Can Dogs Eat Pesto?

The short answer is no.

If you want to share it with your dog, you need to provide him dog-friendly pesto.

It would be advisable to offer dogs tiny quantities of pesto and only the one without garlic and onions.

But there is more to it.

Read our full article on “Can dogs eat pesto?”.

Read it carefully before you feed pesto to your furry friend.

Why Is Pesto Bad For Dogs?

one jar of pesto

As mentioned before, there are some ingredients that can be harmful if eaten by a dog.

Those things are the following.

Onion and Garlic

Two of the ingredients in pesto are garlic and onions, while those two things are suitable for humans, they can be harmful to dogs if consumed.

Garlic and onions are poisonous to dogs and can cause upset stomachs, vomiting, diarrhea, and, if left untreated, even death.

Ensure the pesto doesn’t contain garlic or onions if you feed it to your dog.

Pine Nuts and other nuts

In moderation, pine nuts are safe for dogs and make a terrific addition to their diet.

However, it’s crucial to keep an eye on how many pine nuts your dog consumes because even organic and healthy foods can have adverse health effects if consumed in high quantities.

They may occasionally need veterinary attention to recover when they experience more severe side effects like vomiting or diarrhea.

Additionally, because they may contain harmful toxins, some nuts should not be offered to dogs (such as macadamia nuts and walnuts).

Due to the toxicity walnuts can cause in tiny animals, feeding your dog pesto that contains walnuts is not an intelligent idea.

Typically, pine nuts or walnuts are used to make pesto.

So keep an eye out for nuts when you check the ingredients in pesto sauce.

What Happens If Dogs Eat Pesto?

white dog on the left side pesto on the right side

Pesto can cause your furry friends to vomit, have diarrhea, and have other digestive system function issues.

Call your vet immediately if your dog exhibits these signs after consuming pesto.

If the pesto consumes contains onion or garlic, these symptoms will typically appear.

These compounds can potentially be harmful to dogs and could result in serious health issues.

Please get in touch with your veterinarian immediately if you experience any of the above-mentioned signs.

Does Pesto Also Have Benefits For Dogs?

Yes, pesto you made by yourself for your dog can provide nutritional benefits.

For instance, making pesto with only ingredients appropriate for dogs, such as parsley, parmesan cheese, and olive oil, can be a nutritious way to enhance your dog’s food.

Vitamins A and C, folic acid, and iron are all reasonably present in parsley.

Also, it can help your dog’s breath smell better!

Calcium and protein are crucial for dogs and are found in reasonable amounts in parmesan cheese.

Additionally, olive oil is a beneficial lipid that can help maintain your dog’s skin and coat healthy and lustrous.

It is still preferable to feed your dog only safe pesto with parsley, olive oil and parmesan cheese.

If you wouldn’t let dogs eat fruit snacks and would forbid them from eating Oreos, you should draw the line when giving your dog pesto.

Pesto may be an excellent addition to your dog’s dry or wet food.

Even though dog-specific pesto contains nutrients, you must still be careful about how much food you give your dog.

What To Do If Your Dog Ate Pesto

white bowl full of pesto

The first thing you should do if your dog ate some pesto is to look at the ingredient list.

If the pesto your dogs ate contains garlic and, or onions, this is a serious situation.

Additionally, you need to figure out how much pesto was consumed.

Call your veterinarian right away and tell him about the exact amount and the ingredients in the pesto your dog ate.

They can let you know if your dog needs to be examined, given its size and the amount of food ingested.

Additionally, it’s crucial to keep an eye out for your pet’s anemia-related symptoms.

Call the poison hotline or your veterinarian if your dog exhibits unusual behavior.

Symptoms to look out for if your dog consumes a large amount of garlic pesto, keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

  • Fainting

  • Lack of appetite

  • Lethargy

  • Pale or light gums

  • Red urine

  • Weakness

  • Wobbly or lack of balance

  • Red blood cells deficiencies

Recipe Of A Dog-Friendly Pesto

pesto in jars on a wooden plate

Making your own pesto is the healthiest and safest option because canines are sensitive to some elements in a famous pesto.

By keeping track of the items, you should use sparingly and those you should use in moderation, you can create a homemade pesto that is great for your pet.

Only a general recommendation for dog-friendly pesto is provided here.

Include no items that your four-legged friend might be allergic to or sensitive to.

You will require the following ingredients:

  • One cup of fresh herbs

  • ¼ to 1/3 cup of grated hard cheese like parmesan

  • The small number of nuts safe for dogs, like four almonds or one brazil nut

  • A little bit of olive oil

Here are the steps for preparing your homemade pesto:

  1. Pulse all of the ingredients together until you form a fine paste

  2. Store the dog-friendly pesto in the fridge for up to a week

  3. You can also freeze it in portion sizes – you can use an ice cube tray for this purpose

Even though this pesto is safe for dogs, you should still limit your pet’s daily calorie intake.

One teaspoon of this pesto every day for every 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight is all that should be consumed.

Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Pesto?

pesto on the left side brown dog on the right side

For people, pesto can be a wonderful treat, but it’s not always suitable for dogs.

So, if your dog accidentally eats a small portion of it, he will likely have an upset stomach or start to vomit.

It’s usually preferable to err on the side of caution and refrain from giving your dog pesto if you’re unclear about whether or not to do so.

As you know now, pesto has some toxic ingredients such as garlic and onions.

Those two things need to be avoided!

Those are the reasons why dogs can not eat pesto.

However, you can prepare pesto that is suitable for canines.

In this variation, parsley takes the place of the basil, and healthy nuts and olive oil are also included.

In this manner, your dog may still enjoy pesto flavors without risk.

If your dogs can tolerate lactose, cottage cheese can be an excellent addition to a dog’s diet as an alternative to pesto.

Before You Go…

Now you know the answer to the question, “Can dogs eat pesto?”.

If you want to learn more, read the following articles too!

Mena Emad, DVM
Mena has a Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine. His expertise, passion for animal welfare, extensive knowledge, and experience in the field of veterinary medicine make him an excellent resource for our readers.