On a hot summer’s day, nothing beats the cool refreshing taste of a perfectly ripe pineapple. While you’re enjoying your fruit, you look over at your faithful doggie pal and wonder, “Can dogs eat pineapple?”

It’s a valid question, and you should be commended for asking it. After all, not all human foods – even fruit – are suitable for dogs. Read on to find out the full answer to the question: Can dogs eat pineapple?

Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?

In general, yes, pineapple is one of the varieties of fruits that are safe for dogs to consume. However, pineapple is one fruit that should not become a staple in your dog’s diet, nor should it be fed regularly or in excess.

In small quantities, raw pineapple is an excellent fruit snack for dogs. Canned pineapple, like most canned fruit, tends to have excessively high sugar levels due to the fruit syrup contained in the can. Dogs’ digestive systems are not designed to handle high levels of sugar, even naturally occurring sugar from fruit such as pineapple. For this reason, while small amounts of raw pineapple can be a tasty fruit snack for your dog, canned pineapple should be avoided.

So, can dogs eat pineapple?! Yes!

Is Pineapple Safe for Dogs?

While small quantities of raw pineapple, like other fruits, can have some health benefits for dogs, not all parts of the pineapple are designed to be included when feeding your pet.

When preparing pineapple as food for your pet, only ever feed the soft flesh, never the tough core or the spiked pineapple skin. As mentioned above, always choose fresh pineapple over canned pineapple. This is because canned pineapple may contain a lot of added sugar!

As with other fruits and vegetables, start by feeding a small amount of pineapple juice (sugar-free and natural) or a small slice of raw, fresh pineapple flesh. Keep a close eye on your pet for the next hour and watch for any signs of an upset stomach, especially diarrhea.

Is Pineapple Healthy or Toxic? Breaking Down the Nutrients

Figuring out can dogs eat pineapple is simple. But is it necessarily healthy for them?

Raw, fresh pineapple is an excellent source of nutrients for your pet, provided you stick to feeding your pet only small quantities of pineapple and other fruits with their food. The high sugar content of pineapple means that large amounts of pineapple will never be suitable for your dog’s diet, while small amounts of fresh pineapple are safe for dogs and are a natural anti-inflammatory treat, full of vitamin C and dietary fiber.

In addition to vitamin C, a pineapple treat will give your dog a healthy amount of bromelain, antioxidants, and other vitamins and minerals including thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and folate.

Dogs Need Their Daily Minerals and Vitamins too!

Much more than a diet of commercial dog food, when working out what to feed your dog remember that dogs need a range of nutrient and vitamins and minerals in their diet, just like humans do. While the occasional nutrient-poor food treat won’t be a problem, most of your pet’s diet needs to be high in nutrients.

When feeding your dog, keep in mind that your dog requires the following vitamins and minerals:

  • Bromelain
  • Calcium
  • Chloride
  • Chromium
  • Cobalt
  • Copper
  • Iodine
  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Manganese
  • Molybdenum
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Selenium
  • Silicon
  • Sodium
  • Sulfur
  • Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, K
  • Zinc

What Vegetables/Fruits Can Dogs Eat?

While fruits and vegetables are often thought of as human foods, there are plenty of varieties that you can safely feed your pet. Just make sure to avoid grapes, which are highly toxic to dogs.

The following fruits and vegetables are high in nutrients, a good source of vitamins and minerals, and Perfectly Safe For Your Furry Friend To Eat.

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Blueberries
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Cranberries
  • Cucumbers
  • Green beans
  • Mango
  • Oranges
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potatoes

Feeding Your Dog Pineapple: Possible Side Effects!

Since pineapple contains a lot of dietary fiber, consuming too much pineapple can cause your dog to become constipated.

This may sound counterintuitive since pet owners have been told that it is important for dogs to have a diet high in fiber.

However, fiber requires plenty of water in order for it to be properly digested, and your dog may not drink enough water to aid in the digestion of the high levels of fiber found in pineapple.

In addition, the sugar and acidity in pineapple can cause tooth decay, obesity, and even diabetes.

Foods Dogs Can Eat

While there are certainly some foods that can be fed in small quantities – like pineapple – and other foods that must be avoided altogether – like chocolate and grapes – other human foods are perfectly safe for dogs to eat. These include:

  • Bread
  • Cashews
  • Cheese
  • Coconut
  • Corn
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Ham
  • Honey
  • Milk
  • Peanut butter
  • Peanuts
  • Popcorn
  • Pork
  • Quinoa
  • Salmon
  • Shrimp
  • Tuna
  • Turkey
  • Wheat and other grains
  • Yogurt

Ways to Feed Your Dog Pineapple

There are essentially two ways to feed pineapple to your dog – either raw or cooked. Both are equally beneficial, and your choice will come down to your dog’s preferences.

Raw

When feeding raw pineapple to your dog, peel and slice the pineapple and feed just a few small segments. Excess pineapple can be frozen, making it a delicious summertime treat.

Cooked

If your dog prefers cooked food, or if the weather is too cold for fresh or frozen pineapple, add pineapple to your usual dog food treat recipes. See above for a delicious pineapple sweet potato recipe and customize the recipe to include seasonal items all your dog’s favorite ingredients.

Make Pineapple for Dogs: The Ultimate Pineapple Recipe Your Pet Will Love

Most dogs can’t resist the taste of sweet potato, and this ultimate pineapple recipe combines the sweetness of pineapple with the all-around deliciousness of sweet potato into a treat your dog won’t be able to resist.

The recipe is simple and requires:

  • a small amount of pureed pineapple
  • mashed sweet potato
  • brown rice flour, and
  • oats.

Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare a baking tray or silicone baking mat. Combine the four ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stirring well after each ingredient is added. Spoon the mixture onto the baking tray, with each portion roughly the same size to ensure even cooking.

Bake until done. As a guide, if your mixture was spooned into portion around half a tablespoon in size, the baking time will be around 10 to 15 minutes.

Wait for the portions to cool, then refrigerate until needed. One small batch can make 40 to 50 pineapple treats that your dog will adore.

Dog Not Eating Pineapple or Dog Won’t Eat Your Meal? 3 Tips to Help Them Out

Even though you know the answer to “can dogs eat pineapple” but you’re having trouble convincing your dog to eat pineapple or any other food, the following tips could help:

  1. Mix the new food with a food your dog already enjoys, such as eggs or cooked chicken.
  2. Double check the temperature of the food to ensure that it is neither too hot nor too cold for your dog.
  3. Give plenty of praise to your dog when you serve their food, and ensure they are in an area in which they feel safe and calm.

So, Is Pineapple Good for Dogs? Can Dogs have Pineapple?

Yes, pineapple is good for dogs! Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy treat for your canine companion to enjoy. Just keep the portion sizes small, and your dog will be happy that you’ve included pineapple in their diet.