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Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE
Can dogs eat pineapple? Why yes, they can. Although it depends on how you feed them pineapple and how much.
In fact, there are several benefits to feeding your dog pineapple. Pineapple contains antioxidants and enzymes that could benefit your furbaby in numerous ways.
NUTRITION FACTS FOR CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE
Approximately, 3.5 oz or 100 grams of pineapple contains a whole host of nutrients for your furbaby.
Most notably, pineapple is high in Vitamin C and in; 1FoodData Central (usda.gov)
- 11.4g Sugars
- 137mg Potassium
- 0.866mg Manganese
- 58.6mg Vitamin C
HEALTH BENEFITS FOR CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE
Pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain. This enzyme has several health benefits.
PAIN
Bromelain was tested in rats relating to sciatic nerve pain and after 21 days the results showed that bromelain has neuroprotective qualities and can in fact reduce certain types of pain. 2Bakare AO, Owoyele BV. Antinociceptive and neuroprotective effects of bromelain in chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in Wistar rats. Korean J Pain. 2020 Jan 1;33(1):13-22. doi: 10.3344/kjp.2020.33.1.13. PMID: 31888313; PMCID: PMC6944371. Antinociceptive and neuroprotective effects of bromelain in chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain in Wistar rats – PMC (nih.gov)
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
In another study, pineapple juice was given to mice for up to 6 months. Mice were induced with chronic colitis and the fresh pineapple juice actually showed a reduction in inflammation and neoplasia associated with colon inflammation. 3Hale LP, Chichlowski M, Trinh CT, Greer PK. Dietary supplementation with fresh pineapple juice decreases inflammation and colonic neoplasia in IL-10-deficient mice with colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2010 Dec;16(12):2012-21. doi: 10.1002/ibd.21320. PMID: 20848493; PMCID: PMC2991605. Dietary supplementation with fresh pineapple juice decreases inflammation and colonic neoplasia in IL-10-deficient mice with colitis – PubMed (nih.gov)
DIGESTION
Bromelain can be beneficial for digestion. Research has shown that taking bromelain internally could be beneficial in inflammatory bowel disease. 4Hale LP. Proteolytic activity and immunogenicity of oral bromelain within the gastrointestinal tract of mice. Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Feb;4(2):255-64. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2003.12.010. PMID: 14996417. Proteolytic activity and immunogenicity of oral bromelain within the gastrointestinal tract of mice – PubMed (nih.gov)
HOW CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE
Dogs can eat pineapple in several different ways. One of the ways I like to feed pineapple to my dogs is fresh. In little bite sized pieces.
Another way if you have read some of my other articles is to juice them or blend the liquid with some ice or kefir.
Then freeze them into little cool summer treats using your ice cube tray or these adorable paw and dog bone shaped molds
You can also chop them up with other fruits or mix them in with other ingredients if you’re making dog treats.
CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE THAT COMES IN A CAN
I personally would not feed pineapple from a can. There are several different varieties on the market, and some have added ingredients, some are made in heavy syrup.
I always feed fresh and organic. I am aware there are canned pineapple chunks on the market that are in their own juice.
Some may not have any extra added ingredients but then again you know exactly what you’re getting when its coming out of a fresh pineapple.
Pineapple should only be fed as a treat every once in a while anyways. If you are determined to feed your dog pineapple from a can just double check the ingredients and also with your veterinarian beforehand to make sure what your want to feed is okay.
CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE RIND OR CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE SKIN
The pineapple rind or skin is very thick, coarse and fibrous. In my opinion it’s inedible. I have heard of people using the skins to make teas, but I personally would not feed this to a dog.
In fact, the agricultural industry discovered that powdering the pineapple skin could be beneficial when combined with sawdust for growing mushrooms. 5Narh Mensah DL, Addo P, Dzomeku M, Obodai M. Bioprospecting of powdered pineapple rind as an organic supplement of composted sawdust for Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom cultivation. Food Sci Nutr. 2017 Nov 29;6(2):280-286. doi: 10.1002/fsn3.551. PMID: 29564093; PMCID: PMC5849906. Bioprospecting of powdered pineapple rind as an organic supplement of composted sawdust for Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom cultivation – PubMed (nih.gov)
So, if you grow your own veggies or shrooms then that’s about the only use I know for it unless you are using the leftover scraps to make yourself a tea, but definitely not to be fed to dogs.
CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE STEMS
Pineapple stems are very fibrous and hard to digest. As a whole stem or even giving a couple leaves, I would not feed them that way at all.
However, Bromelain is an enzyme found in the pineapples fruit and most notably in the stem. 6Bromelain | NCCIH (nih.gov) Bromelain actually has several health benefits as discussed above and can even be found in pet products such as this one below.
Which I use, that aids in digestion and also comes packed with probiotics.
CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE CORES
I would say no to feeding dogs pineapple core. The center of the pineapple contains a very hard, fibrous and woody center.
I have eaten pieces of it before and it is not the tastiest but for your dog this core could cause problems and not be digestible.
In fact, did you know that feeding green beans, apples or potato skins can cause phytobezoars? 7Emerson AP. Foods high in fiber and phytobezoar formation. J Am Diet Assoc. 1987 Dec;87(12):1675-7. PMID: 2824590. Foods high in fiber and phytobezoar formation – PubMed (nih.gov)
What are phytobezoars? They are caused by undigested materials building up in the stomach or small intestine which can be caused by the fibers, stems, leaves, seeds and roots of plants. 8Emerson AP. Foods high in fiber and phytobezoar formation. J Am Diet Assoc. 1987 Dec;87(12):1675-7. PMID: 2824590. Foods high in fiber and phytobezoar formation – PubMed (nih.gov)
While pineapple core may not be good for your dog to eat and could be hard to digest if they can digest it at all.
Pineapple juice on the other hand has been known to be an effective treatment in small bowel obstruction caused by phytobezoars. 9Simsek Z, Altinbas A, Yuksel I, Yuksel O. Effective treatment with pineapple juice in small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoar in a gastrectomized patient. Dig Endosc. 2011 Apr;23(2):197. doi: 10.1111/j.1443-1661.2010.01059.x. PMID: 21429030. Effective treatment with pineapple juice in small bowel obstruction due to phytobezoar in a gastrectomized patient – PubMed (nih.gov)
OTHER ALTERNATIVES TO CAN DOGS EAT PINEAPPLE
If you don’t want to feed your dog pineapple or can’t feed them pineapple but still love pineapple, then some of the options below might be for you.
This adorable plush squeak toy is one of my favorites on the list and actually comes with a spikey squeaker ball inside.
Amazon.com: Barkbox 2 in 1 Interactive Plush Dog Toy – Rip and Reveal Dog Toy for Small, Medium, & Large Dogs – Stimulating Squeaky Pet Enrichment and Puppy Toys | Penny The Pineapple (Small)
If you are looking for something with a little more durability and that can be utilized as dual purpose, then this treat dispensing pineapple made from food grade non-toxic rubber and comes with a food-grade pineapple flavoring
If you have a furbaby that isn’t an aggressive chewer but likes to be engaged and mentally stimulated by their toys then this pineapple snuffle mat could be for them
Lastly, on our list if you have a fast eater then this slow feeder shaped like a pineapple could be an option
Check out our other articles for more information on foods such as;
CAN DOGS EAT BANANAS? HEALTH BENEFITS AND 1 NEW DANGER OF FEEDING YOUR DOG BANANAS
