In most cases dogs are not picky eaters but does that mean can dogs eat pizza crust as well? The thing is that pizzas tend to contain ingredients that are not made for dogs. Although, pizza is a fairly common food item amongst humans but does not necessarily have to be safe for dogs.
Therefore, if you have offered some pizza crust to your dog or it has ingested some accidentally, you do not need to panic as pizza crust will hardly cause any harm. However, keeping in mind that dogs are carnivores, you should not make it a regular habit of offering your dog pizza crust.
And plus, pizza does not contain any healthy ingredients that can benefit your dog’s overall health, which is why you need to be aware of the side effects to keep your dog protected.
Is pizza crust safe for dogs?
If you were wondering both pizza crust and pizza base are the same. Even though there is no harm in consuming either of the two but they are made of the same ratio of eggs, salt, flour, yeast, etc. Overall, these ingredients do not have any positive effect on your dog’s health, except for the tasty flavor your dog is after. With that said, it is not a good idea to give your dog a taste of the pizza crust no matter how much it likes it.
In other words, your dog can have pizza crusts but in a very small quantity on an occasional basis. The reason is that ingredients like salt and oil can make pizza toxic to your dog. Therefore, regular consumption might turn into obesity or a digestive problem down the road.
How much pizza crust is too much for dogs?
When it comes to offering items like pizza crust to your dog, it is not about what your dog can or cannot eat. Certain food items that are simply not made for dogs aren’t going to provide any health benefits. With that said, it is best to discontinue offering them food items that might only bring harm. Furthermore, a crumb of pizza crust won’t do any harm to your dog but do not make it a habit of throwing leftovers under the table for your pup.
The reason is that your dog will develop a habit of it and will constantly demand it every mealtime. However, if it’s already a problem, you should stop offering food to your dog regardless of the barking and begging.
Why dogs should only eat pizza crust?
Ironically, feeding pizza crust to your dog is not recommended but it is the only part of the pizza that dogs can eat as well. The reason dogs can eat crusts is that other ingredients in pizza can be toxic to dogs. For instance, onions and garlic, pizza sauce, cheese, salt, processed meat, pineapple, spices, oil, etc. are all threatening to dogs.
To begin with, pizza sauce is made using balsamic vinegar, canned tomatoes, salt, garlic, etc. This can make digestion slightly problematic for dogs. On the other hand, onion and garlic are proven enemies to dogs and are extremely toxic. Plus, cheese is one of the most popular toppings amongst humans but dogs can only have a small amount. The reason is that dogs are lactose intolerant.
Therefore, it is highly likely that your dog experiences diarrhea, vomiting or gas, etc. Furthermore, pizzas tend to contain a lot of sodium, which can lead to kidney damage in dogs. Meanwhile, pizzas are also topped with processed meats that are high in fat and sodium content. This can trigger weight gain in dogs and lead to obesity.
And finally, some pizzas are also topped with pineapple which can be troublesome for your dog if consumed excessively. You need to control the amount you offer to your dog to avoid vomiting and diarrhea afterward.
What other types of bread my dog cannot eat?
Apart from the pizza crust, there are other breads as well that your dog should not be eating. For instance, sweet biscuits, raisin bread, cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake, pretzels, and sourdough bread. Sweet biscuits are not only high in sugar content but also contain excessive carbohydrates while being low on fiber.
Although your dog might enjoy eating them but it will lead to weight gain problems. Furthermore, cinnamon rolls are glazed and topped with frosting that can be too rich and fatty. As a result, it should only be fed occasionally.
At the same time, bread with raisins should not be fed to your dog as raisins are known to cause kidney failures in dogs. Moreover, sourdough bread can be unhealthy if eaten raw and might lead to bloating in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. And like chips, pretzels are loaded with tons of salt and your dog can experience sodium ion poisoning if consumed in a large amount.
What healthy foods to include in dogs’ diet?
To make sure that your dog receives the essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, you should opt for healthy food items like non-fat yogurt, eggs, carrots, sardines, chicken breast, etc. Eggs can have a huge impact on your dog’s overall health considering it is high in vitamins, minerals, proteins, etc.
In addition to that, non-fat yogurt containing probiotics will help keep your dog’s body well-nourished and strong. On the other hand, sardines are known to carry omega-3 fatty acids that will help improve your dog’s overall health.
And finally, carrots being low in calories and high in fiber and vitamin A along with chicken breast containing proteins and a sufficient amount of energy to enable your dog to remain proactive throughout the day. Plus, chicken breast also contains essential fatty acids that will help your dog sustain its coat and skin.
FAQS
Can my dog have a piece of pizza crust?
Dogs are carnivores and are not able to digest human foods properly. Even though offering a small piece of pizza crust won’t do any harm but you should avoid it.
Is pizza bad for a dog?
Pizza is not known to cause serious harm to dogs but you have to be extra careful of the ingredients. Too much salt, garlic, and other spices and ingredients can be troublesome. This is why, even if your dog is able to tolerate small amounts of pizza, you should avoid it at all costs.
How much pizza can a dog eat?
You could offer a small piece of plain pizza, which is going to be safe for your dog. However, make sure that you do not go overboard with it. Plus, the size of the piece should be according to the size of the dog.
Conclusion
Oftentimes, dog owners tend to surrender to the constant whining and barking of their dogs when it comes to food. Instead of feeling guilty, you should work on cutting the habit and let your dog get used to eating nutritious and healthy meals from the bowl. Pizza crusts are relatively safer than other human foods but are still not safe for dogs. Therefore, it is better to find a better alternative that helps your dog maintain its health for years to come.
