Can Dogs Eat Pineapple?

Victoria Lynn Arnold

Updated Jul. 21, 2024

Adobe Stock/sorocka

Is Pineapple Good for Dogs?

Yes, pineapple is safe for dogs to eat in moderation. It even boasts several nutritional benefits.

Although your dog won’t experience major benefits from small pineapple pieces as occasional treats, they can be a healthy snack choice. Feeding dog-safe fruits to your pup is a much more nutritious option than table scraps that may be harmful to pets.

Here are the benefits of pineapple for dogs.

They’re Rich in Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants

Pineapples contain multiple vitamins and minerals that help support your dog’s immune system and digestive system.

Your dog could also benefit from the antioxidants found in pineapple such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory benefits.

They include:

Vitamin C
Vitamin B6
Vitamin A
Vitamin K
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Niacin
Folate
Manganese
Copper
Potassium
Magnesium
Iron
Calcium
Phosphorus
Zinc

They’re Hydrating

Just like watermelons, pineapples contain a high percentage of water, which promotes hydration.

Is Pineapple Bad for Dogs?

Serving too much pineapple and serving certain parts of the pineapple can lead to health issues and can be dangerous to dogs.

Here are the risks of pineapple for dogs.

Eating Too Much Can Lead to Health Issues

Pineapples have a high fiber content, which is great for the digestive tract, but too much fiber can actually cause your dog to have an upset stomach.

Pineapples have a high sugar content, which can also lead to an upset stomach. If your dog eats too much sugar on a regular basis, they can develop health problems over time like dental issues, obesity, and diabetes.

Pineapples are also highly acidic and can cause your dog to have heartburn (acid reflux).

Parts of the Pineapple Can Be a Choking Hazard

The pineapple core and rinds are tough to chew. If served to dogs, these two parts of the fruit, as well as the stems and leaves, can be a choking hazard or cause an obstruction. Only serve the juicy flesh.

How Much Pineapple Can a Dog Eat?

Any kind of treat should only make up 10% of your dog’s overall diet—even the healthy ones. The other 90% of your dog’s diet should come from well-balanced dog food.

Below are some general guidelines for safely feeding raw pineapple to your dog based on their weight, but when in doubt, ask your vet.

Dog Size	Serving Size
Extra-small dog (2–20 pounds)	1–2 pieces
Small dog (21–30 pounds)	2–3 pieces
Medium-size dog (31–50 pounds)	5–6 pieces
Large dog (51–90 pounds)	Handful of pieces
Extra-large dog (91+ pounds)	Large handful of pieces

If your dog accidentally eats too much pineapple, watch for the following symptoms:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Constipation
Decreased appetite or loss of appetite
Flatulence

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

How To Safely Feed Your Dog Pineapple

Here are some tips for preparing pineapple for dogs:

Remove the core and rinds. In addition to the stem and leaves, remove the pineapple core and rinds (the spiny skin). Remember, they can be a choking hazard or cause an obstruction.
Cut into smaller pieces. Each piece should only be about 1 inch x 1 inch x ¼-inch thick.

Now that the pineapple’s prepped, here are some easy and fun ways to safely feed this fruity treat to your dog:

Raw pineapple: Treat your pup to a fresh, juicy piece or two.
Dried pineapple: Dry the pineapple chunks with a dehydrator at home. Give your dog a little less than the recommended amount, since dehydrating concentrates the sugars.
Frozen pineapple: Freeze the pineapple chunks to feed to your dog later as a cold, crunchy treat.
Fruit smoothie: Blend up a little pineapple with other dog-safe fruits like strawberries, bananas, or blueberries. You can even mix the fruit with a sugar-free, xylitol-free, plain yogurt. Then put this mixture into your dog’s KONG® toy to freeze for later. They will love licking up this delicious combination!
Piña colada mocktail: Try this recipe for a dog-safe piña colada with pineapple, banana, and mango.

Can Puppies Eat Pineapples?

Yes, puppies who are old enough to eat solid foods and are not nursing or using milk supplements can eat pineapples.

However, before serving any new, dog-safe human foods to your pup, consult with your veterinarian. They’ll likely advise you to start with one small piece to see how your puppy reacts to the new food.

Dogs and Pineapples FAQs

Can dogs eat canned pineapple?

Although canned pineapple is not toxic for dogs, it shouldn’t be used as a snack for your pup.

Canned pineapple usually comes in a syrup that has very high sugar content. And that much sugar will most certainly upset your dog’s stomach.

It’s best to stick with raw pineapple.

Can dogs have pineapple juice?

Dogs can have pineapple juice as long as it’s fresh-squeezed pineapple juice. Canned or bottled pineapple juice may have too much added sugar and could cause upset stomach. Stick to just 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh pineapple juice.

Can dogs eat pineapple core or skin?

No, dogs cannot eat pineapple core or skin. Again, it’s crucial to always remove the core, stem, leaves, and skin. These parts can become choking hazards for your dog, and even cause an intestinal blockage.

If your dog has eaten the core of a pineapple, contact your veterinarian immediately. It’s too difficult for your dog to digest and could cause serious problems.

Can dogs eat dried pineapple?

If you are going to dehydrate the pineapple yourself, dried pineapple can be a safe and easy treat for your dog. Just make sure it’s not so hardened that it becomes a choking hazard or cracks your dog’s teeth. The process of drying the fruit also concentrates the sugars.

Do not serve your dog store-bought dried fruits, as they typically contain a large amount of added sugar, which is not good for your dog’s overall health. This could cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting. They also often contain preservatives that could be dangerous for your dog.

If your dog has already eaten some, check the ingredients list for any hazardous ingredients for dogs, such as xylitol. Contact your veterinarian, just to be safe.

Can dogs eat frozen pineapple?

Yes, dogs can have frozen pineapple, which can serve as a tasty, cold treat on particularly hot days. Just remember to serve in moderation and allow it to soften slightly to avoid cracking your dog’s teeth.

Can dogs eat cooked pineapple?

Yes, your dog can eat cooked pineapple, as long as it’s cooked plain and served in small amounts. Serve it cooled, so it doesn’t burn your dog’s mouth.

Do not cook pineapple with toxic ingredients such as garlic and onion. Eating these dangerous veggies can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in dogs. If they do eat these ingredients, take your dog to your veterinarian immediately.

Can dogs eat pineapple cake?

No, dogs cannot have pineapple cake. Although pineapple itself is healthy, pineapple cake has too much sugar for your dog and could make them sick.

There’s also the risk of additional ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like nutmeg or xylitol.

If your dog ate pineapple cake, especially if it has either of these ingredients, contact your veterinarian right away.

Can pineapple stop a dog from eating poop?

There’s a tale that many dog owners believe about pineapple stopping a dog from eating poop. The idea is that the antioxidant bromelain, which is found in pineapple, will make your dog’s poop taste bad to them, therefore stopping them from eating their own feces.

However, there’s no hard evidence proving this theory of pineapple for dogs who eat feces. If your dog does persist with this unfortunate habit, talk with your veterinarian.

Sometimes eating poop is just a bad habit that your dog has formed over time. But there could also be underlying health issues causing their desire to eat animal poop. Contact your veterinarian to find out if this applies to your dog and what the best next steps would be.