Can dogs eat Italian sauces?
This dog article will answer the major question, “Can dogs eat Italian sauces?” we will also discuss the harmful effects of Italian sauces on your dog’s health, what you should do to save your dog, and the healthy alternatives to Italian sauces.
Can dogs eat Italian sauces?
No, dogs cannot eat Italian sauces. Italian sauces are not healthy for your dog because they have high amounts of sodium, spices, and seasonings. Some sauces have xylitol in them which is toxic for your dog. You must read the ingredients of the sauces before buying them.
What are the harmful effects of Italian sauces on your dog’s health?
Following are the harmful effects of Italian sauces on your dog’s health:
High salt content
The high amount of salt content is not healthy for your dog to consume because it can cause kidney problems and dehydration in your dog.
The dehydration in the body can lead to increased salt concentration in the body which can put pressure on the kidneys to excrete the extra salt from the body. This leads to kidney problems and other complications such as hypovolemic shock, and the death of your dog if it is not treated in time.
The sodium content in the blood also increases the blood pressure of the body which can lead to a heart attack in the worst case.
Seasonings
The most common seasonings used in Italian sauces are garlic and onion which are toxic for your dog to consume. Garlic and onion have thiosulfate which is not healthy for your dog. Thiosulfates can cause red blood cell lysis which can lead to anemia. Anemia is a condition in which there is a shortage of oxygen supply in the body.
The shortage of oxygen supply increases the heart rate and the respiration rate to cope with the situation. If they are unable to cope with the situation, the body goes into a hypoxic condition in which there is tissue necrosis and death of the organs in extreme conditions.
Spices
Spices like black pepper are also not healthy for your dog to eat. Black pepper has capsaicin which can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa of the body and can further lead to vomiting and diarrhea in the body.
Dogs like to sniff before eating so if there is high black pepper content in the Italian sauces, it will irritate the nose which leads to swelling of nose.
Xylitol
Xylitol is the next toxic ingredient on the list. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is used in sugar-free products for humans but not for dogs. The human body can easily process the xylitol and it is also easily excreted from the body.
In dogs, xylitol can cause a drop in blood sugar level that leads the body to hypoglycemia, a state in which the body doesn’t have the energy to function. Your dog will collapse which can ultimately lead to death if not treated in time.
Following are the major clinical signs of xylitol toxicity in your dog:
- Vomiting
- Excessive salivation
- Increased heart rate
- Increased respiration rate
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
Tomatoes
Most of the major sauces such as ketchup, spaghetti sauces, and others have a major ingredient which is tomato. Green tomatoes are not healthy for your dog because they have solanine and tomatine. These two compounds cause toxicity in your dogs.
These two compounds can upset the stomach of your dog. An upset stomach can lead to dehydration and weight loss which can disturb the health of your dog for a very long time.
What can you do to save your dog from the bad effects of Italian sauces?
You must lock up the Italian sauces. These sauces can be extremely dangerous for your dog, so it is better to keep these sauces away from the approach of your dog.
The next thing you can do is to keep an eye on your dog during festivals such as Christmas and Thanksgiving. There is a greater chance of toxicity in your dog during these festivals.
What are the healthy alternatives to these sauces?
It is better to give homemade boiled potatoes to your dog instead of giving these spicy sauces to your dog. Baked potatoes are to be given in moderation to your dog so that it doesn’t cause problems for your dog.
Homemade dog treats such as frozen bananas are good for your dog in moderation. Keep the market-bought items out of the reach of your dog if you do not want to face such a disaster.
Conclusion
This dog article answered the major question, “Can dogs eat Italian sauces?” we also discussed the harmful effects of Italian sauces on your dog’s health, what you should do to save your dog, and the healthy alternatives to Italian sauces.
References
https://www.masterclass.com/articles/can-dogs-eat-tomato-sauce
https://www.rover.com/blog/can-my-dog-eat-spaghetti-sauce/
https://www.hepper.com/can-dogs-eat-spaghetti-sauce/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/qrs-complex
