Can Dogs Eat Pesto? Vet Approved Facts & Safety
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View 4 More +Pesto is one of those delicious sauces that can completely transform the taste of any old dish into something magical and sumptuous. If you like using pesto when baking bread or serving pasta, you’re probably wondering if it is okay if your dog has a little taste. The answer is no.
Pesto contains garlic, which is toxic to dogs; plus, it has some other ingredients that could cause a stomach upset. Keep reading to learn about the dangers of garlic toxicity and why there are better people foods you can offer your pup instead.
What Is Pesto?
Pesto is a sauce traditionally made with crushed garlic, pine nuts, basil leaves, salt, and hard cheeses. This typically bright green sauce originated in Italy, but many variations are available now. Some companies swap out expensive pine nuts for almonds or walnuts. Others use spinach or kale instead of basil. Red pesto is made with sundried tomatoes.
What’s the Problem With Pesto?
Though the ingredients for pesto will vary from recipe to recipe, the sauce’s base is typically always the same. The biggest issue with feeding your dog pesto is that it contains garlic. While garlic is a healthy ingredient for humans, it can have devastating effects on dogs since they metabolize some foods differently than we do.
Garlic and other foods in the allium family, like onions, contain a compound that can damage a dog’s red blood cells. This compound, thiosulfate, can cause oxidative damage to your dog’s red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Signs of anemia to be on the lookout for include:
Garlic poisoning can also result in symptoms of gastrointestinal upset, such as diarrhea, dehydration, and abdominal pain.
Aside from garlic, pesto contains a lot of salt and fat, neither of which is good for your dog. While dogs need both in their diet, they should come from balanced canine-friendly meals, not pesto.
Can Pesto Be Healthy for Dogs?
If you make a garlic-free pesto at home or find some at the store without garlic, it should be okay to offer your pup in very small quantities.
Let’s take a closer look at the other main ingredients in this tasty sauce.
What Do I Do if My Dog Ate Pesto?
A small lick of pesto will likely not result in garlic poisoning, but it’s best to avoid the chances altogether.
However, if your pup has ingested a large amount of pesto, check the ingredient list. If your pesto is made with garlic, determine how much your dog ate, as your vet will ask this question. Next, contact your vet immediately. They’ll ask how much your dog ate and the size of your pup to determine whether your pup needs to be seen in person. If not, you’ll be asked to monitor for any signs of anemia or behavioral differences.
If you have a question about your dog's health or behavior, why not Ask a Vet for free? Our veterinary team answers reader questions and provides trusted advice to help you better understand your dog.
What People Foods Can I Offer My Dog?
We know how hard it can be to look at your dog’s pouting puppy dog eyes as it begs for a taste of your meal at the dinner table. They make it practically impossible to say no! While your dog’s diet should consist primarily of food made specifically for dogs, there are some human foods your pup can eat on occasion.
Some foods you can offer your dog in moderation include:
Final Thoughts
Pesto is not a food you should be offering your dog. While the tasty sauce is great in many human dishes, there are no benefits to providing it to your canine pal. You can offer your dog many other human foods with more health benefits and fewer repercussions.
If your dog has already tasted pesto, check the ingredients to see if garlic was used in its production. If so, we recommend calling the ASPCA Animal Poison Control line at (888) 426-4435 or your veterinarian to determine if your pup needs to be seen by a professional.
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Chantelle is passionate about two things in her life – writing and animals. She grew up on the prairies of Canada surrounded by animals and as an adult, she choose to share her home with five cats, two guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Chantelle, her husband, and their child take great pride in being great animal parents- the ones who spend a thousand dollars on wall-mounted cat shelves so that their cats can have an indoor jungle gym all year round. When Chantelle isn’t snuggling her cats on the couch or taking pictures of them being funny, she’s outside exploring in the Rocky Mountains, binging the same shows on Netflix over and over, and reading about whatever random topic pops into her brain.
