Americans love their pizza and so do dogs! I bet if you would ask your dog what their favorite human food is, they would say pizza. Apart from hamburgers and french fries, I can’t think of another fast-food item that both humans and dogs love! So can Pugs eat pizza and should you really give it to them?
Can Pugs Eat Pizza?
No, pizza contains sauce, cheese, garlic, pepperoni, and several other ingredients that can be toxic to your pooch. Regardless of what type of pizza you et, there’s a possibility that it contains at least one ingredient that is bad for your pooch.
Note: This article is written by someone who owned a Pug for 16 years, not a veterinarian, and shouldn’t be a substitute for professional advice. If your Pug has eaten something potentially dangerous or is showing signs of illness, you should contact your vet immediately!
Is Pizza Safe For Pugs?
As mentioned above, the dangers of feeding pizza do your furbaby is the ingredients in it. Here are some of the most common ingredients that you should be very careful when feeding your dog (some of them should be off-limits at all times)
Garlic and Onions
Garlic and onions are some of the most common ingredients used in pizza because it gives it that extra flavor. However, both are toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs.
Both ingredients can be used as toppings or mixed in with the tomato sauce, which makes it impossible to remove for your pooch. The two vegetables are a part of the allium family of plants, which contain thiosulfate, which. can create a life-threatening form of anemia in both cats and dogs.
Tomato Sauce
Some dogs love eating veggies and tomatoes are not toxic to dogs. However, when used as a pizza sauce, it may contain significant amounts of sugar, salt, and other spices that can be toxic to dogs.
Just one cup of canned tomato sauce can have up to 27 mg of sodium. Even homemade pizza sauce will have too much sodium for your pooch.
Bacon
Bacon is not good for Pugs and should be avoided at all times. It is high in fat and sodium that can cause obesity, pancreatitis, and other health issues that just aren’t worth it. Avoid feeding your Pug bacon and other cured meats that can cause issues.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms can be a tricky thing when it comes to the safety of your pooch. Most mushrooms that are bought at a store can be okay for your four-legged friend. However, when it comes to wild mushrooms, you should have your dog avoid them like the plague. Read this article to find out everything you need to know about feeding your Pug mushrooms.
Just to play it safe, you should avoid giving your dog a bite of pizza that has mushroom, or mushroom sauce on it.
Cheese
Cheese isn’t necessarily bad for Pugs, in fact, many dog owners use cheese as a training tool for puppies. That being said, like humans some dogs are incapable of digesting lactose.
If you’ve never fed your dog milk or cheese before, you’ll want to use caution. Feeding them too much cheese at once can leave them with an upset belly.
High-Fat Content
Pizza is delicious, but it is covered in grease. Greasy foods are a big no no for dogs, because it can make them sick and cause them to become obese. An adult canine diet should contain no more than 14 grams of total fat.
Too much fat in your dog’s diet can cause heart disease and other illnesses. Other foods that are high in fat are french fries, hamburgers, ice cream, chips, and etc that should not be a part of your dog’s diet.
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Pizza To Pugs?
No, pizza isn’t one of the best foods for either humans or dogs. In fact, feeding your dog too much pizza, can cause gastrointestinal issues (GI), which can consist of vomiting and diarrhea.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Food Database, one 18 inch slice of Pizza Hut Pizza cheese pizza contains 410 calories, 40 mg cholesterol, 51 g carbohydrates, 7 g saturated fat and 820 mg sodium, which is way too high for dogs.
Dogs do require sodium in their daily diet to maintain proper nerve and muscle cell function. A healthy dog that weighs 33 pounds should consume no more than 100mg of sodium per day, according to the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources, a division of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council.
Consult with your veterinarian before adding more sodium or removing sodium from your dog’s diet.
Can Pugs Eat Pizza Dough?
No, raw dough is dangerous, as it expands in a warm, moist environment (stomach) that can cause bloat, or gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV) which is a twisting of the stomach. In addition, a fermentation process causes the unbaked yeast to produce carbon dioxide and alcohol.
Carbon dioxide is what causes bread to rise. The alcohol from the fermentation process can bleed into your pet’s bloodstream, which can cause alcohol poisoning. Pugs should never be given alcohol or raw dough because both can lead to poisoning.
Can Pugs Eat Pizza Rolls?
No, pizza rolls have no nutritional value for dogs or people. Many people love them because they are microwaveable and easy to prepare. However, frozen pizza rolls contain excessive preservatives, sodium, and high in calories.
Frozen pizza rolls contain BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) preservatives, which are carcinogens that are commonly found in frozen foods, potato chips, ready-made soups and etc.
Both BHT and BHA are cancer-causing compounds that can be bad for your four-legged friend.
Can Pugs Eat Pizza Crust?
No, even though pizza crust may. not have as many unhealthy ingredients like the rest of the pie, you should never feed the leftovers to your dog. The crust does not contain any nutritional value for your dog and embodies mostly sodium and carbohydrates.
Pugs are prone to obesity and the crust is high in calories. I know it’s hard to resist feeding your dog leftovers, especially, when they stare at you with those big puppy-eyes, but your furry friend needs high quality dog food and treats with distinct nutritional requirements.
Can Pugs Eat Pizza Sauce?
No, pizza sauce can contain onions, chives, garlic, pepper, salt, and other spices that can be toxic for your pooch. They most likely won’t get sick if they lick a small amount up off the floor.
I definitely wouldn’t let them lick the spoon, as that can give them an upset tummy.
My Pug Ate Pizza, What Should I Do?
You left the pizza sitting on the couch while you took a phone call outside. When you come back, you realize that your Pug at a little bit off your plate.
Well, there’s no need to panic. A small bite of pizza won’t cause toxicity or poisoning. However, if your dog ate a whole 21-inch pizza, it can be just a matter of hours, before they start exhibiting signs of an upset stomach.
You’ll want to contact your vet immediately. They’ll want to know what type of pizza your pooch ate and what kind of toppings it had. It’s best to take them to vet than wait around for them to show signs of sickness or toxicity.
The sooner your dog gets medical treatment, it minimizes the potential risk of health damage.
How To Feed Your Dog Pizza?
If your dog has developed a craving for pizza and doesn’t stop begging when you’re eating it. It’s time to stop eating it in front of your dog or get a little creative.
Human pizza is bad for dogs, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t prepare some dog-friendly pizza they will love. There are plenty of dog friendly recipes online that you can use to create something tasty your dog will love.
Alternatives To Pizza For Pugs
If you’re the type of dog owner who just has to share human food with your dog, then consider giving your pooch some healthy fruits and veggies they’ll love. The best part is you know they are good for your dog and you won’t have to worry about them becoming sick.
Here’s some dog-friendly veggies you can give your pup.
- Broccoli
- Blueberries
- Bananas
I’ve put together a whole list of vegetables Pugs can and can’t eat.
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Pizza
While pizza is not toxic to Pugs, it shouldn’t be fed to your dog (on a regular basis). If you do plan on sharing a small piece with your pooch, make sure that it doesn’t have any toxic ingredients such as (garlic, onions, spices and etc) that can be harmful to your pooch.
A dog’s digestive system is much more delicate than a human’s. Pizza has no nutritional value for dogs and is too greasy and salty for your dog to digest it properly. These ingredients can make your dog sick, lazy and obese.
Be mindful of what you feed your four-legged friend. Feed them a healthy diet and know what foods are good for Pugs and which aren’t. With proper care, love, diet, and exercise, your pooch can live a happy healthy lifestyle.
References And Further Reading
Pet Poison Helpline – Toxicity to Pets – Raw Dough
Nap EDU – Your Dog’s Nutritional Needs A Science Based Guide for Pet Owners