Can Dogs Eat Pizza?
Yes, they can! But they really shouldn’t eat it all the time as it’s greasy and has lots of carbs. However, pizza is by no means toxic or dangerous; it’s just not recommended, similar to how cheese, deli meat, salty prosciutto, and other add-ons are not recommended for dogs. That doesn’t mean you can’t share pizza with your dog, but just make sure to do it occasionally and with dog-friendly ingredients!
My dog would agree pizza is the best-tasting thing in the world! My husband and I travel to Italy every summer and love indulging in pizza with various toppings, and I can tell you—from a classic Margarita to bianca pizzas with spicy sausages and smoked cheese—I have never eaten a bad pizza in Italy! To me, it’s the best dish with an amazing combination of texture, flavor, and nutrients!
However, not all pizza toppings are safe. We have blue cheese that’s not safe for dogs, often found on quattro formaggi, then there are pizzas with onions and garlic that are both not safe for dogs in large amounts, and dozens of types of pepperoni, salami, and other tasty meats! If you’re used to sharing pizza with your dog, stay tuned as we break down the ingredients and whether or not they’re safe for dogs.
Myth – onions and garlic on pizza are toxic to dogs
Now, bear with me—while onions are highly toxic to dogs, and garlic is as well, there has to be a significant amount of onions and garlic to become toxic! I have seen people losing their minds over a slice of onion, but there’s really no reason to panic that much.
So, here’s the thing: dogs hate onions, and they won’t even eat them, but if they do, there’s no way that a small amount will damage red blood cells and cause hemolytic anemia. I am going to leave a source here where you can read about onion toxicity for dogs so you can see how rare that is.
So, even if there’s a small piece of onion, like a slice or two, anemia and toxicity won’t happen, so please don’t worry.
Myth – tomato is toxic for dogs
This is simply not true. Tomatoes are not toxic, and they are perfectly safe for dogs. Not to mention that on pizza, we use tomato sauce that’s absolutely safe, fine, and tasty. There are some sources online where you can read that green, unripe tomatoes are toxic to dogs, as they contain solanine and tomatine. But here’s the catch—the highest concentration of these substances is in the stem and leaves, so even if your dog eats green tomatoes, they will be fine.
I’m not saying this to encourage you to give your dog pizza; I am just doing some good, old, thorough research to stop this nonsense about pizza or tomatoes being toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat pizza crust?
Yes, they can. The pizza crust is absolutely fine, but don’t overdo it. If they eat a lot, their stomach will be full, and they’ll most likely skip their next meal. So, we can say that pizza crust isn’t the healthiest treat for dogs. It’s mostly made of flour, water, yeast, olive oil, and salt. While these ingredients aren’t harmful, other than calories (energy), they don’t have good nutrients. Dogs need a protein-rich diet, and pizza crust is all about carbs.
Flour is the main ingredient, and it’s just simple carbs that don’t do much for dogs. They’re better off getting their energy from protein and fat. Olive oil adds a bit of fat, but there’s not enough in the crust to make any real difference. And then there’s salt—too much of it can actually be bad for dogs, leading to dehydration or, in extreme cases, something more serious.
How dogs digest yeast
Yeast is what makes pizza dough rise and gives it that nice, fluffy texture. It’s not really a problem for dogs in small amounts, but it doesn’t add any nutritional value either.
If a dog eats raw dough with active yeast, that’s when you might have an issue. The yeast can keep rising in their stomach, causing bloating and discomfort, and in the worst cases, it can be really dangerous. According to ASPCA, when yeast is raw and uncooked, it starts to ferment the carbs in the dough, which produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. If your dog eats it, this process can keep going in their stomach, making them feel disoriented, bloated (which can sometimes lead to bloat), and wobbly. Just like in people, alcohol poisoning can be really dangerous, even fatal, for pets.
Once the dough is baked, the yeast is no longer active, so it’s safer for dogs. But still, yeast doesn’t do much for their health, so it’s better to keep pizza crust as an occasional treat.
When you give your dog pizza, make sure to remove the onions and avoid giving them pizza with pesto, as pesto is not good for dogs—although basil itself is safe and can even help freshen their breath! Remove all the critical toppings, and stick to ham and cheese to let them indulge once in a blue moon.
Rating pizza toppings for dogs!
We’ve mentioned the bad stuff, but now, let’s look at the “good” stuff that dogs can eat. The whole point of sharing pizza with dogs is to let them indulge if that’s your thing. If you feed your dog 100% dog food and never share any human food, hats off to you—that’s the best possible thing you can do for your dog. My dog steals pizza from us, and it’s always a struggle. Check out this table. I hope it will help.
| Pizza Topping | Safe or Not Safe | Why | What Can Happen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artichokes | Safe | Cooked artichokes are safe and offer some nutritional benefits. | Generally safe, no significant risks. |
| Mushrooms | Safe | Store-bought mushrooms are safe; wild mushrooms can be toxic. | Wild mushrooms can cause toxicity and serious health issues. |
| Cheese | Safe in moderation | Cheese is generally safe but high in fat. | Too much fat can lead to weight gain and pancreatitis. |
| Ham | Safe in moderation | Plain, cooked ham is safe but high in salt. | Excessive salt can lead to dehydration and other issues. |
| Prosciutto | Safe in moderation | Similar to ham, prosciutto is safe but very salty. | High salt intake can cause health problems over time. |
| Olives | Safe in moderation | Plain, pitted olives are safe but high in sodium. | High sodium can lead to dehydration and other issues. |
| Pineapple | Safe in moderation | Pineapple is safe but contains sugar. | Too much sugar can lead to weight gain and digestive issues. |
| Pepperoni | Not Safe | Contains harmful spices like garlic and onion powder; high in fat and salt. | Can cause stomach upset, toxicity, and other health issues. |
| Sausage | Not Safe | Often seasoned with garlic and onion, which are toxic to dogs. | Can lead to toxicity, digestive issues, and other problems. |
| Onions | Not Safe | Extremely toxic to dogs. | Can cause severe health issues, including anemia. |
| Garlic | Not Safe | Highly toxic to dogs. | Can lead to significant health problems. |
| Blue Cheese | Not Safe | Contains roquefortine C, which is toxic to dogs. | Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. |
| Pesto | Not Safe | Contains garlic and sometimes nuts, both of which are unsafe for dogs. | Can cause toxicity and serious health issues. |
Ham, salami, prosciutto
Ham and salami are safe pizza toppings, but they are salty, spicy, and sometimes full of fat. Some toppings, like pepperoni, are not safe for dogs as they have lots of spices, including garlic and onion powder, which can upset their stomach. The same goes for sausages, which are also not safe for dogs. Other meats are fine, but it’s better to remove pepperoni and sausage before you share pizza with your dog.
Can dogs eat pineapple pizza?
They can! I just really doubt they’ll eat the pineapple, but if they do, it’s perfectly safe. Dogs can eat pineapple (Hawaiian pizza), but again, as an occasional treat. They can even join the never-ending online war about pineapple pizza, as I’m sure they’ll have an opinion.
How about mushrooms?
Luckily, dogs can eat mushrooms from a pizza because it would be really tricky to remove them! All the typical store-bought mushrooms are safe for dogs, and they even have minerals that are considered healthy, so it’s perfectly fine for your dog to eat them. I mentioned store-bought mushrooms because I want you to be careful if you’re making homemade pizza and experimenting with wild mushrooms. I’m no expert, but there are lots of wild mushrooms that are toxic to both humans and pets.
What cheese on pizza is safe for dogs?
Cheese is okay for dogs in small amounts, and most dogs can handle it just fine. Here’s a tip! A lot of dogs really love the taste of cheese, and it can even be handy for sneaking their meds. But keep in mind that cheese is pretty high in fat, and when you mix that with the carbs from pizza crust, it’s not something we’d recommend giving to dogs on a regular basis. If they eat too much fat and carbs over time, they can have issues like pancreatitis and weight gain.
Olives on pizza are okay for dogs
And while dogs can have olives without pits, of course, you need to remember that they are really salty and can upset their stomach a bit. All olives, like green, black, and Kalamata olives, are safe for dogs; they are just not recommended.
Artichokes are okay for dogs
If you’re wondering whether dogs can eat artichokes from your pizza, you’d be happy to learn that they can! The tender parts of artichokes are safe for dogs, and they can digest them just fine!
So, all in all, while pizza is certainly not dog food, it’s okay to share it with them from time to time as a special treat. Just keep in mind that dogs need balanced nutrition, and feeding them pizza is basically feeding them junk.
Love, life, and fur forever!
FAQs
These are the most popular questions about dogs eating pizza. If you have more questions, please leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to answer!
Can dogs eat cauliflower pizza?
Yes, dogs can eat cauliflower pizza! Cauliflower is safe and even healthy for dogs, but the other stuff on the pizza—like cheese, oils, and seasonings—might not be that great. If you’re making cauliflower pizza at home, try to keep it simple and go easy on the extra fats or seasonings.
Can dogs eat pizza crust with cheese?
Sure, dogs can eat pizza crust with cheese, but it’s best to keep it as an occasional treat. Cheese is pretty high in fat, and when you mix that with the carbs in the crust, it’s not exactly a great combo for your dog. Too much of this can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
Can dogs eat raw pizza dough?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat raw pizza dough. The yeast in the dough can keep rising in their stomach, which can cause bloating and even lead to something serious like bloat. Plus, the fermentation process makes alcohol, which is toxic to dogs. Always make sure the dough is fully cooked before thinking about giving any to your dog—and even then, just in small amounts.
Can dogs eat Domino’s pizza?
If Domino’s pizza doesn’t have any of the harmful toppings we talked about, like onions, garlic, or blue cheese, then a small piece might be okay as a treat. But really, it’s better to read the whole article to know which ingredients are safe and which aren’t. Remember, pizza shouldn’t be a regular thing in your dog’s diet.
Can dogs eat supreme pizza?
Supreme pizza usually has a lot of toppings that aren’t safe for dogs, like onions, garlic, and spicy meats. It’s probably best to skip giving your dog Supreme pizza altogether. But if you’re thinking about sharing, make sure to go through the whole article to see what’s safe and what’s not. If it doesn’t have any of the forbidden toppings, a small piece might be okay, but it’s not really recommended.