It’s safe if dogs eat small amounts of ripe pineapple as a nutritious treat, but avoid giving them too much due to its high natural sugar content.
The summer is a time for getting your hike on with your adventure dog, throwing frisbees in your local lake as your zooming zealot rushes to retrieve, and cooling down with refreshing fruits and vegetables! You know that YOU can eat pineapple with no consequences, outside of a puckered face from a not-quite-ripe bite,
but wait, is pineapple safe for dogs?
The short answer is yes! Pineapple is a great snack for your wagging boy as it is chock-full of nutrients to keep him happy, inside and out!
How To Prepare The Pineapple For Puppy
Make sure that when you feed pineapple to your dog that the fruit is ripe. There are three ways to check for ripeness:
- Color - A fresh pineapple that is ready to be cut into should have a bright yellowish hue to the rough exterior of the fruit, specifically around the base
- Feel - Pick up that pucker-inducing boy. Is it as hard as the rock your dog keeps mistaking for a ball? If so, the pineapple is not ready! Wait until it's on the softer side, something closer to the squeeze of a tennis ball!
- Smell - The nose knows, and your nose should have no problem finding the right answer! When a pineapple has fully ripened, it releases sugars and aromas from the base. Give it a quick whiff - if you're dizzy from tropical smells, it's time to cut some fresh fruit for you and your furball!
When giving raw pineapple to your dog, we suggest cutting the flesh into bite-sized pieces and removing the spiky skin and tough pineapple core, as these can cause intestinal blockages and present choking hazards. You can put those bite-sized pieces of fresh pineapple in the freezer to serve up as cool dog treats during those warm summer months.
Once you have found the perfectly ripe summer snack, you must choose how to eat it - our favorite part.
Below is one of Fidobiotics' favorite healthy human food snacks for our little ankle biters.
1/4 Cup Ripe Pineapple Chunks
1/4 Cup Ripe Papaya
1/1 Cup Watermelon (Seeds and Rind Removed)
1-4 Blueberries (Learn how to safely prepare blueberries for your pup!)
¼ tsp Ceylon Cinnamon (Optional - Learn more about how to safely feed your dog cinnamon)
¼ tsp Unrefined Coconut Oil (Optional - Learn more about how to safely include coconut oil into your pup's diet.)
1 Scoop Good Guts Medium Mutts Coconut Peanut Butter Daily Probiotic
1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1 Cup Ice
Mix the pineapple, papaya, Good Guts, yogurt, and ice in the blender. Be sure to blend on low. Serve this delicious treat to your doggo to keep him cool and healthier than ever.
Why Is Pineapple Good For Dogs?
While your dog may give this yellow fruit a questioning sniff and maybe even a snarl, many health benefits are associated with including parts of the pineapple in your dog's food. Pineapple makes for a healthy treat as it's packed full of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, bromelain, manganese, potassium, thiamin, folate, niacin, riboflavin, magnesium, antioxidants, and vitamin B6. All of this added nutrition can really boost your dog's immune system.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a digestive enzyme found within the flesh and stem of the pineapple fruit. Benefits include supporting a healthy inflammatory response, maintaining a healthy heart, and promoting proper digestion. Bromelain works by breaking down proteins within the body into smaller compounds that the digestive tract can more readily use to support a healthy bodily function.
If your good boy has no interest in pineapple, but you still want him to get some bromelain in his belly, consider giving him Good Guts Daily Probiotic. It's packed with five plant-based digestive enzymes, including bromelain. Beyond that, Good Guts has 11 probiotic strains, two prebiotics, coconut, and a high CFU count to keep him happy, inside and out!
How Much is Too Much Pineapple for My Dog?
Too much of anything can be a bad thing, outside of pets and puppy kisses - so the key here is moderation. Although we love pineapple for its sweet taste, that sweet taste means there can be a lot of natural sugar. It's best to avoid dried pineapple, canned pineapple, and store-bought pineapple juice, as the added sugar leads to an overall high sugar content that isn't good for your dog's diet. You should also avoid giving your pooch large amounts of pineapple at once. Small quantities are enough to supply nutrition without overloading their system with sugar.
Giving your pup too much pineapple can also lead to constipation. While fiber is great for digestion, too much fiber can soak up a lot of water and harden your dog's stool, causing an upset stomach and constipation.
We suggest 1-2 small pieces as a treat for smaller dogs, while larger dogs may be able to handle a few more.
What if I Gave My Dog Too Much Pineapple?
It's always important to introduce new foods slowly and watch for any changes in your pup's behavior or poops, or other signs of discomfort. Stop giving your dog pineapple, and consult your vet if you notice anything unusual. Each dog is unique, and what works well for one may not work well for another.
If you believe you may have given your dog too much of this tropical fruit, or are noticing him acting funny after administering some pieces of pineapple, don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian. The pineapple will typically work its way out of your pup's digestive system in 24 hours. If Fido is experiencing a bad time with the fruit, he may get a tummy and be a little gassy. Make sure to keep your furball well-hydrated, especially in these summer months!
Just like every adventure begins with a single step, every healthy pup begins with a single choice- a choice to prioritize their nutrition and well-being with foods and supplements that provide what they need to thrive. So, when you slice that pineapple for your furry friend, remember it's not just a sweet treat. It's a step towards better health, filled with nutrients to keep their tail wagging and their spirits high.
But not all the goodness can come from pineapple alone. That's where Fidobiotics comes in. With our scientifically-formulated Good Guts Daily Probiotic, you can give your best friend a powerful boost of beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes, and immune-boosting ingredients.
So don't wait. Make the choice for better health today. Choose Fidobiotics. Because every tail wag, playful chase, and cuddle on the couch starts with good gut health.