One whiff of a hot, cheesy pizza straight from the oven makes people look like they want to cry. It’s no surprise that dogs would want to eat pizza since it’s such a clear favorite among people.
But should you let your dog eat pizza, or is it safe for them to do so? Pizza is not safe for dogs to eat. Pizza is made with several ingredients that are not good for dogs, such as garlic, onion, and cheese.
If your dog does eat pizza, here’s what to do, when to call the vet, and what to give them instead.
As dog owners, we’ve all been there. You turn your back for a second and suddenly your pup has swiped a slice of pizza right off the counter! While it may be tempting to share a tasty treat with your furry friend, you likely have some concerns about the safety of pizza ingredients like sausage for dogs.
I totally get it. As a dog lover and pet parent myself, I’m always super careful about what I feed my pups. That’s why I wanted to write this article to give you the full scoop on whether or not sausage from pizza is actually okay for dogs to eat.
The Potential Risks of Feeding Pizza Sausage to Dogs
There are a few potential issues with letting your dog munch on sausage from a pizza. Here are some of the biggest risks and concerns:
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Fat content – Pizza sausage can have a very high fat content, which can lead to pancreatitis or other digestive issues in dogs if they eat too much of it. Too much fat at once is hard on your dog’s digestive system.
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Seasonings – Sausage on pizza often contains onion, garlic, and other seasonings that are toxic for dogs. Onion and garlic in particular can cause anemia in dogs if enough is consumed
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Salt content – Sausage and pizza in general tends to be very high in sodium Too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, and even sodium ion poisoning in dogs
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Undercooked meat – If the sausage isn’t thoroughly cooked, bacteria like salmonella could make your dog sick. Be sure any meat given to dogs is cooked through.
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Choking hazard – Depending on the size and shape of the sausage, it could present a choking risk, especially for smaller dogs or aggressive eaters.
So as you can see, there are definitely some legitimate concerns when it comes to letting dogs snack on pizza sausage. But all hope is not lost! Let’s take a deeper look at some ways you can more safely allow your pup an occasional sausage treat.
Tips for Safely Letting Your Dog Eat Sausage From Pizza
If you want to share a bite of your pizza with your dog, there are a few ways you can reduce the risks:
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Remove seasonings first – Pick off any onions, garlic, peppers, or other dog-unsafe toppings before giving the sausage to your dog. This eliminates the toxicity risk.
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Cut it up – Slice the sausage into small, bite-sized pieces. This lowers choking risk and allows you to more easily control portion sizes.
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Limit portions – No matter how much your dog begs, only allow 1-2 small pieces of sausage at most. Too much can overload their digestive system.
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Avoid excessive fat – Cut off any big chunks of visible fat before feeding it. The fat content is what makes sausage problematic.
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Pick plain sausage – Select a pizza with plain pork or chicken sausage instead of more highly seasoned varieties like Italian sausage. This reduces the salt and spicy seasoning.
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Use it as training treats – Break the sausage into tiny bits to use for positive reinforcement training. This way your dog only gets trace amounts at a time.
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Stick to fully cooked – Never feed your dog raw or undercooked sausage or meat of any kind. Make sure it’s thoroughly cooked through.
Healthier Alternatives to Sausage for Dogs
While an occasional small bite of sausage probably won’t harm your dog, there are much healthier treat alternatives you can offer instead. Here are some of my top choices:
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Dehydrated chicken or turkey – This gives them that meaty flavor without the unhealthy fat content.
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Carrots or green beans – Veggies make great low-calorie treats. You can chop them up small to reduce any choking hazard.
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Apple slices – Apples are a sweet, hydrating choice full of healthy nutrients. Just remove seeds first.
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Peanut butter – Smear a dab on a toy as a tasty distraction. Just be sure it doesn’t contain xylitol.
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Plain popcorn – Pop some plain popcorn for a crunchy, low-cal treat (no butter or salt!).
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Frozen banana – Slice up a frozen banana for a cooling summery snack.
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Store-bought treats – Pick a reputable brand of commercial dog treats made with quality ingredients.
The Verdict on Sausage From Pizza for Dogs
At the end of the day, an occasional small bite of plain cooked sausage from pizza is unlikely to harm an otherwise healthy dog. But there are definitely healthier treat options out there with less risk of digestive issues or toxicity. Your best bet is to avoid making it a regular habit, and always take precautions like removing seasonings and limiting portion size whenever you do decide to share a bite of sausage with your pup.
The most important thing is to know your dog – if they have food sensitivities or chronic health issues, it’s best to avoid pizza sausage altogether. Every dog’s tolerance is different. But for most healthy pups, a bite here and there of plain cooked sausage is fine. Just offer it in strict moderation!
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Can Dogs Eat Pizza Rolls?
Pizza rolls contain a combination of ingredients that can be harmful to dogs. This is a greasy treat for dogs that doesn’t have any nutritional value. The cheese and other unhealthy seasonings can also make their stomachs hurt. So, just don’t feed your dog pizza rolls.
Keep a close eye on your dog if he eats a pizza roll that fell to the floor and call your vet if he seems sick.
Can Dogs Have Pizza?
While delicious to us humans, pizza contains several ingredients that are dangerous for dogs. You should not feed your dog pizza, no matter how much they beg for a taste.
Some common pizza ingredients, like onions, garlic, spices, dairy, and the high fat and salt content, can make your dog sick or give them digestive problems. Onions and garlic are toxic to dogs. Even though the cheese and toppings like pepperoni and sausage may not be dangerous, they can make your dog sick.
All of these ingredients can cause digestive issues, including stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Over time, giving your dog foods that are high in fat and salt, like pizza toppings, can cause belly fat and serious health problems.
Can dogs have sausage?
FAQ
What if my dog eats sausage?
Is it safe for dogs to eat pizza?
Can I give my dog pepperoni from my pizza?
Can dogs eat pepperoni and sausage?
Can dogs eat sausage?
Unfortunately, there aren’t really any nutritional benefits to letting your pup eat sausage. Yes, dogs need meat and require protein to stay healthy, but the negatives of sausage far outweigh the protein boost your pet would get. What are those negatives? For starters, sausages are high in fat, which is unhealthy for your pet.
Can dogs eat pizza sauce?
However, pizza sauce isn’t made from tomatoes alone. Some of its other ingredients, like garlic and herbs, could be harmful to your dog. Additionally, many store-bought pizza sauces have added sugar. Eating too much sugar over time can result in obesity (a risk factor for the development of diabetes), says DogTime.
Can dogs eat pizza dough?
Additionally, the dough is often high in sugar and fats, which can lead to obesity and related health issues in dogs. Tomato Sauce: Plain tomato sauce in small amounts is generally safe for dogs. However, the sauce used in pizzas often contains garlic and onions, which are toxic to dogs.
What happens if a dog eats pizza?
The high-fat content in pizza can lead to pancreatitis, a severe and potentially life-threatening condition. Additionally, ingredients like garlic and onion can cause anemia in dogs. The excessive salt content in processed meats and cheese can lead to sodium ion poisoning, characterized by symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, and seizures.
How much sausage can a dog eat?
The amount of sausage your dog can safely consume depends on factors such as their size, breed, and individual health conditions. Moderation is key, as sausages are often high in fat and salt, contributing to health issues like obesity and gastrointestinal distress.
Can dogs eat sausages if they eat too much salt?
Sausages, notorious for their savory flavor, often harbor high levels of salt and fat. These elements, while contributing to the taste humans love, pose significant health risks for dogs. The canine digestive system is not equipped to handle excessive amounts of salt, potentially leading to sodium ion poisoning.