Spaghetti is undoubtedly one of the tastiest human foods, and it’s no surprise that it draws your dog’s inquisitive nose every time its delicious aromas fill your kitchen!
Although it may make a delicious treat, there are some parts of a spaghetti dinner that are not suitable for dogs.
This article will dive into all things spaghetti so you can know what is and isn’t safe to share with your pup the next time you make it. Here’s everything you need to know about feeding your dog spaghetti.
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Is It Bad for Dogs to Eat Spaghetti?
Can dogs eat pasta? Yes, your pet can eat plain pasta noodles as they’re not toxic to dogs. That being said, just because it won’t make your dog sick doesn’t mean they can eat an unlimited amount of it.
Keep in mind that some dogs may be sensitive and have an unknown wheat allergy. So, it’s best to introduce wheat products in small quantities so that you don’t accidentally make your dog sick. Some common symptoms of a wheat allergic reaction are:
- Itchy, flaky skin
- Ear inflammation
- Vomiting & diarrhea
- Gas
- Sneezing
If you would like to feed your dog pasta, we recommend making a safe and delicious meal by mixing a small serving of cooled pasta with some wet or fresh dog food instead of your favorite pasta sauce.
Types of Spaghetti That Are Unsafe for Dogs
Spaghetti sauces are more problematic for dogs than pasta noodles. Here are some possibly toxic sauce ingredients to look out for:
Tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes are not harmful to dogs and can actually serve as a sweet treat high in vitamin C. That being said, they do contain high amounts of citric acid which can be hazardous to dogs if eaten in large quantities.
Unfortunately, tomato sauce is very concentrated and will have a much higher level of citric acid. Citric acid can cause stomach upset in furry friends, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea. For this reason, it is best to avoid spaghetti sauce.
If you’re looking for more info on what other fruits contain citric acid, take a look at our article, “Can Dogs Eat Orange Peels?”.
Onions & Garlic
Some of the most problematic ingredients in spaghetti sauce are onions and garlic. Unfortunately, these two items make up the base of spaghetti sauce and are the ultimate reason why you shouldn’t let your pups eat this meal.
Garlic and onion both contain a toxin that causes severe damage to red blood cells. If they are consumed in large or concentrated amounts, it can cause a form of anemia in dogs where the blood cells are destroyed faster than they are produced.
If your dog eats a large amount of onion or garlic, pet owners should call a vet straight away for further instructions. So, garlic bread is definitely off-limits to your pup.
Chili flakes
Some tomato sauces contain chili flakes to add a little spicy kick to them. Although your dog won’t be harmed by only a small quantity of the peppery flakes, they can cause irritation in your dog’s stomach which may result in vomiting or diarrhea.
Dairy
Some spaghetti sauces have a bit of dairy in them as some people like to add cream or parmesan for flavor.
Although dairy isn’t toxic to dogs, it can cause stomach problems amongst sensitive dogs. Additionally, it is best to avoid high-fat dairy products such as butter and cream as they can be too rich and cause excessive weight gain.
Should Dogs Eat Spaghetti?
Pasta on its own does not contain much nutritional value and is really just a source of extra calories. Because it is nothing more than a carbohydrate filler, it shouldn’t be a permanent feature in your dog’s diet – it can cause excess weight gain.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t let your dogs eat noodles at all. Moderation is always important when it comes to feeding dogs our favourite human foods. So if you want to let your dog eat pasta, follow our tips on doing so safely later in the article.
The Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Spaghetti
There aren’t many benefits of pasta dishes in your pet’s diet other than them being a nice little treat for them. However, pasta can give your dog an energy boost as they’re so rich in carbohydrates. This is ideal when they’re flagging a bit or feeling under the weather, but avoid giving them pasta every day or you’ll have one hyper pup on your hands!
How to Incorporate Spaghetti into Your Dog’s Diet Safely
If you would like to feed your dog pasta, there are a few ways to make sure it doesn’t give your dog an upset stomach.
Firstly, make sure that the water used to cook the noodles is not salted as too much salt can easily dehydrate your canine friends.
Secondly, make sure you let the pasta cool down enough before putting it into your dog’s food bowl – you don’t want to risk any burns when giving your dog tasty human food!
Lastly, if you’d like to, you can feed your dogs whole wheat pasta as it has more fiber than regular pasta and can aid with digestion. A healthy digestive system is key for good dog nutrition.
How Much Spaghetti Can Dogs Eat?
Although dogs can eat pastas including spaghetti, they shouldn’t have the same size portion as you!
So before you go all Lady & the Tramp, think about portion sizes. It’s really best if you treat dogs to just a couple of pieces of pasta a week, thanks to the extremely high level of carbohydrates in this food.
Visit our website for more guides on how much and what to feed your dog as part of a normal, balanced diet.
FAQs
Can dogs eat spaghetti meatballs?
If the meatball has been made without spices and is not covered in tomato sauce, giving dogs an occasional meatball is a nice way to treat them to a protein-filled, delicious snack.
Can my dog have other pasta sauces?
Besides containing harmful ingredients (as mentioned above), pasta sauces are often very rich and can upset your dog’s digestive system. It is best to avoid feeding them anything other than good quality dog food with the occasional small treat.