Most dogs love food, especially human delicacies, but is it always safe for their sensitive digestive system?
A ravioli treat every once in a while is okay but not a mainstay diet.
So, can dogs eat ravioli?
Yes, dogs can eat ravioli in moderation.
Now and then, a tiny amount of ravioli would be a nice treat only when the toxic ingredients are excluded.
Some of the elements include but are not limited to onions, garlic, salt, and pasta sauce.
This article will give you all the answers you need about feeding your dog ravioli.
It will also shed some light on what ingredients to look for that may put your dog at potential risk.
Can dogs eat canned ravioli?
Yes, canned ravioli in small amounts cannot harm your dog provided he doesn’t have gluten or wheat allergy or lactose intolerance.
However, you need to be keen on the ingredients as some may be toxic, even in small quantities.
Some of these ingredients include:
Salt – Ravioli, though delicious, contains too much salt that is dangerous for your dog. Salt is high in sodium and, if consumed in large amounts, may lead to a condition known as sodium toxicity which may present itself as difficulty when urinating
High fructose corn syrup – A can of ravioli contains about 2% of corn syrup which acts as a sweetener. Fructose has a much higher sugar content which can cause liver damage to your dog if consumed in large quantities
Textured vegetable protein – Some vegan ravioli may contain soy as the primary ingredient, posing a significant health risk to your dog, especially if diagnosed with a soy allergy. The soy in ravioli may also be genetically modified hence being toxic to your dog
Dehydrated onion – Onions are among the toxic foods you should not give to your dog. While a single can of ravioli contains small amounts of dehydrated onion and shouldn’t cause too much alarm, it’s still not recommended for your dog. Your dog may develop issues like excess salivation, diarrhea, and vomiting
Pasta sauce – The ravioli sauce is highly acidic as it contains both salt and sugar in excess, which may cause gastrointestinal issues or an upset stomach. Pasta sauce also has common seasonings like garlic, onions, and onion powder that are poisonous to dogs
When it comes to ravioli, the risks highly depend on ingredients, portions, and frequency in which you give him.
These may include:
Weight gain and obesity – Ravioli is a carb-filled food that can lead to unnecessary weight gain leading to obesity. Dog obesity is an epidemic that causes many health problems that significantly increase the chances of developing issues like diabetes, heart diseases, and certain types of cancers
Refusal of other regular foods – You should be careful when giving ravioli to your dog as they can quickly get used to it and might start wanting it instead of their regular food
Allergy triggers – Before feeding ravioli to your dog, keep in mind that some breeds may be lactose intolerant, and therefore you might want to skip on the cheese. Other ingredients like fats and spices may also cause severe stomach upsets even when given in small amounts
Nutritional deficiencies – Ravioli doesn’t contain all the necessary nutrients for your dog to stay healthy and thrive. This means that you should only give ravioli to your dog as a treat and not as a complete meal. Your dog might develop nutritional deficiencies or become malnourished
Choking – When offering your dog ravioli, avoid feeding him big chunks as they might gag him. Chop them up into small bite-size pieces as giving them in their whole form may increase the chances of choking
Can ravioli kill dogs?
No, when offered in moderation, ravioli cannot harm your dog.
You should also keep in mind the filling ingredients and if your dog has any allergies that may be incompatible with this dish.
While this is true, the risk factor of ravioli to your dog will depend on several things:
The ingredients in the ravioli filling
The amount consumed
Your dog’s age and size
Your dog’s general health profile
Allowing your dog to eat a bit of what you’re having for dinner is a natural thing to do, including ravioli, but it’s equally vital for you to determine which ravioli are safe and those that are not.
The safe ravioli types include:
Spinach and cheese
Mozzarella and zucchini
Minced meat
Mushroom
Vegan tofu
Carrot and ricotta
Pumpkin
Salmon and dill
Sweet pumpkin
There are also toxic ravioli that you should keep away from your dog, including:
Quattro Formaggio. This is a four-cheese ravioli that includes the blue cheese (gorgonzola), which is harmful to dogs
Chocolate dessert. The chocolate in this ravioli meal is poisonous to dogs because of its theobromine content, which dogs find challenging to metabolize effectively
Cracker meal ravioli. Cracker meal may contain bleached flour that is processed with various chemicals, posing a health risk to your dog
If you suspect your dog has eaten ravioli in excess, expect to deal with symptoms like:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach upset
Bloating
Loss of appetite
However, consult your vet immediately if you think your dog grabbed ravioli made with harmful filling ingredients like onions, garlic, chocolate, or other spices.
Can dogs eat homemade ravioli?
Yes. Feeding homemade ravioli to your dog is highly recommended instead of the store-bought one.
This is because when preparing ravioli from scratch to provide a few scraps to your dog, you will be mindful of the ingredients.
Homemade ravioli is also less likely to have chemicals and preservatives that may be poisonous to your dog.
Can a pregnant dog eat ravioli?
Yes, you can offer tiny amounts of ravioli to your pregnant dog.
You need to be cautious when feeding her, especially since she might start developing cravings for it.
A pregnant dog requires a well-rounded diet to stay healthy for her and her pup, which means ravioli shouldn’t form a staple of her meal.
Can dogs eat ravioli sauce?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat pasta sauce, even the homemade one. This is because the sauce contains garlic and onions and is also high in sugars and sodium. All these ingredients can cause damage to your dog’s red blood cells leading to anemia.
Summary
Dogs can eat ravioli in moderation, provided that it doesn’t have any harmful ingredients.
Keeping tabs on the vet’s visits, having a strict healthy diet, and regularly exercising are all responsible dog owners’ practices as it keeps your doggy’s weight and health close to where they should be.
If your dog licks a few pieces off the floor, don’t be alarmed.
Chances are, he’s going to be okay, bearing in mind any allergies.
Hi, my name is Megan Turner and I have worked in a dog’s shelter for four years now. It is truly my dream job, and I see hundreds of dogs every month being united with new owners to give them a loving forever home.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
