Pineapple has a lot of health benefits for dogs. As a fresh fruit, it naturally contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that can be included as part of a dog’s well-rounded diet - but it’s also very sweet, so should only be fed in small portions
Let’s go into the perks of pineapple in more detail.
Pineapple can be a risky snack for a puppy because of its high sugar content, which can cause havoc with a puppy’s sensitive tummy.
Additionally, pineapple can have a stinging quality which can irritate a pup’s tongue. If you want to give your puppy pineapple as a treat, feed a tiny amount at first to see if they like it and it has no untoward effects.
Pineapple can be unsafe in large quantities, as it has a high sugar content and can give your dog stomach upset.
It’s also safest when fresh; tinned, dried or otherwise processed pineapple may have preservatives, added sugar or additives that make it too risky for your dog to eat. If the pineapple is past its best or your dog has an allergy, that also makes it unsafe.
Yes, dogs can have a pineapple allergy or intolerance. You should be wary of feeding any food to your dog for the first time, so give them only a small amount at first and keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
In large amounts, pineapple can cause your dog to have stomach upset. Pineapple should also be fresh - not canned, dried or otherwise processed, as dogs’ stomachs are too sensitive to handle it.
To safely serve your dog a juicy pineapple snack, be sure it is fresh, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces. Give your pooch only a small amount at first to see how they react, and remember pineapple is a treat due to its high sugar content.
How much pineapple your dog eats should depend on their breed, size and age. A small dog should only eat a small amount of pineapple, perhaps just 1-3 bite-sized pieces in one portion. A larger dog can eat the equivalent of a pineapple ring, chopped into pieces, at one time. Check with your vet if you aren’t sure.
Let’s get into the types of pineapple that dogs can eat.
No, ideally not. Canned pineapple that’s served in water or its own juice is better than pineapple canned in syrup; however, canned pineapple often has extra ingredients that could cause havoc in a pooch’s tum. Fresh pineapple is always the best option.
No, never feed pineapple skin to your pooch. It’s indigestible and it’s spiky, so it could cause irritation to your dog’s mouth and throat as well as the gut.
Yes! Fresh or raw pineapple is the safest form of pineapple to feed your pooch. Be sure it’s fresh and served in a small portion without any added ingredients.
Fresh pineapple contains Vitamins C and B6 as well as minerals, electrolytes and dietary fibre, and it can be a delicious, hydrating snack for your pooch on a hot day.
Don’t give a pineapple core to your pooch; it’s tough on their teeth and hard for their sensitive stomachs to digest. If they swallow it, it could also cause a blockage.
The core, leaves and skin of a pineapple shouldn’t go near your dog’s food bowl - fresh pulp from the pineapple is best.
Avoid feeding your dog dried pineapple as the sugar content of this kind of fruit is really high. It’s also hard for your dog to digest when it’s dried out. Stick to fresh pineapple if you want to give your dog this juicy tropical treat.
Though it’s not dangerous, dogs won’t get much benefit from eating/drinking pineapple juice. Without the flesh, pineapple juice is mostly sugar and high in citric acid, which could cause stomach upset.
Cottage cheese and pineapple aren’t necessarily harmful for your dog, but they should be fed in moderation. The pineapple should be fresh and served without any skin, and just like any food your dog may be unfamiliar with, give them only a small amount at first to see if they respond well.
Cooked pineapple won’t harm your dog, but it retains more nutrients when it’s raw and fresh. If you want them to get the most health benefits from pineapple, skip the cooked portion and give them some fresh chunks instead. If you do feed them cooked pineapple, be sure it’s cooled down and not too hot for them.
It’s not a good idea to feed pineapple leaves to your dog - they’re super spiky, not digestible and will be unpleasant for them to munch on! Just serve the fresh pineapple flesh to your dog if you want them to try it as a snack.
Pineapple taken from a pizza is unlikely to harm your dog - if you want to pull the fruit off and give it to them. Of course, don’t give your dog the whole pizza slice - this will be high in fat, carbohydrates and sugars and cause a host of digestive issues.
The presence of onions or garlic can also be dangerous for a pooch to eat.
Cooked pineapple on pizza also won't have retained many nutrients, so for the most nutritional benefit, feed them some fresh pineapple instead.
If you like the sound of pineapple as a snack for your dog but would like to see alternatives, you could try the following:
If you’re looking for nutritious, healthy dog treats, Pooch & Mutt has made an array of dog treats with nutrition in mind - in flavours such as Peanut Butter, Salmon & Fennel and Duck & Rosemary.
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