Can Dogs Eat This? Nutrition & Recipes
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple? Unleashing the Juicy Truth Behind This Fruity Snack
We know that dogs are facultative carnivores—they get most of their nutrition from meat and animal protein, but they can get nutrition from plant-based foods, too. Dogs can eat fruits like bananas and strawberries, but what about the popular tropical fruit, pineapple?
If your dog got ahold of some pineapple and you’re worried about their health, worry no longer—pineapple is non-toxic to dogs and is totally safe for your pooch to eat once in a while. But should you be purposefully sharing this fruit with your dog? Are there rules for how to serve pineapple to your dog?
Let’s dive into what you need to know to keep your dog happy and healthy while sharing interesting foods like pineapple with them! You’ll discover important instructions for preparation, answers to common questions, and recipes for pineapple dog treats.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapples Safely?
Yes, it’s safe for dogs to eat fresh raw pineapple as an occasional treat. Small quantities of pineapple are completely safe for dogs, and many pooches enjoy the sweet and sour flavor, the juicy texture, and the sensory experience of eating a fruit. Dogs should only occasionally be served a small piece of pineapple, this isn’t a treat you want to give them too often or you can give them stomach problems.
While cooked pineapple is also safe for dogs, it must be correctly prepared. We’ll cover tips and recipes for feeding your dog pineapple a little later in this blog, but keep in mind that dogs should only eat cooked pineapple if it has been specifically prepared for them using dog-safe ingredients.
Navigating Parts of the Pineapple
No parts of the pineapple are toxic to dogs, but you should only feed them fresh flesh or fruit cubed into bite-sized pieces. Dogs should not be allowed to tangle with whole, unpeeled, or uncut pineapple. If your dog does consume pineapple skin or leaves you don’t need to panic, but if they’ve had more than a mouthful you should contact your veterinarian.
Can dogs eat fresh pineapple flesh?
Yes! Raw pineapple flesh is safe for dogs to eat as an occasional treat.
Can dogs eat pineapple cores?
No. The core of a pineapple is dense and fibrous and could create digestive issues for your dog. Remove the outer flesh from the pineapple core before you give your dog their treat.
Can dogs eat pineapple skin?
No. Pineapple skin is too tough to chew and digest for dogs.
Can dogs eat pineapple leaves?
No. Both pineapple skin and leaves are choking hazards for dogs, and if eaten in excess they could put your dog at risk for intestinal blockage.
Are Pineapples Good For Dogs? Health Benefits & Nutritional Value
Fresh pineapple flesh is safe for dogs to eat as an occasional treat or as an ingredient in dog-safe foods, but are there any benefits to feeding pineapple to your dog? In short, no.
Pineapple is high in vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, and many other vitamins and minerals. However, pineapple also has a high sugar content—about 8 grams of sugar per slice! Because pineapple is so high in sugar and quite acidic, it should only be a very occasional treat for your dog, and they won’t consume enough pineapple to enjoy its nutritional benefits.
How To Prepare & Feed Pineapple To Your Dog
Pineapple Pupsicle Recipe
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Freeze Time: | 3 hours |
| Yield | 30 pineapple pupsicles |
The perfect treat for a hot summer day, these pineapple pupsicle bites combine fresh raw pineapple with nutritious greek yogurt for a creamy, sweet, and refreshing bite. Dogs love licking or chewing these icey cold treats and they’re easy to make ahead and keep on hand in the freezer. Developed by Amy from Belly Full, this recipe can be made in any shape using silicone ice cube trays.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh pineapple, cubed
- ⅔ cup plain Greek yogurt
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse pineapple chunks until you have a smooth thin paste with no chunks.
- Add the yogurt to the pineapple mixture and pulse until the ingredients are just combined. You will have a very liquid, smoothie-like mixture.
- Pour the mixture into silicone ice cube molds. We recommend using a measuring cup or a ladle to avoid spilling. You can also fill the molds in the freezer if you want to avoid transferring a full tray.
- Transfer the ice cube molds to a spot in the freezer where they will be able to lay flat.
- Freeze for 3 hours or until the pupsicles are frozen solid.
Pineapple Oat Cookies for Dogs
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 30 minutes |
| Yield | 30 cookies |
Created by the Honest Kitchen, this recipe for dog-friendly pineapple oat cookies are packed with dietary fiber and healthy omega 3 and 6 fatty acids thanks to a generous portion of flax seeds. Delicious, slightly crunchy, and delightfully tropical thanks to pineapple and shredded coconut, your dog will fall in love with these cookies.
Ingredients
- 14 fluid oz. crushed pineapple (we will share how to make this at home!)
- 1 egg
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup ground flax seeds
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375℉ and prepare two cookie sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- In a food processor or blender, pulse 14 oz fresh pineapple chunks until you have a loosely crushed mixture.
- Combine crushed pineapple and egg in a large bowl, mixing well.
- To the egg and pineapple mixture, add all-purpose flour, ground flax seeds, rolled oats, and shredded coconut. Mix gently, folding the mixture together until you have a sticky dough.
- Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon portions onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing each cookie at least 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each cookie with slightly damp fingers.
- Bake cookies for 30 minutes—they will not be crunchy, but they should be slightly browned along the edges and on the bottoms.
- Cool the cookies on a cooling rack for at least an hour before serving or storing.
- Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month.
Crunchy Pineapple Dog Treats
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Yield | 16 cookies |
If your dog prefers a crunchy biscuit over soft dog treats, they’ll love these 4-ingredient pineapple dog treats that will delight their taste buds! Gluten-free and easy to whip up in an afternoon, you can make these cookies in any shape you want using cookie cutters. Created by Renee Dobbs from Spoiled Hounds, this recipe also includes healthy fats from the coconut oil, and a touch of protein from fresh eggs.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 TBSP coconut oil, melted
- 3 cups oat flour
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350℉ and prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
- In a blender or food processor, blend pineapple chunks until you have a mostly smooth puree.
- In a large bowl, combine pineapple puree, melted coconut oil, and egg. Mix until just combined.
- Add the flour and mix until you have a stiff dough.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and, using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a ½ to ¼-inch sheet.
- Using a 2-inch cookie cutter of your choice, cut out biscuits, re-rolling as necessary.
- Arrange the biscuits on your lined baking sheet, then transfer to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the biscuits are lightly browned on the edges.
- Cool the cookies on a wire rack for 1 hour before serving.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.
Can A Dog Eat Pineapple? FAQ
Dog owners like you have tons of questions about feeding their four-legged best friends this tropical fruit, and we’re sure you have more questions, too! Here are our answers to the most common questions about dogs and pineapple to help you make the most informed decisions for your pooch.
Can dogs eat pink pineapple?
Yes! Pink pineapples get their pigment from the same compound that colors fruits like watermelon and tomatoes, both of which are perfectly safe for dogs to eat. As long as you prepare pink pineapple correctly and only give your dog a small piece as a treat, this fruit is safe for them to eat.
Can dogs eat frozen pineapple?
Yes! Frozen raw pineapple makes for a tasty treat on a hot day, and you can even try freezing pieces of pineapple into ice cubes to encourage your dog to stay hydrated. If your dog has dental issues, we don’t recommend giving them frozen pineapple, since it can be difficult to chew.
Can dogs eat cooked pineapple?
Yes, as long as it is unseasoned and contains no added sugars. Above you’ll find several dog treat recipes that include cooked pineapple—as long as all the ingredients are dog-safe, cooked pineapple is fine for dogs to eat in moderation.
Can dogs eat canned pineapple?
No. Canned pineapple is made with a sugar syrup that is far too sweet for your dog, and could give them stomach issues. If eaten too often, canned pineapple could negatively impact your dog’s blood sugar which could lead to long-term and chronic complications. If your dog gets ahold of a piece of canned pineapple they will be completely fine and you don’t need to worry, but you should never purposefully give your dog canned pineapple, even as an occasional treat.
Can dogs eat pineapple chunks in juice?
No. Pineapple chunks sold in pre-packaged cups or canned with juice are not safe for dogs to eat because of their high sugar content. Like pineapples canned in syrup, pineapple chunks in juice are not toxic to dogs, but should never be a purposeful treat.
Can dogs eat pineapple juice?
No. Pineapple juice is sweetened with added sugars and contains preservatives and other added ingredients that could upset your dog’s stomach. If you fresh-squeeze pineapple juice at home, it’s okay for your dog to have a few licks since the only ingredient is pineapple, but it’s best to stick to cubed fresh pineapple pieces if you want to share this fruit with your dog.
Can dogs eat pineapple popsicles?
No. Pineapple popsicles are made with added sugars and are not good for your dog’s health. We have included a pineapple “pupsicle” recipe above, but these are specifically made with dogs in mind. Human foods are very rarely safe for dogs, and popsicles made for the human palette are no exception.
Can dogs eat dried pineapple?
No. Because dried pineapple has lost most of its moisture, the balance of sugar and water is skewed. A small piece of dried pineapple will give your dog a shock of sugary flavor, but without the hydration to balance things out, this treat becomes less safe for your dog.
Can dogs eat dehydrated pineapple?
No. For the same reason we don’t recommend dried pineapple, we don’t recommend giving your dog dehydrated pineapple. While one or two pieces won’t hurt them, the higher sugar content of dehydrated pineapple makes it a less healthy treat than fresh raw pineapple.
Can dogs eat cottage cheese with pineapple?
Yes, but sparingly. Both cottage cheese and fresh raw pineapple are safe for dogs in moderation, so it’s okay to give a little of both to your pooch. We only recommend this treat if you make it fresh at home. Pre-made cottage cheese and pineapple may contain added sugars and seasonings that aren’t good for your dog, but a small scoop of cottage cheese topped with 1-2 fresh pineapple chunks is a nice occasional treat.
Can dogs eat pineapple pizza?
No. Human foods like pizza are not safe for dogs to eat since they are high in sodium and usually include ingredients like garlic and onion which are toxic to dogs. The cheese on pizza isn’t good for dogs either, and the high-fat levels can give them GI issues. Even if you take a piece of pineapple off your pizza for your dog, it will still have been cooked with ingredients that aren’t dog-safe, so it’s not a good idea to give it to your dog.
Related Posts:
- Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? Identify the Innocent Varieties vs the Toxic Types
- Can Dogs Eat Grapes? Debunking Myths for Curious Pet Parents
- Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Separating Fact from Fiction
