Human Food For Dogs: Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?

There’s nothing quite like a summer picnic or a cookout with friends, family, and (of course) our four-legged family members. But when it comes to treating Fido to some fresh summer fruits, some are fine, but others aren’t.

Summer treats like grapes, citrus fruits, and avocado aren’t good for your dog to ingest. But what about fresh pineapple? Can dogs eat pineapple? With its sweet, tart, and super juicy flavor, pineapple is an obvious favorite among hosts and guests. And whether you love pineapple so much that you want to give it to your pooch, or they just can’t help themselves from table surfing, it is good to know whether or not it is safe for them to eat.

Before you give your dog any “human” food, always be sure to check that it is safe for them to eat. So, when it comes to this tropical treat, what’s the verdict? Can dogs eat pineapple?

Excellent Source of Vitamin C

In the case of pineapple, there is good news for dogs and people alike. For starters, pineapple is packed with vitamin C (79 mg of C per cup, to be precise).¹

Why is vitamin C so great? Well, for starters, it has been shown to help support the immune system of dogs when given in relatively small doses (30 and 60 mg) over a period of time.² By boosting your dog’s immune system, you may be helping them stave off illness that could otherwise negatively impact their health. So, why not try a little bit of fresh pineapple to give them that extra bit of vitamin C?

Remember: Introduce New Foods Slowly

When introducing your dog to any new food, be sure to only give them very small bits. Small doses of new foods are great for several reasons. For one, if they don’t like it, then you haven’t wasted much.

Secondly, small portions make it easy for your dog to chew and swallow, hopefully avoiding any choking hazards.

Lastly, small portions make it easier to monitor how their body is reacting to the food. If they have an allergic reaction, or it upsets their stomach, it’s better that they have just a little bit versus a huge portion.

So after Fido’s eaten a little pineapple, make sure you watch them to see how they digest it. If they throw it up, or their stool doesn’t seem right, be sure to consult your vet. Don’t give them any more of the food until your vet gives you the green light.

Packed with Other Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to being a great source of vitamin C, raw pineapple is loaded with other vitamins and minerals that are great for dogs.

Raw pineapple is also a great source of calcium and potassium. Since calcium is such a vital part of bone and tooth structure and strength, ensuring your pooch is receiving enough of it is incredibly important to their overall health. If your dog is on a meat-only diet, for instance, they may be lacking in their calcium intake – since most meats don’t have a lot of calcium. So giving your dog a few small pieces of pineapple (fresh, not canned pineapple) may help keep their bones healthy and strong.³

Potassium plays a vital role in the overall health of your dog. It’s critical for maintaining electrolytes, and it is also responsible for maintaining healthy blood pressure (and can sometimes even lower elevated blood pressure). Making sure your dog is getting plenty of potassium is important, especially since it is easily soluble, and is frequently lost in urine.⁴

In addition to the vitamins and minerals, pineapple is loaded with water. So if you’re asking yourself, “Can dogs eat pineapples?” remember this:⁵

Fresh pineapple is made up of 87 percent water. It’s a great way to keep your pooch hydrated during the summer  – while also making them feel extra special.

Are there any downsides?

When people ask, “Can dogs eat pineapple?” the short answer is yes, but like many things, moderation is key. And understanding all the good stuff in pineapple (in addition to the not-so-good-stuff” is just as important. For instance, while pineapple is natural, it also contains a lot of natural sugars.

So if your dog has diabetes, or is overweight, be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving them pineapple, since dogs’ digestive systems (especially heavier dogs) aren’t well-equipped to handle sugar.

In addition to the natural sugars, pineapple contains a lot of fiber. Fiber is a major component of digestion, but if your dog has trouble pooping, or is often constipated, feeding them pineapple won’t help them with their bowel movements. Too much fiber, after all, is responsible for constipation, so too much pineapple may just add to the problem.⁶

When giving your dog fresh pineapple, make sure you only give them the juicy, fleshy part of the fruit. Never give them the core. It’s too hard, and it’s a choking hazard. Also, don’t feed your dog the spiny outside of the pineapple, either. It doesn’t have much nutritional value, and it can hurt them while eating and swallowing. And don’t give your dog canned pineapple: it contains extra sugars that your dog doesn’t need.

In Summary

So next time you reach for the pineapple, remember that it isn’t bad for your dog to eat. So share away, and remember what Dr. Marty says, “Pineapple is loaded with a lot of nutritional components, but it is very tart. So limit your dog’s intake to several small pieces.”

There you have it. An extra treat of pineapple for your dog will make both you and your pup smile.

Learn More:
Human Food for Dogs: Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?
Human Food for Dogs: Can Dogs Eat Cucumbers?
Human Food for Dogs: Can Dogs Eat Carrots?

Sources
1.https://www.prevention.com/food-nutrition/g20511745/9-foods-with-more-vitamin-c-than-an-orange/?slide=2
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19386005
3.https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/276903
4.https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/calcium-supplements
5.http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/management-hypokalemia-and-hyperkaemia-proceedings
6.https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/common-conditions/dog-constipation