Fresh, juicy pineapples are one of the great joys of summer and perfect on holiday ham. If you are wondering whether you can share this delicious fruit with your dog, the answer is a qualified yes! However, feeding pineapple to dogs comes along with some caveats.
Is pineapple safe for dogs to eat
Pineapple is not toxic or harmful for dogs. In small, cut-up pieces the chunks of pineapple are safe for your dog. But, like any food that’s not a regular part of your dog’s diet, an excess amount of pineapples can cause some stomach upset.
Fresh pineapple in small quantities can be a great, healthy, and tasty snack for your dog. It can have unfavorable effects on your dog’s digestive system if fed in large amounts.
Benefits of pineapple in a dog’s diet
Pineapple is a safe and delicious dog snack with many health benefits. This tropical fruit is full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of pineapple for dogs:
- Pineapples are packed with vitamin C that is great for the immune system of your dog.
- It contains important vitamins including B1, B2, B6, and B9. They help to maintain their energy level and improve metabolism.
- The sweet and juicy pineapple contains 85% water and keeps your dog hydrated during summers.
- Pineapple also contains an enzyme, bromelain, that helps dogs to absorb proteins.
- Pineapple is a great source of antioxidants that may help fight inflammation and free radicals in your dog’s body.
- Pineapple contains manganese, which will help strengthen the bones and joints of dogs.
- Pineapple can help with digestion and battle occasional constipation.
- Pineapples have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the swelling in your injured dog.
Risks of feeding pineapple to your dog
While pineapple is a great fruit for dogs, there are a few things you should keep in mind when feeding pineapple to your dog.
- A dog’s digestive system is not designed to process high levels of sugar.
- A high concentration of sugar will always help speed up the decay of your dog’s teeth.
- Too much pineapple can have adverse reactions to your dog’s digestive system.
- Pineapple does not provide a complete source of balanced nutrients and only provides high doses of Vitamin C and Manganese.
- Don’t share canned or preserved pineapple with your dog. They contain high amounts of sugar, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners that can seriously upset your dog’s digestive system.
Doggy Chef Tip: Do not feed pineapple to puppies during their first 12 weeks. During this formative stage, puppies should be on a diet specifically for their nutritional needs.
How to feed pineapple to your dogs
The exterior skin and core of pineapple are very tough for dogs to digest. They are dangerous due to the potential choking hazard and the difficulty dogs have in digesting them.
Make sure you always prepare the pineapple into small bite-sized cubes before you use it as a snack for your dog.
Also once diced, you can freeze the pineapple to give your dog a cool refreshing snack during hot summer days.
Doggy Chef Tip: Keep in mind that fruits and vegetables should not exceed 20% of your dog’s diet.
The natural imbalances of pineapple’s minerals and nutrients, with high doses of vitamin C, mean you should not feed pineapple to your dog regularly. Overfeeding pineapple to your dog can be harmful to your dog’s health.
If you want to introduce pineapple to your dog’s diet, it’s a good idea to start slowly to see how your dog’s stomach reacts.
Woof!
