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No, it’s not safe for dogs to eat pizza. Pizza is full of ingredients that might be toxic to your dog. It contains a high level of sodium and fat, which can lead to obesity, digestive issues, and cardiovascular problems in dogs and other pets.

Pizza
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Caution: This food is generally considered risky by the veterinary community. Dogs should not eat this food and should be monitored for adverse effects.

Food Safety Exercise caution, avoid feeding
Nutritional Issues Sodium from salt, fat from cheese, sugar from pizza sauce
Potential Risks Salt toxicity, pancreatitis, anemia
Poisoning Symptoms Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort
Every dog is different. For specific feeding guidelines, including quantities and beneficial foods that are best for your dog, please consult your vet.

How Much Pizza is Unsafe for Dogs?

While a small bite won’t harm your dog’s health, it is wise to avoid feeding pizza to your dog altogether. If overfed, the high levels of fat and sodium inside pizza dough and sauce can lead to obesity and other harmful side effects in dogs.

What Makes Pizza Unsafe?

Typically pizza includes dough, cheese, pizza sauces, and topping such as olives, onions, herbs, and garlic. The high salt and fat content may cause your dog to develop pancreatitis, vomiting and diarrhea. The garlic and herbs inside the topping and pizza sauce can be toxic for dogs as well. Pizza is also high in calories which can lead to obesity in dogs if overfed.

Signs Your Dog Ate Too Much Pizza

If your dog ate a small bite of pizza, they will likely be fine as long as they did not ingest toxic toppings such as garlic or onion. If you suspect your dog ate a slice or two of pizza, there are a few signs to watch out for. These include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. If your dog shows signs of illness from the pizza, the best thing to do is to visit your nearest vet immediately.

Common Pizza Ingredients

  • Pizza Dough – Pizza dough consists of white flour which is full of carbohydrates. This can lead to obesity and digestive issues in some dogs.
  • Cheese – Cheese is full of fat and can lead to obesity and stomach upset in dogs.
  • Salt – Salt is typically found in pizza dough, sauce, and toppings. Therefore, feeding your dog pizza can lead to salt toxicity, changes in blood pressure, and other cardiovascular issues.
  • Onions – All the parts of an onion, such as the leaves, flesh, and powders, whether raw or cooked, can be toxic and harm your dog’s health.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, it would be best to avoid feeding your dog cheese pizza. Cheese is full of fat and can lead to obesity and other health problems in dogs.

  • No, pizza sauce contains an excess of salt, sugar, and other ingredients that can harm your dog’s health. It is best to keep it away from your pet.

  • No, pizza crust contains salt, yeast, and white flour. Feeding it to your dog can cause a host of health problems, including upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, etc.

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About the Writer
Dr. Hillary Wolfe , Veterinarian & Certified Food Therapist

Dr. Wolfe holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University and holds nutrition certifications from the NAVC and CIVT. Her business, Tula Veterinary Nutrition, hosts online courses that teach owners how to cook for their pet for optimal health and longevity. Follow her on Instagram at @doctorwolfe.dvm for dog nutrition tips, recipes and insights.