Is Pineapple Good for Dogs?
Is pineapple good for dogs? Yes, but only in moderation. A pineapple treat might actually be quite beneficial to your beloved pet. With all the health benefits jammed packed in it, you could even say that pineapple is the new doggy superfood!
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?
Indeed, as long as you don’t overdo it. Pineapples provide a variety of nutrients and vitamins. From regulating digestion to reducing pain and possible cancer prevention. It can also boost your dog’s immune system and improve overall health.
But, strong emphasis on the “only in moderation”. Too much pineapple can cause discomfort and even possibly diarrhea. First check how your dog reacts to pineapple by giving it one or two fresh pieces. Monitor your dog for a day and then you can determine if it’s a suitable addition to your dog’s diet or not.
Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Pineapple
Pineapple is definitely a much healthier alternative to other sugary snacks. It’s actually one of America’s favorite tropical fruits.
Pineapple Helps with Digestion
Most dogs have a diet consisting of a lot of protein. A pineapple snack per occasion will give your dog access to a special enzyme called bromelain. It facilitates the decomposition of protein as well as its absorption. Pineapple will improve the overall digestion ability of your dog, meaning that important nutrients from food will be absorbed better.
Stay away from canned pineapples, the potency of the bromelain may be destroyed during the canning process. Rather give your dog fresh pieces of pineapple
Pineapple Contains Important Nutrients
Is pineapple good for dogs? Pineapples are very rich in vitamins, minerals, fructose as well as dietary fiber. This potent combination is what helps with digestion and immunity. Furthermore it contains B1, B6 and vitamin C plus thiamin, a great combo for producing energy.
Other minerals contained include pantothenic acid and folate. Sometimes dog’s need a bit of a boost in their vitamin C production, a pineapple treat is great for this. Magnesium and manganese are also present in high quantities. These two minerals will help to strengthen your dog’s bones.
Pineapple Is a Cure for Coprophagia
Is pineapple good for dogs? Pineapples can help to appease Coprophagia. This is a strange medical condition where dogs start to eat their own excrements. One of the main reasons for it, is a weak digestive system. The nutrients obtained from food are not completely absorbed and are excreted. The dog then attempts to fulfill its nutritional needs by eating the excrements.
The other bonus of pineapple, is that it will help deter your dog from eating its own feces because it will affect the taste. Otherwise you can also consider giving your dog Coprophagia Soft Chews.
Pineapple Can Help Prevent Cancer
To answer the question, “Is pineapple good for dogs?” the special enzyme mentioned earlier, bromelain can also help your dog’s body fight cancer. Research has shown that the enzyme helps to lessen joint swelling and it has proved effective to shrink tumors. Giving your dog a pineapple treat can also help to lessen chemotherapy pain.
If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer, visit the website wearethecure.org for more canine cancer research information and support.
Pineapple Can Help Prevent Bladder or Kidney Stones
If your dog has been diagnosed with kidney or bladder stones, its renal system is already burdened and exhausted. Your dog needs to follow a special diet to help it recover. If your dog is suffering from calcium phosphate or calcium oxide stones, you need to feed it low oxalate foods. Pineapple is one of the approved foods on the list.
Fact: pineapple is a great summer treat. It’s both healthy and nutritious. It’s a very good alternative to artificial treats bought in the pet shop.
Pineapple Can Cure Pancreatitis
If your dog’s diet contains too many fats, it can suffer from an inflammatory disease called pancreatitis. In severe cases the liver can also become affected. The dog’s diet has to be changed drastically to exclude unnecessary fats and you can use the digestive enzymes found in pineapple as a remedy to help improve your dog’s health swiftly.
Pineapple Reduces Inflammation
When your dog gets injured, the affected body part will begin to swell. Inflammation is usually helpful to heal the body, but excessive inflammation can become damaging and cause arthritis. Pineapple has a great anti-inflammatory ability. But together with it, you should consider medication, weight control through dietary changes and exercise.
Is Canned Pineapple A Good Idea?
No, fresh pineapple is best. Canned pineapples contain extra sugar and much less nutrients, such as bromelain. As mentioned earlier, you just need to monitor your dog when feeding it pineapple. Make sure it doesn’t react negatively to the pineapple, for instance getting diarrhea or not eating.
Can Puppies Eat Pineapple?
Yes, but not big quantities. A puppy’s digestive system is much more sensitive than an adult dog’s, so you need to monitor them even more carefully. Introducing your puppy to pineapple as a treat can have good long term benefits.
The Disadvantages of Feeding Your Dog Pineapple
Pineapple contains a large amount of sugar. One cup of pineapple contains roughly 16 grams of sugar. So giving your dog pineapple too often, will cause health problems eventually. Too much of it can cause tummy pain, diarrhea, gas and even vomiting.
When asking yourself “Is pineapple good for dogs?” you must remember that your dog is a carnivore, meaning that its digestive system is not built for eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Rather only give your dog a few pieces of pineapple once a week.
How to Select the Best Pineapple
Try to find a pineapple that seems heavy for its size. Bigger ones have more edible flesh. The pineapple should be free of any dark spots, which show that it’s spoiled. A pineapple does not continue to ripen after it’s been picked. Sniff the stem for a fruity sweet smell. A sour or musty smell will be a sign that it’s going off.
Leave the pineapple at room temperature for a few days before serving. The pineapple will become softer and juicer, but unfortunately not sweeter. Pineapples perish quite quickly, so don’t leave it for too long. In the refrigerator it can last for about three to five days.
Preparing Pineapple for Dogs
Firstly you need to remove the hard outer skin. Then you can cut the remaining pineapple pieces into little chunks. Don’t feed your dog pineapple with bruises, soft or black spots. These indicate that the pineapple has gone off. Bromelain can mostly be found in the middle part of the fruit.
Store the cut up pieces in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. On a hot summer’s day a frozen pineapple treat can be a great remedy for the heat. If your dog is showing signs of diabetes, you should stay clear of feeding it pineapple. Rather try a Bromelain supplements to enhance its diet.
Can Your Dog Eat The Whole Pineapple?
It’s a very bad idea to give your dog the whole pineapple to munch on. It can be very harmful to your dog’s digestive system. If your dog accidentally ingested the leaves or pineapple skin, you should take it to the vet immediately. But the core is suitable for digestion. It contains high levels of the special enzyme bromelain
How Much Pineapple Should You Feed Your Dog?
If you are using it as a cure for coprophagia, you can feed it two to three pieces per day. But you should rather keep it as an occasional snack or as a weekly treat. Before introducing it as a regular addition to your dog’s diet, make sure your dog does not react negatively to it.
What to Do If Your Dog Has Consumed Too Much Pineapple
If your dog has eaten too much pineapple you don’t have to panic. Usually it will naturally work out of your dog’s digestive system within 24 hours. The symptoms could include gas, tummy discomfort or pain and probably diarrhea.
If your dog does not return to normal after 24 hours, you should take it to the vet for treatment. Give your dog lots of water to keep it hydrated and to help work the pineapple out of its digestive system.
What Other Fruits Are Good For Dogs?
To name a few, you can also give your dog apples, bananas, watermelon, strawberries, oranges, blueberries, cucumbers pears and peaches. But stay clear from grapes, avocado and cherries
For a complete list of suitable fruits and vegetables, read this article on the American Kennel Club website.
Conclusion: Is Pineapple Good For Dogs?
Yes, it is. You’ve now got a whole list of benefits to explain to that friend of yours that “yes, pineapple is good for dogs” and you are not being weird giving it to your dog as a snack. It helps with their digestion, fights cancer, reduces inflammation and much more.
But, remember, each dog is unique. Your dog might not like the taste, or it could have a more sensitive constitution and pineapple can be bad for it. Slowly introduce it into your dog’s diet and monitor the dog’s reaction to it.