Cats consume almost anything, including pizza.
Although the figure of a Parson’s cat standing alone seemed serene and adorable, it may actually have something to do with its tiny palate.
Many pizzas with cute toppings, such as since I was a kid, end up with nothing but a big slice with melted cheese.
So, can cats eat pizza? The answer is NO!
Cats have a very strict diet and refrain from eating any spicy ingredients including pepperoni and cheeses.
Also, cats have sensitive stomachs and any ingredients that are usually found in pizzas with cheese or sauce may trigger a stomach upset or worse, diarrhea and vomiting making it dangerous for your cat to eat pizza.
Even for humans, pizza is not meant to be eaten alone, but should be consumed with other ingredients like carbohydrates and vegetables.
In case of cats, their eating habits are carnivorous and can thrive with meat and other protein sources – which takes away from the delicious flavors of the pizza that they once enjoyed.
Can Cats Eat Pizza?
Pizza is safe for cats to eat.
There are various toxins that can seriously harm or even kill a cat.
Furthermore, too much pizza may exacerbate a preexisting bowel problem.
If you’re going to offer your cat a piece or slice of pizza, make sure that it’s not only a slice of plain cheese pizza with no toppings.
Cats’ digestive systems are not accustomed to digesting such large amounts of carbs and they may cause your pet’s blood sugar to run excessively high thus leading to a coma and death.
To avoid this risk, encourage Fluffy to eat some foods with high-fat content and protein like chicken or fish.
Also, one can feed the cat a spoonful of low-fat cottage cheese or a spoonful of yogurt.
Pizza Ingredients For Cats
Common Ingredients
Sauce, garlic, onions, cheese, and pepperoni are some of the ingredients that can be found in pizza.
Garlic and onion are poisonous to cats and may cause anemia and serious stomach upset if ingested.
To avoid these inconsistencies, you can simply crush or puree the onion and garlic before adding them to the pizza dough.
Also, it is highly recommended that you discard the sauce once the pizza has cooled because cats cannot digest it, either.
Cats also need to stay away from tomato sauce because tomatoes are a rare food in their diet.
Cheese and meats are also heavy in protein and fat, which are foods that cats are deprived of in their diet.
The Salt
Salt is another dangerous ingredient that should never be fed to cats.
Salt in excess is never beneficial in cat’s diet and may lead to kidney problems and other complications such as high blood pressure and stroke.
The Crust
While you may include cat-friendly toppings in a homemade pizza, the crust of the pizza should not be eaten by the felines.
Because cats are carnivores, their digestive systems cannot digest carbohydrates in grains and bread.
Any sort of bread that may be made at home should be eaten by the cats in moderation or avoided altogether.
Furthermore, if the dough is not thoroughly baked, it can lead to yeast and mold growth that can be harmful to the pet’s health.
Is Pizza Safe For Cats?
Overall, a slice of really basic pizza pie could pose some health risks to your cat.
Taking care of your cat pizza is unquestionably pretty important.
A plethora of foods can become harmful to your pet’s health if you feed them too much of it, so keep an eye on your pet’s behavior after eating different foods.
Some signs of food allergies and intolerances include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.
On the other hand, some cats may suffer from pancreatitis as a result of eating too much yeast found in dough and bread.
Can Cats Eat Pizza Crust?
The dough must first be made and thoroughly baked for it to even be safe for human consumption let alone be eaten by a pet.
After the crust has been cooked, it can be eaten as it is or with some toppings that are safe for cats to eat.
Cats love chicken and fish; indulging in it once in a while won’t hurt them.
The Dangers Of Feeding A Cat Pizza
The most important consideration when caring for your cat is to keep it healthy by bringing it to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations.
Garlic and onions can also cause gastrointestinal issues in some pets.
Any pizzas with a lot of toppings or sauce are not recommended to give to the pet.
Even for humans, pizza is not meant to be eaten alone, but should be consumed with other ingredients like carbohydrates and vegetables.
Cats are carnivores and thrive with meat.
The dough must first be made and thoroughly baked for it to even be safe for human consumption let alone be eaten by a pet.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Truffle Cheese?
What To Do If Your Cat Eats Pizza Accidentally?
When you’re not looking, a cat will ingest anything, including soda and medicines, and this can result in serious health issues like bloating and vomiting for your cat.
When a pet consumes pizza crust, it produces gastric acid which can damage the digestive system due to the high-fat content.
If this occurs to you, there are steps you can take both to alleviate the symptoms and to prevent the condition from worsening.
First, pay attention to any symptoms you cat experiences after consuming pizza: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain are some of the common ones.
Examine the leftovers to make sure there aren’t any pieces lying around.
Determine how much was consumed and when was the last time the cat ate anything.
Continue to observe the cat for the following 24-48 hours to determine the severity of symptoms.
Keep an eye out for diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy, and abdominal pain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, cats can Eat Pizza but should eat only in small amounts to avoid the risk of stomach upset and diarrhea and vomiting.
Pizza is one of the favorite foods of people around the world so it’s not surprising that cats love the stuff too.
The risks are considerable though – pizzas are high in fat and sodium and this may result in bloating and diarrhea for cats.
It is recommended that you avoid feeding your pet with pizza crust and stick to feeding them with their own meals approved for them by their vet.