Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?

Ditch the store-bought dog treats; this season, spoil your pet with the occasional pineapple slice! The tropical, pet-friendly fruit will keep your canine refreshed and cool during scorching summers. Not only is pineapple delicious, but it's a healthy and hydrating treat that will have your pet begging for more!

Before you start serving handfuls of this lip-smacking snack, discover suitable serving sizes while delving into the health benefits of pineapple using this guide. Curious to know the risks or worries about the side effects of little Fido's tummy? Don't worry; we'll also explore the dos and don'ts of feeding your pet pineapple.

Benefits of Pineapple

Due to its exceptionally high water content, pineapple is a rejuvenating and satisfying fruit to enjoy for dogs and humans alike.

However, while it packs a flavoursome punch, the fruit isn't devoid of health benefits. In fact, it boasts a unique combination of vitamins, enzymes and antioxidants that are beneficial for canines in various ways.

Here are the key ingredients of pineapple that make the fruit so darn good for your fluffy boy.

• Antioxidants: these are compounds that slow or reverse the cell damage caused by free radicals, thus keeping your pet healthy and free from diseases.

• Vitamin C: this essential vitamin acts as an immune booster and possesses anti-inflammatory properties that relieve pain and discomfort.

• Vitamin B complex: this group of vitamins is crucial for helping the body function, aiding with metabolism, and supporting the brain.

• Potassium: this mineral is vital to canine health, while magnesium plays a key role in energy production at a cellular level.
  

What Are the Downsides to Feeding My Puppy Pineapple?

As omnivores, dogs thrive on a well-rounded diet, incorporated with snacks like pineapple.

However, while rich in various vitamins and minerals, pineapple's high sugar content makes it unsuitable for diabetic, obese dogs or hounds with specific health issues. Instead, veggie-based treats are healthier for dogs with certain medical conditions or rescues needing to lose weight.

Balance is key when feeding your pooch pineapple. While healthy, the fruit has high fibre and sugar levels that can lead to constipation and diarrhoea in pets if excessively eaten.

How to Prepare Pineapple for Your Dog

Like humans, dogs have varying digestive systems. Their tolerance for pineapple may differ as a result While some dogs wolf down pineapple without experiencing issues, other pups might have sensitivities to key ingredients, like bromelain. Are the spiky pineapple bits safe to eat? They're a no-go for all pineapple-eaters, human or canine, as they're a choking hazard and difficult to digest.

Introduce pineapple into your dog's diet gradually, and follow these feeding steps.

Peel, Core and Discard: remove the spiky outer skin and leaves at the crown of the pineapple, leaving only the fleshy pineapple "meat". Failure to do so might induce stomach problems, including diarrhoea and vomiting or even a gastrointestinal blockage, as a worst-case scenario.

Cut and Chew: Chop the pineapple into treat-sized chunks for your pup to enjoy.

Slow Introduction and Monitoring: although pineapple is non-toxic, not all dogs’ digestive systems respond well to the fruit. Watch for adverse reactions, like stomach upsets.

How Much Pineapple Should I Feed My Dog?

While your pet might be obsessed with pineapple, reserve the delicious fruit as the occasional indulgent treat. 10%. That's how much treats should comprise your pet's calorie intake. It's not alot. Two to three helpings of pineapple per week is more than enough to satisfy your dog's craving for pineapple. 

If you're tempted, forget about sharing your human food right off the plate. Table feeding is not good for several reasons. It can encourage bad behaviours and lead to potential overfeeding. There's also the risk of them ingesting other food in your dish. Accidentally scarfing down bits of garlic or onion can be toxic for dogs. How much can you give them in one sitting? One handful, the whole pineapple, or less?

How much you feed your pet pineapple largely depends on your pet’s size. Roughly one teaspoon is plenty for small breeds, while larger breeds can handle about a tablespoon. Whether big or small, cut the pineapple into bite-size chunks to prevent the possibility of choking. 

Remember that while pineapple is great for nutrition, it's not a whole meal. Your pet still needs fats and protein in their diet and can't survive off only pineapple and other fruit or vegetable treats.

What Pineapple Shouldn't I Feed My Pet?

While raw pineapple and fresh pineapple juice are canine-friendly, some forms of the fruit aren't. For instance, did you know that canned pineapple is preserved in sugar to extend its shelf life? In other words, the product is practically candy for pets.

Even though it looks healthy, the same goes for dried pineapple. Calorie-dense and high in concentrated sugar, this version of the fruit doesn't belong in your pet's diet, either!

Surprising Health Benefits of Pineapple

There are fewer things less appetising than Fido feasting on cat poop. Why does he gobble it up when he's fed expensive dog food and tasty treats? Your fur child has likely developed coprophagia, which is the unpleasant habit of eating stool.

There are several reasons for coprophagia, but one of the most likely causes might be a potential nutritional imbalance.

To keep your pet from getting sick or to deter this undesirable behaviour, feed them sliced pineapple. Bromelain, which is found in pineapple, may just be the solution. The enzyme may increase food absorption, thus reversing the nutritional imbalance and the compulsion to eat poop. It may also change the taste, making it less palatable to your hound.

Is there scientific proof? Well, not really. Although some pet lovers and vets support it, few controlled studies support its efficacy. But there's no harm in trying!

And if your furry pal continues with his poop-eating ways, take them for a vet visit! There could be an underlying cause.

How Do I Make Pineapple More Enticing?

If your dog grows tired of plain pineapple or doesn’t find it appealing, there are ways to make the fruit more enticing.

Make a Fruit Salad: mix pineapple with a medley of dog-friendly fruits and yoghurt as a delicious summer snack. Otherwise, freeze the mixture and make ‘puppsicles’. These will keep your hot dog chilled when it’s hot, plus they're fruity and delicious!

Prepare Dog Sorbet: blend the fruit to make a puree before freezing the mixture in an ice tray for a couple of hours. Your dogs will lap up these cooling cubes.

Grill Pineapple: resist feeding your hound meat scraps at a barbecue. Instead, grill one or two slices of pineapple as a pet-friendly snack. The smokey-tasting fruit will be delectable and something different to nibble on.

What Other Common Fruits Can My Dog Eat?

If your dog turns its snout up at the tangy taste of pineapple, there are various tempting, pet-friendly fruits for them to try instead. Read on!

Apples

Apple is a delicious, nutritious snack for dogs, rich in Vitamin A, C and fibre. Cut the fruit up first because the core and seeds aren’t safe for your pet to eat.

Banana

Banana is a low-calorie fruit crammed with potassium, vitamins, fibre, copper and more. It does contain lots of natural sugar, so best to keep banana slices as a sporadic indulgence!

Though non-toxic, the peel is hard to digest and may result in a preventable blockage if consumed. Even if your pet has an adventurous palate, never give them the peel!

Blueberries

High in antioxidants, blueberries are a superfood recommended to keep canines healthy.

Small in size, blueberries are an excellent snack choice for dogs undergoing training.

Conclusion: Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?

Pineapple is a nutrient-rich fruit you can incorporate into your dog's diet. However, as it also contains lots of sugar, pineapple is best kept as an occasional treat to avoid health issues.

While giving your animal lots of fruit is tempting, feed them pineapple in moderation to prevent rapid weight gain and health problems. We've featured a helpful feeding guideline to help you figure out how much is too much and which parts to avoid!

If your pet's not sold on fresh pineapple, introduce the fruit in fun, creative ways. A fruit salad might tempt their tastebuds, or pineapple sorbet! Grilled pineapple is also pretty delicious to canines!

Finally, if your dog refuses pineapple completely, introduce other dog-safe fruits. Blueberry, banana and apple, in moderation, are all pawfect choices!