One of the best ways to feel like you are spoiling your furry friends is to offer them a treat. However, it can be overwhelming trying to remember what you can and cannot feed to your dogs as pet parents. There are always different health benefits and risks of human foods when offered to our canine friends.
When it comes down to "can dogs eat pineapple?" The answer is YES. Dogs can eat pineapple, and it is safe for dogs! You can offer this tropical fruit as a small tasty treat to your dog! BUT there are certain parts of the fresh fruit to avoid and some significant health risks and benefits to consider prior to feeding.
Which Types And Parts Of Pineapple Can Dogs Eat?
We all know that pineapple, like many other fruits, can often come in all shapes and sizes - from fresh to frozen to canned to juiced. So, how do you know which types are OK to feed your dog? And which ones should you avoid?
As with any new food, you will want to observe your dog closely the first time they try it.
Fresh Pineapples
Can a dog eat pineapple? Yes, you can feed raw pineapple to your dog! Fresh pineapple is a great supplement to your dog's balanced diet as it adds some sweetness, vitamins, and minerals. However, it is important to prepare the pieces properly and make sure you are ONLY feeding the "flesh" of the fruit to your furry friend.
The pineapple skin, the core, and the pineapple's crown are not meant to be consumed, and they can cause intestinal or airway blockages, as they are tough to digest and become a choking hazard. However, the fresh flesh of the fruit is a wonderful way to add new nutrients to your dog's diet. However, too much pineapple can cause an upset stomach, weight gain, diabetes due to too much sugar, and more.
Frozen Pineapples
Frozen pineapple - either from the freezer section at the grocery store or cut and frozen at home - is just as good to feed as fresh pineapple! It could also be a great way to keep your dog a little cool in the warmer months and keep distracted a little longer while chewing through the frozen treat. Again, it is important to avoid the skin, core, and crown and only offer the frozen flesh.
Canned Pineapples
Can a dog eat canned pineapple? It is safe for your dog but should be avoided and not offered to your dog. While pineapple can provide health benefits to your dog's diet, canned pineapple chunks and canned fruit, in general, are often preserved with additional syrups, sugars, and preservatives. Even though these ingredients are not toxic to dogs, they can cause intense digestive upset, weight gain, diabetes, and other health issues, especially as dogs are not used to consuming any of these typically unnatural products.
Pineapple Juices
Pineapple juice falls under the same category as canned, so it should not be fed to your dog due to high sugar content, both natural and added. When being juiced or canned, many of the fruit's natural enzymes and minerals are often reduced during the process, losing many of the health benefits that pineapple has to offer.
Dried Pineapples
Dried pineapple is OK to feed your dog in moderation, as long as it is 100% natural, to avoid any excessive additives. The process of drying the tasty fruit can significantly decrease the beneficial nutrients, therefore, it's not as nutritious as fresh pineapple.
Pureed Pineapples
You can feed pureed pineapple to your dog as long as it only contains a single ingredient: pineapple. There should be no additives and no preservatives.
With pineapple puree, you can place it in freezer-safe molds and turn it into delicious frozen treats for hot summer days.
Health Effects Of Feeding Dogs Pineapple
A common misconception about dogs is that they are carnivores, which is incorrect, and dogs are naturally omnivores. Just like humans, they eat plants and meats.
Pineapple has a wide range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients supporting your dog's health and immune and digestive systems. Below you will find some benefits of pineapple and why you may want to add them to your dog's diet:
Health Benefits Of Feeding Pineapple To Your Dog
Hydration: Pineapple is made up of over 80% water. While dogs instinctively hydrate themselves and maintain an appropriate hydration level, more water can never hurt. This is especially helpful in the hot summer months. Feeding pineapple is a yummy way to keep our furry friends hydrated out in the summer heat.
Vitamins: Pineapple contains essential nutrients such as Vitamin B1(Thiamin), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C. These vitamins are especially supportive to the skin and fur, plays an essential role in a dog's immune system, as well as oxidizing tissue cells. These vitamins work with the other antioxidants available in the fruit and help fight aging or deteriorating cells and keep the body healthy through antioxidant properties and support of red blood cell production.
Enzymes: Enzymes are important for digestion and overall organ health. One of the most notable enzymes available in pineapple is bromelain, and this enzyme assists with breaking down proteins and therefore absorbing and utilizing consumed nutrients. Dogs who are prone to malabsorption issues may benefit from this enzyme.
For this reason, pineapple is often given to treat coprophagia, which is the practice of eating poop—many dog owners select this option as it's safe and natural. But before giving this to your dog, it's best to talk to your veterinarian to determine what is causing your dog's bad habit and why your dog eats poop.
Minerals: Many minerals, such as manganese, are present in pineapple. These minerals specifically support bone and connective tissue growth and strength.
Antioxidants: Pineapple is packed with antioxidants, so it's a great way to give your dog's body a boost.
Health Concerns Of Feeding Pineapple To Your Dog
As dog parents, it's important to understand if health concerns come with feeding your dog pineapple. If you feed pineapple to your dog in small quantities, it can be a great healthy treat. If you are unsure how much pineapple to feed to your dog, contact your veterinarian for a recommendation. Remember, your dog's main diet should primarily be balanced dog food.
Overfeeding this delicious dog treat can have an adverse effect on your dog's digestive system, and this only occurs if you feed in a large amount.
Too much fiber: Pineapple contains relatively high fiber content. While it is perfect to use to help relieve constipation and keep your dog's digestive tract on track, too much fiber can cause digestive issues.
Sugars: Pineapple contains natural sugar that most dogs can tolerate well, but if you have a sensitive stomach and react poorly to whole foods with high sugar content, it's best to avoid this fruit. And if your dog has an underlying health condition, it is best to check with your veterinarian if feeding pineapple to your dog is appropriate or not.
If your dog is experiencing gastrointestinal issues and has any signs such as straining to poop, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating pineapple, stop offering it and consult your veterinarian.
Fun Ways To Feed Pineapple To Your Dog
Remember, pineapple should only be served as a snack or occasional treat. It should never be a full meal by itself. Here are some fun ways for you to feed pineapple to your dog:
- Fruit salad- Just like you, your dog can enjoy a delicious, healthy, and fresh fruit salad. Make a blend of watermelon cubes, balance slices, blueberries, and pineapple chunks.
- Pineapple ice cream is the perfect option for hot summer days if you want to give your dog healthier alternatives to store bought ice cream.
A homemade pineapple treat is cheap, healthier, and easy to put together yourself. Blend some plain yogurt and raw pineapple together and freeze it in a freezer-safe mold to create a probiotic doggy ice cream. To make it fancier, you can add peanut butter or other fruits. - Add to pet food- Fancy your dog's food by mixing some fresh bite-size pineapple with your dog's daily kibble diet.
- Puree Blend- Make your own fancy puree by mixing pineapple with other ingredients like sweet potato.
- Freeze Pineapple Chunks- One of the easiest ways to turn pineapple into a delicious summer treat is to freeze bite-sized chunks.
