Can Dogs Eat Pears?

Written by: Kristina Lalovic
Can dogs eat pears? Is this delicious fruit safe to share with dogs or not? If yes, how should you serve it in order to provide your dog with the best health benefits. If not, what to do if your dog has eaten a bite or two of it? Discover everything there is to know in the article.

Pears are among most delicious fruits out there. A pear snack will refresh us and fulfill our sugary crave quickly with it’s sweet taste. But that’s just us humans, right?

Not exactly, it looks like our canine buddies are also crazy about this fruit’s taste. But, should dogs be fed pears? We know that dogs love almost anything that has a sweet or savory taste, but not all of these foods are safe to share with dogs. On the contrary, some might even be highly toxic to pups.

So, is it safe for dogs to eat pears? Scroll down and discover.

Can Dogs Eat Pears?

Yes. Pears are safe to eat for dogs. These fruits are not only safe, but are also healthy for your pup. Pears are rich in dietary fiber as well as in vitamins A and C. Its nutrient compounds make this fruit good for promoting the health of your dog’s digestive tract.

But, there are some things you should know before handing that pear you just bought to your dog.

How Much Pears Can Dogs Eat?

In order for your dog to get the most health benefits out of this yummy fruit, you shouldn’t exceed the recommended amount. Pears, just like any other fruit safe for dogs, should be fed in moderation and as an occasional treat.

This means that you shouldn’t feed your dog with a whole pear all at once. Instead, cut it into smaller slices and share a couple of them throughout the day.

The ideal amount of pear slices a dog should have is 1 or 2 slices. You can make it 3 if your dog is a large-sized breed. Exceeding the recommended quantity might lead to an upset tummy.

How Should You Serve Pears To Your Dog?

Feeding your dog with pears is safe, but under certain conditions. You’ll have to serve this fruit in the right way in order to ensure your dog gets exactly what he needs from the fruit. By following the right instructions to serving pears to dogs, you will prevent unnecessary health risks that might come if the pear is eaten entirely.

Pears are very healthy to dogs when served without seeds, stems or pits. These parts of the pear must be removed so that your dog can safely enjoy their pear-y treat. But how come these tiny parts are so dangerous to a dog?

First of all, seeds contain a chemical called cyanide that can be fatal to dogs when consumed in high amounts. This is why it is always recommended to remove all seeds from pears (but other fruits too, such as apples) and ensure your dog doesn’t get intoxicated.

However, swallowing a couple of seeds by mistake won’t necessarily mean your dog is at risk of poisoning or death. Dogs usually need higher amounts of it in order to really feel the intoxicating effects of cyanide. So, if it happens, don’t panic. Just make sure your dog drinks enough water afterward.

On the other hand, pear skin is considered to be safe for dogs as long as it’s thoroughly washed from potentially harmful pesticides used with these kinds of fruit. When cleaned properly, pear skin has lots of health benefits your dog can benefit from.

Can Dogs Eat Pear Cores?

You’ve eaten the pear and there’s only the core remaining. Should you feed your dog with it? If you read everything we wrote so far, you’ll probably figure out the answer to this question. However, let’s make it super clear.

The answer is NO. The core contains seeds that contain cyanide that is very very toxic to dogs. Sorry folks, but the pear cores will have to go to the garbage.

If you give your dog a pear core to eat, it might even cause intestinal blockage, or cause choking if it’s hard to swallow.

Can Dogs Eat Canned Pears?

Unlike some canned vegetables that are completely safe to feed your dog with, canned fruit is usually not the right food to share with Fido.

Similarly, canned pears should not be fed to dogs. They contain high levels of sugar that can cause irritations in your dog’s digestive tract and end up in a mild to severe diarrhea.

So, the final answer is NO. Instead of feeding your dog with canned pears, buy some fresh pears that will bring so much more benefits to him.

Why Are Pears Healthy For Dogs?

Just like any other fruit, pears are very rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as in dietary fiber. We have already highlighted the importance to feed your dog only occasionally with pears and in moderation in order to provide him with true health benefits of the fruit.

Now that you know how many pears you should feed your dog with, let’s discover what is it that makes this delicious fruit so healthy:

  • Dietary Fiber
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B1 and B2
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin K
  • Vitamin E
  • Cancer-fighting Antioxidants
  • Copper
  • Potassium
  • Phosphorus
  • Folic Acid
  • Niacin

Health Benefits Of Pears For Dogs

Pears indeed have a lot of healthy nutrients, but do they really benefit your dog? The truth is that if your dog is fed with high-quality food every day, introducing occasional treats of pear might not give surprising benefits. However, pears will still benefit your dog and support his overall health.

Dietary Fiber

First of all, the dietary fiber found in pears is crucial for a good metabolism and the digestive system. It will improve your dog’s heart health and lower his cholesterol levels.

Other sources of dietary fiber: pumpkin, pomelo, turnips.

Vitamin K

Pears are an excellent source of vitamin K, which is important for your dog’s blood function and bone strength. This important vitamin increases the bone density which inevitably leads to healthier bones. That’s why giving a pear treat to an aging dog might be a great idea.

Other sources of vitamin K: capsicum (bell peppers)

Vitamin C

Another vitamin that dogs can get from pears is vitamin C. Although dogs produce the vitamin C they need on a daily basis, getting a dose of this vitamin might help in fighting degenerative diseases, especially in older dogs.

Other sources of vitamin C: oranges, cantaloupes, broccoli

Potassium

Potassium is another healthy nutrient pears have in abundance. This important mineral promotes regular heart function and supports a good nervous system.

Other sources of Potassium: avocados, tomatoes

Vitamin B6

Although pears are not the richest source of Vitamin B6 there is, they still contain a fairly good amount of it. Occasional pear treats will certainly increase the absorption of this vitamin into your dog’s organism. Vitamin B6 supports the regular brain function and affects your dog’s mood by controlling the secretion of hormones like serotonin.

Other sources of Vitamin B6: bananas , parsnips

Risks Of Dogs Eating Pears

Feeding pears to a dog can sometimes also bring a couple of risks. First of all, any human food can be a choking hazard if not served properly. That’s why it is very important to cut and slice a pear into bite-sized chunks that your dog could safely eat and chew.

We already discussed that cyanide found in seeds might lead to intoxication, which is why you should never feed your dog with a whole pear.

But are there some health conditions eating pears could cause in a dog? Let’s find out.

Pears Can Give Dogs Diarrhea

This is true for any fruit or vegetable that contains high levels of sugar and dietary fiber that are just too much for a dog’s digestive system. That’s why it is always necessary to remember that moderation is the only way to feed your dog with any type of human food.

If your dog has too much pears in a short period of time, the sugar combined with fiber will likely cause an upset stomach and result in diarrhea. A little bit of both will be just fine, but too much of sugar or fiber won’t make your dog’s tummy very happy.

Pears Can Lead To Tooth Decay

All sugary food brings a potential problem for teeth. The same is true for pears. Being so high in sugar makes dogs that eat them regularly more prone to tooth decay.

However, this is not very common as not a lot of dogs eat pears that much for them to cause a teeth problem. But if you feed your dog with fruity treats often, you should make sure you maintain your dog’s dental health and brush his teeth on a regular basis. Brushing his teeth will lower the chances of your dog to develop tooth decay.

Conclusion

Luckily for our furry friends, dogs can safely enjoy pears. This doesn’t mean you should ever overfeed your dog with this fruit. In order to make pears healthy and beneficial for your pup, make sure to serve it properly, and in moderation.

This means feeding your dog with no more than 1 or 2 slices of pear, and cleaning the pears thoroughly as well as removing potentially toxic seeds.

Aging dogs might benefit the most from occasional pear fruits. However, all dogs will get an additional boost in their heart health, bone strength and brain function when fed with these delicious fruits.