Can dogs eat pears? Yes, you can feed pears to your dog. Dogs are omnivores and will happily eat fruits and vegetables, though not all dogs like the same food. Dogs can eat pears. In fact, dogs can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Are Pears Healthy for Dogs?
Pears are healthy for dogs to eat. Although they do contain a substantial amount of sugar — 23 grams per 100 grams of pears — pears are considered low in fat, a fact that experts agree makes them more favorable to dogs than other fruits.
Pears also have a high water content and plenty of fiber, which helps keep your dog regular and maintain a healthy digestive system. They can be fed as part of your dog’s diet or mixed into things like cottage cheese or yogurt. They are, however, high in sugar, so feed sparingly.
Benefits of Pears for Dogs
Pears pack a lot of nutritional benefits for dogs.
1. Pears help resolves constipation issues. Another benefit is that pears are a source of antioxidants — compounds that neutralize free radicals in the body and reduce the risk of cancer. They are also rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, both of which prevent bad cholesterol from clogging your dog’s arteries.
2. Pears contain vitamin K, which normalizes blood clotting and reduces the risk of blood clots.
3. They help to cure digestive issues. When dogs have a hard time digesting foods, pears are a great way to make digestion easier. Pears’ insoluble fiber content speeds up the digestive process, preventing constipation.
4. Pears also offer an excellent source of antioxidants and flavonoids that are good for dogs’ eyes and heart health. Pears are also a source of vitamin C, which strengthens bones and teeth, boosts the immune system to ward off illnesses and infections, reduces inflammation in canines and maintains cardiovascular health.
5. Pears are also effective in removing toxins from your dog’s body while improving their skin and coat.
6. Pears are a good source of vitamins (A, K and C), manganese, fibre, antioxidants, and dietary sugars that support a healthy immune system. They also help with maintaining a proper pH balance in the body, ensuring the good health of the digestive system.
7. Pears are an excellent source of minerals that are essential for dogs such as calcium, magnesium and potassium. These minerals are required for bone growth and function.
8. Pears contain a considerable amount of antioxidants, which provide protection from free radicals in the body by neutralizing harmful chemicals that can cause damage to your dog’s body tissue and cells.
9. Pears also contain a compound called phenolic acid, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells in the body.
10. Pears are also good for dogs who suffer from an upset stomach as they help to settle your dog’s stomach and aid in digestion.
Pear Nutrition Facts
1. A medium pear contains 64 calories and has no fat or cholesterol.
2. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber (4 g), vitamin C (10% of the recommended daily value), vitamin K (7% of the recommended daily value), copper, potassium, manganese, and B-complex vitamins like niacin and thiamine.
3. One medium pear contains about 18 percent of the RDA for vitamin C.
4. Vitamin C strengthens bones and teeth, boosts the immune system to ward off illnesses and infections, reduces inflammation in dogs and maintains cardiovascular health.
5. Manganese is necessary for the proper formation of connective tissue like cartilage, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and more.
6. Potassium promotes heart health by regulating blood pressure and lessening the load on the heart by relaxing blood vessels and allowing them to contract more easily.
7. Copper is a trace mineral that activates several enzymes in the body, which are responsible for normal growth and development as well as iron absorption within the body. Copper also promotes immune system health.
8. Niacin, or vitamin B3, helps with food digestion by increasing the production of digestive juices in the stomach and intestine, thus aiding in food breakdown so that your dog can absorb nutrients from their food easily. Dogs with niacin deficiency will have swollen eyelids and lips due to inflammation of these tissues.
9. Vitamin B6 is necessary for the production of red blood cells and for synthesizing proteins, fats and carbohydrates that your dog needs to stay healthy.
10. Thiamine, or vitamin B1, helps with chemical reactions in the body that are vital to life and helps to metabolize carbohydrates so they can be used as energy or stored. Dogs with thiamine deficiencies experience fatigue, irritability and watery eyes as a result of their nutritional deficiencies.
Are Pears Safe for Dogs?
Pears are safe for dogs to eat, but be careful because the core can get stuck in their throats. Dogs don’t have the manual dexterity to remove what is stuck, and that’s a scary thing. Make sure to cut up the pear for your dog and that they don’t eat the core or seeds.
Pears can also trigger allergic reactions in some dogs. If you think your dog could have an allergic reaction to pears, try a different variety or stay away from them altogether.
Perfect Pear Recipes for Your Furry Friends
Not only can dogs eat pears, there are some creative ways that they can enjoy them if you’d like to make them into tasty treats.
1. Pear Popsicles for Dogs: Gather your ingredients like all-natural pear juice, organic pear puree and coconut oil.
2 Pear Oatmeal Bites Homemade Dog Treats: This snack is rich in fiber and vitamin C, so it’s a great choice for dogs suffering from constipation issues.
3. Pear and Banana Dog Biscuits: This is a great snack for your dog, especially if you want to ease their digestion issues.
7 Things You Should Know About Pears for Dogs
1. Pears are most suitable for dogs who suffer from an upset stomach, have loose stool, or are prone to digestive issues. If your pet acts like they’re ready to puke after eating them, then don’t try and force-feed your dog anymore. You should also avoid giving him pears if he has a history of kidney or liver failure.
2. If you’re giving your dog pears, be sure to wash them very well first.
3. Don’t give pears to your dog if he or she has a history of pancreatitis.
4. Avoid giving dogs large amounts of vitamin C. Too much vitamin C can be toxic since it can increase the amounts of calcium in the blood and lead to excessive bone growth and other serious complications in dogs. It’s better to give your dog smaller doses of vitamin C over time.
5. Remember to remove the seeds and core of the pear before feeding it to your dog. You should also avoid feeding your dog the leaves or skin of the pear as they could be toxic.
6. If you’re feeding pears to your dog, then make sure you don’t feed them any other kinds of fruits that day as they can alter the pH balance in the stomach.
7. Some dogs have a hard time digesting the cellulose in pears and other fruits and vegetables, so introducing your dog to new or unusual foods is best done slowly.
How many pears should you give your dog?
Smaller dogs should have a maximum of 2 small pears per day and larger dogs can have up to 4 medium pears per day. It’s best to start with just a few slices and see if it affects your dog’s digestion.
For safe and proper storage, keep your pears in the refrigerator (up to 4 days) or in a plastic bag in the freezer (up to 3 months).
Can Dogs Eat Pears? The Final Word
Most dogs love pears and eating them is usually fine. The pears you feed your dog should be organic and free from pesticides, so you know that they’re safe for your pet. There is some evidence that eating pears regularly may help your dog avoid worms. Pears can also replace the need for commercial dog treats for those times you want to give your pet something healthy.
