Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? Fresh, Dried, Frozen or Canned?

The Pineapple is a tropical fruit that has long been thought of as expensive and exotic. It was once only eaten by exceptionally rich noblemen and royalty. Now that it can be found in most family homes across the world, it has many dog owners wondering whether our four-legged best friends can eat it too? We know that they can’t eat grapes and raisins because this can lead to organ failure. But what about Pineapple?

A balanced diet that contains Protein, Carbohydrates, Fat, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water is recommended for every dog. These nutrients can usually be provided to your pup through a combination of dry kibbles and other food.  Certain fruits can be added to your dog’s diet to give them a variety of nutrients to keep them healthy.

So can dogs eat pineapple?  The short answer here is yes, dogs can eat Pineapple. In this guide we are going to run you through how much they can eat and why it is good for them. You’ll also find out when they shouldn’t eat it, and the possible side effects. So, let’s get the full facts before you give it to your pup.

Which Bits of the Pineapple Can Dogs Eat?

So now you know that dogs can eat Pineapple, which parts of it can they eat? Just like us they cannot eat the core, simply because it is too tough for them to digest and it has the potential to become lodged in their system. It’s a little known fact that dogs don’t really chew their food, they swallow most of it, so non-digestable parts need to be thrown out. They also cannot eat the skin or the leaves because they are sharp and spiky, and they could easily cause an internal injury. So, just like us, they can only eat the sweet juicy flesh, but thankfully this is the best bit!

Additionally, dogs should not eat canned pineapple. Canned pineapple is typically pumped with extra sugar for it to taste better and last longer. It’s also usually preserved in syrup which is full of sugar as well. While a little bit of natural sugar found in raw pineapple is ok for your pooch, any more can be dangerous. Steer clear of the tinned stuff!

Not only is Pineapple super tasty, but it will also provide him with four of the six essential nutrients that he needs. Pineapple can be considered a superfood when used in moderation. It will provide your pup with Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water.

If you are looking for a quick way to get your dog a treat without taking all the time of cutting up fresh pineapple, picking up some frozen pineapple can be just as effective.  Many dogs try to eat ice, which isn’t recommended due to the harshness on their teeth.  Pineapple, however, is softer even when frozen. It can be a great choice for dogs that love frozen treats.

Fresh Pineapple or Frozen/Dried/Canned?

So what types of pineapple is safe for your pup? Obviously, we’ve already said that freshly cut pineapple is fine, as long as it’s the correct parts of the fruit.  But how about Dried, Frozen or Canned? The grid below will walk you through what’s recommended and what’s not.

How Much Pineapple Can Dogs Eat?

A dog’s fruit and vegetable consumption should consist of around 10% of his total food consumption in any day. Treats should not exceed more than 15% of his daily calorie intake. 8 small-sized chunks of pineapple account for around 50 calories. This is about the right amount for an average-sized adult dog.

The world’s leading authority on pet care and nutrition offers a handy online notebook for healthy weight maintenance for dogs. Be sure to check out how many calories your pooch should be eating. This will largely depend upon your dog’s size and exercise levels.

Of course, it goes without saying that this should be an occasional treat. With a high sugar content, it should definitely not be an everyday treat. There are some possible side effects that few dogs experience, but we will cover these later on.

Preparing Fresh Pineapple For Your Pup

Because there are only certain areas of Pineapple that are safe for dogs to eat, you should prepare the Pineapple as you would for human consumption.  You’ll want to remove the skin, and de-core the pineapple.

Your dog should only be eating the flesh of the Pineapple, just like humans. Make sure any pieces you feed your pup do not contain bits of core, skin, or the crown.  You’ll want to make sure all of that content is removed before attempting to feed it to your dog. The video below will walk you through how to prepare a pineapple for your dog to eat.

How is Pineapple Beneficial for Dogs?

In addition to the four essential nutrients mentioned above, Pineapple is also full of fiber. This is an important ingredient for a dog’s digestive system. It may help to firm your dog’s stools and reduce his flatulence. It’s similar in nutrient value for your dog to other fruit, like kiwi or papaya.

Pineapple also contains Vitamin A and K, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Pantothenic Acid, Copper, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Zinc. While they do not account for a large amount in a cup of Pineapple chunks, every little helps to achieve a well-balanced doggy diet. A full list of the nutritional values of raw Pineapple can be found here, but a Pineapple’s main benefits include the following.

Water

Pineapples are made of 86% water. You can be sure that if Fido eats a few chunks of Pineapple, it’s certainly going to hydrate him. This can be particularly important in the summer months. If you find he needs a bit of extra persuasion to hydrate himself, then tasty Pineapple chunks can do in a pinch. Many dog owners chop up the Pineapple and place them into the freezer for sweet frozen treats in the summer.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps to regenerate tissues, protect against heart disease, increase immunity, lower cholesterol, and aids the absorption of other needed vitamins and minerals. A cup of Pineapple chunks will provide your pooch with plenty of vitamin C. This will help to keep him fit and help to fight against illnesses. The amount of vitamin C here is fine for your dog. Just be sure not to feed him much more than this because too much vitamin C can lead to an upset stomach and other illnesses.

Manganese

Manganese helps to support a healthy skeletal structure. It acts as a catalyst for your dog’s enzyme and organ functions. It also helps to keep him looking and feeling young as it is an antioxidant. Again, Manganese is plentiful with the recommended amount of Pineapple. A small amount of Manganese can have a big effect on your dog’s health.

Thiamine

Also known as vitamin B1, Thiamine, is an important vitamin that aids optimal functioning of high energy organs such as the brain and heart. It also supports eye health and cognitive function. This vitamin is particularly important for dogs and it is found in almost all high-quality dog foods, but these extra chunks of Pineapple will top him up with that little bit more. Thankfully, any unused Thiamine will be secreted in his urine, so you cannot give him too much.

Vitamin B6

This vitamin is known to assist your puppy’s growing stage, a healthy heart, production of red blood cells and overall general mood of your pooch, and it is one of the most important vitamins needed for canines, which is why it can be found in most high-quality kibbles. But, if you find he is a bit grumpy on a Monday morning, then why not give him a few chunks of Pineapple to lift his mood.

Possible Side Effects

As with any new food, there is a chance that it could not agree with him for a variety of reasons, so be sure to keep an eye on your pooch if this is the first time that you have given him Pineapple. If you notice that he develops diarrhea or is gassy and starts to smell soon after, then Pineapple may not be the treat for him. But that’s okay, because there are plenty of other healthy fruit snacks to choose from.

You may also find the opposite, in that because it contains a lot of fiber it can also cause constipation, which is likely to be a sign that you have fed him too much. This can be especially problematic when using a food that’s already higher in fiber.

The high sugar content means that too much Pineapple can also cause tooth decay and obesity, which is another reason why it should only be fed to him in moderation, but as long as your pooch has a dental cleaning routine in place then tooth decay, in this case, will not affect him.

The high sugar content can also be too much for those pooches who suffer with diabetes, so if your pooch suffers with this then you should steer clear of this treat, and if in any doubt then be sure to speak to your Veterinarian.

There are also more posisitve effects, like your dog pawing at you for attention so you can feed them more Pineapple of course, and your pup having a healthier shinier coat from the additional nutrients.

Follow These Guidelines

1. Only feed your pup the digestible parts of a pineapple.
2. Anything you feed to your dog should be done in moderation.
3. Diabetic dog owners should seek the advice of a vet before feeding their pup pineapple.
4. Never overfeed your dog, especially Pineapple.
5. Because of the sugar content, this can cause your pup to gain weight.
6. Pineapples are acidic, so keep an eye out for an upset tummy when they first consume it.
7. Since this is a treat, we’d recommend keeping it to 10% or less of your dog’s food intake.
8. Pineapple is a high-value reward, we recommend it for tricks or obedience training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have some unanswered questions when it comes to Pineapple and your dog? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions when dog owners are unsure if it’s entirely safe to feed this tropical fruit to their canine companion.

Final Thoughts

So, now you know that dogs can eat Pineapple! If it is fed to him in moderation, and it is not given to him too frequently, then it is a healthy snack that is both tasty and nutritious, and your pooch really should try it. Be sure to only feed him the flesh, and not the leaves, skin or the core, and do not feed him tinned Pineapple, as only fresh will suffice.

If your pooch suffers from Diabetes then you should try another appetizing treat, but overall most dogs love a little bit of Pineapple every now and then! Let us know in the comments below if your pooch likes Pineapple, or if he has an alternative fruity snack that he prefers.