Today, while grocery shopping, I noticed those beautiful, ripe, juicy pineapples. I knew I had to buy one. I picked this, big, chunky pineapple that I am sure will taste good. While carrying the bags home, Jo, our fluffy-puff Welsh Corgi mix, greeted me happily, wagging her tail. I thought to myself: Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? Is it safe if I give some to Jo? I decided to find out:
Dogs can eat the flesh of ripe pineapple in small amounts. You should not feed your dog the core, skin, and the leaves. Because they are very hard to chew and digest. The skin may contain a high concentration of toxins it absorbs from the environment. You should also avoid feeding your dog a canned pineapple because it has too much sugar. Keep your dog away from unripe pineapples, too. Because they contain a higher amount of enzyme called Bromelain, which can be irritative to dogs’ digestion.
To learn more about what parts of pineapple are safe for your dog, how much pineapple dogs can eat and why it is a healthy and tasty treat, keep reading.
Contents
- Which Parts of a Pineapple Can Dogs Eat?
- How Can You Prepare Pineapple for Your Dog?
- How Much Pineapple Can You Give to Your Dog?
- Why Is Pineapple a Healthy and Tasty Treat for Dogs?
- Conclusion
Which Parts of a Pineapple Can Dogs Eat?
Pineapples are a fascinating fruit. They consist of four main parts:
- the skin, which resembles a turtle shell,
- the leaves that look like palm leaves,
- the juicy flesh,
- and the firm core
Besides the raw pineapple, you can also get canned pineapple, dried pineapple, pineapple juice, Hawaiian Pizza with pineapple and other interesting meals made with pineapple.
Naturally, I wondered if dogs can eat all the parts of raw pineapples. And what about the processed sorts? Is it better to stick only with the pineapple flesh as we humans do? Let’s find out:
| Pineapple Part | Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat? |
|---|---|
| Pineapple flesh | ✓ Yes – the flesh is the most nutritious part of pineapple and it is a very healthy treat |
| Pineapple core | ✖ No – the core is hard to chew on and digest |
| Pineapple skin | ✖ No – the skin is hard to digest and may contain toxins it absorbed from the environment |
| Pineapple leaves | ✖ No – the leaves are hard to digest and may contain toxins they absorbed from the environment |
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple Flesh?
Yes, your dog can eat pineapple flesh.
Pineapple flesh is a sweet and juicy treat filled with vitamins, antioxidants, and digestion supporting enzymes.
Make sure you cut the pineapple flesh in small chunks that your dog can properly chew on and digest. Cutting the pineapple flesh in small pieces is particularly important for small dog breeds, which could otherwise choke on them.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple Core?
You should avoid feeding your dog with the pineapple core.
The pineapple core is quite hard and very difficult to digest. It may be extra dangerous for small dogs.
If your dog eats a little bit of pineapple core, there is no reason to panic. However, be extra careful and consult a veterinarian if you notice that your dog ate a lot of pineapple core.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple Skin?
No, dogs cannot eat pineapple skin.
It is hard to chew on and digest. Besides, pineapple skin may contain a high concentration of toxins it absorbs from the environment. It is unsafe for both dogs and humans.
You should store pineapples out of reach of your dog and wash it thoroughly before you peel it and consume the pineapple flesh.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple Leaves?
No, dogs can’t eat pineapple leaves.
They are hard to chew on and digest.
The processed pineapple leaves sometimes find their way into the production of medicine and even pet food and other products. However, they are not recommended to eat when raw, for both dogs and humans.
You should cut off the pineapple leaves before consumption. They are actually great for decoration.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Pineapple?
No, dogs can’t eat canned pineapple.
It’s because of the syrup water which producers use during the canning process. The syrup contains too much sugar. It can cause a lot of health problems for your pup – diarrhea, stomach irritation, and, if unchecked, obesity, and cancer.
Beware of the artificially sweetened canned pineapples as well. The artificial sweetener Xylitol is poisonous to dogs!
If you can find naturally canned pineapple, which doesn’t contain the sugary syrup, then it’s OK. There are a couple of companies on the market that produce the unsweetened sort of canned pineapple.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Pineapple?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked pineapple flesh in moderation.
Provided you cook it without any addition of sugar, salt, spices, and other ingredients that may harm your pup.
If you are, for example, grilling or roasting a pineapple for you, you can also prepare one for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Dried Pineapple?
Yes, dogs can eat dried pineapple flesh in moderation.
Provided you dried it naturally, without added sugar, salt, spices, and other ingredients that may harm your pup.
You can find a naturally dried pineapple without additives in your grocery store or make some yourself. You can prepare them in the oven or a food dehydrator.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Pineapple?
Yes, dogs can eat frozen pineapple flesh in moderation.
Provided it was frozen fresh, without added sugar, salt, spices, and other ingredients that may harm your pup.
Frozen pineapple flesh chunks make a great summer treat for both dogs and humans.
Can Dogs Drink Pineapple Juice?
No, dogs shouldn’t drink pineapple juice.
It’s because the liquid contains too many carbohydrates and acid that can irritate your dog’s digestion and cause diarrhea and vomiting.
How Can You Prepare Pineapple for Your Dog?
The best way to prepare pineapple for your dog is the same way you would do it for yourself:
- Thoroughly wash the pineapple under running water
- Cut off the crown with leaves and the bottom
- Completely cut off the skin
- Cut the pineapple in quarters
- Cut off the core (the hard part)
- Cut the flesh in small cubes
Voila, and you are finished! You can now give it to your dog as a treat to snack on, dry it, store in the fridge, or freeze it for later.
How Much Pineapple Can You Give to Your Dog?
Considering pineapples are very rich in carbohydrates (ca. 10% of their weight) and Vitamin C, you should not give your dog pineapple regularly.
Pineapple flesh bits are, however, a great treat, and you should use them only as a reward when training your dog.
| Nutritients in 100 grams pineapple | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 52 calories |
| Dietary fiber | 1.40 g |
| Carbohydrate | 13.7 g |
| Protein | 0.54 g |
| Iron | 0.28 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Potassium | 150 mg |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg |
| Zinc | 0.10 mg |
| Vitamin A | 130 LU |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.079 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.031 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.489 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.110 mg |
| Vitamin C | 24 mg |
To find out how much pineapple you can give to your dog, read the comprehensive Waltham Petcare Science Institute’s guide. It’s a great resource that will teach you how much food you should give to your pup daily, depending on her breed, age, daily energy used, and other conditions.
The treats should equal a maximum of 15% total calories or 10% of energy use.
100g of pineapple has 52 calories. If, for example, you have a small dog that weighs 5kg, you should feed her around ±100g of wet food, or ±25g of dry food, which translates to ±100 calories. That means ten calories can be the treats. If your dog likes pineapple, you can give her approximately one small cube of pineapple per day.
These amounts will vary during the lifetime of your dog and special conditions, so you should always check the guide or with your veterinarian.
Why is Pineapple a Healthy and Tasty Treat for Dogs?
There are quite a lot of reasons you may want to opt-in for pineapple as a treat for your pup.
Pineapples are a great source of minerals and vitamins, mainly a powerful antioxidant – vitamin C. Then there is malic acid, which boosts immunity. Pineapple is also a great source of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, copper, and dietary fiber.
Fresh pineapples are rich in an enzyme called Bromelain, which helps with the digestion of proteins and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Pineapples are also rich in manganese, which helps to build healthy bones.
Because of all the benefits mentioned above, pineapple can be a healthy and tasty treat in your selection of dog treats.
Conclusion
After reading all these interesting things about pineapple, I decided to give some as a treat to Jo the next time I will be teaching her some new tricks. Let’s see if she likes it. I bet she will because pineapple looks like a great addition to her diet.
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