Can Cats Eat Pizza? Every Thing You Need To Know
Can cats eat pizza? There’s nothing like settling down on the couch at the end of the day to binge-watch the latest shows while eating a freshly delivered pizza. Could your cat, on the other hand, join in the fun? Is it possible for cats to eat pizza? The short answer is, “sort of,” but most of the time, “no.” While pizza may be acceptable as a snack for your cat in some cases, it is not a food that provides essential feline nutrition. You risk inadvertently introducing toppings or seasonings that could make your cat ill.
Is it safe for cats to eat pizza?
Is it possible for cats to eat pizza? The quick answer is, “kind of,” but not really.” In certain situations, pizza is OK for your cat to eat as a snack, but it’s not a meal that supplies essential feline nutrition, and you may be able to slip in toppings or spices that might harm your pet.
Can Cats Eat Pizza? Which Ingredient Will Hurt Your Cat?
The Crispy Crust
Only a few simple ingredients make that delicious pizza crust: flour, water, salt, yeast, and olive oil. It’s okay for your cat to nibble – if they’re interested – as long as it’s fully cooked.
On the other hand, Puss may not be bothered if there are no toppings. Would you eat a dry pizza crust, after all? Even if they do, it’s not a wise decision. The crust is high in calories but low in nutrients for your cat.
Weight gain in cats, like in humans, can lead to a variety of health issues. While a small piece of plain crust isn’t the end of the world, please don’t encourage them to share human food. It’s the most effective way to keep your pet healthy. Before we move on, a final word about the crust. Raw dough, on the other hand, is a different story. While a small amount of fully baked crust won’t harm your cat, raw dough is a different story. The active yeast highly poisons cats.
Ethanol and carbon dioxide are produced because it ferments inside your cat’s body. Bloating and intoxication can occur even in small amounts. There have even been instances where a cat needed surgery to remove an enlarging dough ball. Keep your cat away from the raw dough if you’re making pizza at home. Call your veterinarian right away if the worst happens, and your cat eats some.
The Cheesy Topping
Cheese is a favorite food of most cats. Cheese, unfortunately, isn’t always fond of your cat’s tum.
Many cats are lactose intolerant, despite the widespread belief that a saucer of milk is a great cat treat. This means that lactose does not break down in their bodies and remains in their stomachs.
It starts to ferment and emit gases while it’s there. This isn’t as bad as yeast in uncooked pizza dough. It can, however, cause bloating, stomach cramps, and flatulence.
Cheese is high in fat, even for cats who aren’t lactose intolerant. Cats should avoid a high-fat diet for the same reasons humans should avoid it. Weight gain puts strain on their internal organs as well as their joints. This can lead to a slew of issues.
Make cheese-flavored cat snacks an occasional treat if your cat enjoys them – and let’s face it, most cats do. They’re high in saturated fats, so don’t eat too many or too frequently.
And, when it comes to that cheesy pizza, your cat should stay away.
Tomato Sauce, Garlic & Onion
Cats shouldn’t eat pizza since the tomato sauce generally includes a lot of salt. On the other hand, the tastes usually present in tomato sauce or even as toppings on pizza pose the greatest threat to cats: garlic and onion. Cats should avoid eating anything from the allium family, including garlic, onion, and leek.
Disulfides and thiosulphates in garlic and onions might cause a cat’s red platelets to become brittle and burst. It is possible to develop hemolytic weakness in cats by ingesting tiny amounts of garlic; this is a deadly disease.
Meats
Even though cats are carnivores by nature, sausage and pepperoni are the most common meats used on pizza. These are incredibly high in fat and spice content. The problems with this are as follows. Because your cat’s digestive system isn’t designed to process this type of food, the spices are likely to cause indigestion. Furthermore, a high-fat diet will cause kitty to gain weight, but it may also cause feline diabetes.
Salt
The sodium content of most pizzas is also very high. It’s used in the sauce and seasonings for meats and other toppings. Salt is just as bad for cats as it is for humans. It adds to the dangers of pizza for cats by adding yet another ingredient to a potentially toxic dish for cats.
Healthier Options for Cats
So, what are your options if you want to give your cat a healthy treat while you eat your pizza? You could, for example, purchase tuna loin or mackerel fillet that has been specially prepared for cats. Freshly cooked chicken or white fish is a healthy option that never displeases. You might even be able to make your cat treats. Only tuna, egg, and flour are used in this recipe. But keep in mind that this is meant to be a once-in-a-while treat, homemade or not. Don’t overfeed your cat with treats!
Conclusion
There isn’t much on a pizza that could be considered suitable for a cat to eat when you consider each ingredient used to make pizza and how each of these can affect a cat’s health. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the case. Pizza turns out to be one of the worst foods to share with your feline companion. The stakes are too high. It is recommended that you do not share a pizza with your cat because you will be doing them no favors. Pizza is a food that should be kept out of the reach of cats. When you’ve finished eating, make sure any leftovers are stored in the refrigerator or thrown away where your cat can’t reach them so she doesn’t sneak into the trash to get a snack.
