Many dog parents assume that dogs can eat spaghetti due to the famous scene from Lady and the Tramp. If cartoon dogs can do it, why can’t your own dog? But it’s not always that simple. While spaghetti might be a delicacy for most humans, it might not be the best snack for dogs. Your dog might try to steal a noodle off your plate when your back is turned, but always do your research before willingly handing over human foods like spaghetti to your furry friends.
Can Dogs Eat Spaghetti?
No, dogs should not eat spaghetti as a whole. However, the plain noodles of spaghetti are okay. Pasta isn’t harmful for dogs, but it’s not exactly good for them either. Pasta is usually full of carbohydrates, which your dog should have very few of in their diet. So, your dog could easily gain weight if you serve them too many noodles. If you insist on giving your dog some spaghetti, you should only give them the plain noodles in moderation.
The reason dogs should skip the spaghetti sauce is because it often has a lot of seasoning in it, which is unhealthy for canines. The sauce often uses onion or garlic for flavoring, which are some of the foods that are the most toxic to dogs. So, while the noodles alone might not cause problems for your pup, the sauce could lead to more serious health concerns. Humans might love adding flavoring and seasoning to their dishes, but dogs always do better without it.
Does Spaghetti Have Any Benefits for Dogs?
Safe and healthy are not synonyms, so just because your dog can eat spaghetti noodles doesn’t mean they should. Pasta isn’t recommended for a dog’s diet because it has very little nutritional value for them. Sadly, many noodles lose nutrients during the production process. This is why they’re often low in fiber, but high in calories.
However, if you serve your dog whole grain noodles, your dog will reap more benefits. Whole grain pasta has more fiber, making it easier for your dog to digest. It also has other beneficial vitamins and minerals, such as manganese, copper, and phosphorus. There will always be healthier varieties of pasta that your pup can try, but serving spaghetti to your dog is not recommended due to the minimal health benefits.
What are the Risks of Spaghetti for Dogs?
While the biggest risk of spaghetti for dogs is the sauce, the pasta itself can cause problems too. One of the most common issues with noodles for dogs is the high amounts of carbs and calories. Many dog food brands nowadays pack their kibble with carbs, but dogs benefit best from low carb diets or no carbs at all. So, if they eat too many noodles, they could be at risk of obesity. Even a few noodles a week could make your dog gain weight.
Another important factor to consider is allergies. Pasta flour is made from wheat, which is a common allergen for dogs. If your dog has a wheat allergy, they could experience vomiting, diarrhea, itchy skin, and ear infections. This is why many higher end kibble brands have chosen to omit wheat from the ingredient list. Unless you are able to find gluten-free pasta, your dog could be at risk of allergic reactions.
The stuff on top of the spaghetti is usually the most hazardous part for dogs, but the noodles are not superfood ingredients either. If your dog eats a few noodles that you dropped on the floor, then there’s no need to panic. But they eat large amounts or if you purposely add noodles to their diet, they could suffer from serious health concerns. If you’re worried that your dog has eaten too much spaghetti, it’s a good idea to contact your vet for advice.
Can Dogs Eat Other Types of Pasta?
There are many varieties of pasta out there, from ramen to egg noodles to udon noodles. For these other types of pasta, the same rules apply. Dogs can safely eat them as long as they’re plain and in small quantities. Other types of sauce and seasoning may be different than spaghetti sauce, but they could still have negative effects on your dog. So, plain is always best for dogs when it comes to any human food.
Dogs can eat most types of pasta, but like spaghetti noodles, it’s not recommended. One noodle on a rare occasion won’t harm them, but pasta shouldn’t be a part of your dog’s diet, especially not on purpose. Dogs should get their calories from high quality protein sources, not filler items like pasta. Plus, your dog is more likely to enjoy a piece of plain meat than a noodle.
Therefore, if you’re a spaghetti lover, there’s no need to share your food with your dog. They might look up at you with a sweet begging face, but it’s okay to tell them no. Of course, we want our furry friends to be happy at all times, but we also want them to be healthy too. So, instead of letting your dog snack on spaghetti, why not give them a more beneficial human food as an alternative?