Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?
Dogs can eat pineapple! This juicy, hydrating fruit is full of vitamins and minerals and can be a really nice fruit snack for your dog. What’s important to remember is that all the fruit your dog eats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of their diet, as they need nutrients from their dog food. But when you’re looking for a special treat, pineapple can be a great choice!
Not only do I like pineapple, but I adore it! I buy it both fresh and canned and use it for fruit salads, as well as sticky chicken with pineapple—it tastes fantastic! While fresh pineapple is always a better choice, canned pineapple can also be healthy, but only if you buy it canned in its own juice, not syrup! This is an important detail to remember when it comes to feeding dogs pineapple!
Is pineapple good for dogs?
Pineapple is a healthy fruit, and it has vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. While your dog doesn’t need these extra nutrients, as they get everything from their dog food, it’s good to know that this juicy fruit has additional benefits.
Pineapple also contains bromelain. Bromelain is a natural enzyme found in pineapples, specifically in the stem and fruit. It’s pretty unique because, in animals, about 40% of it gets absorbed directly from the intestine without being broken down. That’s why it’s caught the attention of researchers, as it has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor potential. Still, this doesn’t mean you should always give your dog a lot of pineapple.
Pineapple can be a good snack or bowl topper since it’s low in calories but also very sweet, so your dog may enjoy the tropical flavor!
Some vets recommend giving puppies small chunks of pineapple to stop them from eating their own poop! I’ve never tried this, but if you have, leave a comment below and tell us about your experience!
How to safely give your dog pineapple
The main thing you need to do is peel off the skin and spiky rind. Just prepare the pineapple like you would for a child, and that’s it. The rough parts of the skin can hurt your dog’s mouth and gums and even cause internal blockages, so please be careful.
Next, you need to remove the core. Dogs can’t eat pineapple core because it’s super tough and hard to digest, so don’t ever give them any.
If you have a curious dog, make sure to keep the leaves out of reach. I doubt they’ll find them interesting, but you never know—they might try to play with them. The leaves are hard and spiky and can cause mouth cuts or blockages if swallowed.
It’s also best to cut the pineapple into small pieces so you don’t have to worry about your dog chewing it properly.
Fresh, dried, and canned pineapple—what is safe for dogs?
The best way to give your dog pineapple is fresh and raw. Fresh pineapple is full of natural vitamins and minerals, and it’s also hydrating. Fresh is always the best because it doesn’t have added sugars or any additives, and all the sweetness comes from natural sugar.
Can dogs eat dried or dehydrated pineapple?
Now, dried pineapple is a bit tricky. Generally, dogs shouldn’t eat dried pineapple. When fruit is dried, the sugar becomes concentrated, and many dried pineapples also have added sugar or other stuff that improves their shelf life. Check the label next time you’re buying it—you’ll see that a lot of dried pineapple has extra sugar and starch!
Even when it’s just plain dried pineapple, it’s still far too sweet for dogs. Too much sugar can lead to health issues and, in the long run, weight gain and obesity. While dried pineapple isn’t toxic to dogs like raisins are, it’s still not a good option. Again, fresh is always the best choice.
Can dogs eat canned pineapple?
Canned pineapple can be okay for dogs, but only if it’s canned in natural juice with no added sugar. Always check the label to be sure. Avoid canned pineapple in syrup, as it’s incredibly sweet and full of extra sugar, which is really bad for dogs. Too much sugar destroys teeth and gut and can lead to obesity, diabetes, and dental issues, so it’s best to stick to fresh pineapple or canned options in natural juice that don’t have any added sugar.
Cooking with pineapple—what to pay attention to
Grilled veggies are safe for dogs if we usually make them plain (watch out for the salt!). So, grilling pineapple is safe for dogs, but it’s important to think about what else might be on the grill. Plain, grilled pineapple without any seasoning, butter, or oil is fine as a treat. But everything else is a no-go.
I already mentioned sticky chicken with pineapple, which I adore, as I generally love Asian cuisine. But with this dish, it’s not the pineapple or chicken that’s the problem—those ingredients are perfectly fine for dogs. The issue is all the extras. Most recipes include things like soy sauce, oils, spices, or sugar, none of which are good for dogs. Dogs can safely eat plain rice, chicken, and even pineapple in small amounts, but as a meal, these dishes are not dog-friendly. They lack balanced nutrients and contain way too many seasonings and add-ons that can upset your dog’s stomach.
Baked pineapple, whether in cakes, desserts, or other baked goods, is another story. Dogs really shouldn’t eat baked treats because they’re high in both sugar and fat! Sugar and butter combined with flour can lead to weight gain and digestive issues. Plus, these foods don’t provide the essential nutrients dogs need, and if they’re too full from snacks like this, they might refuse to eat their regular dog food.
Letting them indulge occasionally isn’t the end of the world, but don’t make it a habit. Treats like this should be the exception, not the rule.
Some of the best pineapple alternatives for dogs
If your dog doesn’t like pineapple, you can give them some other dog-safe juicy fruit to enjoy!
- Mango: Dogs can eat mango in moderation—it’s sweet, juicy, and packed with vitamins like A and C, but avoid the pit.
- Melon: Dogs can have melon, as it’s low in sugar, hydrating, and a healthy treat on a hot day.
- Papaya: Papaya is perfectly fine for dogs, rich in vitamins and good for digestion, but remember to remove the seeds.
- Dragon Fruit: Dogs can have dragon fruit—it’s a fun, hydrating snack that’s also full of antioxidants.
- Guava: Guava is safe for dogs, and it’s high in vitamin C and fiber, but avoid giving too much due to its natural sugar content.
- Tangerines: Dogs can have tangerines as an occasional treat—they’re juicy and sweet, but only in small pieces to avoid too much sugar.
Love, life, and fur forever!
FAQs
Can dogs have pineapple juice?
No, dogs shouldn’t have pineapple juice. Fruit juice, even when it’s cold-pressed, is not good for dogs because it’s stripped of all the fiber that slows down the absorption of sugar. If your dog drinks pineapple juice, they’ll just get a sugar rush without the fiber. The good news is that pineapple juice isn’t toxic to dogs, but they really shouldn’t have it. And this doesn’t just apply to pineapple juice—it’s the same for any fruit juice.
How much pineapple can dogs eat?
The best rule to remember is that all fruits, veggies, and extra snacks should make up only 10% of your dog’s diet. Everything else should be their regular dog food. So, give your dog a slice of pineapple as a treat, but don’t do it more than once per week.