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Pasta night is a tradition in many homes, so there’s a fair chance our family dogs will come across at least a little spaghetti sauce at some point. Between food left out, random spills in the dining room, and empty bowls on the table, they’ll likely have numerous opportunities to steal a bite. Though likely harmless in small amounts, spaghetti sauce isn’t something dogs should regularly eat.
The mix of veggies and seasonings in spaghetti sauce can cause issues for a dog’s sensitive system, sometimes creating problems beyond an upset stomach. We’ll explain why dogs shouldn’t eat spaghetti sauce and what you can expect if your pet accidentally gets into it.
Why Can’t Dogs Eat Spaghetti?
Spaghetti sauce likely won’t cause any issues for a dog if they eat a lick or two, but the mix of potentially toxic ingredients has more potential to do your dog harm than offer any favors.
Tomatoes
You may read that tomatoes are toxic to dogs, and they do in fact contain some toxic compounds, such as tomatine, but these compounds are in very low amounts in ripe tomatoes, which are the main ones used in making spaghetti sauce. Tomatoes are acidic, however, so eating a lot of spaghetti sauce can cause an stomach upset in this way.
Garlic, Onions, and Other Alliums
Garlic, onions, shallots, and other plants in the Allium family contain toxic chemicals that can cause destruction of red blood cells. When dogs don’t have enough circulating healthy red blood cells, they develop anemia.
Signs of Garlic and Onion Toxicity
Dogs initially show signs of gastroenteritis when they consume too much onion or garlic. Stomach upset occurs, causing drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. The dog’s breath will often smell strongly of onion or garlic.
After several hours (or a few days), signs of anemia can appear, including:
- Pale gums and other mucus membranes
- Rapid breathing
- Lethargy and weakness
- Darkened urine
How Much Onion and Garlic Is Toxic to Dogs?
Garlic is more toxic to dogs than onion, and spaghetti sauce often contains a substantial amount of each, however a dog would need to eat a lot of sauce in order to have severe toxic effects. For most 45 pound dogs, that would mean eating the equivalent of one medium onion or multiple cloves of garlic. Since these ingredients are mixed in with other things, like tomato sauce, the likelihood that a dog would eat enough to have really negative effects is slim, but that doesn’t mean that eating spaghetti sauce won’t cause an upset stomach.
Is There a Lot of Sugar in Spaghetti Sauce?
There is sugar in most spaghetti sauces which can be a stomach upset issue if your dog eats enough. However, it’s unlikely that they will get enough to be a real problem.
Sugar-free sauces can be an issue, though. Always check the ingredients if your dog ingested a “sugar-free” sauce, and follow up with your vet if it contains xylitol. Fortunately, xylitol is more likely to show up in sugar-free ketchup than spaghetti sauce. Sauces marketed as “sugar-free” or “no sugar added” often contain more tolerable sweeteners like sucralose or no sugar substitutes.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Spaghetti Sauce
Even small dogs can stomach the occasional spoonful of spaghetti sauce without issue. In most instances of accidental ingestion, you only need to ensure your dog has fresh water and monitor for signs of distress.
Watch your dog for the following few hours, looking for lethargy, weakness, or gastrointestinal upset. Contact your vet if you notice your dog struggling.
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Alternatives to Spaghetti Sauce
Your dog doesn’t need spaghetti sauce, or any other human food, to survive, and since it can potentially cause some issues, it’s best to steer clear. Instead, offer your pup healthy dog treats if they start begging. You can even give them some of their normal kibble, just be sure to deduct the amount from their meal later on.
Healthy vegetables, such as carrots, peas, green beans, or pumpkin can also make an occasional appearance in moderation in your dog’s diet. Just make sure to run any food additions by your vet first to be sure it is a good option for your dog.
Conclusion
There’s little need to worry about dogs eating small amounts of spaghetti sauce. They may even benefit from nutrients like vitamin A, fiber, and potassium, which are abundant in tomatoes. The trouble starts when they eat more than a few spoonfuls, especially if they get into it frequently. Watch for signs of stomach upset when your dog steals a taste, but don’t stress too much over it unless they indulge in greater amounts.
Featured Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock
