Pineapple is every tropical region’s delight. It has a tangy, sweet, tart like taste typical of fruits found in warmer climates. Refreshing food is many people’s favorite. Eating slices of pineapple on a hot summer day refreshes our senses and helps us keep sane. Apart from being loaded with water, it has fiber, Vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals.
Some people love the pineapple shake, others prefer to drink pineapple juice. Of course, it’s used in cakes and pastries in abundance. Pineapple puddings are one of the best cheat day treats and how do we forget about pineapple custard and ice cream.
But why are we discussing it here? Because since you eat pineapple in so many forms, the idea of giving it to your dog might cross your mind. Dogs stay with us all the time. And in these days of quarantine, we have been spending time with our dogs more than ever before.
Many of us are also eating too much these days. Now dogs are curious animals and always want to have a taste of your food. So can you give him a bite of pineapple? Will it have the same health benefits for your dog? Dogs are allergic to a lot of foods and fruits aren’t their favorite anyway.
So it’s safe to confirm whether your dog can eat it or not. It would be stupid to feed him something that might make him sick. This article will let you know everything about whether your dog can eat pineapple and every other question you have related to that. So,
Can dogs have Pineapple?
Yes, dogs can have pineapple but like many other fruits, conditions apply to this statement. Dogs might not be naturally suited to eating pineapples. They are carnivores and get the most health benefits from meat anyway. And while many vegetarian foods are good for dogs, pineapple might not be the healthiest of them.
Dogs can eat pineapple but only in moderate amounts. Raw pineapple contains a host of nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, etc. It also contains a lot of fiber and minerals like copper, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, etc.
But it’s also rich in sugar which your dog shouldn’t eat more than a small amount. While it is a nutrient-rich snack, the high sugar content can be harmful to older dogs and those having diabetes or such blood sugar problems. It also depends on the bodyweight of your dog.
There’s no standard amount that you can feed to your dog. It depends upon the age, size, and breed of your dog. But more on the quantity later. Now you know that you can feed your dog at least a small amount of pineapple. You don’t need to worry if he has eaten it without permission.
Is pineapple good for dogs?
Now you can feed your dog a small amount of pineapple. It won’t hurt him. But will he reap all the benefits that you reap from pineapple? Should you intentionally feed him pineapple or make it a part of his daily snack? You know pineapple is full of Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and such nutrients along with fiber.
But your dog doesn’t need any of these nutrients much. He only needs small amounts of these nutrients which are already present in his food. Every good quality dog food you will buy from the market contains adequate percentages of vitamins and minerals which are sufficient for your dog. It’s important that the dog food you feed him is labeled ‘complete and balanced’.
So, he won’t need it on a daily basis. And nutrients that you feed your dog more than he needs will not benefit him and can rather cause illnesses in the stomach. You can feed a little pineapple once in a while for a Vitamin C boost but not more than that.
Research also suggested that pineapple contains bromelain that helps break down protein. It has anti-inflammatory properties and also aids digestion. But if it benefits the dog can’t be said. So you can’t be sure about it. It’s safe to not include pineapple in his daily diet and limit it to occasional snacks only.
Is pineapple safe for dogs?
Yes, pineapple is safe for consumption for dogs but only in the right way and in a moderate amount. Feeding your dog sliced raw pineapple without seasoning every once in a while is a safe practice. But you shouldn’t feed him canned pineapple as it contains preservatives and even added sugars at times.
The processed sugar syrup used in canned pineapple for longevity can cause indigestion in your dog. Never throw a piece of the canned pineapple you are slicing for the cake to your dog. Also, the high fiber content in pineapple can cause him to poop a lot.
It can lead to stomach upset and even runny stools. Avoid hurting your dog’s stomach by a foolish activity like that. A few chunks of raw pineapple is enough for him as a summer treat. The water content will help him be hydrated.
You might ask if you can feed your dog dried or cooked pineapple. We have discussed all the ways in which you can feed or should avoid feeding pineapple to your dog.
Is pineapple OK for dogs?
Pineapple does have a few health benefits for your dog. It’s okay to feed him pineapple but only in the right manner. The soft flesh of pineapple is good for consumption but the spiked pineapple skin can be harmful. You shouldn’t think that the sharp canines of your dog will chew everything easily.
As discussed above, you should choose fresh pineapple over canned for your dog. Always start by feeding a very small amount. As you do with any new food items you are feeding your dog, you should always test whether your dog is allergic to it or it can upset his stomach. Observe your dog if it suffers from diarrhea within a few hours.
Is pineapple bad for dogs?
Pineapple is rich in fiber and sugar content. Overeating pineapple can cause your dog stomach upset or diarrhea. Moreover, even natural sugar can lead to obesity in dogs and humans. That’s why it’s important to keep the ‘feed-in small amount’ thing always in mind.
An obese dog runs a high risk of tumors and cancer. Moreover, dogs with diabetes and heart diseases should avoid eating sugar-rich products as it can have dire consequences. If your dog suffers from an upset stomach after eating, it’s not a good snack for him.
When should you feed your dog a pineapple treat?
Fruits and vegetables should make up only 10% of your dog’s daily diet. Canine carnivores draw the most energy from protein. Moreover, concentrated nutrients found in dog food are most suited for dogs. This is because they are bereft of any additional calories.
It’s best to treat your dog pineapple in hotter seasons once in a few days. You should keep it as a treat and not give him even a bite every day even if he likes it. Feed them in between meals or as a reward.
How much pineapple can dogs eat?
Pineapple has a natural imbalance of nutrients. They are very rich in fiber, Vitamin C, and sugar but have a relatively low amount of other nutrients. This makes them a bad choice for a daily snack. If your dog seems to like it, treat him with some when he obeys you as part of behavior training.
Your dog should only get about 10% of his daily calorie intake from fruits and vegetables. It depends upon his weight. If you have a 30-pound dog, he would need around 500 calories per day. Now 10% of it is 50 calories that are 8 cubes of pineapple. So if you 30-pound dog doesn’t eat any other fruit in the day you can feed him 8 cubes of pineapple.
Use Waltham healthy weight maintenance to know how much calories your dog needs. Then calculate the amount of pineapple suitable for him. And remember, only feed him once in a few days even if the calorie intake allows as fiber and sugar can still harm him.
Can dogs eat pineapple core?
Pineapple core is hard to bite as well as digest. Apart from that, it is also a choking hazard. Your puppy may not be able to swallow it down his throat. Even if your dog swallows the core, it may remain undigested and can cause serious stomach upset.
It might cause a blockage in the intestinal tract or rectum. It’s also a surety that it won’t benefit your dog by any means. Humans are smart enough to bite their food well. Dogs take a bite or two and gulp it down unless it’s a meaty piece of bone.
Even your large dog may just take a bit and gulp it down. Vets advise against feeding your dog core and skin of the pineapple. So, make a little effort to ensure your dog’s safety instead of being lazy and feeding him the whole pineapple. Cubes of pineapple flesh are the best way to feed him.
Can dogs eat dried pineapple?
While fresh pineapple is beneficial for dogs, the same can’t be said about dried ones. Dried pineapples are processed with sugar to make them tastier. They mostly taste like candies and are also cooked in sugar syrups. The excessive amount of sugar content in dried pineapple can be seriously harmful to your dog.
You don’t want to feed him so much sugar, especially not to your old or diabetic dog. It can also cause obesity and other such long term problems. It may not upset his stomach instantly unless he’s allergic or has eaten too much. But it’s not recommended as its harmful effects vanquish its benefits.
Can dogs eat canned pineapple?
Yes, dogs can eat canned pineapple. Wait, but we told you that you should not feed canned pineapples to your dog. Remember the reason? It’s because of the high sugar content. Now if you’re canned pineapple doesn’t have added sugar and has used other preservatives, it’s likely to be safe for your dog.
But don’t feed canned pineapple with added sugar. Pineapple packed in 100% fruit juice or in light syrup is safe for consumption for dogs. But don’t feed the ones packed in heavy syrup. It’s best if you can find canned pineapple with zero sugar.
You should also avoid feeding your dog old pineapple. Fresh pineapples are completely yellow in color but as it gets old, it will have inconsistent patches. It won’t provide the health benefits of a fresh one. Also, canned pineapples don’t have Bromelain that has the digestive system-boosting properties. So it’s a waste to feed your dog canned pineapple.
Can dogs eat fresh pineapple?
Raw pineapple without any seasonings is the best way to feed pineapple to your dogs. Fresh pineapple has most of its nutrients intact and doesn’t have any preservatives. Chop off the skin, remove the core, and leaves. After that slice the pineapple into small pieces and cut into cubes.
The pineapple flesh is juicy and will provide a refreshing taste to your dog. Moreover, it’s very easy to chew and digest. Even your puppy can digest the flesh easily. You should just cut it into smaller cubes for him. Dogs who don’t chew much can also easily eat fresh pineapple flesh.
Can dogs eat cooked pineapple?
Yes, cooked pineapple treats are good for dogs if fed in moderate amounts. You can bake or grill pineapple before feeding him. Here is a quick pineapple and molasses recipe for your dog:
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Crushed pineapple
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup molasses
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
Method
- Whisk all-purpose flour and baking soda and powder in a bowl.
- Whisk crushed pineapple, molasses, olive oil, egg and vanilla extract in another bowl
- Mix the pineapple mixture with the flour.
- Drop the mixture with a spoon on a baking tray
- Bake it at 350°C for around 20 minutes.
- Once it’s golden brown, cool it down and serve it to your dog.
You can also grill some slices of pineapple for your dog. Don’t forget to cool it down so it doesn’t burn your dog’s mouth.
Can dogs eat pineapple chunk?
Yes, dogs can eat small-sized chunks of pineapples. The chunks should be from the flesh of the pineapple. Its size depends upon the size of your dog. You should cut the chunks into very small cubes for your pup. Preparation of the pineapple chunk is important so that it doesn’t cause choking. Follow these steps to prepare the pineapple chunks for your dog:
- Keep the pineapple in a horizontal position
- Cut off the top and bottom parts
- Now place it vertically
- Cut the sides of the pineapple up to around 1cm depth
- Place it horizontally again
- Cut it into 2cm thin slices
- Cut the core from the center of all slices
- Chop the remains into small chunks.
The chunks shouldn’t be more than 2cm thick however large your dog is.
Can dogs eat pineapple skin?
The pointed pineapple skin is harmful to both humans and dogs. Have you seen anyone ever eat the spiky pineapple skin? It’s common sense that your dog won’t be able to swallow or digest it properly. The big spikes are too hard and can injure your dog’s throat.
It can also cause choking and severe damage in the intestinal tract if swallowed. Now dogs don’t have common sense as we do. So your dog can’t figure this out. It’s up to you to keep the uncut pineapple away from your dog. Don’t let him play with it.
Similarly, pineapple leaves are hard and can cause irritation in his mouth and stomach. Chewing the hard skin and leaves can also damage his teeth and gums. Moreover, you don’t know what pesticides were used to grow it.
The pesticides might be still sticking to the skin and leaves. It can be toxic and pose a serious threat to your dog’s health. If your dog has swallowed any of that, immediately contact the vet.
Other than that, pineapple is safe to eat for dogs. But never rely on fruits for nutrients. They should only be fed as a treat or an add-on occasionally. Ensure the dog food you provide along with other meat products fulfills his nutrient needs.
Source:
https://animalso.com/can-dogs-eat-pineapple/