Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?

Picture yourself sitting on a tropical beach - maybe it's Hawaii, maybe it's Fiji, maybe it's the Maldives - sipping on the greatest pina colada you've ever had. On the rim of your drink is a garnish that's as delicious as it is beautiful - a little slice of pineapple.

Since we're imagining paradise here, your dog is obviously sitting loyally by your side, enjoying the sun as well. But as you take that garnish off the edge of the glass, his head perks up - he'd certainly like to give it a try (or maybe he'd like to try the pina colada, but sadly that's not going to happen for him). So what do you think - can dogs eat pineapple?

CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE?

If prepared correctly and given in moderation, pineapple can be a wonderful snack for dogs. On the plus side, it has some serious nutritional benefits, but on the other hand that delicious sweet flavor means that it has quite a bit of natural sugar in it as well. Overall, though, dogs can eat pineapple as long as it's given to them responsibly.

Of course, as you can imagine, you don't just want to throw your dog a whole pineapple and let him take it apart himself. All those spiky outcroppings on the tough skin and leaves aren't going to make for a particularly enjoyable snack. So while pineapple is generally okay to feed to your dog, it's important that it be properly prepared before you hand it over to ensure that it doesn't lead to any kind of stomach or digestive issues for your pooch.

IS PINEAPPLE GOOD FOR DOGS?

There are a lot of positives to pineapple, aside from the sweet taste and the way it makes you think of your last vacation. First of all, it's heavy in vitamins, particularly B6 and C. It also packs in thiamin and riboflavin, plus minerals like potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium. All of these help to ensure that your dog has strong digestive and immune systems. 

Pineapple also has high water content (like watermelon), so it's a nicely hydrating food on a hot day. It also has antioxidants that will help your dog live a long and healthy life. These reduce inflammation, help to stave off some of the symptoms of cognitive decline and generally help to keep dogs healthy, happy and young for many years.

RISKS OF GIVING PINEAPPLE TO DOGS

There are a couple of main things to keep in mind when it comes to feeding your dog pineapple. First, on the nutritional side, it is quite high in sugar. While this doesn't make it inherently toxic, it does mean that you should make sure to only give your dog small quantities of pineapple. In general, veterinarians recommend that all snacks, including pineapple, make up no more than 10% of your dog's diet, with the rest coming from healthy, nutritious dog food. As with any time you introduce a new food into your dog's diet, you should keep an eye on her after she eats it to make sure she doesn't exhibit any signs of gastrointestinal issues, like diarrhea or vomiting. If she does, you'd be best not to continue serving that food (though of course it never hurts to check with your vet).

The second thing to consider is which parts of pineapple you can give your dog. Luckily, it's pretty easy to remember - if you wouldn't eat it, don't give it to your dog. The core, skin and leaves are all too tough for your pup to digest, so they'll end up causing discomfort. Keep away from those and stick to that sweet, yellow flesh. And when you dispose of them, make sure to do so safely - just because your dog shouldn't have them doesn't mean he won't root around in the trash and eat them when you're not looking.

This is all speaking of fresh pineapple, but what about canned pineapple? Whether or not your dog can have canned pineapple depends on exactly what's in it. Some producers add sugar, in which case you should definitely avoid it. Others don't add sugar but do pack the fruit in a sugary liquid to keep it moist - in this case, it's okay to feed to your dog as long as you rinse off that extra sugar. Still, we recommend going for fresh pineapple if it all possible.

And of course all the pineapple-flavored sweets out there aren't going to be great for your pup. That includes your delicious pina colada, so you don't have to feel guilty about not sharing that! Pineapple candy, pineapple soda and pineapple upside down cake should definitely not go to dogs (though frankly, that's okay with those of us who don't want to share!).

SO CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE?

Generally, yes - dogs can have pineapple. It's a snack that carries some health benefits and is also naturally tasty for dogs because of the sweetness that comes from its relatively high sugar content. Of course, as with all doggy snacks, you should only feed it to your pooch in moderation. When you do let your dog have pineapple, make sure to prepare it right - chop off that leafy top, remove the tough, spiny exterior skin and take out the core. Leaving any of these for your pup can lead to stomach issues that are better off avoided. 

If you want to give your dog an extra treat, cut up some pineapple into small pieces and freeze it - that extra crunch is always satisfying. You can also puree the pineapple and freeze it in ice cubes (or the paw- and bone-shaped silicone ice cube molds that come in our Pupsicle Starter Kit). If you want to add a little extra nutrition, mix pieces of pineapple with some healthy, plain Greek yogurt. And if you really want to make it last, make a yogurt and pineapple mixture, put it into a Kong and freeze. That will give you a long-lasting, healthy and nutritious snack that you dog will love!