest and will make your dog lazy. The empty calories and lethargy can prove to be a terrible combination in the long run.
Pizzas also contain garlic and onion. These ingredients make your pizza that much more delicious but aren’t healthy for your dog. These vegetables belong to a plant family known as “Alliums,” which affect the oxygen present in the red blood cells. If your dog consumes this even in the bare minimum amount, it will negatively affect your dog’s blood.
These ingredients are especially dangerous because, by the time signs of poisoning become obvious, the damage to your dog has already been done, and might be too late to stop further damage. Your dog can end up suffering from hemolytic anemia, which can be fatal. Symptoms to look out for include:
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Unusual or red-colored urine
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
If left untreated, the anemia could lead your dog into a coma, and death can be the final result.
Everyone knows that pizza has to be dripping in cheese to be enjoyable. So there are certain things you need to know about cheese and your dog.
To start with, your dog is almost lactose intolerant, which means cheese will not sit well with them and will lead to digestive problems. While not all cheese is bad for your dog, the ones used in pizza most definitely are. High in fat and lactose, if given in the amount that is present in pizza, they will end up with upset tummies and a whole lot of nasty smelling gas.
pizza is safe for dogs
Pizza is not complete without pizza sauce, which is yet another unhealthy ingredient for your canine. Laden with sodium, this could be a potentially fatal ingredient. Sodium, in large amounts, can lead to blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems, and possible heart problems. If consumed in large amounts, your dog can go into shock and prove to be a lifelong health concern, and can result in death.
Unfortunately, if you’re a fan of pepperoni, that’s another ingredient that contains high amounts of sodium. And pepperoni is not the only meat topping that is harmful to your dog. Most of the meats present as toppings on your pizza are processed meat and have no nutritional value for your dog. Rather they have high levels of harmful substances such as sodium that pose health risks for your furry buddy.
What happens if a dog eats pizza?
Pizzas are also rich in oil and grease. It’s a part of what makes pizza so delicious. And just as excessive oil is detrimental to our health, it is also problematic for your dogs. The excessive amount of oil can lead to obesity. The oils and grease contain unhealthy amounts of fat, which are difficult to digest. While a chubby dog seems to look nothing but adorable, it’s not a good thing for your dog as it can cause a plethora of health issues, as we’ve discussed above.
What if you’ve been feeding your dog pizza over time or what if your dog stole a bit of your pizza? What are you supposed to do? Well, the first thing to do is stop giving your furry friend pizza at once. Monitor your dog for possible health concerns and also take them for a checkup with their vet as soon as possible. The same would be the case if your dog took a large chunk of pizza out of the box. However, if it’s just one slice, your dog will likely suffer from a bad tummy ache. If the ache doesn’t go away, consult the vet.
conclusion
So all in all, pizza will do no good for your dog. Unhealthy and a cause for several health issues, there is no point in feeding it to your canine other than satisfying their puppy dog eyes. It’s always important to be a responsible pet owner and monitor what they eat.