In my previous article, I talked about incorporating pineapple to a dog’s diet as it benefits the metabolic and immune system. However, can dogs eat canned pineapples too?
Unfortunately, dogs cannot eat canned pineapples as they are not healthy for them, and it renders all the benefits that a fresh pineapple has to offer. The canned pineapples are harmful because they contain artificial preservatives which are not suitable for the diet of dogs. They do not provide the right balance of nutrients because of the additional chemicals. Consequently, they can cause adverse effects on health and should be avoided.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Pineapples? If No, Why?
Canned fruits are the quickest and most comfortable option of today’s world. There is no need to go to the market now and then to pick up fresh fruits.
There is no need to peel and cut them but only open the can and ready to eat. However, as it easy and safe it might sound, it is in reality very harmful to the health of humans and the dogs.
Canned fruits are packed with artificial preservatives to prevent decomposition and decay. All the canned food has a syrup, which is essential for preservation. The syrup in canned food contains high amounts of sugar, which is not suitable for dogs.
Dogs have a low tolerance to sugars, and they can cause extreme dietary imbalances. Pineapple itself is rich in calories, and the extra sugar from the syrup can increase the risk of tooth decay, obesity, and diarrhea.
Canned pineapples do not contain all the nutrients and enzymes which a fresh pineapple has. So it means that it is likely to cause digestive problems in dogs.
Therefore, it is not recommended to feed canned pineapples to the dog as it will not improve the dog’s health. Instead, it might add to the health issues. So, always give them fresh chunks of pineapples because they deserve it.
An infographic showing bad effects of canned pineapples
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple Leaves?
Dogs are prohibited from eating canned pineapples so they can only eat fresh pineapples. However, it is to be noted that only the juicy flesh of the pineapple is edible.
Dogs cannot eat pineapple leaves because it does not contain any essential nutrients, so it is futile for their health. Only fresh pineapple is good for dogs.
It is not only about the absence of nutrients, but pineapples leaves are too dry and hard for dogs to chew. They can irritate the mouth and stomach of the dogs.
The thick and spiky leaves are difficult to swallow, which might lead to fatal choking. Moreover, the leaves also have the potential to cause permanent damage to the dog’s teeth.
Pineapple leaves are also not easily digestible and may cause intestinal problems leading to the discomfort and mood swings of the dog. Moreover, the pineapple leaves and thorns also contain a sap which irritates the skin.
The sap in the leaves may also cause fatal toxicity if ingested by dogs.
The leaves of the pineapple are most exposed to pesticides and chemical fertilizers which the farmers use. The flesh remains protected from the external chemicals.
If dogs eat those pineapple leaves, they might also be ingesting any chemical which can meddle up with the body functions. In the worst-case scenario, it may also lead to poisoning.
Can Dogs Eat Pineapple Core?
So, the pineapple leaves are not allowed to eat. Surprisingly, they cannot eat the core of the pineapple either. As rough and tough dogs might seem, they can only eat the soft and fleshy core of the pineapple.
When I say, dogs can eat pineapple, and it correctly means the flesh of the pineapple and no more.
The core is the middle part of the pineapples, while the juicy and soft flesh lies between the skin and core. The flesh is the real deal and the only edible part of a pineapple.
The core even though it seems edible, is still quite hard for dogs to chew and might choke the dog while swallowing. It might also cause digestive problems such as constipation or hard poop. The skin too is tough and must be peeled off before feeding it to the dog.
Therefore, the flesh is soft, juicy, and filled with nutrients while the rest of the pineapple is not only useless for dogs but may incur adverse effects.
Conclusion:
If you want your dog to avail all the health benefits a pineapple has to offer then make sure you follow the feeding guidelines. The pineapple should be ripe and fresh. Canned pineapples must be avoided at all costs.
The pineapple should be properly peeled, the core removed and the flesh should be cut into small cubes. Only 5-7 cubes are recommended on alternate days, not on a daily basis for a healthy and happy dog.
