Can Pugs eat pears? Is this fruit safe for dogs and are there any health benefits? What are the best ways to feed them and how much should I feed them? Get all your questions answered about safely feeding your four-legged this fruit.
Can Pugs Eat Pear?
Yes, Pugs can safely eat certain parts of the pear, as long as they don’t suffer from any food allergies. This fruit is not only tasty, but it also has some beneficial nutrients and vitamins such as fiber and Vitamin C, which can benefit your pooch.
Related: Can Pugs Eat Fruit?
Related: Fresh Cooked Food For Pugs!
This fruit is extremely beneficial for humans, because of all the nutrients and vitamins. Despite the health benefits of eating pears, your dog does NOT have to eat fruit to stay healthy.
That being said, it does not mean that pears will not do anything for your dog. In some cases, the nutrients may benefit some dogs. This post will answer your question of what food will Pugs eat?
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Pear To Pugs?
Pears like some other fruits contain vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial for both humans and dogs. As I mentioned above, your dog doesn’t need to eat fruit.
As long as they are eating high-quality dog food, they will get all the nutrients their body needs. However, using pear as an occasional treat may be beneficial for your dog’s overall health.
Potassium
Potassium is essential for regulating kidney functions. It is required for proper heart function, normal digestion, and muscle functions. (source)
Other sources of potassium for your pooch are: avocados, tomatoes
Vitamin C
Pears are a good source of Vitamin C. A Unlike humans, a dog body is conditioned to produce the amount their body requires on a daily basis. As a dog ages, their bodies don’t produce it as well.
Vitamin C may help your dog’s body fight degenerative joint diseases, spinal disorders, and hip dysplasia.
Other sources of vitamin C: broccoli, kiwi, mango
Fiber
Fiber helps keep your dog’s digestive system in good shape. This nutrient can also improve their heart health and lower their cholesterol levels.
Other sources of fiber: carrots, pumpkin, peaches (pumpkin is a superfood for dogs)
Fun Pear Facts
Pears, like apples, are members of the rose family, Rosaceae. These fleshy fruits are also known as pomes. The three types of pears are; Red Pears, Bartlett, D’Anjou.
Most people are familiar with the Bartlett and D’Anjou because they are produced in the highest volumes.
Nutritional Facts
In one medium-sized pear (176 grams) there is:
- Sugar: 17 grams
- Fiber – 22% DV (Daily Value for humans)
- Potassium: 5% DV
- B6 Vitamin: 5%
- Copper: 17%
- Magnesium: 3%
- Vitamin C: 10% DV
- Vitamin K: 9%
Pears are extremely low in saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol. However, a lot of the calories come from sugars. If your Pug enjoys the taste of pears, they’ll likely enjoy eating guava.
Digestive Problems Can Be Common
Now that you know you can feed your four-legged friend this fruit, it’s important to know that there can be some negative reactions as well.
Most dogs will be fine eating this fruit in moderation. However, if you feed them too much pear, they may suffer from an upset tummy, diarrhea, and possibly even vomiting.
Pears contain a high amount of sugar and this can lead to cause tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes in dogs.
What Types of Pear Can Pugs Eat
Pears can be bought in different forms such as juice, dried fruit, canned fruit, and deserts.
When feeding your pooch, you should only feed them the fresh raw fruit. If possible, feed them pieces of an organic pear.
Some studies have shown that organic foods are better, because of the absence of toxic fertilizers and pesticides.
You NEVER want to feed your dog a rotten pear or any type of rotten food.
Can Pugs Eat The Pear Leaves?
No, there’s no reason to feed your dog the leaves of this fruit. While the leaves are not poisonous to dogs, it may still cause your pet’s stomach to become upset.
What About The Skin And Seeds?
A majority of the nutrients in the pear are in the skin. If you can get your Pug to eat the skin safely, then you should consider it.
If you are going to feed them the skin, make sure you buy organic pears.
Like apple seeds, pear seeds contain small amounts of cyanide. Not only that you should never feed your dog seeds or pits that are found in fruits.
These can not only cause your dog to break a tooth, but it can also lead to intestinal blockages.
Feeding Pear To Dogs: Use Common Sense
Whether you’re feeding your dog pears or any other type of fruits, it’s important to know which parts are edible for dogs.
The major parts of the pear are the stalk, core, the fleshy part also known as the hypanthium.
The diagram below will show you the anatomy of the pear.
What Parts of A Pear Should You Feed A Pug?
The table below will give you a quick summary of the parts of a pear that you can safely feed Fido.
| Parts of a Pear | Safe For Your Pug to Eat |
| Skin | Yes, it actually has a lot of health benefits. |
| Fleshy Part | Yes, just make sure it’s fed in bite-size pieces. |
| Leaves | No, can be difficult to swallow. |
| Seeds | No, pears have cyanide toxicity of 1.3 and can cause an upset tummy. |
| Stem | No, it will be hard for your dog to swallow it. |
| Core | No, like the seeds, it contains cyanide and is toxic for dogs. |
How Can I Feed My Pug Pear?
If you’re ready to feed your dog some pear to see if they like it, follow these steps.
Make sure that you monitor your dog closely to ensure that they do not have any negative reactions.
If you’re unsure of whether you should feed your dog any fruit, consult with your veterinarian. They will be able to tell you how to safely feed your Pug pear.
Wash Thoroughly
Wash the fruit thoroughly before feeding it to your pooch. This will remove any lingering pesticides that can be toxic for both you and your dog.
Remove The Seeds and Core
Grab a knife and cut the pear in small bite-size pieces. Make sure you don’t feed any part of the seeds or core to your dog.
Pugs don’t have large mouths like other dog breeds, so smaller pieces of fruit pose less danger.
Hand Feed Them
Once you have the small pieces, feed them by hand. All you have to do is hold it out in front of them and if they are interested in trying it, they will eat it.
If they show no interest, then don’t force them.
Recipes for Dogs
Some dogs may not be interested in eating raw fruits and vegetables. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are not interested or don’t enjoy the taste.
Maybe you just need to get a little creative and cooking up some dog recipes they will enjoy.
It won’t be hard to find pear recipes for your dog. You’ll find dog cookies, biscuits and other dog treats you can prepare with this fruit and other types of fruits for your dog to eat.
How Much Pear Should You Feed A Pug?
So how much is too much for your pooch? If your dog enjoys eating this fruit, you should feed them no more than 1-2 slices of pear once or twice a week.
Your dog should be getting no more than 10% of their daily calories from treats, fruits or other types of snacks.
Alternatives To Pear For Pugs
If you’re constantly feeding Fido fruit whenever you make a smoothie or recipes, you may want to consider giving them some of these other fruits.
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Pears
As you can see, there’s nothing wrong with giving your Pug small bite-size pieces of pear. To ensure that your dog stays healthy, only feed them fruit in moderation.
Aging dogs may get the most benefit from eating fruit. Puppies that are still in the developmental stage, should NEVER be fed fresh fruits and vegetables. They should be fed a high-quality puppy food that contains the proper amount of nutrients and vitamins their little bodies require.
As long as your dog is an adult, there is no doubt they will get some benefit from the vitamins and nutrients in this fruit!
References and Further Reading
Whole Dog Journal – Bob Griswold and Nancy Kerns – Benefits of Vitamin C to Your Dog