It's a tasty topper for tropical drinks and delicious addition to fruit salad, but is pineapple safe for dogs? If you've been hesitant to feed your pup bites of this yummy fruit, you may actually have nothing to fear. Fresh pineapple can make for a nutritious dog treat, as long as it's given in moderation.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?
Fresh pineapple is rich in B-complex vitamins as well as vitamin C. It also contains high amounts of minerals and electrolytes, including potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Many of the nutrients in pineapple can help support your dog's immune system and are good for digestive health, according to the American Kennel Club.
Raw pineapple can be a healthy treat for your pup when given in small quantities. However, canned and dried pineapple sometimes contain added sugars and provide extra calories your dog doesn’t need.
Is Pineapple Safe for Dogs?
As nutritious as pineapple can be for dogs, it also has some drawbacks. While the high fiber content can be beneficial in small quantities, too much of it can cause digestive issues, including diarrhea and constipation. For dogs with sensitive stomachs, even a small amount of pineapple might lead to tummy trouble.
Pineapple is also packed with natural sugar, which could pose a risk to dogs with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes, The Labrador Site explained. And the high acid content in pineapple could wear down a dog's tooth enamel and speed up tooth decay.
You should avoid feeding both the spiny outer skin and the tough central core or the pineapple to your dog. These can cause intestinal blockages, so call your veterinarian if your pup raids the garbage and devours either of these parts of the pineapple. They can advise you on whether you should bring your dog in for an exam or take a wait-and-see approach.
How to Prepare Pineapple for Your Dog
How can dogs eat pineapple? Follow these guidelines to safely feed pineapple to your pooch:
- Check with your veterinarian before feeding in case there are any underlying conditions that pineapple would not work well with including diabetes.
- Peel and core the pineapple, discarding the peel and core in a place that's out of your dog's reach.
- Cut the pineapple into bite-size chunks for large dogs, or dice it into small pieces for small dogs.
- If you're feeding them pineapple for the first time, give your dog one bite and wait an hour to see if they show any signs of digestive issues. Stop giving them pineapple if it doesn't appear to agree with them. Remember that no more than ten percent of your dog's calories should come from anything other than their regular dog food.
- Give your dog no more than two or three small bites of pineapple a day.
A little bit of pineapple in moderation can be a yummy snack your dog could love. Just be careful not to overdo it, and don't let your dog's enthusiasm for this sweet treat override what's best for their overall health.
Contributor Bio
Jean Marie Bauhaus
Jean Marie Bauhaus is a pet lover, freelance writer and novelist. She currently lives in the Ozarks with her husband and their gaggle of four-footed dependents, where she enjoys watching a wide array of wild animals in her backyard while drinking her morning coffee.
