As soon as I saw those big puppy dog eyes staring up at me from beneath the kitchen table while I enjoyed a snack of fresh pineapple chunks, one thought popped into my head. Can your dog have pineapple?
I immediately dropped the pineapple wedge and ran to my laptop to find out.
If pineapple is safe for dogs to eat or not should always be your first question when your pup shows interest in your food. I was relieved to learn that pineapple is, indeed, safe for most dogs, but there are still a few caveats that every dog owner should know before letting Fido tuck in.
Why Dogs Love Pineapple (& Why You Should Let Them Eat It Occasionally)
Okay, so why do dogs love pineapple so much? If you’ve ever ripped open a fresh pineapple at home you’ll know exactly what I mean. That sweet smell can woo even the most indifferent dog.
Dogs naturally crave sweet and juicy foods. Give them the choice between a dry piece of kibble and a hunk of pineapple and they’ll steal that pineapple every time if you let them. But unlike many other sugary snacks for dogs, pineapple is actually pretty good for them.
Fresh pineapple is packed with vitamins and minerals that can give your dog a health boost when fed in moderation. Fresh pineapple contains vitamins C and B6, manganese, and an enzyme called bromelain that can aid protein digestion. In fact, some holistic vets believe bromelain is the main reason dogs can benefit from eating pineapple.
It also contains a decent amount of water, so it can actually help to hydrate your dog a little on hot days if served chilled.
Is Pineapple Good For Dogs? Let’s Dish Out The Real Facts
Plain, raw pineapple is safe for most dogs when fed in moderation. There’s nothing toxic about pineapple, and provided your dog doesn’t eat an entire pineapple by themselves, your dog will likely be just fine after consuming it.
HOWEVER. Dogs are much more sensitive to sugar and acidity than people are. This makes feeding your dog too much pineapple problematic because it’s naturally high in both of those things.
Consuming too much sugar can lead to loose stools and stomach upset in dogs. But because pineapple is sugary, it also contributes to weight gain and increases blood sugar levels over time. Dogs with obesity or diabetes should avoid pineapple for this reason alone.
The acidity can also wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system if fed in excess. Feed your dog too much pineapple and you may come downstairs to a soggy mess.
Like with most human foods, pineapple is best served as an occasional treat rather than part of their daily diet.
What Parts of the Pineapple Should You NEVER Feed Your Dog
When feeding your dog pineapple, there are some important bits that you should NEVER feed your dog regardless of how much they stick their nose in the garbage and beg for it.
1. Pineapple Skin
The pineapple’s skin is one of the worst things about pineapple — yours and your dog’s. While humans can deal with eating around the skin and core of a pineapple, most dogs do not have the teeth to properly chew and break down the pineapple’s skin.
It can become a choking hazard and block their digestive tract if swallowed whole. In fact, even if properly chewed up, the texture can irritate or scratch the inner workings of your dog’s intestines. Make sure to peel your pineapple before offering it to your pup.
2. Pineapple Core
Related to pineapple skin, the core of a pineapple is tough, chewy, and can cause the same issues if swallowed by your dog. Avoid the core at all costs unless you want to play digestive tract detective when you notice your dog suddenly isn’t acting like themselves.
3. Canned Pineapple
Fun fact — canned pineapple isn’t actually good for dogs, even if it’s 100% pineapple with no added ingredients. Unless you’re feeding your dog canned pineapple that consists purely of pineapple chunks with no liquid at all, you’re probably exposing your dog to high levels of sugar.
The liquid found in canned pineapple is typically either juice or syrup. Even natural pineapple juice contains far too much sugar for your dog’s diet.
4. Pineapple Juice
Much like canned pineapple, pineapple juice is almost always too sugary for your pup. Sure, if your dog manages to lap up a bit of juice from your glass while you’re drinking it, don’t stress. But don’t make it a habit or purposefully feed it to your dog.
How Much Pineapple Can Dogs Eat
Ah yes… how much pineapple can Fido safely gobble up in one sitting?
Well, as with most foods that you’re questioning whether your dog can have, size matters. Small chunks of pineapple are okay for your average medium dog — two to three pieces per sitting.
Small dogs should be fine with one or two pieces. Larger dogs could probably get away with more, but I don’t recommend it.
Most vets agree that treats — even healthy ones like fruit — should not exceed ten percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake. And pineapple, while healthy, is still full of sugar. It should fall into that allotted treat percentage along with any other treats your dog may get that day.
When trying pineapple for the first time, only give your dog one piece to start with. While some dogs may handle pineapple like a champ right off the bat, others may have more sensitive stomachs. Watch your dog for any negative reactions over the next few hours after consuming pineapple for the first time. Loose stools, vomiting, excess gas, or loss of appetite are good indicators that your dog is having an adverse reaction to pineapple.
Creative Ways To Feed Your Dog Pineapple
My dog is absolutely obsessed with pineapple. Whenever I cut one up, he’s pretty much glued to my side doing his best to steal pieces directly from the cutting board. If your dog is the same way, here are some fun ways to let them enjoy pineapple a little more safely.
Frozen Pineapple
Take a couple of pineapple chunks and freeze them for about an hour. Pineapple freezes really well and makes a great summer dog treat. My dog laps these babies up whenever I serve them.
Pineapple + Plain Yogurt
Mixing in a couple of chunks of pineapple with some plain, unsweetened yogurt can make for a great snack or topping for your dog’s usual food. Make sure the yogurt is unsweetened! Yogurt with xylitol is poisonous to dogs.
Homemade Dog-Friendly Smoothie
Want to get really crazy? Cut up some pineapple, toss it in the blender with a handful of blueberries, banana, or whatever fruit you know is safe for dogs. Blend with a little water and pour into a silicone pop mold. Freeze for about an hour and let your dog go to town!
Does Pineapple Keep Dogs From Eating Their Own Poop?
One of the biggest claims I heard about pineapple was that it can somehow deter dogs from eating their poop. Okay, maybe “claims” is a strong word. I personally heard it, but there are plenty of other dog owners out there who have heard it too.
The thought process here is that since bromelain makes pineapple poop taste awful to dogs, feeding your dog pineapple will make them not want to eat their poop anymore. If you’ve got a dog that enjoys eating their poop — which is actually fairly common — you may have even considered this tactic.
Does it work? Meh. I’m not sure. A lot of people say it does, but there are just as many people who’ve tried it and it did nothing for their dogs.
There’s never been any legitimate research into the topic that I know of. Pineapple will likely not hurt your dog, but attempting to get them to stop eating poop this way might not do anything at all.
If your dog is doing it, consult your vet to see what they suggest based on your dog’s behavior. It could be a sign of anxiety or a nutritional deficiency.
Dogs Who Should Avoid Pineapple At All Costs
Alright, so while pineapple is generally safe for dogs, it’s not one hundred percent safe for all dogs. Dogs with diabetes should avoid pineapple due to its sugar content. Too much sugar can spike your dog’s blood glucose levels and cause them a lot of grief in the long run.
If your dog suffers from kidney disease or kidney problems, you may want to avoid feeding your dog pineapple as well. Pineapple contains plenty of potassium and other minerals that could stress out your dog’s kidneys.
As always, check with your vet before introducing new foods into your dog’s diet if they suffer from any chronic health conditions.
Young puppies are usually safe with pineapple, but their digestive systems aren’t fully mature, so you may want to wait a few months before introducing it.
Wrapping It All Up
Cut to the chase. Can dogs eat pineapple? Absolutely!
As long as you’re taking the proper precautions and feeding it to them responsibly, there’s no reason you can’t let Fido indulge in pineapple occasionally. It’s tasty, nutritious, and dogs go crazy for the sweet stuff.
Just remember that with any human food you feed your dog, moderation is key. One or two chunks of pineapple is fine every now and then. Making it a daily part of their diet is not recommended.
Feeding your dog pineapple should be treated no differently than any other snack or treat you give them. A little bit goes a long way.
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