Pineapples are delicate juicy treats. They make for great alternatives to snacks and other processed foods. Pineapples have a ton of benefits as it is a fruit and we are being constantly encouraged to eat more of fruits and vegetables to enhance our health. The joy you derive from biting down on a ripe and chilled slice of pineapple can hardly be put into words.
It can be highly refreshing on a summer day and provides you with a good dose of digestive and health benefits. As humans we enjoy this fruit a lot but can our furry friends do the same. Let's find out.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple
Personal Experience
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Smokey
Smokey our dog has grown to enjoy eating a wide variety of food items. He has a large palette and hardly rejects most food types. If you give Smokey chunks of pineapple, he is likely to grub it up as quickly as possible and still expect more to come his way. We try not to give it treats in excess as it needs a well balanced form of nutrition.
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Skido
Skido on the other hand is not like Smokey. It enjoys only traditional dog foods such as dog feeds and others. If you give it a chunk of pineapple, Skido will just walk over to it. Smell it and walk away. You will think it will be grateful for some extra food but nah, he is a picky eater.
The Health Benefits Of Pineapple
It contains Vitamin C and B such as thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6 as well as minerals such as copper, iron, potassium, manganese and a little bit of zinc, phosphorus and calcium. It should however be noted that pineapple has a high sugar content and it is also rich in fiber.
The constituents of pineapple and benefits they provide:
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Water: Pineapples are a great source for hydration. This is because they are made up of about 86% water. It is great for hot days when the sun is scorching or a cooling treat to enjoy after hours of play.
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Antioxidants: The great thing is that pineapple fruit contains antioxidants. These antioxidants are useful in helping the body to repair cells that have been damaged or are being damaging by oxidizing agents.
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Vitamin C: Vitamin C is another very important constituent has it helps strengthen the immune system of your pet. Vitamin C is also good to prevent scurvy which seeks to damage the gums of your dogs. Other functions of vitamin c is that helps reduce and prevent inflammation, increases the absorption of nutrients, reduces the incidence of heart disease by keeping cholesterol levels down. It aids regeneration of tissues and prevents onsets of diseases.
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Vitamin B6, Niacin, Riboflavin: Pineapple is rich in a lot of B vitamins. These vitamins ensure that hormones are well regulated, regulate red blood cell production, keep the heart healthy and put your dog in a good mood. They are also important in maintaining the body and brain functionality of growing puppies.
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Minerals such as zinc, calcium and phosphorus maintain healthy bones of the dogs, aid digestion and are good for the immune system. Other minerals and vitamins also ensure they have good eyesight, lustrous coat and healthy ligaments and tissues.
- Fiber: Fiber is great for digestion and pineapple has lots of it. However it should be given in moderate quantities to prevent adverse reactions such as constipation or diarrhea.
Note of Caution
Give your dog only the main flesh of the pineapple. Do not give them the outer skin or the core central thick piece of the pineapple as this may lead to an obstruction at any part of their digestive system.
The sugar and fiber content of the pineapples can wreck havoc to your dog's digestive system leading to constipation or diarrhea. It is best to give them as a treat, in small quantities per time. If you notice any unusual changes such as frequent loose stool, your dog may have a low tolerance for pineapple.
Rules of Advice
Dogs can always enjoy the treats in the form of pineapple; alone, mixed with other food items or pureed. You should keep the following in mind:
- Slow start
If this is the first time your dog is eating pineapple, you will want to watch out to see how their body reacts to it. So start slow with a few pieces of pineapple. Check for adequate digestion or if there is any sign of allergy or any other difficulties.
- Fresh peeled slices of pineapples is the way to go:
Dogs should only eat cut small slices of the pineapple, which they can chew without having a choking hazard.
- Do not feed your the centre or the spiny back:
These parts of the pineapple tend to cause a scratchy irritation of the oral mucosa. They are also too tough to chew and can lead to obstruction of their alimentary canal.
- 10% Daily Intake portion:
Treats should not make up more than 10% of their daily nutritional intake. Pineapples are rich in sugars and fibers, which when consumed in excess leads to a bloated tummy with too much gas, an upset tummy, possibility of diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and finding it difficulty to poop.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Pineapples
Dogs do not do well with high sugar content foods. Canned pineapples are usually laced with high quantities of sugar and sugary syrup. If a dog already suffers from ailments such as diabetes, eating canned pineapples will only worsen the situation for them. Also the canning processes may have denatured some of the important vitamins and nutrients in the pineapple. It is always better to go with fresh fruits.
How Much Pineapples Can A Dog Eat
The rule of thumb is 10% of their daily nutritional intake. More than 10% and you greatly increase the chances of the dog developing a digestive problem and also the chances of obesity in the dog.
What Are Some Dog Pineapple Treats
Freshly Sliced Pineapple: Keeping it basic and simple. Freshly cut slices of pineapple will make your dog happy and reduce your effort level.
Frozen Sliced Pineapple: Frozen slices of pineapples can be a good healthy source of hydration for your dog when the weather is hot.
Mixed In With Food: You can mix in the pineapple with other treats or better still with their meals. Especially for dogs who eat little or like to avoid their meals. You can hid small chucks of pineapple within the food, to encourage them to eat it.
If you however more some extra time on your hand and you want to go all out for your dog. You can create interesting combinations such mixing it with other fruits, making a pineapple smoothie or making a puree out of it.
Final Notes
Pineapple are a healthy natural food snack for your dogs. Pineapples does not typically contain harmful or toxic substances that will harm your dog. However if you notice any unusual changes as a result of too much or wrong consumption, kindly give the vet a call.