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The answer is no – lasagna should not be on your dog’s menu. While this mouthwatering Italian dish may be tempting to share with your furry friend, it contains several ingredients that are potentially harmful to dogs including garlic, salt, onions, oregano, and cheese. It’s best to resist the urge to give your canine companion even a small taste of this delectable meal.

Lasagna
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Caution: This food is generally considered risky by the veterinary community. Dogs should not eat this food and should be monitored for adverse effects.

Food Safety Unsafe – potentially toxic
Nutritional Issue Toxic ingredients like onions, garlic, and more
Potential Risks Hemolytic anemia, pancreatitis
Symptoms Lethargy, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and more
Every dog is different. For specific feeding guidelines, including quantities and beneficial foods that are best for your dog, please consult your vet.

How Much Lasagna Is Bad for Dogs?

Determining a specific quantity of lasagna that is harmful to dogs can be challenging, as various factors contribute to its potential danger. These factors include the size of the dog, the ingredients in the lasagna, and the individual dog’s tolerance to certain ingredients.

Larger dogs may be able to tolerate a small amount of lasagna without experiencing severe health issues, while smaller dogs could suffer from more significant complications after consuming even a tiny portion. However, it’s important to note that any amount of lasagna can be potentially harmful due to the toxic ingredients typically found in the dish, such as garlic, onions, and excessive salt.

If your dog has already consumed some lasagna, monitor them closely for signs of distress, such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or difficulty breathing. The severity of these symptoms may vary depending on your dog’s size, the amount consumed, and the specific ingredients in the lasagna. If your dog is experiencing these symptoms, call your vet.

TIP: If your dog is curious about your lasagna’s taste, you can whip up a dog-friendly lasagna at home. The pasta used in lasagna is safe for dogs, so simply eliminate the toxic ingredients and prepare a special version.

Common Lasagna Ingredients

Common ingredients used in lasagna which are not healthy for dogs include:

  • Tomato Sauce: There are different ways of preparing tomato sauce. Although cooked or pureed tomato is safe for dogs, adding more ingredients like onion powder, garlic powder, or oregano can make it unsafe.
  • Garlic: Garlic is unsafe for dog consumption and can harm your dog’s health.
  • Salt: Human-food contains salt in every component of a dish. For example, tomato sauce and meat are both separately seasoned. This can result in too much sodium for dogs.
  • Onions: Onion is toxic to dogs and can cause onion toxicity.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, dogs can eat cooked lasagna noodles. The complete lasagna dish is not safe for them considering other ingredients like garlic, onions, salt, etc. However, a small portion of plain lasagna noodles is unlikely to harm your dog.

  • Lasagna contains harmful ingredients for your dog and can make them sick, especially if they eat large amount. If your dog has taken a bite, observe their condition and take immediate action if you see signs of toxicity.

  • Store-bought tomato sauce is harmful to dogs. However, you can give your dog homemade tomato sauce without adding ingredients that are toxic to dogs.

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About the Writer
Dr. Hillary Wolfe , Veterinarian & Certified Food Therapist

Dr. Wolfe holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Kansas State University and holds nutrition certifications from the NAVC and CIVT. Her business, Tula Veterinary Nutrition, hosts online courses that teach owners how to cook for their pet for optimal health and longevity. Follow her on Instagram at @doctorwolfe.dvm for dog nutrition tips, recipes and insights.