Pizza is bad for dogs in more ways than one

One thing that I have realized about living with cats and dogs is that you can always learn something new.

So my story begins on a Friday evening. Valentine (my dog) and I had been on the road most of the day between training appointments. Talking with lots of clients, met lots of dogs and then stopped by the office to do some paper work. We had an awesome day.

But I decided to make one more stop. I went to the local grocery store and picked up a store made bake-at-home pizza and put it in my van. I was just leaving town and realized that I needed to pick up one more item at the drug store. Now this moment could have changed the entire outcome of the week to come. I got out of the van and looked at the pizza and looked at Valentine and in my head — I had this conversation “I shouldn’t leave him with this pizza! But he won’t touch it. He never bothers groceries in the vehicle and he has lots of opportunities. I will only be a minute.”

So when I got back to the vehicle after my quick trip into the store, guess what I found? You guessed it. When I opened the door; there was Valentine with the pizza container wide open and the all-veggie toppings licked off the top and he was just starting on the uncooked pizza dough. He guiltily stepped back and jumped back into his car seat. But he was looking quite pleased with himself as he licked his lips.

As the long weekend progressed, he seemed fine with no side effects, but on Monday he started eating grass and vomiting. Sometimes dogs do that, I kept an eye on him but I wasn’t too concerned. But then Monday night when I put down his supper he looked at me and laid down beside his full bowl. I knew then that sometime was seriously wrong. By Tuesday he was not keeping anything down including water so off to the vet we went.

Lesson 1: Did you know that uncooked pizza dough continues to rise? Especially in the warm confines of the intestinal tract. It can grow in size and actually block off the digestive flow and if you cannot get it to move through, then surgery may be required to remove the blockage.

Lesson 2: Did you know that onions and garlic (cooked or raw) are extremely toxic to dogs and cats? (the Allium family includes onion, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives. Even onion and garlic powder can be toxic). Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and breathlessness and symptoms may take two to four days to appear.

So after 48 hours at our local vet office, two X-rays, intravenous liquids and many cans of soft dog food — things are now back to normal in our household.

Valentine isn’t holding any grudges and I am sure, that given the opportunity, he would eat another pizza. So the lesson here is mine to bear and share; my credit card statement will remind me of the financial damage but the night he was away from us at the vet clinic was a sad one for us as a family. Another lesson learned to help make sure we keep our furry family members safe and healthy.

Now off to pick up a doggie seat belt!