Can dogs eat pears?
Yes, dogs can eat pears! Pears contain a variety of vitamins and minerals that are totally beneficial to our dog’s health. In fact, pears could be described as a superfood.
Superfoods are claimed to offer maximum health benefits for our canine friends due to their high level of nutrients and all-around goodness.
Let’s look at why pears are so good for our canine companions!
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Are pears good for dogs?
Yes, pears are good for dogs. In fact, pears contain high levels of vitamins and minerals as well as providing our dogs with high levels of antioxidants.
It’s important to remember that adding foods, such as pears, into your dog’s diet should be a gradual process. Pears should be included as part of a wider, more varied diet.
A dog should be on a long-term, good quality diet and this should provide them with all the nutrition that their body needs in order to function correctly.
If you are unsure of what diet to offer your dog, speak with your veterinary surgeon or canine nutritionist.
Suggested reading: A guide to superfoods for dogs
Let’s look at how our dogs may benefit by having pears introduced into their diet…
- Good source of fiber
Fiber helps to support a dog’s digestive system. By having plenty of fiber in their diet, dogs are able to produce adequate amounts of faeces, which keeping the digestive system moving.
Good sources of fiber help to contribute to healthy gut bacteria.
- Source of Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential in a dog’s diet, as they cannot produce their own supply. Vitamin A helps to maintain healthy skin and a glowing coat, as well as supporting muscle and nerve function.
- Provides Vitamin C
Supporting the immune system, Vitamin C can help to protect our dogs from different illnesses and diseases. Vitamin C also helps to promote healthy aging as well as reducing inflammation. This can help with conditions, such as arthritis.
- Natural Antioxidant
Pears can provide our dogs with a natural antioxidant. Antioxidants protect the cells in our dog’s body from damage or mutation. In some cases, antioxidants can help to prevent degenerative diseases, or even minimize the risk of cancer.
- Potassium
An extremely important mineral to aid in body function, potassium helps to support the function of the heart. Potassium also supports muscle and nerve function.
- Copper
The main function of copper within a dog’s diet is to support red blood cell function. Red blood cells carry oxygen around a dogs body to vital organs.
Are pears bad for dogs?
No, pears are not bad for dogs. However, there are a few risks associated with feeding pears to your dog that you should keep in mind.
Allergic reaction – When offering new foods to your dog, you should always monitor them for any adverse reactions.
Some dogs can be intolerant to certain foods. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include:
- Swelling around the eyes
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Vomiting
- Swollen throat
- Diarrhea
If you think that your dog is having an allergic reaction following pear ingestion, seek veterinary help immediately.
High levels of natural sugars – Whilst pears offer natural sugars which can be beneficial in their diet, there is the good old saying – “too much of a good thing”.
An increased ingestion of sugars can cause health conditions such as obesity, diarrhea and in severe cases, diabetes. You would have to feed a substantial amount of pears daily to reach severe health concerns, but do be mindful about what compounds certain foods contain.
Cyanide poisoning – When offering pears to your dog, ensure that you remove the seeds and the core, both of which can contain a toxic compound. Whilst eating one or two seeds will not cause your dog much harm, it is probably best to remove them regardless.
Choking hazard – Pears can become a choking hazard if they are swallowed whole or in large chunks. When feeding your dog pears, make sure that you are offering them in bite-sized chunks.
How to serve pears to dogs
Pears can be offered to your dog in different ways – it all depends on how creative you want to get. As a general rule, ensure that pears are soft when squeezed which means that they are ripe and ready for eating. The stalk, seeds, and core should all be removed.
Fresh chunks – One of the easiest ways to feed pears to your dog is to chop them up into bite sized pieces. Make sure that the pear is either organic or grown by yourself. Wash the outside of the pear before preparing.
Fresh grated – One way that you can start to introduce pear into your dogs diet is to grate the fresh pear directly onto their food. This can be mixed into their normal diet and can offer a boost of vitamins and minerals.
Pair with other superfoods – Make your dog a delicious superfood smoothie. Blend pear along with banana, chia seeds and even herbs, such as basil, to create a smoothie packed full of goodness.
Frozen superfood smoothie – Have some smoothie left over? Place into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then you can offer some frozen cubes to your pooch on a scorcher of a day. Only offer small amounts to avoid their body going into shock from the temperature change.
Can dogs eat pears – FAQ’s
Can dogs eat Asian pears?
Yes, dogs can eat Asian pears. In fact, they can eat all pears within the pear family. Just make sure to remove the seeds and core before offering them to your dog.
Can dogs eat canned pears?
No, dogs should not eat canned pears. It is likely that canned pears will be preserved with excessive sugars, syrups and preservatives.
Whilst a small amount of canned pears will not harm your dog, it is best to avoid offering them regularly.
Can dogs eat pear-flavored candy?
No, dogs should not eat pear-flavored candy. There is likely to be additional flavorings and high levels of sugars within pear-flavored candy. Candy may also include a toxic ingredient called xylitol.
If your dog has ingested candy that includes xylitol, seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Can dogs eat frozen pears?
Yes, dogs can eat frozen pears. Before freezing, make sure that they are prepared accordingly and chopped into smaller pieces or blended.
It may be beneficial to remove frozen pears from the freezer for a few minutes prior to feeding in order to allow them to thaw slightly. This will then reduce the risk of a choking hazard.
What are pears?
Pears are a sweet fruit that grows on pear trees. They are grown worldwide, as well as being available to purchase from many grocery stores. Pears have a yellow or green skin and have soft, sweet flesh on the inside.
Have you ever heard the term ‘pear-shaped’? This is because pears are thinner at the top part of the fruit and then have a more rounded bottom section.
What other fruits can dogs eat?
There are loads of fruits and vegetables than can benefit our pooches by offering up an assortment of nutritional goodness.
You might like to try feeding your dog, some of the following foods – click through to the articles for the full lowdown on each one.
Can dogs eat pears – final thoughts
Pears can make a fantastic addition to a dog’s diet. Pears can help to support heart function, as well as support nerve impulses and promote a healthy coat.
Pears contain beneficial vitamins, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C, as well as essential nutrients such as copper and potassium.
You can offer your dog pears in a variety of ways including in smoothie form, fresh or frozen.
If you are worried about your dog after they have eaten pears, always speak with your veterinary practice for further advice.
