Can cats eat pizza?
Quick verdict
Caution
Key risk
Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt, fat and dairy make it unsafe.
Why
Pizza is too salty and fatty and the sauce often contains toxic onion or garlic.
Can cats eat pizza, and why?
Pizza is too salty and fatty and the sauce often contains toxic onion or garlic. Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt, fat and dairy make it unsafe.
Cats are obligate carnivores: they must get most of their nutrition from meat and need nutrients such as taurine that only animal products provide. They lack some enzymes for processing plants and carbohydrates, so fruit and veg offer little benefit and can upset their stomach; many cats are also lactose intolerant.
Warning — what to watch for
Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt, fat and dairy make it unsafe.
If your cat has eaten pizza, don’t wait for symptoms — contact your vet immediately, or call the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 (24/7, UK). Signs of a problem can include vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, tremors or loss of appetite.
More foods cats might eat
Make treat time better
Handy kit for feeding cats well:
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat pizza?
Caution. Pizza is too salty and fatty and the sauce often contains toxic onion or garlic.
What happens if my cat eats pizza?
Onion and garlic toxicity plus salt, fat and dairy make it unsafe. If your cat has eaten pizza, contact your vet or the Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) straight away — don’t wait for symptoms.
Is pizza poisonous to cats?
Caution. Pizza is too salty and fatty and the sauce often contains toxic onion or garlic.
Check pizza for another pet