There are many human foods that dogs can tolerate and even thrive with as an occasional treat. Did you know this can include apples, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, and, surprisingly, pineapple? This tropical treat is packed full of nutrients and fiber that they need, and be quite refreshing, even when frozen, during the summer for your furry friend. The nutrients and fiber make it an excellent choice for a natural treat for your dog, but remember, any food, no matter how safe it is, can cause constipation or allergy issues for a dog, especially in large amounts. So just be careful when preparing it, and make sure you only give your dog the fresh flesh of a pineapple.
How to Prepare Pineapple for Your Dog
When preparing pineapple as a fun treat for your dog, always make sure to give them fresh soft flesh from a pineapple, avoiding the core and skin. The core is too tough and hard on a dog’s digestive system, and the skin of pineapple has a spikey surface that can irritate their mouth and digestive system. Also, never give a dog canned pineapple, as the sugary syrup contains too much sugar for a dog’s stomach and digestive system.
In the summer, freezing pineapple can be a fun, refreshing treat that helps them cool down! All you have to do is pop a few slices in the freezer until they are frozen completely, and then they become an irresistible treat for your hot dog. Some prefer to blend pineapple and other fresh fruits with plain Greek yogurt and freeze in ice cube trays for another way to please your pup.
How Much Is Too Much and Why?
It can be easy to lose track of how many treats you give your dog, especially if you’re preoccupied or they’re just having too much fun. Generally, a few cubes of pineapple will do the trick. Any more than that runs the risk of your dog becoming constipated since pineapples are high in fiber.
Symptoms of Constipation and What to Do to Help
If you accidentally gave your dog too much pineapple, don’t worry – pineapple isn’t known to be toxic to dogs – but he or she might have an upset stomach and experience some constipation (https://www.certapet.com/can-dogs-eat-pineapple/). If this happens, you’ll notice your dog might not eat as much due to a lack of appetite. He also might circle around and fidget, or he might cry or whimper because he is uncomfortable. If this happens, know that it only takes time for constipation to go away, and his stool will eventually pass and relieve him. In the meantime, just make sure he gets plenty of water, which will help prevent dehydration and will also help the stool to pass.
Another sign your dog might have had too much pineapple is if he experiences diarrhea or vomiting. If that’s the case, reduce the amount of pineapple you give him next time, but if he still experiences an upset stomach, he may have an intolerance to it. Remember: dogs have allergies, too, so simply watch for signs that your dog may be allergic to pineapple, or any other food. These signs may include an upset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, swelling, sneezing, etc.
Why Pineapple is a Good Treat
As mentioned above, pineapple is packed with nutrients and fiber that your dog needs. It has a large amount of vitamin C, along with vitamin B6, niacin, folate, riboflavin, and thiamin. It also contains plenty of minerals, such as potassium, iron, magnesium, and small amounts of calcium, zinc, and phosphorus (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-pineapple/). This helps keep both their immune system and digestive system on track, just like it does with us. Since pineapple contains those nutrients and fiber, it makes it a natural, anti-inflammatory treat for both dogs and humans. So, the next time you’re making a Pina colada or other tropical treat, feel free to toss a few chunks of pineapple down to your furry friend.