Harper Jefcoat
Harper Jefcoat

Can Dogs Eat Pears? Yes! But Moderation is the Key!

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On This Page

  • Can Dogs Eat Pears Safely?
  • What are the Health Benefits of Pears for my Dog?
  • Can Eating Pears be Dangerous for my Dog?
  • What are the Risks of Feeding Pears to Dogs?
  • Which Dogs Can’t Eat Pears?
  • What are the Safe Ways of Serving Pears to Dogs?

We all know that dogs are carnivores, but do they eat fruit? The short answer is yes. However, there are some caveats to this rule. For example, can dogs eat pears?

The simple answer is yes, but there are a few things you should know before giving your pup a pear.

There are so many different types of fruit out there that it can be difficult to know which ones are safe for your dog. Pears, however, is one of the most popular fruits for dogs and they're actually healthy!

Read the blog further to know the health benefits that pear has to offer. Also, you will get to know the potential risks associated with the fruit and how you can protect your fluffy friend from those hazards.

Can Dogs Eat Pears Safely?

Yes! Dogs love them and they are good for them, too. They have important nutrients in them, but they also have a lot of sugar. So only give them to your dog when you want to give it something special.

Some dogs like pears. You can give pears to your dog as a treat sometimes. But not all dogs like fruits. If your dog doesn't like it, you should try chopping up the pear and giving them a small piece first to see if they like it better.

Can Puppies Eat Pears?

Yes, you can give your puppy a small piece of pear. Just be careful not to give them too much and always just feed them the fruit and not the skin.

Can Dogs Eat Canned Pears?

No! Dogs should not eat canned pears.

Only feed your dog fruit that is in its natural state. Don't feed them canned pears because they have too much sugar in them and it can make your pet's stomach hurt. Give fresh, ripe pears to your pet instead.

How Much Pear Can Dogs Eat?

Pears have natural sugar in them. For that reason, you should only feed them in small amounts. You can give them to your pup, but not every day because it will be a large amount of sugar for their body.

You need to feed their dogs a balanced diet with all the nutrients. Dogs should eat a lot of food and their treats, including pears, should not be more than 10% of the calories they eat.

If you have any questions about the right diet for your dog, talk to your veterinarian.

What are the Health Benefits of Pears for my Dog?

Pears are like most fruits. They give your dog healthy vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories, so they make a great snack that won’t pack on the pounds if fed in moderation.

Let's see what those benefits actually do inside your dog’s body.

  • Vitamin A: Vitamin A makes their eyesight better, helps the skin, and heals wounds.
  • Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that seeks out free radicals. These free radicals damage cells because of stress, disease, aging, and environmental toxins.
  • Folate: Folate is also called folic acid. It is an important mineral that helps with DNA and red blood cell production.
  • Copper: Copper is a mineral that helps the body's immune system. It also helps the body's digestion and nerve function.
  • Potassium: Potassium helps our bodywork. A lot of things in our body need potassium to work well. For example, it helps your muscles contract and your heartbeat.
  • Antioxidants: Pears have antioxidants that help people with inflammation. They reduce blood pressure, and they help circulation. The peel is especially good for this because it contains more antioxidants than the flesh of the pear.
  • Dietary Fiber: The fiber in food like pears helps things move through your body. This is good because it keeps the digestive tract working. It does this by giving bacteria something to eat, and it also has other health benefits.
  • Anthocyanins: They are responsible for the red color of pears. They are good for your dog’s heart, they help blood vessels stay strong, and they may even help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
  • Lutein and zeaxanthin: They are found in the skin of a pear. It is important for healthy vision.

Nutritional Rundown of a Medium-Sized Whole Pear

    • Calories: 101
    • Protein: 1 gram
    • Carbohydrates: 27 grams
    • Fiber: 6 grams
    • Vitamin C: 12% of the Daily Value (DV)
    • Vitamin K: 6% of DV
    • Potassium: 4% of the DV
    • Copper: 16% of DV

Giving pears to your dog can be risky. There are only a few risks, but it is worth mentioning them.

How do I Know that Pear is Safe?

The best way of making sure that you are not adding anything harmful to your dog’s diet is to speak with your veterinarian beforehand.

Remember that introducing any new food into your canine’s diet could come with some adverse symptoms like nausea, upset stomach, etc.

In case you notice any such symptoms, contact the vet immediately.

When beginning, it is better to give just a small amount of pear-like half an inch piece without seeds. Monitor your dog for at least 48 hours and see if they experience any negative effects.

Even if they don’t show any adverse symptoms, it is better to limit pears as occasional treats rather than making them a part of their daily diet.

Can Eating Pears be Dangerous for my Dog?

Some parts of pears in some instances can be dangerous for your dog. These are further explained below.

Pear Core and Seeds

“Can dogs eat pear seeds?”
“Can dogs eat pear cores?”

Many types of fruit seeds contain amygdalin. It is present in pear seeds, apple seeds from the apple core, and many other types of fruit. When your dog chews on these seeds, they can release cyanide into its body. The amount of cyanide in the fruit is small so they need to eat a lot to be affected by it.

However, cyanide poisoning is a life-threatening problem. It can happen when a dog eats too many pear seeds. You should take off the seeds and core before you feed them to your dog so they don't have a problem with cyanide poisoning.

Coco might eat a seed that he finds. This is not a problem. You do not need to worry about this. Just watch him.

Cooked and Canned Pears

For dogs, plain pears are okay to eat. But they should not be boiled in water. They should also not have spices or sugar added to them. If a dog eats too much sugar or rich flavors from spices, then it can get an upset stomach.

Canned pears are often soaked in syrup or fruit juice. The syrup makes the fruit sweeter. Too much sugar is bad for dogs because it can cause dental disease, obesity, and other health problems like diabetes.

It is possible to buy canned pears that are soaking in water. It is OK to give these to your dog in small amounts. When you get them, the core and seeds are already removed so it will be easier for you.

Homegrown Pears

Some people have pear trees. Dogs can't pick pears from the tree, because they will choke on them.

A pear is a big fruit and if a dog doesn't chew it right, then it could become stuck in its mouth or food pipe. If a person's dog eats the part of the fruit that isn't good for him, he would be sick.

It is not a good idea to let your dog eat windfall pears. Windfall pears are just like other fruits in that they might be choking hazards. If you feed them to your dog, it may eat too many seeds which can be toxic.

It is best if you prepare the pear-like fresh fruit and clean it up before giving it to your pet, including cutting it into bite-sized chunks.

What are the Risks of Feeding Pears to Dogs?

There are some risks when giving your dog pears. These are as follows:

High Sugar Content

Sugar is natural in pears. A lot of sugar can cause an upset stomach, so you should only offer small amounts to your dog. Some dogs have diabetes, so before giving them too much sugar, speak with their veterinarian first.

Pose a Choking Hazard

All food can be a choking hazard if it is given whole. For this reason, we always recommend that you cut the food into bite-sized cubes. Small dogs are especially prone to choking on pieces that are too large, but a large dog that gulps the food whole can also choke on it.

All dogs risk a blockage problem if they eat pieces of food that are too large.

Can Cause Cyanide Poisoning

Dogs can't eat pear seeds, leaves, and stems because they contain traces of cyanide. The cyanide in the seeds gets released when they are cracked or crushed.

Chewing the stem or leaves will also release cyanide in your dog's digestive system. Since it's just trace amounts, your dog would need to eat a few before the toxicity symptoms appear. But any amount can be dangerous if your dog is sensitive to it.

Risks of Unripe Pears

Ripe pears are better because they are soft and sweet. Ripe pears can even make your dog’s tummy feel better.

Green or unripe pears are hard to chew so it might give your dog a big tummy ache if they have them, so it is best not to give them. And always remove the core before giving your dog fruit, especially if the fruit is green or unripe.

Which Dogs Can’t Eat Pears?

If you have a dog with tummy trouble, feed it food that does not have pears. If your dog is prone to an upset stomach, ask your vet before changing or adding any new food or treats because it may upset them.

Overweight dogs should eat a diet that helps them lose weight. Your vet can help you with this. The diet might include some fruit, vegetables, or other healthy foods. But you should always have your vet help you with this.

Dogs with diabetes can eat some food, but their diet should be very consistent. So feeding them one pear every now and then might not be good for them. You must speak to your doctor about how to feed a dog with diabetes.

What are the Safe Ways of Serving Pears to Dogs?

Before you give your dog a pear, make sure they are fresh and ripe. Fresh pears are best when they are washed first. Cut off a bite-size piece for them to eat.

You should not give them the whole pear or the stalk. This is because it can be too big for their body and they do not have teeth that will help with digestion.

Some other serving tips are as follows:

  • Pour yogurt and a pinch of cinnamon into a blender. Add in some pears. Blend it up. Pour it into an ice cube tray for some popsicles that will be tasty and refreshing!
  • Grate a pear and mix it with your dog's regular food. The smell will make it more enticing to the dog.
  • Put chunks of pear in the freezer with other fruit that dogs are allowed to have. Freeze it. Then put it all together for a frozen fruit salad!
  • Bake delicious homemade dog treats with pears in them. One such recipe is suggested below.

Two-Ingredient Pear Dog Treat

      • Prep Time: 10 minutes
      • Cook Time: 24 minutes
      • Total Time: 34 minutes
      • Yield: 8 dozen small cookies 1x

Ingredients

    • 1 4-ounce jar of baby food
    • 1 cup flour

Cooking Instructions:

  1. Set the oven to 350º.
  2. In a large bowl, mix one cup of flour with a jar of baby food. Stir it together.
  3. If your dough is sticky, add flour and knead it so that it isn’t sticky anymore.
  4. Roll out dough on a flat surface. Get some flour to put on the dough. Cut out shapes with the cookie cutter and lay them on the pan.
  5. Put the baking dish in the oven for 24 minutes. The bottom of the food will be brown when it is cooked through.

Turn off the oven when the cookies are done. Let them cool inside the oven. This way, they will have less moisture and will be crispier.

What Kinds of Pears are Safe for Dogs?

Here are some common kinds of pears that your dog could safely consume;

  • Green Anjou
  • Red Anjou
  • Bartlett
  • Red Bartlett
  • Bosc
  • Conference
  • Comice
  • Concorde
  • Forelle
  • Seckel
  • Starkrimson

Can Dogs Have Pear? Yes - In Moderation!

The bottom line is that dogs can eat pears safely as occasional treats, but it’s important to pay attention to the type of pear you are feeding your pet. A slice of pear that is ripe and is cut into bite-sized pieces without seeds, is good for your fluffy friend.

If your dog has any health conditions or allergies, this may be an issue for them. Be sure to ask a veterinarian before introducing new foods into their diet in order to avoid any problems!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are pears toxic to dogs?

FAQ Icon

Pears can be toxic to dogs only in very large quantities and if they eat the seeds or stems of pears. This is because pears are rich in natural sugars so high quantities could cause diabetes. Also, the seed and stems consist of cyanide which is poisonous for dogs.

Why do dogs love pears?

FAQ Icon

Dogs love pears because of their crunchy texture and sweet taste. They make a delicious treat for dogs. However, all dog treats including pears should only be served in moderation to dogs.

Can pears kill dogs?

FAQ Icon

No, pears can not kill dogs. However, in large quantities, or pears with seeds, stems, and leaves, can be extremely hazardous for dogs and may lead to severe health complications.

Harper Jefcoat

WRITTEN BY

Harper Jefcoat

Harper Jefcoat is a dedicated pet enthusiast and esteemed author at RealESALetter.com. With a profound passion for animals, Harper combines extensive knowledge and personal experience to provide insightful and informative content. Specializing in canine behavior and wellness, he strives to empower pet owners with the tools and understanding they need to nurture and care for their furry friends effectively. Harper’s writings reflect his commitment to enhancing the lives of pets and their owners, making him a trusted voice in the pet community.

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