Can Maine Coons Eat Pizza?
Fact Checked By: Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)
For humans, pizza is a culinary delicacy. Yet, if you’ve got Maine Coon cats like us then you are probably used to your cat begging for a bite of anything you are eating! But can Maine Coons eat pizza?
Maine Coons should not eat pizza since it offers little nutritional value and may contain ingredients and seasonings that are toxic to cats, e.g. onion and garlic. Additionally, if fed regularly, pizza can cause Maine Coon obesity and other health concerns. Whilst a small bite once in a while should not be harmful, pizza is not recommended.
Read on to learn more about the dos and don’ts of sharing human foods with your Maine Coon cat.
Is it Safe for Cats to Eat Pizza?
When considering the dietary habits of Maine Coons, pet owners may find themselves wondering, is pizza safe for cats?
Maine Coons are obligate carnivores with specific nutritional requirements. Because of this, not all human foods align with their dietary needs. Pizza, in particular, contains ingredients that can potentially pose risks to feline health.
While a small nibble of plain, cooked meat might not be harmful, the composition of a typical pizza certainly raises concerns for cat nutritionists. This is because cheese (a major ingredient included in most pizzas) is often high in fat and lactose.
The various other toppings found on pizza, like onions, garlic, or spices, can also lead to:
- Digestive Upset
- Allergies
- Toxicity In Cats
These are 10 Maine Coon food allergies, worth being aware of.
The presence of potentially toxic seasonings in pizza raises two specific questions:
- Is pizza poisonous to cats?
- Can pizza kill cats?
In answer to the first question, no, as a whole, pizza is not poisonous to cats. However, it can contain ingredients that are known to be harmful to cats.
Harmful ingredients include:
- Milk
- Garlic
- Onions
If you are wondering if eating pizza will kill a cat, please rest assured that it will not.
Therefore, if your Maine Coon has nibbled on a piece of pizza that you accidentally dropped on the floor, this will not kill them!
So, is pizza bad for cats? Yes, it is safe to say that pizza is bad for cats.
While cats may be able to tolerate eating a small bite of pizza as a treat, pizza as a whole is just not something that cats are meant to digest.
Pizza Ingredient Risks
As mentioned above, cats eat meat, and a piece of chicken from a pizza will not cause any harm. However, what about other common pizza ingredients?
1. Cheese
Cats can eat cheese in very small amounts on occasion.
2. Pepperoni
Since pepperoni is a processed meat product that typically contains high levels of fat, salt, spices, and preservatives, it is generally not an ideal option for cats to eat.
3. Tomato Sauce
Tomato sauces are made using ripe tomatoes, which by themselves are not harmful to cats.
However, most shop-bought tomato sauces contain lots of salt, which can be harmful, so it is not recommended.
4. Mushrooms
The mushrooms that are commonly found on pizzas are safe for cats in small amounts. However, wild mushrooms can be poisonous.
5. Onions
Never feed your Maine Coon cat onions.
Onions are highly toxic to cats.
6. Dough
Cats cannot eat pizza dough as it can be quite harmful to their digestive system.
7. Sausage
Cats should not eat sausage since it often includes spices that can cause digestive upset in cats, including spices like:
- Salt
- Garlic
- Chili Pepper
8. Bacon
We do not recommend you feed your Maine Coon cat bacon.
This is because bacon has a fat and sodium content that can lead to digestive upset in cats.
9. Chicken
It is ok for your Maine Coon cat to eat chicken, provided the chicken has not been heavily seasoned with spices.
Learn more about the health benefits of feeding your Maine Coon cat chicken, in this article.
What Happens If A Cat Eats Pizza?
If my cat ate pizza, it would most likely not cause immediate harm.
Generally speaking though, it is not recommended to feed pizza or any human food to your Maine Coon since it is not manufactured to contain the nutritional benefits that cats require.
Cats have sensitive digestive systems, and foods that are high in fat, salt, and spices can cause gastrointestinal upset like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach Pain
Some pizza toppings can also be toxic to cats, including:
- Onions
- Garlic
- Certain Spices
If eating pizza is a common occurrence for a cat, the cat could develop serious health conditions like:
- Obesity
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetes
- Joint Issues
- Heart Disease
Can Cats Eat Pizza Crust?
It is not recommended, but yes, cats can eat pizza crust.
But can kittens eat pizza crust, too? Again, it is not recommended, but it will likely not cause any harm except for an upset stomach for the cat or kitten.
Can Cats Eat Pizza Toppings?
Cats can eat some pizza toppings, but it depends on the kind of topping.
A small bite of chicken from a pizza will not cause any harm. However, if a cat eats a slice of pizza that is heavily spiced, it could cause digestive upset.
Can They Eat Pizza Sauce?
Cats can eat a small amount of pizza sauce.
However, it is important to remember that many pizza sauces are not made with only tomato as the ingredient. They often include spices that could cause digestive upset to cats.
Can Cats Eat Yeast?
Cats cannot eat yeast since yeast can be harmful to cats if ingested.
Yeast dough, in particular, can expand in a cat’s stomach due to the fermentation process, which can result in gas, bloating, and even serious blockages of the gastrointestinal tract (source 1)
Conclusion
If you were in any doubt about the query, can Maine Coons eat pizza, hopefully, this article has put your mind at rest!
Even though pizza is tasty, you will find the simple answer is no.
It is not recommended for Maine Coons to eat pizza due to the risks of potential toxicity and the lack of nutritional value that it provides to your feline.
