- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Pineapple is a tropical fruit high in vitamin C and manganese. It also contains other compounds, like antioxidants and enzymes that can help reduce risk of diseases and inflammation.
Dogs can also eat pineapple, experts say, so you can feel free to share a few bites of this fruit with your pup.
“Pineapple is a safe and healthy treat as long as you stick to the recommended treat allowance of 10% of your dog’s daily calories,” says Dr. Dan Su, DVM, board certified veterinary nutritionist and manager of Nutrition Services for BSM Partners.
Read on to learn about the possible benefits and risks of pineapple for dogs, plus some expert tips on how to feed your dog pineapple. You’ll also find a list of other fruits dogs can eat safely.
Can Dogs Eat All Parts Of A Pineapple?
Dogs shouldn’t eat all parts of a pineapple.
According to Dr. Su, you can give your dog the soft flesh. However, take care to remove the spiky skin and hard inner core before letting your dog eat the pineapple. Their digestive systems can’t easily break these parts down. If your dog eats the skin or core, they may experience some stomach distress.
You also won’t want to let your dog eat any pineapple seeds, says Dr. Whitney Miller, DVM, board certified in veterinary preventive medicine and Chief Veterinarian at Petco. Pineapple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, so they can make your dog sick.
Since most store-bought pineapples don’t contain seeds, you generally don’t need to worry about this, but it never hurts to check and remove any seeds you find.
Does Pineapple Have Benefits For Dogs?
Pineapple does have some benefits for dogs, according to Drs. Miller and Su.
Some benefits of pineapple include:
- High water content: Pineapple contains plenty of water, so it may help your dog stay hydrated in hot weather.
- Magnesium: This mineral can help improve cell health.
- Vitamin C: This vitamin supports the immune system and may help prevent disease.
- Fiber: Some dogs may need more fiber than others, but all dogs should get some fiber in their diet for optimal digestive health.
- Zinc: This mineral plays an important part in immune and thyroid health. Zinc can also benefit your dog’s skin and coat.
Can pineapple keep my dog from eating poop?
If you’ve come across the suggestion that pineapple will keep dogs from eating poop, there’s some truth to that—but it might not work quite as you imagine.
Pineapple can make the taste of feces less appealing to dogs, so they may no longer want to eat the poop.
But for this to work effectively, you’d have to feed pineapple to the animal who left the poop, not your dog—unless they’re eating their own poop. If your dog eats poop left by cats and other outdoor animals, giving your dog pineapple likely won’t make any difference.
Does Pineapple Have Risks For Dogs?
“Pineapple is generally safe for dogs to eat in small amounts and can even be beneficial due to its nutritional value,” says Dr. Miller. “However, dogs with diabetes should avoid pineapple due to its high sugar content.”
When giving your dog pineapple, or any new food, for the first time, it’s important to pay close attention to any signs of a negative reaction. Some dogs may have an allergy to the fruit, while others might not tolerate it well.
A dog who eats too much pineapple may experience vomiting, gas, or diarrhea due to pineapple’s high fiber and sugar content.
It’s always a good idea to ask your vet before introducing new foods, including pineapple, to your dog.
How To Feed A Dog Pineapple
Dr. Miller suggests the following tips for feeding your dog pineapple:
- Go fresh: Only give your dog fresh pineapple. You can also freeze fresh pineapple for a refreshing summer treat. Just avoid giving dogs canned or dried pineapple, since these have more sugar. They may also contain additives and preservatives that dogs shouldn’t eat.
- Start small: Avoid giving your dog too much pineapple all at once, no matter their size. This gives you time to learn how they react to pineapple. A small dog might get one small piece as a treat, while a big dog could probably have three small cubes.
- Give pineapple flesh only: Cut off the leaves, skin, and core before feeding your dog pineapple.
- Check for reactions: If you notice any vomiting or diarrhea, don’t give your dog any more. Contact your vet to get guidance on next steps.
If your dog reacts well to pineapple, you can start adding it to their treat rotation. You can use it as a training reward or add a few pieces as a topper to add some variety to their meals.
What Other Fruits Can Dogs Eat?
Pineapples aren’t the only fruits dogs can eat safely!
Other dog-safe fruits include:
Just keep in mind that fruit does contain sugar, so you’ll want to feed it to your dog only in small amounts.
As with pineapple, you can serve fresh fruit or frozen fruit with no added ingredients.
