Can Dogs Eat Pomegranate?

This is a tricky one. While dogs can eat pomegranate, it’s not the best fruit for them as the seeds can be tough to chew and swallow! However, this doesn’t mean that you should panic if your dog ate some pomegranate. It just means that you should probably pick other fruits to share, even though pomegranates are healthy, juicy, and tasty!

pomegranate with pomegranate seeds and a dog

Table Of Contents

Is pomegranate safe for dogs?
What’s good about pomegranates for dogs?
Can dogs have pomegranate juice?
Some issues with dogs eating pomegranate
FAQs

Pomegranate seeds are rich in vitamins and are incredibly healthy for us. I personally add them to both salads and oatmeal and absolutely love them! I was very curious why one of the first kibbles I gave my dog had pomegranate extract inside! It turns out they are healthy for dogs too, but maybe the powder in kibble is the safest way for them to consume it. While dogs can eat pomegranate seeds, they are hard to chew and digest, which can cause issues, so it’s better to skip them.

Is pomegranate safe for dogs?

Pomegranate is not toxic to dogs, and the seeds are safe to eat, although they come with a risk of choking. Pomegranate is also not ideal because it’s acidic and can upset your dog’s stomach. The seeds can also cause stomach issues, and if your dog overeats, they may end up bloated or have diarrhea.

Another big problem with pomegranate is the rind and stem, which shouldn’t be eaten. They are tough to handle, so make sure your dog doesn’t grab some, especially if it’s a small dog. In the worst-case scenario, they can cause obstruction.

Other than that, you shouldn’t worry too much about pomegranate, but it’s best to stick to dog-friendly fruits like apples, watermelon, peaches, melons, and bananas.

What’s good about pomegranates for dogs?

Pomegranate is often a part of dog kibble in the form of dried powder, as it’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals like potassium. While all of these nutrients can also be found in other dog-friendly fruits, some manufacturers like to use dried pomegranate! While this can be a marketing gimmick, it’s still good to know that the kibble has another source of nutrients.

But this doesn’t mean that you should give your dog pomegranate seeds. As we mentioned, they are hard to chew and can cause blockage.

Just keep in mind that the seeds are tough and the fruit is acidic, so it’s better to offer it in moderation.

Can dogs have pomegranate juice?

No, dogs shouldn’t have pomegranate juice as it’s concentrated, high in sugar, and acidic! Dogs shouldn’t drink any fruit juice!

Too much sugar is not good for dogs, and highly acidic foods and drinks are way too harsh on their stomach. If you catch your dog licking some of your freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, don’t panic, but be smart and don’t give them any.

Some issues with dogs eating pomegranate

Other than potential blockage, there are a few other reasons not to share pomegranate with dogs:

Too much fiber in pomegranate seeds can cause diarrhea. In combination with acidity, pomegranate can cause gas and bloating.

There’s a risk that your dog will like the pomegranate and then try to eat it whole!

Too much sugar in pomegranate is not good for your dog, even though it’s fruit sugar, which is way healthier. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, the sugar combined with fiber will cause an upset stomach.

While pomegranates aren’t dangerous, they’re not the best, easiest, or most convenient fruit to share with your dog.

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs