Many people enjoy eating raw fresh pineapple. I use it every morning to make smoothies in my Vitamix. If you’ve eaten this fruit, you’ve probably wondered “can Pugs eat pineapple?”
Can Pugs Eat Pineapple?
The short answer is “Yes,” it is safe and can even be a healthy treat for dogs, if fed in moderation and prepared properly for your pooch. More on which parts of the pineapple are safe for your dog in a bit.
First, let’s take a look at the benefits of feeding your dog this fruit. Read this article if you’re wondering can Pugs eat fruit and want a huge list of the best ones to feed them.
Related: What Do Pugs Eat?
Related: Fresh Cooked Dog Food For Pugs!
Are There Any Benefits To Feeding Pineapple To Pugs?
While your pooch will be fine if they never ate their fruits and veggies as we do. There are some benefits that your dog can gain from eating pineapple.
Pineapples are rich in fiber, vitamins, nutrients, and minerals such as Vitamin C, B-6, potassium, manganese, beta-carotene and other antioxidants, which can be beneficial for improving the health of your dog’s immune system.
One single cup of pineapples contains (165 grams):
- Vitamin C 105 % Human Daily Value
- Folate – 7& DV
- Vitamin B6 – 11% DV
- Copper – 20% DV
- Manganese – 77% DV
- Pantothenic Acid – 7% DV
- Vitamin B1 – 11% DV
So how do these vitamins aid in the health of your doggie? Well, let’s take a closer look.
Digestion
If fed in small amounts, this tropical fruit can help improve your dog’s digestive system and help cure the occasional constipation issues.
However, feeding your dog too much pineapple can cause your dog to suffer from constipation and tummy aches.
Fresh pineapple also contains bromelain which is an enzyme that is used to break down protein and allows them to absorb other nutrients better. This is great as most dog food is high in protein.
Battle Inflammation
Pineapple can be great for older and more active dog breeds, due to it being an anti-inflammatory food. Small pieces can be used to help reduce swelling in injured dogs and may even be beneficial for arthritic dogs.
If you plan on using this to help reduce the inflammation in your dog, I’d recommend consulting with your veterinarian first.
Can Pineapple Treat Coprophagia In Dogs?
If your Pug suffers from Coprophagia, (eats their poop) you might have heard that pineapple can stop them from this behavioral issue.
Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that shows that this is true. Pineapple will not stop your dog from eating their own poop. This is a behavioral issue that needs to be treated on its own.
Is Pineapple Safe For Pugs?
There are several fruits that are safe for dogs and even provide some health benefits such as; bananas, mangos, and etc.
Pineapple can be a great safe treat for your pet, as long as you know which parts you can feed them. When preparing pineapple for your pooch, you only want to feed them the soft flesh, never feed them the core or spiky tough shell.
The spiky skin will be painful for your dog, and they will NEVER be able to digest it. As with other fruits and vegetables, you should only feed your Pug small amounts of the fresh fruit.
Don’t believe the myth! Pineapple is NOT toxic, dangerous or harmful for dogs.
Can Pugs Eat Pineapple Leaves?
While the pineapple plant is no considered poisonous, the thorns and leaves can have toxic effects on both humans and dogs.
The leaves and outer husk contain an enzyme called bromelain. It has been known to be used as medicine to help with sinuses, reduce swelling, hay fever, and several other illnesses. (source)
This enzyme is not toxic to dogs, but, as with the actinidain within the fruit itself, it can lead to bleeding, swelling, or allergies in both dogs and humans.
Can Pugs Eat Canned Pineapple?
Canned pineapple is tasty and some brands can be safe for your Pug to consume, just make sure you understand the ingredients label.
Avoid canned pineapple that contains high amounts of sugar, which can be dangerous for your pooch.
Opt for the brands that are packed in light syrup or 100% fruit juice, than those that are packed in heavy syrup.
If possible find the canned pineapple that has no sugar, as this is the safest choice for your four-legged friend.
Side Effects From Pineapple
Even though this fruit has some benefits for your pooch, feeding them too much can have some side effects.
One pineapple contains 13 grams of fiber. If your dog consumes too much of this fruit, it can cause the following side effects which may appear at any time.
Constipation
While pineapples can help your dog’s digestion and occasional constipation bout. That being said, if your dog consumes too much pineapple, it can lead to constipation.
Too much fiber can soak up water in your dog’s digestive system, which will cause their stool to harden, especially, if they don’t drink enough water.
Tooth Decay
Pineapple is not only delicious, but one thin slice (84 grams) contains 8.3 grams of sugar. Foods that contain a high concentration of sugar can cause tooth decay in both humans and dogs, especially, if you don’t brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis.
Other fruits that have contained more sugar than pineapple are apples, cherries, grapes, and kiwi. Too much sugar can lead to gastric problems, stomach pain, diarrhea and even vomiting for dogs.
This article will explain the benefits of feeding your Pug apples.
Feeding Pineapple To Pugs: Use Common Sense
Avoid feeding your dog pineapple that is baked into desserts, such as ice cream, or dried pineapple. These contain way too much sugar that can be toxic for your pooch.
Too much sugar can cause your dog to gain weight or suffer from diarrhea.
Which Parts Of A Pineapple Should You Feed Your Dog?
Before feeding your Pug a pineapple snack, make sure you follow the guide below to prepare it properly.
Remember, you never want to feed your pooch the skin, core, or the leaves, which can be dangerous for them to eat.
Refer to the table below for a quick summary on which parts of the pineapple to feed your dog.
| Pineapple Part | Safe for Your Pug |
| Core | No, it’s tough and your dog won’t be able to digest it. |
| Flesh | Yes, as long as it is cut up into small bite-size chunks. |
| Skin | No, it is hard, and spikey can cause your dog to choke. |
| Leaves | No, the leaves can be toxic to dogs |
Note: Always consult with your veterinarian whenever you add or make any changes to your dog’s diet.
How Can I Feed My Pug Pineapple?
Now that you know it’s safe to feed your Pug pineapple, let’s take a look at how to properly prepare the fruit for your dog to eat.
Remove The Skin and Core
Before feeding your dog a piece of this fresh fruit, always remove the core and skin. Opt for fresh raw pineapple you can get from your local supermarket.
Frozen pineapple can also make a great summertime treat, especially, when it’s hot outside.
Bite-Size Pieces
Use a sharp knife to cut the pineapple into small bite-size pieces for your pooch. Remember, you should only give your dog two bite-sizes pieces at once, which will be around 1 ounce.
This is about 14 calories for your Pug. Be sure to monitor their calorie intake from fruits and vegetables.
Never feed pineapple or other fruits and vegetables to puppies in their first 12 formative weeks. Always feed puppies a high-quality puppy food, to ensure they get all the nutrients their little bodies require.
Recipes for Dogs
There are literally tons of pineapple recipes for dogs online. Spend some time searching for “pineapple recipes for dogs” to find one you can try out for your Pug.
How Much Pineapple Should You Feed A Pug?
While pineapples can be good for your Pug, it’s important to feed them in moderation. You should feed them no more than two bite-size pieces at one time.
Any more than that can cause your pooch to suffer from gas or diarrhea.
Alternatives To Pineapple For Pugs
If your Pug enjoys eating pineapple, you may want to check out some of these other sweet treats as well!
- Celery
- Pears
- Cantaloupe
- Mango
- Blueberries
Final Word On Feeding Pugs Pineapple
Pugs love to eat and as you can see, pineapple can make a great healthy snack for them, as long as it is fed in moderation.
If you follow the guidelines on how to feed them this fruit, your pooch should be fine. This fruit is NOT toxic, but fruits and vegetables should never be more than 10% of your dog’s calorie intake.
You should only feed your Pug pineapple or any other human food occasionally. Their regular diet should consist of high-quality dog food which will provide them with the nutrients their body requires.
Whenever you feed your dog any types of fruits and vegetables, always make sure you monitor them closely.
References and Further Reading
Science.Gov – Sample Records for Pineapple Leaf Fibre
HomeGuides – Is The Outside of a Pineapple Poisonous To Eat?