What better way to spend your Sunday evening than lounging with your pet on the sofa, eating some pizza. This is where the question arises; Can cats eat pizza?
You maybe didn’t think of it before because you know human foods aren’t suitable for cats. However, your life changed upside down when your furry friend bounced into your life.
She’s curious, stealthy, and absolutely loves food. I mean, who doesn’t? Your feline seems to be crazy about it and she’ll do anything it takes to get a bite of your pizza.
However, as a responsible cat owner, you’re worried if this is going to have some side effects. Humans love this meal, but maybe it will be a bit too much for your pet?
Nevertheless, she’s persistent. They say it’s a good personality trait, but to what extent really? Is her stubborn nature going to get her into trouble?
All of these questions start going off like alarm bells in your mind. Having a cat means stressing all the time about their well-being.
Can cats eat pizza?
Now, for the big question; is pizza safe for cats? Honestly, there isn’t a yes or no answer to this particular question.
Sure, it’s not natural food for a carnivore as their diet doesn’t really include meals like these. But a few bites shouldn’t be the reason for concern, right?
As you might’ve guessed – it’s highly unlikely that she’ll drop dead after just a few small bites of this delicious treat.
Still, you have to be aware that this meal poses a certain danger to felines. We love it because of the many different ingredients all mixed together, but some of them could cause trouble for your feline friend.
What can you find in this treat?
As you know, there are different flavors of pizza, meaning there are a bunch of ingredients involved in making it. When all of these components are mixed, we get a brilliant, unique flavor.
It’s funny to think how popular pizza is nowadays since it was considered to be food for the poor. But look at all the fame it’s got today! Therefore, you can find this delicacy in any restaurant and it’s easy to make at home.
However, it’s also considered to be junk food. It’s full of calories but regardless, we simply love it. It’s especially amazing because it can easily match anyone’s taste.
The reason for this is the many different ingredients that can be combined. If you don’t like mushrooms – fine! We’ll just have some Margherita, no biggie.
This is why this food is so well-liked all around the world and most of all, affordable. So, what are some of the ingredients commonly found in this treat, and can cats eat pizza because of them?
1. Dough
This is, of course, an inevitable part of any pizza. Bakers pay extra care for the crust to end up soft, but crunchy as well. It’s one of the recognizable traits of quality pizza dough.
However, can cats eat this dough? To be completely honest, it’s not recommended.
It’s not toxic, but what possible nutritional value do you think it holds for felines? Well, close to none.
Cooked dough is fine whereas raw pizza dough is a major hazard to pets. It can get stuck in their intestinal tract and cause bowel obstruction.
Also, if you see your cat bloating, then it’s time to head to the vet. Raw dough can cause this issue in pets and some may even require surgery to get it removed.
It’s simply not fit for their digestive system because of the leavening agents. Just to be clear, deactivated yeast is totally fine for cats, but they should stay clear of other kinds.
2. What about cheese?
Everyone loves cheese. So, it’s really to be expected for our cats to go crazy after it too. We know not to eat too much, but our feline pals don’t share the same thoughts.
When I offer some of my food to my pet instead of her regular cat food, she just goes ballistic. It’s like she can’t contain her excitement and wants to gobble it down as fast as possible.
A very small slice of pizza with some cheese on it should be a safe amount for your furry pal. However, if she eats too much cheese, she might have an upset stomach afterward.
Cheese is dairy, and guess what? Cats are lactose intolerant, meaning they can’t digest lactose properly.
Lactose is a sugar found in dairy and felines lack the enzymes needed to break it down; hence the term.
Consequently, if she eats too much cheese, your pet could get the runs and experience some stomachache.
Also, she may not be able to deal with the dairy content and she may return all of the food she gobbled down. And not in a nice way.
Therefore, a bit of pizza with cheese on it isn’t guaranteed to go without consequences.
3. Can cats eat pizza because of tomato sauce?
Let’s be honest – tomato sauce is an essential ingredient in pizza. Without it, it just wouldn’t be the same.
While ketchup can be a part of this heavenly food, it doesn’t have to be. It’s more of a personal preference whereas tomato sauce is a must.
However, this sauce can cause some gastrointestinal problems in your cat’s body. It’s not a natural part of a cat’s diet, so it’s kind of expected.
Tomatoes are harmful to cats and can be the reason for solanine toxicity. Besides, it contains many seasonings and spices that could be detrimental to your pet’s health.
4. There’s so mushroom on this pizza crust!
Even though you can make one without them, why would you? Mushrooms are fun and very nutritional.
However, as cat lovers, we must be aware of the dangers they pose to felines. Just as is the case with humans, some mushrooms can be poisonous to cats.
It’s fine if she has a nibble of the store-bought mushrooms, such as the ones on the pizza. However, she shouldn’t have large amounts because it could cause gastrointestinal upset.
Poisonous mushrooms can cause neurological problems due to all of the toxins found in them. Therefore, if she’s obsessed with mushrooms (which I don’t find to be the case with my pet), I suggest offering only a small piece.
Other than that, stay clear of mushrooms. I advise supervising your pet when outdoors because her curiosity can get the best of her.
5. Can cats eat pizza with meat?
What is this silly question? Felines are obligate carnivores, so this question makes no sense. Well, you’d be surprised how accurate it is.
We tend to think that every type of meat is totally safe for our pets to eat just because their digestive system is one of the carnivores.
However, this is completely false. Sure, they need meat to survive and it provides them with all essential nutrients. Well, cooked, fresh meat does. But not highly-processed meats that come with pizza, such as pepperoni.
Although it contains traces of protein which is beneficial to cats, this food also poses a certain health risk to your cat.
You see, there’s so much more to the pepperoni than what meets the eye. This meat is packed with salt which can be toxic to felines.
Also, it contains various spices and additives to enhance the flavor. Not to mention that it’s packed with fat and calories.
So, make sure your pet doesn’t get more than a few bites of this meaty treat.
6. What about spices?
This is an inevitable part of making a pizza. This delicious treat contains different seasonings and spices that give it a distinct flavor.
Because of these, you can have your pizza hot and spicy, or just with a simple pinch of salt and black pepper.
Salt can be poisonous to felines if they feast on it. This is highly unlikely, but foods that are high in sodium can be a reason for concern.
Sodium toxicity can result in vomiting, diarrhea, as well as excessive thirst, and urination. As for black pepper, it contains several health benefits, but don’t overdo it.
Other than that, pizza contains some harmful ingredients such as garlic powder, paprika, and more. Spicy, hot stuff may appeal to us, but it will make our cats’ mouths drool, and not in a good way.
Usually, pets are repelled by the strong scents some of the spices have. But if you have an inquisitive pet, nothing is going to get in her way.
This could be a problem because onions and garlic are extremely poisonous to cats. They knock down their red blood cells levels, which leads to various types of anemia caused by the lack of these cells.
A notable aromatic herb is oregano. It’s a must when making some pizza. It’s not poisonous to felines, but it doesn’t really fit in a cat’s diet.
Can cats eat pizza toppings?
What is a pizza without its toppings? It’s like making plain pancakes or waffles without adding blueberries or whipped cream to them! Simply put – it makes no sense.
Moreover, pizza toppings add that extra flavor to the meal, so why skip them?
If your pet ate some of the pizza toppings, you’re worried she’ll fall sick quickly. This can possibly be the case but doesn’t have to.
Just to be sure, let’s see what are some common pizza toppings.
Roasted tomatoes
We all love them, but the mystery isn’t resolved when it comes to cats. Or is it?
Let’s start with fresh tomatoes. These are a major health hazard to felines because they contain solanine.
Just like eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes are a member of the Nightshade family. All the parts of this plant contain this chemical compound.
Therefore, tomatoes are off-limits for your furry pal. But what happens when she has roasted tomatoes?
To be honest, I’m not convinced that your pet will ever be interested in these veggies, but who knows. If she decides to grab a bite of this topping, you shouldn’t panic.
It’s unlikely she’ll experience immediate consequences after having a small nibble on these. Whatever the case, keep them out of your cat’s reach for your sanity’s sake.
Don’t forget the bell peppers!
These are colorful and fresh veggies that just go with anything. Their neutral flavor is a reason enough to put them on some pizza!
Bell peppers have several health benefits for felines, so she should be completely fine indulging in them.
However, don’t encourage your pet to feast on them regularly. Although they’re a great source of hydration, they’re plants.
For a carnivore, it means a lack of protein. So, we’ll say she can safely have a piece of pizza with some red peppers on it. Other than that, try to maintain a balanced diet for her.
Can cats eat pizza crust?
If some of these freaked you out, I understand why you’re wondering this. Some of the ingredients mentioned above are harmful to your furchild and you decide it’s best to avoid them.
However, a piece of pizza crust never hurt anybody, right? So, you decide to offer your pet the crust without any toppings or pizza sauce.
This should be fine but in moderation. I’m not even sure if she’s going to like it because it’s not what usually entices our pets’ noses.
They’re most attracted to the fat content found in cheese. Therefore, she probably won’t be convinced.
Either way, pizza crust should be fine for your furball if given on occasion. Don’t inspire her to eat it regularly because it can have some disadvantages to her health.
The downsides
Next to not being a natural choice of food for a carnivore, pizza can have several negative effects on our pets,
It’s packed with carbohydrates which isn’t a good sign. After all, it’s not considered junk food for no reason.
Felines don’t need carbs in their diet, so it will eventually lead to a build-up in their body. The same goes for cheese – high-fat content foods will often lead to weight gain.
Obesity can be a big problem for pets and lead to several issues, Some of them include diabetes, as well as arthritis due to the additional weight on the joints.
Moreover, saturated fats are known to raise cholesterol levels in the blood. This, furthermore, leads to higher risks of heart diseases and strokes because it can also cause blood clotting.
In summary
If you were unsure whether cats can eat pizza, I hope you got your answer. Although it’s tasty and contains meat, pizza also has some harmful ingredients.
Certain spices and components are poisonous to felines, which makes you rethink your choice. Other than that, your pet could get hooked on it and can put on some extra weight.
This can look adorable until the side effects start kicking in. Some of these can really negatively impact your cat’s quality of life. Therefore, make wise choices.
