Mac and cheese is the favorite comfort food of many people. It’s quick, it’s cheese and incredibly delicious. However, all of us know that there isn’t anything healthy or nutritious about it. But it’s still perfectly fine to eat it from time to time. However, if you are someone that loves to share their food with their pets, you might be wondering — Can dogs eat mac and cheese? The short answer is no.
While a small portion of mac and cheese wouldn’t do some unimaginable damage to your dog’s health, he would still be better off not eating any of it at all. And the reason behind it is pretty clear and simple — it’s in the ingredients.
Can dogs eat mac and cheese?
If you want to share your mac and cheese dinner with your adorable pup that looks at your plate with some burning desire to try it — know that you are doing a good thing by refusing to give him any. While most dogs would find that mac and cheese is absolutely adorable, it definitely isn’t something that would in any way benefit their health.
First of all, most dogs are lactose intolerant. Which means that they wouldn’t be able to even digest the cheese that is found in your favorite macaroni. The dairy would cause your dog’s stomach to become upset, which would result in discomfort, diarrhea and vomiting.
The same thing goes for all dairy products, which is why your pup would be best off without them.
Another thing is that mac and cheese is full of fat, which can lead to trouble too. Food that is rich in fat can cause pancreatitis in dogs over time. That is a serious medical condition that could even end up deadly.
Can dogs eat macaroni without the cheese in it?
While there isn’t anything in plain macaroni that would harm your dog, there isn’t anything that would benefit his health too. Macaroni is high in carbs, which isn’t too beneficial for a dog’s diet. That also means that your dog would consume a high amount of calories — which could lead to weight gain and eventually even obesity. However, it would be fine to give your dog macaroni in smaller quantities from time to time.
But one thing that you need to keep in mind is to never give your dog any macaroni that has tomato sauce, garlic, onions, spices, herbs or other ingredients that are harmful to dogs. Make sure to give your dog a minimal amount of the pasta, so he doesn’t overfeed on carbs and don’t make it a regular meal, but instead an occasional treat.
Can mac and cheese be harmful to dogs when they eat it?
Sometimes, yes — mac and cheese can indeed be harmful and dangerous for dogs. Especially if it contains some spices or herbs that are toxic for dogs. While ingredients such as garlic powder aren’t dangerous to you at all, they could be highly toxic for your dog.
Garlic is poisonous to dogs, even in small amounts. Garlic contains disulfides and thiosulphates, compounds that are toxic to dogs. After the dog ingests garlic, these compounds will be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and change into reactive oxidants, which will damage your dog’s red blood cells. As a result, several health conditions can occur including Heinz body anemia, methemoglobinemia, and hemolytic anemia.
Most of the mac and cheese mixes that are available in grocery stores do contain garlic, so make sure that your dog doesn’t come anywhere near it.
My dog ate mac and cheese, what should I do next?
If your dog ate a bite of mac and cheese while you weren’t looking, he will most likely be fine. However, you should still observe him and contact your vet if you notice any changes.